Despite potting a couple of power play markers, it was a couple of golden extra man advantages gone by the wayside that figured prominently into the Hershey Bears’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Portland Pirates on Saturday night at Giant Center.
After opening the score on an early goal by Andrew Joudrey at 1:34, the Pirates tied the game at one on a power play goal by Matt Ellis only to see the Bears regain their lead when Patrick McNeill cashed in on the Bears’ first power play of the contest.
Later in the period, the Bears offered little offense and few shots on Portland netminder David Leggio during a full five minute power play, and also added to their frustrations early in the second period when they failed to capitalize on an extended 5-on-3 situation.
However, the Bears did garner another power play goal later in the second period when Andrew Gordon, who returned to Giant Center ice for the first time in over a month due to injury, lofted a rebound into the upper portion of the net.
However, the pesky Pirates scored the next two goals in regulation and potted the game winner in overtime when Mark Parrish pounced upon a rebound and backhanded a shot behind Bears netminder Braden Holtby who had been returned to the Bears earlier in the day by the Washington Capitals.
