Hershey, Pennsylvania – After the horror show in Southern California, the Hershey Bears officially made it a series against the Coachella Valley Firebirds. And they were led by first line players who were mostly silent in the postseason.
Mike Vecion Scored twice while teammate Liney Ethan Frank He cracked in another to give the Bears a 3-2 victory.
The Calder Cup Finals series is now tied at two games apiece. Game four is on Saturday at the Giant Center. Hershey is two wins away from its twelfth Calder Cup.
Mike Vecchione started the scoring in the first period with a power play goal 4:27 into the period. Vecchione, in the protective spot, found a loose puck and pushed it past goaltender Joey Dacord to make it 1-0.
I felt good 😤
🍎: Morelli & Snively pic.twitter.com/Afpo5DBVI1
– Hershey’s Bears (@TheHersheyBears) June 15, 2023
His roar: an epic.
*clears throat*
Hadeer pic.twitter.com/orbgX1B1Ib
– Hershey’s Bears (@TheHersheyBears) June 15, 2023
The Bears held the Firebirds to just one shot through the first 10 minutes of the game, but just as they did in Game Three, Coachella Valley responded quickly. Austin Boganski caught a beautiful pass from Shane Wright, the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, to beat Hunter Shepherd on the far side to tie the game.
Let’s go Pogo!!! 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/74rGxuVZco
– x – Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) June 15, 2023
Mike Vecchione hit again early in the second inning to give Hershey the lead. Those two goals marked his first multi-goal game of the postseason and only his second multi-point performance.
Two goals in the qualifiers before the finals.
Two goals in the finals.
Veccs is growing!today
🍏 Bergstrom pic.twitter.com/9p0ygCAzmn– Hershey’s Bears (@TheHersheyBears) June 16, 2023
Ethyn Frank followed that up with a beautiful goal that gave him goals in back-to-back matches. Literally no goalkeeper can stop this.
Goals in consecutive matches for Frankie!
🍎: Viccione pic.twitter.com/zmUcDCWSUE
– Hershey’s Bears (@TheHersheyBears) June 16, 2023
Frank had previously gone 11 straight games without scoring – the longest he had been without goals during the year – before finally breaking through in the third game.
Coachella Valley forward Jesper Froden added a touchdown goal to make it 3-2, but Hershey, backed up by several great blocks from Lukas Johansen and several great saves from guard Hunter Shepherd, would hold on for the win.
3-2 lead pic.twitter.com/ZXV4nYeLtX
– x – Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) June 16, 2023
Tonight’s attendance was 10,687 – sell out.
goosebumps. https://t.co/yAYS46DL12 pic.twitter.com/PwWWcKWAqD
– Ian Oland (@ianoland) June 16, 2023
Banner photo: Tore Hartmann/Hershey’s Bears
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