The Hershey Bears moved one step closer to their third appearance in the Calder Cup finals in the last four years, when they dug themselves out of a two-goal hole at Dunkin Donuts Center, and glazed the Providence Bruins in overtime, 3-2.
The Bruins jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, with goals from Peter Schaefer and Jeff Penner.
Hershey’s captain, Bryan Helmer, who started his team’s comeback from a 2-0 deficit on the road in game two of the Philadelphia series, once again duplicated that feat by scoring his 3rd goal of the playoffs at 7:31 of the second period.
Keith Aucoin, the former Bruin, tied the game at two at 13:12 with his 3rd goal of the postseason.
Aucoin’s goal was the last one of regulation, and the game continued into an overtime period, Hershey’s second of the playoffs.
The hero of the day turned out to be Graham Mink, who tallied at 15:10 of overtime, his 5th marker in 15 playoff contests, and his 3rd game-winner.