Game Preview: Thunderbirds at Bears, 7 p.m.

November 10, 2018

Hershey Bears (6-7-0-1) vs. Springfield Thunderbirds (7-2-0-2)
November 10, 2018 | 7:00 PM | Game 15 | Giant Center

Referees: Terry Koharski (10), Tim Mayer (19)
Linesmen: Luke Murray (92), Colin Gates (3)

Tonight's Promotions: 
United Brotherhood Of Carpenters Local 431 American Flag Night
All Fans Will Receive An American Flag Upon Entrance, Courtesy Of United Brotherhood Of Carpenters Local 431

Hometown Heroes Night
Military And First Responders Receive $21.50 Tickets In The 100 Level And $16.00 Tickets In The 200 Level. Variety Of Military Personnel Will Be On-Site
Ticket Information: http://www.hersheybears.com/tickets/single-game.php

Broadcast Information (Pre-game 6:30 p.m.)
RADIO: WQIC-100.1 FM, Fox Sports 1460-AM, WOYK-1350 AM, Zack Fisch, the Voice of the Bears and Mitch Lamoureux on the call.
LISTEN LIVE: Fox Sports AM-1460 Stream, Caps Radio 24/7
WATCH LIVE: AHLTV

ATLANTIC DIVISION STANDINGS

LAST TIME OUT
After enjoying a rare Friday night off yesterday, the Bears take the ice tonight versus the Springfield Thunderbirds. Hershey’s last outing came last Sunday as the Bears earned a 2-1 shootout victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack at Giant Center. Juuso Ikonen scored his first AHL goal in the third period to tie the game 1-1 for Hershey. After overtime solved nothing, defender Aaron Ness scored the lone goal of the shootout in the seventh round, and Hershey goaltender Parker Milner capped off a 32-save evening by also going 7-for-7 in the shootout. The win gave the Bears points in seven of the last nine contests. Springfield played last night, struggling in an 8-2 loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at the PPL Center. Paul Thompson and Dryden Hunt had the goals for the T-Birds, who were out shot 31-18.

LAST YEAR VS SPRINGFIELD 
During the 2017-18 campaign, the Bears and Thunderbirds met six times, with Hershey posting a 3-1-1-1 record. Despite the winning record, only one of Hershey’s wins came on home ice, as the Bears won the series finale, 4-2, on Mar. 17. Former Bears forward Wayne Simpson led the season series with six points (four goals, two assists) last season, while Springfield’s Anthony Greco was the Thunderbirds top scorer with four games versus the Chocolate and White. Hershey went 19-for-20 on the penalty kill last season versus Springfield. Since the club became the Thunderbirds in 2016, Hershey holds a 9-1-1-1 record in the all-time series.

WALK THIS WAY
Tonight marks the season debut for Hershey forward Nathan Walker. The winger was re-assigned to the Chocolate and White after playing in three games with the NHL’s Washington Capitals this season, posting one assist. Walker returns to Hershey after joining the Capitals for the Stanley Cup playoffs last year and playing in one game, contributing an assist in Game 6 of the series versus Pittsburgh. The 2018-19 campaign marks Walker’s fifth season with the Bears. He has registered 101 career points (43 goals, 58 assists) in 242 games with Hershey. Last season versus Springfield he tallied three points (two goals, one assist) in four games.

KILLER BEARS
Entering tonight’s game, Hershey’s penalty kill remains on a stellar streak. The Bears have killed off 32 straight penalties entering tonight’s game. Hershey went 13-for-13 in three games last weekend, and have not allowed a power play goal in seven straight games. The last time the Bears allowed a power play goal came on Oct. 19 at Charlotte. After a slow start, Hershey’s penalty kill now ranks 9th in the AHL at 84.5%.

PENGUINS NO MORE 
Three players skating in tonight’s game were previously teammates with the rival Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Hershey’s Jayson Megna played alongside rugged forwards Bobby Farnham and Harry Zolnierczyk with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton during the 2013-14 campaign. Zolnierczyk is off to the best start of the three, posting 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in his first 11 games with the T-Birds. Additionally, Springfield captain Paul Thompson played with Megna and Farnham in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2012-13.

FAST FACTS
Springfield rookie forward Riley Stillman is the son of former NHL forward Cory Stillman. The elder Stillman played alongside Hershey assistant coach Mike Eastwood with the St. Louis Blues for parts of three seasons….Hershey’s Derek Hulak skated with Springfield’s Matt Mangene and Ludwig Bystrom as members of the Texas Stars…The Capitals recalled Aaron Ness and Jonas Siegenthaler from Hershey on Friday. Siegenthaler made his NHL debut yesterday.