Ivan Miroshnichenko’s star turn continued in Game 2 of the Atlantic Division Finals against the Hartford Wolf Pack, Saturday.
The 20-year-old Russian rookie scored twice, including an electrifying highlight-reel goal in the second period. He now has five goals in his last three games.
Miro’s tallied in three straight contests for the first time in his professional career.
Goal 1
Miroshnichenko’s first goal came 2:50 into the first period to give the Hershey Bears an early 1-0 lead.
On the power play, Miroshnichenko scored with a snap shot at a sharp angle, utilizing the curve of his Ovechkin stick blade to beat Hartford Wolf Pack goaltender Dylan Garand to the top corner short side.
Jimmy Huntington and Chase Priskie were awarded the assists.
Goal 2
Miroshnichenko’s next tally came at the 13:32 mark of the second period and it was a stunner. Miro curl-and-dragged around Wolf Pack defenseman Matthew Robertson down the left wing, held onto the puck as he skated through the crease, and shot the puck over a diving Garand. Miro jumped into the boards to celebrate like his idol, Ovechkin.
“Paging @SportsCenter,” the Bears wrote on Twitter.
Garrett Roe was awarded the primary assist — the centerman’s second point in three games since being placed on the Bears’ third line with Miro and Mike Vecchione.
Miroshnichenko was named the First Star of the Game. He told the crowd, “you guys are the best fans. Bear hunt wolf!”
“The first goal is a nice goal, sharp angle shot and power play,” Bears head coach Todd Nelson said afterward. “The second one was a great individual effort. Two great goals. More importantly, I stuck him out there when it was 4-0 or it was 4-1 when they could pull the goalie. I stuck him out there to maybe get his hat trick. Very unselfish play, went out there for 30 seconds, came off the ice. It’s a sign of maturity so I’m proud of him.”
Miroshnichenko sheepishly did a press conference of his own after the game where he spoke entirely in English. Here’s the video courtesy of Andrew Kalista of Chocolate Hockey.
“I just (got) lucky,” Miroshnichenko said. “I tried to pass, but I see [none of] my teammates. I make move. Score.”
Miroshnichenko has been on a mission since the Bears were shut out 2-0 in Game 3 of the Atlantic Division Semifinals against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Nelson called out the team afterward saying, “our best players have to be our best players and tonight that was not the case.”
Miroshnichenko, who had no points and only four shots on goal combined through his first three playoff games, has erupted since then and the Bears have not looked back. Miro scored twice and had one of the best shifts of his AHL career in Game 4 to eliminate the Phantoms. A few nights later, the Washington Capitals’ 2022 first-round pick scored again in Game 1 of the Atlantic Division Finals on a breakaway goal.
The rookie winger is finding success through hustle and the little things, making his presence felt both on the forecheck and in the defensive zone. His strong skating ability, strength, big shot, and soft hands are then taking over when he has the puck. He now has five goals in six playoff games, tying him with Ethen Frank for the Hershey Bears’ team lead.
Only the Milwaukee Admirals’ Zach L’Heureux (6) has scored more goals than Miroshnichenko, Frank, Matej Blümel (Texas Stars), and Jake Leschyshyn (Hartford Wolf Pack) who are all tied for second with 5.
“I so happy,” Miroshnichenko said. “We go Cup. Win, win, win, win. And that’s it.”
