Dmitry Orlov looks on during warm-ups last season (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Early Wednesday morning, CSKA of the KHL announced it had acquired Dmitry Orlov’s KHL rights. Now we know what you’re thinking: “Orlov’s leaving Hershey for the KHL?!?” Well, not exactly.
HERSHEY, PA – (Left to Right) Garrett Michell, Dane Byers, and Jeff Taffe were name as captain and alternate captains earlier Friday (Mitchell and Taffe Photos courtesy: Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth, Byers Photo courtesy: Tim Stough / Sweetest Hockey on Earth, Graphic by: Kyle Mace)
The Hershey Bears have announced their opening night roster and new leaders of the team. Dane Byers is the new captain for the Hershey Bears’ 2013-14 season.
HERSHEY, PA – Tomas Kundratek, seen here at the end of last season, cleared wavers Thursday and has reported to Hershey for the 2013-14 season (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Hershey’s top scoring defenseman is returning for another season. Tomas Kundratek was placed on wavers Wednesday and cleared at noon Thursday, meaning he is to report to Hershey for the Chocolate and White’s training camp. The 23-year-old blue liner scored 16 goals and 31 points in 49 games for Hershey. Kundratek also had a stint with the Capitals, playing in 25 games with one goal and seven points.
HERSHEY, PA – Jon DiSalvatore smiles during the awards ceremony. DiSalvatore scored the game winning goal in Hershey’s game 1 win over Providence (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
The battle of the Bears and the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs kicked off Friday with a tremendous 5-2 win over the Providence Bruins. Continuing from late regular season success, the power play unit tallied a trio of goals including two on both ends of a 5-on-3 advantage.
In the best of five series, Hershey quickly jumps to a 1-0 lead and has stolen home ice advantage from the AHL regular season champions.
HERSHEY, PA – Joey Crabb (left) celebrates a goal earlier in the season. Crabb had a hat trick in Hershey’s 6-3 win over Portland (Tim Stough – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
The Hershey Bears sought their first win of the weekend in a three games in three nights finale against the Portland Pirates. A win for Portland would have punched their ticket to the 2013 AHL Postseason. A win for Hershey would of kept their playoff hopes and dreams alive for the moment.
The Pirates entered play as the most penalized team in the American Hockey League and lived up to their reputation with ten minors against Hershey. The Bears cashed in on a season high five power play goals to cruise to a 6-3 win in Portland. Joey Crabb earned first star honors with a hat trick, and Jeff Taffe earned five helpers en route to his team’s blowout.
Photo via the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Facebook page
The Hershey Bears traveled up I-81 for the final time during the regular season for round 12 against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Looking for their eighth victory of the season over the Pens, a span of four unanswered goals against deflated Hershey, 4-3.
HERSHEY, PA – Tomas Kundratek, seen here at the 2013 Outdoor Classic, scored twice in Hershey’s 4-2 win over Syracuse tonight (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Friday night it was the battle of candy bars north of the Pennsylvania border. The chocolate covered Hershey Bears battled the Crunch of Syracuse. Tomas Kundratek returned to the Hershey lineup for the first time since the Outdoor Classic on January 20, and impacted the match with two goals including the game-winner.
Boyd Kane started the scoring, and Peter LeBlanc tallied a highlight reel insurance marker in the third period to help his team’s charge towards a staggering 4-1 win.
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 – Philipp Grubauer watches Binghamton’s game tying power play goal during Herhsey’s 3-2 loss to the Senators (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
The Hershey Bears closed out the second weekend of March with their final divisional match up this month. Looking to bounce back after a disappointing two game stretch in Norfolk, the Bears coughed up a late 2-1 lead and fell 3-2 on regulation after failing to kill off back-to-back penalties in the final four minutes.
Norfolk, VA – Dany Sabourin makes a save during Hershey’s loss to the Admirals (Tim Stough – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
The Hershey Bears and Norfolk Admirals squared up for the final time this regular season. Looking to end on a high note, the Bears dropped a 4-1 decision against the defending Calder Cup Champions at Norfolk Scope.