For the first time since 2000, the Hershey Bears and the Philadelphia Phantoms met in the Calder Cup Playoffs, with the Bears taking a 1-0 series lead in the Eastern Division Semifinals by a score of 4-2 at the Wachovia Spectrum.<\/p>\n
Hershey\u2019s Andrew Gordon was the only lamplighter in the first period, with Kyle Wilson and Francois Bouchard picking up the assists.<\/p>\n
Philly\u2019s potent power play, which registered 18 goals during the regular season at the Bear\u2019s expense, failed in all five second period opportunities; however, Jonathan Matsumoto managed to record the only marker of the second period, an even strength goal.<\/p>\n
In six outings in the City of Brotherly Love during the regular season, the Bears notched just two power play goals against their interstate rivals. On this night, the wily Kyle Wilson struck on the power play, putting the Chocolate and White up 2-1, at 1:31 of the third period.<\/p>\n
Oskar Osala, appearing in his first professional playoff outing, lengthened the Hershey lead to two goals, beating the Phantoms\u2019 net minder exactly four minutes after Wilson\u2019s goal.<\/p>\n
Precisely six minutes after Osala\u2019s goal, Lasse Kukkonen came calling and potted his team\u2019s second goal of the evening, with Matsumoto and Patrick Maroon assisting, making it a one-goal affair.<\/p>\n
Displaying the balance that was part so instrumental in the Bears\u2019 solidifying the top spot in the Eastern Conference came into play when Jay Beagle sealed the deal at 18:02, giving the Bears the final margin of victory, 4-2. Backing up the \u201cbalanced\u201d evidence, ten different Bears recorded a point in tonight\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
Hershey\u2019s winning goaltender, rookie Michal Neuvirth, was solid in the net, garnering 30 saves, to record his first playoff win.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"