2014 SHOEY Awards: Goal and Fight of the Year

Yesterday we announced our first ever “SHOEY” Awards! Throughout this week, we will be breaking down each category and the nominees. The first two are Goal of the Year and Fight of the Year.

Goal of the Year

Joel Rechlicz’s First Goal in 853 Days

Rechlicz netted his first goal since 2011 during the final game of the 2013-14 season. This honestly might have been the moment of the year as the goal’s reaction blew the roof off of Giant Center. Prediction: Rechlicz scores ten goals next season.

Dane Byers’ Game Winning OT Goal against Binghamton

Dane Byers’ goal during Hershey’s 1-0 win over the Binghamton Senators gave Hershey a big two points when they were heading into the final week of the season. Despite Hershey’s disappointing end to the season, this goal is arguably one of the biggest OTGWG’s in recent memory.

Nathan Walker’s First AHL Goal

The first Australian hockey player in AHL history joined the Hershey Bears for the 2013-14 campaign and set the tone early for the Chocolate and White, scoring his first goal and participating in his first fight in one game.

Fight of the Year

Michael Latta vs. Darren Kramer

Michael Latta dropped the mitts against Darren Kramer in mid-December. Latta finished the season with 11 fighting majors, and this one might be the cream of the crop. It was so good in our minds, we remixed it with Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball”.

Joel Rechlicz vs. Brett Gallant

Arguably the best fight of the 2013-14 season across all leagues. Rechlicz and Gallant have met many times before, but this might be their best. The two some of the best fighters in hockey today and it showed in this November match up. The fight was a draw

Patrick Wellar vs Eric Neilson

The only away fight on the card (explains why the photo we are using has Wellar in a hairnet.) Wellar has fought Neilson five times in their AHL careers, and this time Wellar drew blood. A good bout from both sides, but we’ll give the decision in this one to Wellar for landing more punches.

Dane Byers vs. Bobby Farnham

Bears captain Dane Byers went off on a Hershey’s favorite Penguin, Bobby Farnham. Bears faithful enjoyed the fight very much as Farnham has talked the talk against Hershey much during the season, but only fought three times against the Chocolate and White.

Think there was a better goal or fight this year? You can add you own nominees when you vote below!