Bears take Game 2 over Checkers

The Hershey Bears are now up 2-0 on the Charlotte Checkers in their best of five first round series of the Calder Cup playoffs thanks to a win on the road for the second straight day. The series now heads back to Hershey with a chance for the Bears to close it out at Giant Center. The Bears took Game 2 with a final score of 5-1.

Herhsey’s five goals came on 16 shots and included three goals in the third period to take control of the game at the atmosphere at Bojangles Coliseum. The first period was scoreless. The Bears struck twice in the second period.

Joe Snively opened up the scoring with a power play goal after taking a pass from Garrett Pilon to fire in his first goal of the playoffs beating Checkers goalie Jean Francois Berube at 6:46. Aliaksei Protas had the secondary assist.

Mason Morelli scored his first career goal of the Calder Cup Playoffs at 14:55 thanks to a 2 on 1 rush from a defensive breakdown with his partner being Riley Sutter. Sutter raced up the right side and fed across to Morelli.

The Checkers broke through Bears net minder Hunter Shepard at 9:15 of the third period thanks to a goal from Ryan McAllister. The Bears roared back with a goal from Connor McMichael for the second straight night at 9:50 from Pilon and Snively. McMichael’s shot was a backhander.

23 seconds later Sam Anas potted his first of the 2023 playoffs at 10:10 from Protas. Pilon capped off the second with an empty net goal assisted by Snively. The Bears outshot the Checkers 20-16. Shepard won in net for the second night in row.

The series shifts to Giant Center where the Bears have a chance to close it out in front of their loyal fans. You can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster here. Go Bears.