10 In A Row At Home!

Last night's win in Hershey leaves the Bears one home win short of the franchise record. Having already broken the longest regular season win streak this year with 11 wins this team can now tie and set another record. Next weekend the Bears play Binghamton and Albany at home, if they win both games they will set the consecutive home victories record.

Good Job Hershey!

Last night's game was a little touch and go for the first period or so. I thought the team was chasing the puck and skating without direction for the first period.

But in the third period I thought they outright DOMINATED the Monsters. The only reason Lake Erie was still in the game was because of their goalie Jason Bacashihua who made 42 saves to earn 2nd star honors.

Hershey trailed twice in this game and came back both times to force overtime where they had numerous opportunities but couldn't convert. The shootout favored the Bears last night as Varly stopped 4 of 5 while Bourque and Gordon scored against Bacashihua to get the W for the Bears.


My Three Stars of the Game:

1. Jason Bacashihua - even though he lost he managed to get his team a point
2. Kyle Wilson - a goal and an assist, both of which were very important
3. Simeon Varlamov - many good saves during the game and then an amazing shootout

Grading the Performance:

• Offense - B+ - The only reason this group doesn't get an A is because they couldn't solve the goaltender. They did everything right and got plenty of shots but only got 2 by the goalie. Still a very good performance. The teams depth is really showing lately while the BAG line and the rookie line are struggling.
• Defense - B - A solid game. Lots of good hits and generally kept pucks and players away from Varly. But there was obviously room for improvement too. Some miscommunication on changes and who is going for the puck cost them a goal and almost more.
• Goaltending - B+ - Another very good game for Varly this season. That was a big game being that it was his first since getting reassigned and he was surely disappointed in not staying the Caps. Way to show up and perform without pouting.
• Power Play - B - There were only 4 penalties called (3 on Lake Erie) so the power play didn't have a ton of chances but they made the most of them getting 1 goal on the 3 attempts. It was their first power play goal in December.
• Penalty Kill - ? - They only had to kill off 1 penalty and they did. But not enough to give a grade.
• Overall - B - Honestly I think they should have won by 4 goals. This team is NOT at the same talent level as Hershey and after last weekend I expected the Bears to really come out swinging this weekend and they didn't seem to do that. But a win is a win and they got 2 this weekend.

LET'S GO BEARS!!