Bears take Game 1 in overtime thanks to Mike Vecchione

The Cleveland Monsters nearly stunned the packed crowd at GIANT Center but Mike Vecchione saved the night for both Hershey Bears and Washington Capitals fans alike thanks to a 5-4 win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Per the Bears, the win was Hershey's first against the Monsters franchise in the postseason and extended the Bears home ice and overtime playoff winning streaks to five games.

Ethen Frank opened up the scoring with his sixth goal of the playoffs just 4:24 into the first period. The forward was in his first game back since missing Game 3 of the Atlantic Division Finals with an injury but he's scored goals in his last four straight games played.

The Monsters would answer with two straight goals in 1:21 in the second period as Hunter McKown got them on the board at 3:31 then Alex Whejan beat Hunter Shepard at 4:52 with a snapshot.

The Bears would answer by screening off Jet Greaves, the goaltender for Cleveland. The screen worked as Aaron Ness redirected a shot from Frank to tie the game at 6:15. It was Ness' first of the playoffs and Dylan McIlrath also had an assist on the goal.

Chase Priskie gave the Bears the lead at 17:12 with a power play goal from the right point for his second of the playoffs. Garrett Roe and Jimmy Huntington provided the assists there.

At 8:43 of the third, Hendrix Lapierre made it 4-2 and naturally you think the lead is safe. It wasn't. But it was Lappy's fourth of the Calder Cup playoffs.

The Monsters would pull Graves and the extra attacker worked to perfection to force overtime. First it was Trey Fix-Folansky banking in a shot at 18:37 then at 19:40 it was square at four apiece thanks to David Jiricek.

Vecchione would save the night at 7:58 of the overtime period with a give and go with Huntington and Alex Limoges. During the sequence, Limoges fed Vecchione and that would seal the game and the series lead 1-0 for the Bears.

The Calder Cup Playoffs continue on Saturday June 1 at 7 p.m. from GIANT Center. Once again all fans in attendance will receieve a rally towel. You can purchase tickets to the game here.