Despite three failed 1st period power plays and badly outshot, the Hershey Bears showed why they’re defending AHL champions.
Hershey rode opportunistic offense to a 5-2 victory over the Coachella Valley Firebirds in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Final Sunday at Giant Center.
The rematch of the 2023 Final is knotted at one game apiece, with Games 3, 4, and 5 to be played at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, CA.
The Bears got goals by Ivan Miroshnichenko (his 7th), Jimmy Huntington, Pierrick Dubé and Hardy Häman Aktell. Goalie Hunter Shepard stopped 32 shots, including a shorthanded breakaway.
Luke Henman and Marian Studenic scored for the Firebirds, who missed several other point-blank chances.
Henman, a Seattle Kraken free agent signing in 2021, scored his first of the 2024 postseason to create a 1-1 tie at 2:42 of the 2nd period.
Coachella goalie Chris Driedger permitted two goals on four 2nd period Bears shots to break that tie.
Huntington restored the home-team lead at 13:01, and 3:41 later, Dubé doubled it.