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.
Our Tim Stough presents Danick Paquette with a surfboard at SHOE View 2
Two weeks ago tonight, we held our second ever Hershey Bears viewing party over at the Warwick Hotel in Hummelstown. We had some very special silent auction and raffle items and a special guest!
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.
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.
HERSHEY, PA – Jeff Taffe celebrates one of Hershey’s goals in their 5-3 comeback win (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
The Hershey Bears looked to conclude a perfect weekend sweep against East Division teams on Sunday with a tilt against the Syracuse Crunch. It was the fourth meeting of the season between the Bears and Crunch with Hershey looking for their first victory against Tampa Bay Lightning’s top affiliate.
World Wrestling Entertainment legend Ric Flair often infamously said, “To be the man, you have to beat the man.” Sunday evening the Bears beat the man of the Eastern Conference with a stunning 5-3 win over the top seeded Crunch.
HERSHEY, PA – Ryan Stoa celebrates his game tying goal against Norfolk during Hershey’s 3-2 comeback over the Admirals (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
If the 2012-13 AHL hockey season concluded today, four of the five East Division teams would have qualified for the Calder Cup Playoffs. The one divisional team currently on the outside looking into the playoff picture is the Norfolk Admirals. The Admirals entered Saturday winners in seven of their last ten games, and looked to continue their hot streak against the Hershey Bears.
Philipp Grubauer played his first game with the Chocolate and White since returning from his first NHL stint in Washington D.C. From the opposite end of the ice, he watched Ryan Stoa tie the hockey game on a highlight reel goal with 2:33 left in regulation. Ryan Potulny then scored in the final minute to cap an astonishing 3-2 regulation win over the Norfolk Admirals.
Photo via Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Facebook Page
The Hershey Bears kicked off the month of March with a trip north on I-81 to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Bears entered play win-less in their last three consecutive matches against the W-B/S Penguins. Philipp Grubauer, fresh off his National Hockey League debut, looked on from the bench as Dany Sabourin backstopped Hershey to a nail-biting 3-2 win at Mohegan Sun Arena.
HERSHEY, PA – The Bears celebrate a goal earlier this month in a game against Wilkes-Barre (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Playoffs. It’s often a word coaches hate using unless absolutely necessary, and a word fans begin using in training camp every season. It is a word Hershey Bears fans have grown accustomed to using at this juncture of the season, and teams like the Adirondack Phantoms dream of using. Exactly eight weeks from today marks the day after the regular season for the Hershey Bears. Eight weeks from today it will either be locker clean out day at Giant Center, or day one of practice in preparation for the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Since the beginning of the Bears-Capitals affiliation in the 2005-06 season, the Bears are yet to miss out on the playoffs. Eight weeks from now, we will know if the playoff streak has been extended to eight consecutive years, or end at seven. Within the last seven years, Hershey has added three Calder Cup Championships, appeared in the finals four times, and have been knocked out in the first round on three occasions.
Each Monday until the end of the regular season, we will break down the standings in each division of the Eastern Conference and look at the conference’s current top 10 teams. Once the regular season concludes, the top eight will advance to represent the Eastern Conference in the postseason.
Boardwalk Hall before today’s game (Photo via @ScottStuccio)
Sunday afternoon the Hershey Bears traveled to Atlantic City to face the Albany Devils at the historic Boardwalk Hall. A night after his 40 save shutout spectacle, Philipp Grubauer received his second straight start in goal. Defensive turnovers and let downs in front of Grubauer led to a 6-4 loss on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.