Bears clinch playoff spot with 2-1 win
Photo by hersheybears.com
(Wilkes-Barre) — Christian Djoos scored the game-winning goal, and Pheonix Copley stopped 22 shots to lead the Hershey Bears hockey team to a 2-1 victory over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Friday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
With the win, and a Bridgeport loss at Springfield, Hershey clinched a spot in the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs.
The Bears opened the scoring early in the game’s second period on a goal from forward Jakub Vrana.
The lead would hold until the third period when the Penguins would score on the power play to tie the game.
It took Hershey just 27 seconds to regain the lead. Hershey cycled the puck in the offensive zone, and a pass found Djoos on the left point. The defender walked to the top of the left face-off circle and snapped a shot that eluded Penguins goaltender Casey DeSmith.
With the win, the Bears improved to 35-0-3-0 when leading after two periods of play. The Penguins outshot Hershey 23-21.
Hershey will either finish third or forth in the Atlantic Division, depending on the result of tonight’s game versus Providence.
Hershey’s opponent, as well as playoff dates and times, are to be determined and will be announced Saturday evening.