Bears work OT again, take 3-2 series lead

Photo: Providence Bruins

Madison Bowey scored 1:58 into overtime to give Hershey a 3-2 win and a 3-2 series lead over Providence in the Atlantic Division Finals on Sunday afternoon.

The Bears return home with two chances to wrap up the series, beginning in Game 6 on Tuesday.

Bowey beat Zane McIntyre on a wrister from the right point to give Hershey its third OT win of the series. It was also the Bruins’ eighth consecutive loss in playoff overtime games.

Former Bruins Chris Bourque and Paul Carey scored in regulation for the Bears. Bourque also assisted on the game-winning goal to become the AHL’s all-time leader in postseason assists (81).

Tommy Cross and Austin Czarnik scored for Providence, which erased 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to force overtime.

The Bears won two of three at Dunkin’ Donuts Center despite being outshot 110-43 in those contests, including 31-17 in Game 5.

Vitek Vanecek, making his first start of the playoffs, made 29 saves to earn the win for Hershey. McIntyre finished with 14 stops.

Atlantic Division Finals – Series “I” (best-of-7)
A3-Hershey Bears vs. A4-Providence Bruins
Game 1 – Sat., May 6 – Providence 3, HERSHEY 1
Game 2 – Sun., May 7 – HERSHEY 3, Providence 2 (OT)
Game 3 – Thu., May 11 – Hershey 2, PROVIDENCE 1 (OT)
Game 4 – Fri., May 12 – PROVIDENCE 2, Hershey 1
Game 5 – Sun., May 14 – Hershey 3, PROVIDENCE 2 (OT)
Game 6 – Tue., May 16 – Providence at Hershey, 7:00
*Game 7 – Wed., May 17 – Providence at Hershey, 7:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern