The Hershey Bears faced off against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on April 12, 2025, at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The game ended in a decisive 5–1 victory for the Phantoms, who dominated the ice with a combination of defensive scoring and stellar goaltending.
Period Highlights
First Period:
The Phantoms opened the scoring late in the period at 17:38 when Ben Gleason fired a shot from the blue line that deflected off the post and into the net. This goal, his first as a Phantom, was set up by a turnover in the Hershey zone.
The Bears struggled to generate sustained offensive pressure, and the Phantoms’ penalty kill successfully neutralized Hershey’s power-play opportunities.
Second Period:
Rodrigo Abols doubled the Phantoms’ lead early in the second period, capitalizing on a turnover by Hershey’s Riley Sutter. Oscar Eklind’s speed down the wing set up Abols for a clean finish, making it 2–0.
Cal Petersen, the Phantoms’ goaltender, made a series of acrobatic saves, including a highlight-reel stop on Ivan Miroshnichenko, preserving the shutout through two periods.
Third Period:
The Phantoms extended their lead to 3–0 at the 4:00 mark when Ethan Samson scored his 12th goal of the season with a well-placed shot.
Hershey’s Matt Strome broke the shutout at 6:43, charging the crease to score his eighth goal of the season. However, this was the Bears’ only goal of the night.
Hunter McDonald and Helge Grans added two more goals for the Phantoms, sealing the 5–1 victory. McDonald’s cannon blast from the point and Grans’ slick forehand-backhand move on an odd-man rush showcased the Phantoms’ offensive depth.
Player Highlights
Lehigh Valley Phantoms:
Cal Petersen: Delivered a stellar performance in net, stopping 33 of 34 shots and earning First Star honors. His composure and athleticism were key to the Phantoms’ success.
Ben Gleason: Opened the scoring with a crucial goal late in the first period, setting the tone for the game.
Rodrigo Abols: Scored the second goal and contributed to the Phantoms’ offensive momentum.
Hunter McDonald & Helge Grans: Both defensemen scored in the third period, highlighting the Phantoms’ ability to generate offense from the blue line.
Hershey Bears:
Matt Strome: Scored the Bears’ lone goal, showing determination and grit in front of the net.
Clay Stevenson: Despite the loss, Stevenson made 19 saves on 24 shots, facing relentless pressure from the Phantoms.
Game Analysis
The Phantoms’ victory was a result of their balanced attack and defensive discipline. Four of their five goals came from defensemen, showcasing their ability to contribute offensively. Petersen’s goaltending was a cornerstone of their success, as he consistently denied Hershey’s scoring chances.
For the Bears, turnovers and missed opportunities proved costly. While they showed flashes of offensive potential, they were unable to sustain pressure or capitalize on key moments. The loss snapped Hershey’s four-game winning streak, but their effort and determination remained evident throughout the game.
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