HERSHEY, PA — Connor Mayer’s day began with a long drive from South Carolina. It ended with his stick raised before over 10,000 fans at GIANT Center, having just scored the overtime winner in his Hershey Bears debut.
The defenseman, recalled from the ECHL earlier Sunday morning, buried a Henrik Rybinski feed at 2:06 of overtime to lift the Bears to a 2-1 victory over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The win completed a perfect 3-0-0-0 weekend for Hershey (9-4-1-0) and extended their winning streak to four games.
Mayer wasn’t alone in making history. D.J. King, also signed from South Carolina that morning, made his Bears debut while being coached by his father, Derek King—the first father-son/coach-player tandem in franchise history and just the seventh time in AHL history.
This was a goaltenders’ duel from start to finish. Clay Stevenson and Aleksei Kolosov traded spectacular saves in a game that could have been 5-5 instead of 2-1. Hershey controlled the first period with a 14-12 shot advantage, but Kolosov was impenetrable.
Lehigh Valley broke through at 1:31 of the second period when Alexis Gendron sniped from underneath the right dot for his fourth goal. Christian Kyrou, who joined the Phantoms from Texas this month, collected his eighth assist in seven games. The Phantoms controlled the middle frame, outshooting Hershey 14-11.
The period turned physical early when Hunter McDonald and Spencer Smallman drew coincidental minors. More penalties followed throughout the game, but neither team’s power play could capitalize—Hershey went 0-for-4, Lehigh Valley 0-for-3.
For 53 minutes, Kolosov kept Hershey scoreless. Then at 13:12 of the third period, fortune smiled on the Bears. Ilya Protas’ backhander deflected off a Lehigh Valley defender’s skate and rolled up Kolosov’s pad to tie the game. D.J. King and Andrew Cristall earned assists—King’s second career AHL point in his historic debut.
“[Andrew Cristall] bumped it back to me, and I just kind of had my head down and shot it on net,” King said. “I think it went behind the net and then ‘Pro’ tapped it right in.”
Protas extended his goal streak to three games, giving him five points (3g, 2a) over the weekend.
In overtime, Brett Leason nearly ended it on a breakaway, but Kolosov made the save. Rybinski tracked down the rebound and found Mayer in the slot. The Minnesota native ripped home his first goal of the season.
“It’s the first goal of the season for me all year actually, so just getting that off my back is pretty huge,” Mayer said. “Long travel day, just tried to keep it really simple.”
Stevenson stopped 36 of 37 shots for his fourth straight win—and his 50th career victory with the Bears, moving him into 19th place in franchise history.
“The guys that came up, they played well for us,” Derek King said. “They filled in when we needed it. Our ‘D’ took a pounding the last couple of games, so we tried to rest them. And again, Clay [Stevenson]—outstanding.”
On the 3-0 weekend: “They found a way to get it done. It wasn’t always pretty, but they just stayed with it. It was really fun to watch.”
About coaching his son, King joked: “It’s good for him. His mom will be happy. She’s probably crying. But whether it was my kid or not, they came in and helped us.”
D.J. King was equally moved. “Yeah, it was wild. This was our first regular-season moment. He’s got some great one-liners on the bench I chuckled at. He’s very loose, a great coach and it was a lot of fun.”
Hershey visits Cleveland on Thursday before hosting Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Thanksgiving Eve. Lehigh Valley (9-4-2-0) hosts Rochester on Wednesday for Military Appreciation Night. The Phantoms fell to 1-1-2 against Hershey this season after the Bears swept the weekend home-and-home in dramatic fashion.
Game’s Defining Moment
For 53 minutes, Aleksei Kolosov was impenetrable. Then Ilya Protas’ backhander deflected off a defender’s skate—a lucky bounce that tied the game 1-1 and gave Hershey life. In overtime, Connor Mayer delivered the perfect ending. After Brett Leason’s breakaway was denied, Henrik Rybinski fed Mayer in the slot for the game-winner at 2:06. Hershey dominated overtime 3-0 in shots, never giving Lehigh Valley a chance to respond.
Standout Performers
Clay Stevenson’s Milestone: Earned his 50th career Bears victory, moving into 19th place in franchise history. His 36-save performance (.973 SV%) included clutch stops when Lehigh Valley controlled the second period and a breakaway denial to start overtime.
Aleksei Kolosov’s Heroic Effort: Despite the loss, the 22-year-old was magnificent with 35 saves—equaling his career high. His diving poke check on Henrik Rybinski might have been the save of the game, and he frustrated Hershey for 53 minutes before the unlucky bounce.
Ilya Protas’ Hot Streak: Extended his goal streak to three games and leads the Bears with 10 points. His weekend: five points (3g, 2a) as Hershey swept all three games. The tying goal kept his streak alive and shifted momentum.
Three Stars of the Game
First Star: Clay Stevenson #31 (HER) – 36 saves on 37 shots (.973 SV%) in 62:06 TOI
Second Star: Connor Mayer #18 (HER) – OT game-winner in his Bears debut
Third Star: Aleksei Kolosov #35 (LV) – 35 saves on 37 shots (.946 SV%) in 62:02 TOI
Key Player Stats
HERSHEY BEARS:
- Clay Stevenson (G): 36 saves on 37 shots (.973 SV%)
- Ilya Protas: 1 goal (3-game streak, 10 points, leads team)
- Connor Mayer: 1 goal (OT winner, first of season)
- D.J. King: 1 assist (2nd career AHL point)
- Andrew Cristall: 1 assist
- Henrik Rybinski: 1 assist (OT primary)
- Brett Leason: 1 assist
LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS:
- Aleksei Kolosov (G): 35 saves on 37 shots (.946 SV%, career high)
- Alexis Gendron: 1 goal (4th of season)
- Christian Kyrou: 1 assist (8th in 7 games)
By The Numbers
| Category | Hershey | Lehigh Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 2 (OT) | 1 |
| Shots on Goal | 37 | 37 |
| 1st Period Shots | 14 | 12 |
| 2nd Period Shots | 11 | 14 |
| 3rd Period Shots | 9 | 11 |
| OT Shots | 3 | 0 |
| Power Play | 0/4 (0.0%) | 0/3 (0.0%) |
| Save Percentage | .973 | .946 |
Special Notes:
- Fourth consecutive one-goal game between these teams
- Hershey completed 3-0-0-0 weekend sweep
- Protas: 5 points in weekend (3g, 2a)
- Stevenson’s 50th career win (19th in Bears history)
- First father-son/coach-player combo in franchise history
- Kolosov’s 35 saves equaled career high
- Physical game: 9 penalties (5 LV, 4 HER)
What’s Next
HERSHEY BEARS (9-4-1-0): at Cleveland Monsters, Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.; then home vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 26)
LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS (9-4-2-0): vs. Rochester Americans, Wednesday, Nov. 19 at PPL Center (Military Appreciation Night)
