Bears' Slide Has Them At Back Of Playoff Pack In Atlantic Division

HERSHEY, Pa. -

It’s been an ugly stretch for Hershey as the Bears were shutout for the third time this season by Charlotte in a 3-0 loss Wednesday night at Giant Center.

Phoenix Copley was a bright spot for the Bears allowing just one goal on 26 shots, but a pair of empty net goals late doomed Hershey whose offense has gone into hibernation lately.

In fact, the Bears have won just two of their last ten contests, scoring just 21 goals in that span.

Following the game, Scott Allen said, "You have to be harder at the net, you have to be more diligent on rebounds, you have to play off the net and be prepared for loose pucks and get secondary chances. Some guys are overhandling the puck right now, and trying to do too much; it's actually going the opposite way for us right now."

Friday night in Springfield, Cody Franson scored a pair of late-game goals, but the Thunderbirds, behind a hat trick from former Pittsburgh Penguin, James Neal, needed just 20 seconds of overtime to secure a 4-3 victory, handing the Bears their second loss of the week.

Hershey's first goal came in the second period when Mason Morelli fed Garrett Pilon, tying the game at 1-1.

Unfortunately, Hershey's untimely penalty woes continued as the Thunderbirds connected on a 5-on-3 opportunity. Copley made 30 saves in the loss for the Bears.

After finally getting more than one goal Friday night, the Bears offense once again went into hibernation in Hartford as the Wolf Pack earned a 3-1 victory at XL Center.

Alaiksei Protas scored Hershey’s lone goal in the third period as the Bears suffered their fourth loss in a row.

Hershey's penalty issues continued as the Bears were whistled for seven infractions, which led to a pair of Hartford goals. Hunter Shepard made 26 saves in Hershey’s loss.

Special Teams Weekly Recap

Hershey PP was 0-for-11

Hershey PK was 9-for-12

Three Takeaways

1. Offensive Hibernation

Hershey has been shut out three times this season (twice by Providence and once by Charlotte). Additionally, when the Bears score only once in a game, they are 0-7. Allen said, “We still have to be creative...with the lineup we have right now, we’re missing a few game-changers right now.” Allen’s team is shorthanded with a ton of fire-power sidelined with injuries or on recall, but this team needs to find a way to score with the players they do have, and those players, Gersich, Vecchione, and Pinho to name a few, have to get back into the scoring column if this team is going to stop falling down the rankings in the Atlantic Division.

2. No Reinforcements from DC

Reinforcements will not be arriving from Washington. In fact, things are seemingly going from bad to worse where the Bears are standing.

This week, Axel Jonsson-Fjallby was recalled to Washington and played in his tenth game, meaning that even IF the Capitals wanted to send him back, he would have to clear waivers, and that did not work so well the last time. But it’s not likely that will happen any time soon if at all as Carl Hagelin had eye surgery and is out indefinitely and Joe Snively had wrist surgery and is out approximately six weeks.

Allen said, “We have to find a way to overcome. It’s not going to come from any place but within, so if we’re looking outside help, it’s not there.”

3. It’s the Little Things

It’s never good to be suggesting to go back to the basics this late in the season, but it seems that could be just what the doctor ordered for the Bears. Lately it’s been quite evident that Hershey’s passing has been anything but tape-to-tape. This issue has contributed to a failure to clear the defensive zone or generate any sustained offense. Hershey was 0-for-11 on the powerplay this week as well. “Bottom line the power play has to score,” said Allen Wednesday night. The little things need to be cleaned up in order for the overall outcome to change in time.

Scott Allen Quotable

“I thought he (Spencer Knight) was outstanding…we’ve known about Spencer Knight for a bit. He’s obviously a very good goalie. With the goaltending situation being what it is in Florida right now, that’s why he’s in the American Hockey League. He won them a game.”

The Road Ahead

The Bears are home just three more times this month, all against Lehigh Valley, a team they host Tuesday and Sunday this week. Their lone road contest of the week is in Bridgeport Friday night. They will head into Canada for a three-game road swing through Toronto, Belleville, and Laval before returning to host Lehigh Valley on March 23rd, which will be Matt Moulson Bobblehead Night (for the first 4000 fans).