Welcome to a special edition of the Eastern Conference Playoff Picture. For the past seven weeks, we have tracked the Hershey Bears’ position in the conference standings and where they stack against fellow Eastern foes. Now with only three games remaining in the 2012-13 regular season, the Bears have their backs against the wall as they look to snatch a playoff seed.
We are only two weeks away from the checkered flag for the 2012-13 regular season with only a half dozen games remaining for the Hershey Bears. In previous weeks we have glanced at the overall division and monitored the play of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Syracuse Crunch, Binghamton Senators and Norfolk Admirals. But with Hershey and Norfolk now tied for the final playoff spot, in this week’s edition of Monday’s Eastern Conference Playoff Picture we will break down just those two teams and their remaining schedules.
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.
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…
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.
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 – 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.
What separates the American Hockey League uniquely from the NHL is the gruesome three games in three night stretches. As the regular season has progressed, we have learned a team’s spot in the standings can dramatically change in just a brief 72 hour period.
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.
Welcome to the second edition of Monday’s Eastern Conference Playoff Look in. Seven weeks from today, the banner on top of the Hershey Bears web site will likely either say “Thank you fans”, or will be promoting an upcoming playoff series.
Sunday the Bears capped off their most impressive weekend this entire season. On Friday Hershey rode I-81 and payed visit to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Following a hot start leading to three goals in the game’s first ten minutes, the Bears held off a Penguins’ late game comeback attempt to secure a 3-2 road win.