The Hershey Bears edged out the Rochester Americans in a thrilling 5-4 game on January 19, 2025, at the Giant Center. This victory extended Hershey’s strong form, marking their fourth consecutive win and maintaining a 6-1 record in 2025. Here’s a breakdown of the game:
First Period:
Rochester Strikes First: Vsevolod Komarov opened the scoring, giving Rochester an early 1-0 lead.
Hershey Answers Back: Matt Strome tied the game with a quick shot past goaltender Michael Houser.
Rochester Regains the Lead: Defenseman Zachary Metsa scored off a breakaway, restoring Rochester’s advantage.
Second Period:
Hershey Equalizes: Chase Priskie netted a power-play goal to tie the game 2-2. The play followed persistent offensive pressure and a scramble in front of the net.
Third Period:
Back-and-Forth Action:
Hershey took the lead early in the period with Ivan Miroshnichenko’s rebound goal.
Aleksandr Kisakov responded with a backhand shot for Rochester, leveling the score at 3-3.
Game-Winner: Jon McDonald’s first AHL goal put Hershey ahead 4-3.
Insurance and Comeback Attempts:
Grant Cruikshank scored on a breakaway to make it 5-3.
Noah Östlund scored for Rochester with an extra attacker, bringing them within one.
Final Push: Despite several close chances, Rochester couldn’t find the equalizer, leaving the score at 5-4 in Hershey’s favor.
Player Stats:
Hershey Bears:
Jon McDonald: 1 goal (game-winner), 1st AHL goal.
Brennan Saulnier: 2 assists.
Grant Cruikshank: 1 goal, 1 assist.
Matt Strome, Chase Priskie, Ivan Miroshnichenko: 1 goal each.
Clay Stevenson: 29 saves on 33 shots.
Rochester Americans:
Vsevolod Komarov, Zachary Metsa, Aleksandr Kisakov, Noah Östlund: 1 goal each.
Michael Houser: 25 saves on 30 shots.
This tightly contested matchup highlighted Hershey’s depth and ability to execute in clutch moments, while Rochester’s late-game push showcased their fighting spirit.
Hershey’s ability to adapt and capitalize on key moments showcased their championship-caliber resilience, while Rochester pressed hard but fell short despite strong offensive efforts late in the game. Hershey improved to a 2-0 record in their regular-season series against Rochester.
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL GALLERY
