Reading, PA – T.J. Syner scores in the Reading Royals’ victory in game two of the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
The Reading Royals are just two wins away from from their first ECHL Kelly Cup championship. The Royals won game two of the best of seven finals in convincing fashion, a 4-0 win over the Stockton Thunder. All the scoring came from players who have seen playing time with the Hershey Bears. Coming off a thrilling 6-5 overtime win, the Royals dominated game two, in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 4,693.
Photo by Purdon Photography
It was a long time in waiting, but Saturday the Reading Royals for in the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time in their franchise’s history. After three division tittles, and a 2013 Eastern Conference crown, the Royals looked to open their first Kelly Cup Finals series on the right foot.
Philipp Grubauer looks on during a game earlier this season (Tim Stough – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
After an astonishing three goal performance by the Hershey Bears’ power play unit against the Connecticut Whale, they looked to continue their recent special teams success on the road in Worcester, Massachusetts. Boyd Kane opened up the scoring early and helped the Bears to a 3-2 shootout win over the Worcester Sharks.
Photo courtesy: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Facebook page
With momentum riding high in the Hershey Bears’ locker room following a win in our nation’s capital, the Bears looked to carry that momentum to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Kevin Marshall recorded his first and only shot of the game at the 3:18 mark of overtime, and capitalized on Penguins’ goaltender Jeff Zatkoff to send the Bears past the W-B for the forth time this season, 5-4.
Photo courtesy @washcaps
It may not be Summer time, but Wednesday the Hershey Bears traveled south near Virginia Beach to face the Norfolk Admirals. Since hoisting Calder last June for the first time in franchise history, the Admirals have started the season with a 7-10-0-0 record. Four different Bears scored en route to a 5-2 win over the defending Calder Cup Champions. Braden Holtby stonewalled 24 of 26 Admiral shots to record his sixth victory of the season.
HERSHEY, PA – Dany Sabourin is replaced by Braden Holtby in the first period after Sabourin gave up two quick goals in Hershey’s 5-3 loss. (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Sunday night the Hershey Bears looked for revenge over the Syracuse Crunch after suffering a 6-1 beat down, nearly 48 hours prior to the start of Sunday’s game. Dany Sabourin, who came into Friday’s game in relief for Braden Holtby drew the start against Dustin Tokarski. A third period scoring explosion for Syracuse led to a 5-2 win over Hershey.
Ryan Potulny picture from our Instagram.
Another eventful week in the books for us. Last Wednesday night we had our first ever viewing party. We had quite a few people come out to Fire Alley to watch the game and help us raise some money. It also helped that the Bears won against Binghamton extending the winning streak to seven. Sadly, that streak came to an end on Saturday against St. Johns. Fortunately the Bears got a little help from other losses that night and clinched a playoff spot. Thanks in part to an effort from Ryan Potulny that earned him AHL Player of the week honors, the Bears came back from a deficit on Sunday against Binghamton. That effort proved to fall just a little short when the Bears lost in 13 rounds of shootout. Before you move on to the rest of the links from around the web, check out the pictures from autograph night taken by Kyle.
T.J. Syner photo from Dennis Pause on Flikr.
Another week closer to the playoffs and unfortunately the Bears first trip to see the Ice Caps wasn’t a good one. They played two games there last week. St. John’s dominated the first meeting, but the Bears were able to salvage a point in a shootout loss the second night.
In other news here at SHoE, Kathryn caught up with former Bear (and a fan favorite) Steve Pinizzotto. The biggest news of the week (and perhaps to date) was the announcement of the first ever Bears Viewing Party. Take a look at the announcement and if you are on facebook you can RSVP to the event on there.
Now on to the Bears news in the rest of the world…