Photo: Kyle Mace
Dmitry Orlov finished his three game rehab stint with the Hershey Bears on Wednesday night. These were his first professional hockey games played in since May 2014 at the IIHF World Championships. Orlov broke his wrist after a collision into the boards during the series.
Wilkes-Barre, PA – Philipp Grubauer is scored on in the third period of Hershey’s 5-3 loss to the Penguins on Wednesday night (Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey)
We hate to bring up bad memories, especially since the correct mentality in hockey is to continuously move forward. However it’s worth it to briefly reflect back on how our playoff hopes and dreams, as well as the Mike Haviland era ended a year ago. Back-to-back road games in Norfolk, in mid-April; Both must win games, and both dropped by the Bears in regulation.
Now currently, we’re thankfully nowhere near as dire and concerning of a situation. Even after dropping a 5-3 decision to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the first of two meetings this week.
HERSHEY, PA – David Leggio celebrates his win over his former team the Hershey Bears on Sunday night (Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey)
The Bears aren’t going to win every home game. It only seemed like they could. Facing their former teammate, Portland goalie David Leggio, the Bears dropped a 5-1 decision to the Pirates on Sunday night at Giant Center.
Liam O’Brien holds his number one fan, Javon, after Sunday night’s Hershey Bears game (Submitted photo)
On Saturday night, Bears forward Liam O’Brien was involved in a line brawl against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. O’Brien left the bench and was suspended after the game, pending a league investigation.
HERSHEY, PA – Pheonix Copley fights Kevin Poulin of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Saturday night during the Hershey Bears game against Bridgeport (Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey)
All heck broke lose Saturday night at Giant Center with 4:20 remaining in the second period against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. It all started with goaltender interference on Pheonix Copley that went uncalled, knocking the stick out of his hands. He made a glove save to put play to a halt, where a scrum quickly escalated.
HERSHEY, PA – Coach Troy Mann instructing players, getting set for Friday in Binghamton (Chocolate Hockey)
The Hershey Bears continue their preparations for yet another three games in three night stretch starting Friday in Binghamton. The Bears will be on the road and then return home for games against Bridgeport on Saturday and a match up against Providence, for the first time this season. The Bears are playing their best hockey of the season. They have just one regulation loss in their last 17 games and find themselves just a win away from having the best record in the league.
HERSHEY, PA – The Lehigh Valley Phantoms celebrate their OT win over Hershey on Sunday night (Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey)
Sunday night was a chance for the Hershey Bears to continue their dominance against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and East Division. After a big OT win the night before against Wilkes-Barre, Hershey’s division lead was at five points coming into Sunday. A day win for Wilkes-Barre over Bridgeport would promise the Bears could not gain any ground, but still hold that five point lead.
Looking for their fifth straight win against Lehigh Valley, the Bears and Phantoms went back and forth all night long.
HERSHEY, PA – The Hershey Bears celebrate their OT win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Saturday night in Hershey (Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey)
It was a meeting of the rivals in Hershey for one last time this regular season. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins made their last stop in Chocolate Town, USA for the 2014-15 season. The Bears, who came into the game going 10-1-0-1 in 2015 was looking to expand their lead for first place in the East Division. With a packed Giant Center, this game did not disappoint.
Photo: Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey
For the second season in-a-row, the Hershey Bears will sport Groundhog Day jerseys for a game. Last year, the Chocolate and White became the Blue and Red with specialty jerseys to honor a very strange Pennsylvania tradition.
HERSHEY, PA – Jonathan Marchessault scores on Pheonix Copley in the shootout during Syracuse’s win on Saturday night (Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey)
Saturday night was a chance for the Hershey Bears to extend their winning streak to six games and hopefully extend their lead in the East Division. Unfortunately for Hershey, standing in their way was a tough Syracuse Crunch team who was looking to sweep the season series between these two teams with their fourth win against the Bears.