We were down 2-0 in the first minutes of game 3, the captain of the bears Dylan McIlrath he felt that his team came out unscathed.
“I thought we were good, to be honest, at first,” McIlrath said during Tuesday night's post-match press conference. “I thought our tournament, everything we wanted to talk about in our pre-game, we tried to achieve. Their building was shaking. Their fans, if they get an early goal, they're into it.
“I thought we tackled as well as we could, and I thought our first one was solid.”
The Bears finally tied the game 1:29 into the second half, but the Firebirds never gave up and won 6-2, taking the best-of-seven series two games to one. Four unanswered goals left Hershey with a lot to think about and adjust before tonight; the bears repeatedly lost defensive zone battles for loose pucks and costly rebounds.
“I think our execution is low,” McIlrath continued. “It's something we have to fix. We need to simplify some things. In our group, we must stick to what we do well. We don't want to try to play their game because they will outsmart us. We definitely have to get the boots for the job in the next game and play to our strengths.”
Coach of the Firebirds Dan Bylsma assistant coach on loan Stu Bickela 10-year defenseman in the AHL and NHL, for his work with the club's blue line and its penalty kill.
Two hopes of defense, Ryker Evans again Places to stay in Ottavainenwere taken in Seattle's first class of the 2021 draft and are already producers for the Firebirds.
Evans, a second-round pick, has already made an impact in Seattle, playing in 36 games for the Kraken this season. Ottavainen, who plays a quiet, reliable game, was praised by Bylsma for his work throughout the year; The fourth-round pick had 34 points and a 27-point average in 70 games in 2023-24.
“He did a great job defending and improving our defense,” Bylsma said of Bickel. “You don't just see it in young people, but also in old people. He's a big part of how our 'D' plays.”
There are no schedule changes heading into Game 3. Coachella Valley remains out Andrew Poturalski and Hershey wasn't there Garrett Roeboth were injured in Game 1 of the series.
Bears have a goalkeeper Hunter Shepard got a rare breather as he was pulled following the Firebirds' fifth goal on Tuesday. Clay Stevenson finished Shepard, playing the final 13 minutes. Shepard, who has started all 37 of Hershey's playoff games over the last two springs (25-12, 2.36, .913), has a 4.39 GAA and .865 save percentage in five starts at Acrisure Arena.
― with files from Patrick Williams
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