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.
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.
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.
HERHSEY, PA – Jeff Taffe speaks to the media after the 2013 Outdoor Classic (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Bears forward Jeff Taffe has been added to the 2013 AHL Eastern Conference All-Star Team Roster. This move comes after Tomas Kundratek, who was named to the All-Star team last week, was recalled to the Washington Capitals. Kundratek is now unable to play in the game due to the recall to DC.
HERSHEY, PA – Tomas Kundratek speaks to the media after the 2013 Outdoor Classic (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
One night after scoring Hershey’s lone goal in the Outdoor Classic, Tomas Kundratek has been recalled by the Washington Capitals. The 23-year old defenseman has has one eventful week after being named to the 2013 AHL All-Star game, scoring Hershey’s goal last night, and now the recall.
HERSHEY, PA – Bears players look on after they lose in OT to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the 2013 Outdoor Classic (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
It was a grand setting at Hersheypark Stadium on Sunday evening. Starting with a flurry of fireworks as the sun set on Central Pennsylvania, the Bears took on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL Outdoor Classic. Despite the freezing cold, 17,311 packed the old stadium to see one of the league’s greatest rivalries get taken to another level. Frankly, I wish I had gotten my butt up there. Unfortunately for the Bears, though, it didn’t end in a victory.
Hershey Bears practice earlier this morning (Photo via our Instagram account)
The Outdoor Classic is just over 24-hours away and Bears players are getting more and more excited as the game draws closer. After getting their first look at the Hersheypark Stadium rink, the Bears gave their thoughts on what the experience will mean to them.
HERSHEY, PA – Tomas Kundratek speaks to the media at last night’s family skate at Hersheypark Stadium (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Last night at the Hershey Bears family skate at the Outdoor Rink inside Hersheypark Stadium, Doug Yingst gathered around the Bears and spoke to them. This wasn’t about the angles of the stadium or how the lighting will look for the outdoor game, this was about one of their teammates. Tomas Kundratek learned he was named to the 2013 AHL All-Star game in Providence.
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.