The Hershey Bears fell to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 4-2 in Game 3 of the Atlantic Division semifinals, putting them on the brink of elimination in the best-of-five series. The Phantoms’ penalty kill was the difference-maker, shutting down Hershey’s power-play chances despite their shot advantage.
After an intense back-and-forth in the second period, Nikita Grebenkin’s go-ahead goal shifted momentum, and Olle Lycksell’s third-period insurance goal put the game out of reach. Hershey will need to adjust their special teams play and capitalize on scoring opportunities if they want to stay alive in the series.
First Period:
11:23 – Goal (LV): Jacob Gaucher scored a shorthanded goal, his second of the playoffs, giving the Phantoms a 1-0 lead.
Shots on Goal: Hershey 7, Lehigh Valley 5
Penalties:
Hershey: 1 minor penalty
Lehigh Valley: 2 minor penalties
Second Period:
3:03 – Goal (HER): Andrew Perrott netted his first playoff goal, assisted by Matt Strome and Alex Limoges, tying the game at 1-1.
4:27 – Goal (HER): Ivan Miroshnichenko scored his first playoff goal, assisted by Luke Philp, giving Hershey a 2-1 lead.
13:09 – Goal (LV): Garrett Wilson tied the game with a power-play goal, assisted by Jett Luchanko and Anthony Richard.
15:51 – Goal (LV): Nikita Grebenkin scored his first playoff goal, assisted by Emil Andrae and Anthony Richard, putting the Phantoms ahead 3-2.
Shots on Goal: Hershey 17, Lehigh Valley 12
Penalties:
Hershey: 2 minor penalties
Lehigh Valley: 1 minor penalty
Goaltending Change: Parker Gahagen (LV) left the game due to injury at 11:12, replaced by Cal Petersen.
Third Period:
14:09 – Goal (LV): Olle Lycksell scored his second playoff goal, assisted by Emil Andrae, extending the Phantoms’ lead to 4-2.
Shots on Goal: Hershey 8, Lehigh Valley 9
Penalties:
Hershey: 1 minor penalty
Lehigh Valley: 2 minor penalties
Player Stats:
Hershey Bears:
Andrew Perrott: 1 goal, 2 shots, +1 rating
Ivan Miroshnichenko: 1 goal, 3 shots, +1 rating
Luke Philp: 1 assist
Matt Strome: 1 assist
Alex Limoges: 1 assist, 4 shots
Hunter Shepard (G): 22 saves on 26 shots, .846 SV%
Lehigh Valley Phantoms:
Jacob Gaucher: 1 goal, +1 rating
Garrett Wilson: 1 goal, 3 shots, +1 rating
Nikita Grebenkin: 1 goal, 2 shots, +1 rating
Olle Lycksell: 1 goal, 5shots
Anthony Richard: 2 assists
Emil Andrae: 2 assists
Cal Petersen (G): 15 saves on 15 shots, 1.000 SV% (entered in 2nd period)
Parker Gahagen (G): 15 saves on 17 shots, .882 SV% (left due to injury)
Game Notes:
Hershey struggled on the power play, going 0-for-6, while Lehigh Valley converted 1-of-4 chances.
The Phantoms’ penalty kill was dominant, shutting down Hershey’s opportunities.
The game was highly physical, with 42 total penalty minutes between the teams.
Hershey outshot Lehigh Valley 32-26, but Petersen’s relief performance was key in securing the win.
Lehigh Valley now leads the series 2-1 and can clinch it at home on Friday, May 9. If Hershey forces a Game 5, it will be played at GIANT Center on Sunday, May 11.
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