Screenshot via abc27 sports
Friday night in the Eastern Conference finals of the OHL playoffs, the London Knights and Plymouth Whalers faced off in a game that London would win and eliminate the Whalers. On that Whalers team was Washington Capitals prospect, Tom Wilson.
After the loss, Wilson and teammate Connor Carrick were informed they were going to Chocolate town USA to join the Bears in their run at Calder Cup number 12.
HERSHEY, PA – Steve Oleksy waves to the crowd after making a surprise appearance to accept his Top Bears Defenseman award Sunday night (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
On a night when the Chocolate and White punched their ticket to the 2013 Calder Cup playoffs, the players also accepted their awards for their accomplishments in a Bears uniform this season.
HERSHEY, PA – Graham Mink skates during his return to Hershey on Saturday night (Tim Stough – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
At the age of 33, former Hershey Bears star Graham Mink was hoping he wasn’t done with hockey. The NHL lockout kept him out of a job until January. Now he’s in a spot to perhaps win another Calder Cup.
Mink signed with the Providence Bruins, one of the best teams in the AHL. Last Saturday Mink returned to Giant Center to play his old team. Even though he’s returned with an opposing team before, it’s always a treat to return to Chocolate Town.
HERSHEY, PA – Ryan Potulny shoots his game winning goal during Hershey’s 3-2 come back victory over Providence (Tim Stough – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Nine games. That’s all that remains to decide the Hershey Bears playoff fate. Saturday night the Bears pulled off a come from behind victory over one of the best teams in the league, beating the Providence Bruins 3-2 at Giant Center. The victory keeps the Bears in the 8th and final playoff position, just two points ahead of Norfolk.
Norfolk, VA – Bears captain lines up with Norfolk’s captain Nate Guenin for the ceremonial puck drop (Tim Stough – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Coming off a perfect 3-in-3 weekend, the Bears were looking to add on to their streak tonight against Norfolk. Without Garrett Mitchell, the Bears struggled mightily against the Ads, dropping this one 5-1.
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 05: Steven Oleksy #61 of the Washington Capitals (R) and Tomas Kundratek #36 hold up pucks for their first point and goal respectivly after an NHL game against the Boston Bruins at Verizon Center on March 5, 2013 in Washington, DC. The Washington Capitals defeated the Boston Bruins 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
One day after Steven Oleksy was recalled by the Washington Capitals and signed to a three year deal, he and former Hershey, now Washington teammate Tomas Kundratek both recorded first in the Caps’ game against former Bear Chris Bourque and the Boston Bruins.
The Hershey Bears have lost another top scorer. Center Zach Hamill has been traded to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Casey Wellman. The Chocolate and White’s fourth leading scorer is now heading off to San Antonio for the Rampage’s second leading score. Wellman, 25, has scored seven goals and 16 assists for the Panthers affiliate in 37 games this season.
HERHSEY, PA – Jeff Taffe speaks to the media after the 2013 Outdoor Classic (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Bears forward Jeff Taffe has been added to the 2013 AHL Eastern Conference All-Star Team Roster. This move comes after Tomas Kundratek, who was named to the All-Star team last week, was recalled to the Washington Capitals. Kundratek is now unable to play in the game due to the recall to DC.
HERSHEY, PA – Mike Green speaks with Dimity Orlov at the Outdoor Classic (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Over five years after playing his last game for the Hershey Bears, Mike Green returned to Chocolate Town to drop the ceremonial first puck at the Outdoor Classic. The Calgary native played 108 games in a Bears sweater, with 40 of them in the playoffs.
HERSHEY, PA – Bears players skate around during warm-ups of the 2013 Outdoor Classic (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Last night, the Hershey Bears and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins faced off at Hersheypark Stadium for the 2013 AHL Outdoor Classic. Like last season, we have many photos for your enjoyment today. First off, 80+ of my photos from the game.