Not Quite Enough

Daren Machesney in my opinion went from goat to hero between the third period and the end of overtime. With Hershey up 3-2 and less than 5 minutes to go the Phantoms got the puck behind the net and Cheese just didn't seem to react to their movement as they came around to the post. He never dropped down to take away the bottom choosing instead to remain upright and Jonathan Matsumoto put the puck in under his feet.

But then in overtime he made 3 incredible saves in one sequence to keep the game tied and give his team a shot. The first shot was deflected right to David Laliberte who took a shot that Cheese had to get with the stick and then the rebound was also deflected away by a sprawling stick hand. The last save of the effort came with the glove hand as Cheese had rolled over and Laliberte tried to stick the puck in around the post but Cheese got it before it went in and Greg Amadio jumped on top of Cheese to keep the puck out.

Two plays that in my opinion were the key plays of the game. If Cheese drops down to his pads on the third period goal I think Hershey wins this game in regulation. BUT if Cheese doesn't make the incredible saves in overtime than Hershey doesn't even get a shot at the shootout.

In the end in didn't matter as Matsumoto scored 2 times in the shootout to win the game for the Phantoms 4-3 in front of a sold out crowd at Giant Center.

Philadelphia goalie Scott Munroe had an incredible goal as he made 49 saves during the game and then another 5 in the shootout. Of the Bears 52 shots I would say 3/4 of them were right into the chest of the goaltender but either way he was in position and ready to stop everything thrown at him.

Alexandre Giroux scored 2 goals (32,33) and Quintin Laing scored his 7th of the season (his 4th against Philly) to complete Hershey's scoring for the game.

I thought it was easily the best performance of the past week even though they lost. Positionally the defense was solid and the forwards generated very good pressure and controlled the play all night. The one thing missing for the offense is a lack of a presence in front of the net. Too often the shots from the point or the circles are just put into the goaltender with no screen in front of him. Guys like Mink, Osala, and Laing have got to get to the front of the net and cause some problems for the goalies.


My Three Stars of the Game

1. Jonathan Matsumoto - Scored the game tying goal, had an assist, and scored 2 in the shootout
2. Alexandre Giroux - 2 goals in the first period
3. Scott Munroe - While I don't think most of the shots were very challenging he still stopped plenty of them

Grading the Performance:

• Offense - B - Yeah the 52 shots and 3 goals are good but you have to put more quality attempts on net. And you have to get pressure in front of the goaltenders. This is becoming a common thing with this team as they don't want to get their jersey's dirty in front of the net.
• Defense - B+ - I thought this unit was a strength tonight. Again I saw Tyler Sloan get a little carried away with getting the puck in deep and chasing in the defensive end but even that seemed a little more controlled. They blocked plenty and hit hard and often. A good showing from a group that has been much maligned lately.
• Goalending - B- - I didn't think Cheese played a great game by any means. He was steadier tonight than in the past but still seemed late to react to some things. The save in overtime was obviously huge while the missed opportunity in the third was even bigger. And in the shootout he got beaten badly 3 times.
• Power Play - B - Only had 4 chances and scored on 1 of them. Not bad but not great. I really like Perrault on the line with Aucoin and Giroux but maybe not all the time. I think a guy like Mink or Osala might make more sense IF they are willing to do the dirty work in front. If they aren't than leave Perrault out there for his passing ability.
• Penalty Kill - A - This group was very solid all game. They gave up 1 goal on 6 chances but I think they played everything very well. Positioning was very good and they stayed aggressive. This unit has a problem when the stop being aggressive. That is what happened on the goal...they allowed the Phantoms time to pass the puck around. They need to stay in the faces of the opposing players.
• Overall - B+ - I thought it was a very good game from a team that hadn't played one since last Friday night. They got a point which is good but they could've gotten 2. The defense stepped up and played very good and the offense had a lot of pressure. Good game Bears.

LET'S GO BEARS!!!