HERSHEY, Pa. — The Hershey Bears opened the Atlantic Division Finals strong, dominating the Hartford Wolf Pack with a 6-1 performance.
The Wolf Pack started from behind before the game even started. Goaltender Dylan Garand, who had backstopped Hartford in all off its playoff games, was called up by the New York Rangers. Olof Lindbom started in his place. Lindbom only appeared in 6 games in the regular season, going 1-3-1. His last game played was a 2-1 shootout loss to the Bears on March 30 in Hartford.
Hershey fired quickly at Lindbom and Chase Priskie broke through at 7:40. His shot found its way in from the point. Henrik Rybinski, the game's eventual first star, and Matt Strome, the game's third star, added assists.
Ethen Frank scored what would be the game-winner on the power play at 3:58 of the second period.
Hartford's Jake Leschyshyn answered back less than two minutes later on a breakaway after a Bears' shot was blocked at the point.
After that, it was all Hershey. Alex Limoges and Garrett Roe added goals before the end of the second period to make it 4-1 headed to the intermission. For Roe, it was his first career AHL playoff goal in just his second career AHL playoff game.
Ivan Miroschnichenko scored on a breakaway at 11:01 of the third period. After the goal, Lindbom appeared to be hurt. He left the ice and went to the locker room.
Talyn Boyko came on to finish the game. Boyko spent the season with the WHL's Kelowna Rockets posting a 13-24-1 record with a 3.55 GAA and a 0.898 save percentage in 40 games played. He was drafted by the Rangers in the 4th round of the 2021 NHL Draft.
Jimmy Huntington scored on the first shot Boyko faced. Rybinski made a great play to get the puck to Huntington, who finished it off.
During the game, a young girl was hit by a puck. After the game, Bears Head Coach Todd Nelson said doctors told him she was doing okay.
Shots finished 30-14 in favor of the Bears. Shepard went 13-for-14 for his fourth win of the postseason; Lindbom went 23-for-28 in the loss for Hartford, while Boyko went 1-for-2 in relief. The Bears went 2-for-4 on the power play; the Wolf Pack went 0-for-6 with the man advantage.
Game 2 of the 5 game Atlantic Division Finals series is Saturday, May 18 at GIANT Center. You can watch FOX43's broadcast of the game on Monumental Sports Network. The full series schedule is listed below.
Atlantic Division Finals Schedule | Hartford vs. Hershey
- Game 1 | Thursday, May 16 | Hershey wins 6-1
- Game 2 | Saturday, May 18th | 7pm | Hershey, PA | Monumental Sports Network
- Game 3 | Wednesday, May 22nd | 7pm | Hartford, CT | FOX43.2 & Mon. Sports Net
- Game 4* | Friday, May 24th | 7pm | Hartford, CT | FOX43.2 & Mon. Sports Net
- Game 5* | Sunday, May 26th | 5pm | Hershey, PA | FOX43.2 & Mon. Sports Net
*if necessary