The Hershey Bears triumphed over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins with a 4–2 victory at Mohegan Sun Arena on April 11, 2025.
First Period
Penguins Strike First: Six minutes into the game, Zach Gallant delivered a perfectly timed aerial pass to Mathieu de St. Phalle, who unleashed a powerful one-timer to give the Penguins an early 1–0 lead. This goal set the tone for a physical and fast-paced opening frame.
Physical Play Dominates: Both teams engaged in hard battles along the boards and in front of the net. The Bears focused on maintaining defensive discipline, limiting the Penguins’ chances to extend their lead.
Hershey’s Missed Opportunities: Despite a few promising rushes, the Bears couldn’t capitalize on their chances, with Penguins goaltender Sergei Murashov making key saves to preserve the lead.
Second Period
Penguins Double Their Lead: Just 16 seconds into the period, the Penguins went on the power play. Tristan Broz capitalized on a fortunate bounce when his initial shot deflected off the glass and landed back on his stick. He buried the rebound to make it 2–0, showcasing his quick reflexes and composure.
Bears Build Momentum: Although they didn’t score in this period, the Bears began to find their rhythm. They tightened their defensive structure and increased their offensive zone time, setting the stage for a comeback in the third period.
Key Saves by Murashov: The Penguins’ goaltender continued to shine, stopping several high-danger chances from Hershey, including a breakaway attempt by Garrett Roe.
Third Period
Bears’ Early Breakthrough: Just 15 seconds into the period, Garrett Roe fired a shot from below the goal line that deflected off a Penguins defender and slipped past Murashov. This goal ignited Hershey’s comeback and shifted the momentum.
Luke Philp Takes Over: Less than two minutes later, Philp scored a power-play goal to tie the game at 2–2. His precise shot from the left circle beat Murashov high on the glove side. Philp’s energy and playmaking ability were pivotal throughout the period.
Penguins’ Missed Chances: Despite several opportunities to regain the lead, the Penguins were stymied by Hershey goaltender Clay Stevenson, who made 13 saves in the final frame.
Game-Winning Goal: With four minutes remaining, Mike Vecchione tapped in a backdoor pass to give the Bears a 3–2 lead. The play was a result of excellent puck movement and awareness by Hershey’s forwards.
Philp Seals the Win: In the final minutes, Philp added an empty-net goal, securing the Bears’ 4–2 victory and capping off his dominant four-point performance (2 goals, 2 assists).
Player Highlights
Hershey Bears:
Luke Philp: A stellar performance with two goals and two assists in the third period. He was a key driver of the comeback and instrumental in both the power-play and even-strength situations.
Garrett Roe: Jumpstarted the third-period rally with his early goal, shifting the game’s momentum back to Hershey.
Mike Vecchione: Scored the decisive goal in the dying minutes of regulation, showcasing his offensive awareness.
Clay Stevenson: Hershey’s goaltender stepped up in critical moments, stopping all 13 shots he faced in the third period to secure the win.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins:
Mathieu de St. Phalle: Opened the scoring with a precise finish that exploited Hershey’s early defensive gaps.
Tristan Broz: His goal in the second period demonstrated skillful positioning and opportunism.
Sergei Murashov: Despite the loss, Murashov made 22 saves on 25 shots, keeping the Penguins in the game until the final minutes.
The game highlighted the intensity of the rivalry and the competitive spirit that defines AHL hockey. Hershey’s victory not only showcased their depth and team play but also underscored their ability to rise under pressure—a critical trait as they push toward the postseason. For the Penguins, this loss emphasized the need for stronger defensive coverage and strategic adjustments to end their losing streak and regain confidence.
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