Bears Nation On the Move: Plants Flag in Lehigh Valley
The Hershey Bears are on the move after knocking off the rival Phantoms in the Atlantic Division semifinals of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Hershey used a strong performance over the final forty minutes of game four to clinch the series and keep their post season series streak alive.
The display on the ice was not the only impressive display by members of Bears Nation, as the Chocolate and White fan base moved their den 75 miles east to Allentown.
“Gotta support the boys no matter what, wherever they are at,” said Matt Erickson of Annville who made the trip for one of the two road contests.
Hershey resident Gabby Schatt, along with several other friends made the drive to the PPL Center for their favorite squad.
“You gotta come out to support the Bears no matter if it is home or away,” she said.
That is exactly what Bears fans did. In game three it seemed that there were about 1,000 Bears fans and their audible “Let’s Go Bears” chant to start the game was noticeable.
I will say it wasn’t like this was unexpected. Even the Phantoms knew they were in for an invasion. In fact, one of their video montage presentations on the big board featured the ending battle from Avengers: Infinity War movie as the Avengers battle Thanos and his army. In Lehigh Valley’s building of course, the Avengers were memes featuring the Phantoms and their fans, while Hershey and their fans, memes representing Thanos’ army.
I had an audible chuckle when the Phantoms logo appeared over Captain America’s face. I mean, Captain America is a winner!
Included in the video was the Bears logo over Thanos. The invasion soldiers memed as “an entitled fanbase,” an enemy ship labeled “Corporate Chocolate Overlords,” and “overrated chocolate.”
Yes, the video was all in good fun, in fact, you could say a sign of respect, especially for Bears fans. They know they may not be “liked” in other buildings, but they are respected, and dare I say admired by other front offices and around the league.
“Gotta be there for them, make sure they know that they will have fans,” said Erickson about taking over another building.
“I love it, I think we are going to have a couple thousand people in here. The Phantoms fans will know who we are and {they} will hear our roar.”
That is exactly what happened in game four as even more Hershey fans filled the Phantoms “home” barn.
The Lehigh Valley fans are great sports, dotting the arena with fun signs of “Bear Hunting Season,” {according to the PA Game Commission, it is in fact not} and my favorite “Dorney Park is better than Hershey Park.” They were, however, over-matched so to speak.
Leading up to the game there was a roll call on the Hershey Bears Fans Facebook page;
“Who is going Saturday?”
“I got tickets on the glass for $100?”
“Does anyone know where to get tickets?”
These are just a few examples of this dedicated fan base. I saw it first-hand last year out at Coachella as Bears fans like Rob Parkes {San Diego} flocked from all over the West Coast to see their beloved team. I saw it again for games six and seven and some of those same fans made the trek back from San Diego, with fans added in for Hershey. Not to mention a 757 full of support from the organization themselves.
“Bears thrive on our energy at home so we want to bring it here {on the road} as well,” said Schatt about why she loves to go to road games.
“I have been coming out since I was seven, this a great rivalry. It’s always fun to come out and see what the fans got and the players got.”
What the players got is a legion behind them that isn’t afraid to roar like Vecchione. What the fans got is a team that is determined to lay it all out there in a series.
Do the Bears have an off night every now and then? Absolutely.
Is there ever a series under Todd Nelson when this team doesn’t find more to give? Never.
That is what makes watching this team in person so special. It is a special bond among friends united in their choice of team, logo, colors, and passion.
They don’t even need a pregame video of some team’s mascot whipping a stuffed Bear around the arena, or even some snark on a video board mocking their dedication.
The desire to see the standard upheld, in enemy territory, and support their boys as if they were their own family is enough to mobilize this great fan base.
We can’t wait for a kick-ass atmosphere the Den in the coming days!
