BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — They may not be thrilled with the overall effort but the Hershey Bears were pleased with the final result in Bridgeport early Tuesday afternoon.
The Bears stole one late from the Islanders when Spencer Smallman tipped in a wrist shot from Vincent Iorio with 7.3 seconds left in the game to win 5-4.
Hershey is starting to develop a pattern of winning close games, this is their fourth consecutive victory by one goal.
The game started at 10:30 a.m. for a special school day faceoff for the local community.
The Bears looked like they forgot to set their alarms as they snoozed through the first period, trailing 2-zip after the first 20 minutes.
Hershey scored four goals in the second period including two by Garrett Roe to get back in the game.
Smallman's winning goal was their lone tally in the third period.
The Bears and Islanders play again this Friday night at GIANT Center.