IceCaps, Bruins, Bears win openers

Photo: Jeff Parsons

Recapping the action from the Eastern Conference on the second night of the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs…

ST. JOHN’S 2, SYRACUSE 1
Charlie Lindgren made 28 saves in his playoff debut, helping St. John’s to a 2-1 win over Syracuse in Game 1 of the teams’ North Division semifinal series on Friday night at Mile One Centre.

Game 2 of the best-of-five series is Saturday.

Nikita Scherbak and Chris Terry scored for the IceCaps, and Charles Hudon recorded two assists.

Tye McGinn had the only goal for the Crunch. Mike McKenna stopped 19 of 21 shots in defeat.


PROVIDENCE 2, WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON 1
Providence opened the Atlantic Division semifinals with a 2-1 win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center on Friday night.

Game 2 is back in Providence on Sunday afternoon (3 p.m. ET).

Danton Heinen‘s goal 6:12 into the third period was the game-winner for the Bruins, who are looking to avenge playoff ousters by the Penguins in 2013, 2014 and 2016.

Jake DeBrusk also scored for Providence, which went 2-for-6 on the power play against a Wilkes-Barre club that led the AHL in penalty killing during the regular season.

Jean-Sebastien Dea scored for the Penguins, tying the game at 1-1 late in the second period.

Zane McIntyre made 30 saves to earn the win in net for Providence. Casey DeSmith turned aside 31 of 33 shots in defeat. 


HERSHEY 1, LEHIGH VALLEY 0 (OT)
Nathan Walker scored 7:38 into overtime to break a scoreless tie and send Hershey to a 1-0 win over Lehigh Valley in Game 1 of the Atlantic Division Semifinals at PPL Center on Friday night.

Game 2 goes in Allentown on Saturday evening.

Walker collected the rebound of Tyler Lewington‘s shot and shoveled it past Alex Lyon to end a tense series opener between the first- and third-ranked offenses in the league.

The goal ended Hershey’s postseason scoreless drought at 169:56, dating back to Game 3 of last year’s Calder Cup Finals.

Pheonix Copley made 32 saves for his first career playoff shutout. Lyon finished with 20 stops in his postseason debut.