Hershey Bears rally a 3rd period comeback and beat the Binghamton Senators in a shootout

Despite a long list of injured/sick players, the alibied bodies of the Hershey Bears took to the ice last night in Binghamton against the Senators. It’s been a roller coaster season thus far for the Bears that are 9-8-2-3, and as they faced a team 5^th in the league for shots per game, they knew the pressure the Sens could bring.  This would be the 5^th time the Bears faced them this season, going 2 for 2 against the Sens with 3 more games on the schedule for later this season.

So far the Bears and the Sens have split their record each with two loses and two wins against each other, it can only be imagined how head coach Mike Haviland prepped the team for the contest last night. He probably used the common Havilandisms that we are accustomed to hearing time and time again as takes his well-mannered, positive and optimistic approach to the hockey game. With a coach like Haviland, evening being down going into the 3^rd period he probably still has that twinkle in his eye as he is telling the Bears to bear down and apply more offensive pressure.

Whatever Haviland said paid off in the first period as the Bears were electric, bring the heat and pressure against a very good Binghamton Senators team. The Bears got it going early with a goal by Patrick Wellar, finding the back the net for the first time this season and boosting the Bears to a first period win.

The Senators orchestrated a 2^nd period come back as they scored twice to take the lead.  As the pressure from the Bears had declined leaving room for the comeback the Sens took full advantage. Things looked bleak for the Bears heading into the 3^rd period as the Sens soon advanced their lead to 3-1, the Bears would need to apply offensive pressure and take more shots on goal quickly in order to turn this game around. The Bears rallied to take a 360 and were able win an important faceoff and netting goal number 2, the go ahead goal that re-energized this team.  Latta and Wellman rushed the net, tying this hockey game, as the Bears made an astonishing comeback.  

David Leggio was between the pipes last night, blocking 37 shots in regulation, defending the den during over time and finally shutting the Senators out during the shootout to win the game. He definitely earned his star of the game, as he was a key element to the Bears ability to come back late in the game last night.

Hershey started of this road trip with a win in Binghamton and there must be some luck in that arena as the Bears rocked a 3^rd period comeback against the team last night to boost them to 11^th place in the conference. The Bears will wrap up their road trip not far from home, in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as they hope to pick up another 2 points against the baby Pens. Then it’s time for the Bears to head home and relish a home town crowd as they to face the Binghamton Senators again.  

Follow Erica on Twitter @TheAmateurFan