HERSHEY, PA — Jon McDonald’s fifth career goal in the AHL is one he’ll never forget.
After Grant Cruikshank won a neutral zone faceoff, the Bears defenseman sent an innocent dump-in into the offensive zone. It was there that McDonald got the most fortunate bounce of his career.
The puck struck a stanchion along the corner boards, and from almost no angle, the biscuit slid into the yawning net as Phantoms goaltender Carson Bjarnason looked in horror behind the twine.
McDonald could be seen smiling ear-to-ear as he celebrated with his teammates just inside the offensive zone.
After getting throttled 4-1 by the Phantoms the night before, McDonald’s tally, at 2:17 of the first period, gave Hershey a 1-0 lead early against their intrastate rival in front of a capacity Giant Center.
McDonald, more known for his physical play, has recorded 16 points (5g, 11a) in 73 games for the Bears over the past two seasons. And he may never see a more luckier bounce than that.
