The Hershey Bears controlled the game from start to finish, securing a 3-0 shutout victory over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in Game 1 of the Atlantic Division Semifinals at Giant Center. Hershey is chasing a third consecutive Calder Cup championship. The Phantoms came in hot after sweeping the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the first round. The Bears held a 5-4-1 edge over the Phantoms in the regular season.
First Period
Hershey controlled the pace early, outshooting Lehigh Valley 12-6.
Chase Priskie opened the scoring at 9:16, assisted by Pierrick Dubé and Jake Massie.
The period saw physical play, with Garrett Wilson (Phantoms) and Ivan Miroshnichenko (Bears) receiving roughing penalties at 7:09.
Second Period
No goals were scored, but the intensity ramped up.
Lehigh Valley struggled with discipline, taking two penalties:
Adam Ginning (Phantoms) – Cross-checking at 13:38.
Rhett Gardner (Phantoms) – Roughing at 18:28.
Hershey continued to apply pressure but couldn’t convert on their power plays.
Third Period
Spencer Smallman extended Hershey’s lead to 2-0 at 7:00, assisted by Alex Limoges and Hendrix Lapierre.
Lehigh Valley pulled their goalie late, leading to Bogdan Trineyev’s empty-net goal at 18:49, assisted by Mike Vecchione and Henrik Rybinski.
The Phantoms took three more penalties, further limiting their chances.
Player Stats
Hershey Bears
Hunter Shepard (G): 26 saves, shutout.
Chase Priskie (D): 1 goal.
Spencer Smallman (F): 1 goal, 2 shots on goal.
Bogdan Trineyev (F): 1 goal, 1 shots on goal.
Hendrix Lapierre (F): 1 assist, 1 shots on goal.
Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Parker Gahagen (G): 24 saves on 26 shots.
Alex Bump (F): 3 shots on goal, led team in attempts.
Olle Lycksell (F): 2 shots on goal.
The series moves to Game 2 on May 2 at Giant Center before heading to Lehigh Valley for Game 3 on May 4.
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