Welcome back to yet another addition of Monday's Eastern Conference Playoff Picture as the 2012-13 season continues to whine down. The Hershey Bears were able to peacefully celebrate Easter Sunday a night following a thrilling 3-2 win over the league's…
HERSHEY, PA – Casey Wellman looks on during a game earlier in the season. Wellman brought Hershey within one during the Bears loss to Albany tonight (Tim Stough – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
The Albany Devils have possessed Philipp Grubauer’s number all season long, and the frustrating trend continued Friday night. On February 24, the Devils hosted the Hershey Bears in the former home of the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies in Atlantic City. The Devils buzzed Grubauer and yielded six goals en route to a 6-4 defeat on the boardwalk.
Over a month later, Times Union Center in Albany hosted the final Bears-Devils match up of the 2012-13 campaign. Grubauer left the game after surrendering three goals on seven shots, leading to an Albany 5-3 win.
Following a three game in three night New England road trip, the Hershey Bears acquired 3-of-6 possible standings points. Whether the glass is half full or half empty is for the fan to decide when reminiscing this past weekend. Friday the Bears jump started their weekend with a 3-2 shootout defeat against the Connecticut Whale. One of the most entertaining, end-to-end games of the season went in the Whale favor as Kris Newbury scored the skills competition’s only goal to silence Hershey.
Worcester and Hershey face off in a game earlier in the season (Worcester Sharks Facebook Page)
Desperate for a win to close out the weekend, the Hershey Bears battled the Worcester Sharks for a Sunday matinee at the DCU Center. Following two crushing losses in Connecticut and Manchester, Garrett Mitchell received first star honors in a 4-1 victory over the Sharks.
HERSHEY, PA – Boyd Kane skates during warm-ups of the 2013 AHL Outdoor Classic. Kane scored his 500th AHL point tonight during Hershey’s 6-4 loss to Manchester (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Saturday night, American Hockey League history was made with Boyd Kane’s 500th career AHL point against the Manchester Monarchs. Kane became the 85th player in league history to reach the milestone. However, the memorable moment was soon spoiled, as Manchester came back to answer Hershey’s early scoring onslaught with a scoring parade of their own. The Monarchs tallied three goals in both the second and third period to down Hershey, 6-4.
HERSHEY, PA – Ryan Potunly looks on during a game earlier in the season (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
It is no lie the Hershey Bears in many instances this season have struggled to put forth a complete game, 100-percent effort against the opposition. However in a 3-2 shootout loss against the Connecticut Whale, effort was no where near a concern for the Chocolate and White.
Another week of Hershey Bears hockey is in the record books as we are now only 35 days away from the finish line. Following last weekend’s disaster, it is no surprise the Bears entered Saturday and Sunday in desperation mode. The most valuable player over the weekend for Hershey is hands-down Philipp Grubauer.
HERSHEY, PA – Jeff Taffe scores in the second period during Hershey’s 5-2 victory over the Phantoms (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Eyeing his tenth “W” in his first American Hockey League season, Philipp Grubauer drew the start for the Hershey Bears against the Adirondack Phantoms. In front of another sell out crowd of 10,856 at Giant Center, Grubauer stopped 36 shots as the Bears cruised to a comfortable 5-2 win against the Phantoms.
HERSHEY, PA – Garrett Mitchell celebrates his game winning overtime goal against Bridgeport in Hershey’s 1-0 win over the Sound Tigers (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Following a dreadful 0-for-6 weekend in the points column, the Hershey Bears sought a desperate bounce back win against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. After 60 minutes of end-to-end, scoreless hockey, Garrett Mitchell played the role of hero for Hershey with an overtime game-winning goal to seal two points.
HERSHEY, PA – Kevin Marshall looks on during a game earlier in the season. Marshall was dealt in a trade to Toronto earlier today (Tim Stough – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
With three Bears defensemen currently enjoying life in the National Hockey League, Thursday the organization looked to bring in a helping hand to Chocolate Town.