Giroux's Hat Trick Helps Bears Survive

You don't win too many games giving up 10 power-plays - not to mention throwing in a penalty shot - but despite having to spend a ton of time shorthanded against the AHL's best regular-season team, Alexandre Giroux's goal with 13:33 gone in overtime completed his hat trick and helped the Bears steal Game 1 from Manitoba with a 5-4 overtime win in front of a sold-out MTS Centre.

A Hershey parade to the penalty box late in regulation nearly spoiled a nice third-period rally, as the Moose used a late 5-on-3 advantage - their third two-man advantage of the contest - to force overtime.

But in an overtime controlled by the Bears, a high-sticking minor on former Cap Nolan Baumgartner opened the door to the Bears win, as Giroux netted his 12th of the playoffs and third of the night just :49 into the man advantage to allow Hershey to take home ice away from the Moose.

Hershey had fought back from a 3-1 deficit to take a 4-3 lead with just 4:36 left in regulation, but a Tyler Sloan double-minor for high sticking with 3:07 remaining followed by a delay-of-game penalty on Staffan Kronwall with 2:03 left led to a two-man advantage for the Moose, and they cashed in when a Maxime Fortunus goal beat Michal Neuvirth with 76 seconds remaining to force the extra session.

However, the Bears were able to prevail and put a damper on the first Calder Cup game played in Winnipeg, as the city is looking for its first pro hockey title since the Jets claimed the Avco Cup in 1979 - the franchise's last game in the World Hockey Association before joining the National Hockey League.

The Hershey penalties began just :34 into the game when Chris Bourque was whistled for a slash, and then Bourque was called for a trip just 5:10 later. The Moose got a 5-on-3 when Colin Wilson got a slashing penalty, and they converted for the first goal of the game when Mark Cullen potted one with just nine seconds left in Bourque's penalty.

The Bears got the goal back quickly with a short-handed tally as Alexandre Giroux scored his 10th of the playoffs :56 later, but Manitoba retook the lead with 6:42 remaining in the period and then added another tally 6:12 into the second to put the home team in control.

Manitoba even got a chance to take a three-goal lead when Matt Pope was awarded a penalty shot after being hauled down on a breakaway with 5:44 left in the period, but Neuvirth was up to the task and stopped Pope.

But Hershey then took a boarding minor just :40 after the shot, and gave Manitoba their second 5-on-3 of the contest with a too-many-men call with :36 left in the first minor. The Bears were able to kill off this two-man-disadvantage, and Manitoba went into the dressing room after 40 minutes with a 3-1 lead.

However, Hershey came out in the third to score three goals and take the lead.

Oskar Osala scored 2:34 into the frame to draw the Bears within one, and then enjoying just their fourth power-play of the game, Giroux struck again with 8:59 left in regulation and evened the score.

It appeared Hershey might take the opener in regulation despite its penchant for penalties when Osala netted his second of the period with just under five minutes to play in the third, but the six minutes in penalties in the remainder of the period led to the equalizer.

Hershey was able to kill off the remainder of its penalty in overtime, and got some chances with the extra session, outshooting the Moose 7-1 before Giroux's winner.

With his third goal of the night, Giroux ties Houston's Corey Locke for the league lead in goals and points (23).

In all, Hershey was called for 10 minors - and a penalty shot - and the Moose went 2-for-11 with the advantage. But the Bears went 2-for-5 on the night, and added in a shorthanded goal to boot.

The Bears now will look to take a 2-0 lead back home Tuesday night for Game 2 in Winnipeg before the series heads to Giant Center next weekend for three games on Saturday, Sunday and next Tuesday.