Weekly Release #23: Busy Home Stretch Ahead

March 12, 2019

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE HERSHEY BEARS WEEKLY RELEASE #23

The Hershey Bears earned points in all three games on the road last week, collecting a 1-0-1-1 record, and sit at 33-22-2-4 on the season. The Bears maintained 3rd place in the Atlantic Division and currently sit six points ahead of the 5th place Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The Bears now open a stretch of four-straight home games that come in a span of seven days. The Chocolate and White host Springfield, defending-champion Toronto, 2nd place Bridgeport, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in that stretch. 

Last Friday, Hershey dropped a 3-2 decision in a shootout at Providence. Riley Barber opened the scoring, but Providence scored two power play goals in the second period to take the lead. Hershey defender Lucas Johansen struck in the game’s final minutes to force overtime, and Anton Blidh broke a scoreless tie in the 6th round of the shootout to give Providence the extra standings point. 

The two teams re-matched on Saturday, and once again Providence came away with the victory, earning a 4-3 decision in overtime. Hershey got two goals from Riley Barber and a tally from Jayson Megna, but former Bear Paul Carey scored twice, including the winning goal 12 seconds into overtime, to give Providence the victory on home ice. 

On Sunday, Hershey capped off the weekend with a win, beating Hartford 5-3 at the XL Center. Devante Smith-Pelly scored three times, and Garrett Pilon had a power play goal as Hershey moved to 4-0-0-0 this season versus the Wolf Pack. 

UPCOMING GAMES/PROMOS: 
Ticket information: http://www.hersheybears.com/tickets/single-game.php   
-Wednesday, Mar. 13 vs. Springfield, 7 p.m.
Promotion: Hersheypark Pass Night (All Fans)
-Friday, Mar. 15 vs. Toronto, 7 p.m.
Promotion: Fairview Golf Course Bears Logo Chip Night (First 3,000), Scout Night, Dietz & Watson Dollar Dog Night
-Saturday, Mar. 16 vs. Bridgeport, 7 p.m.  
Promotion: Ames Janitorial Services Rally Towel Night (First 8,000), Autism Acceptance Night with a post game jersey auction, Faith & Family Night 

#HersheyBearsCares:
The Bears are committed to giving back to the local community. Players and staff skated with members of the American Special Hockey Association following Tuesday’s practice. The rescheduled 7th annual Running for Rachel event with Arooga’s will take place on Wednesday, Mar. 20. Further information will be shared on Hershey Bears social media.

WEEKLY PRACTICE SCHEDULE: 
Wednesday, Mar. 13: 10 a.m., Morning Skate, Giant Center
Thursday, Mar. 14: 10:30 a.m., Giant Center
Friday, Mar. 15: 10 a.m., Morning Skate, Giant Center
Saturday, Mar. 16: 10 a.m., Morning Skate, Giant Center
*Practice schedule subject to change. Follow @TheHersheyBears on Twitter for updates.

D-S-P DOMINATES: In Sunday’s contest at Hartford, forward Devante Smith-Pelly scored his first three goals as a member of the Bears, notching the second hat-trick of his AHL career. The winger also posted three goals as a member of Norfolk on Feb. 18, 2014 at Charlotte. Smith-Pelly was the second Bear to post a hat-trick this season as the other came from Riley Barber on Feb. 22 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Smith-Pelly has collected seven points (three goals, four assists) in six games since being assigned to Hershey by Washington. 

MEGNA MAGIC: Forward Jayson Megna has tallied back-to-back multi-point games for the Bears. He posted a goal and an assist last Saturday and Sunday to push his point total to 30 on the season. Megna has 15 goals and 15 assists for Hershey and enters this week just two games from 300 in his AHL career. The veteran forward has 185 points (75 goals, 81 assists) in his AHL career with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Hartford, Utica, and Hershey. 

WALK THE TALK: In Sunday’s win at Hartford, Hershey forward Nathan Walker registered three assists for the first time in his professional career. It was also the fourth time in Walker’s AHL career that he collected a single-game high of three points. The sixth-year Bear ranks fifth on the club with 28 points in 45 games this season, making this his second most productive season as a Bear, only trailing the 2015-16 campaign in which he had 41 points in 73 games.  

BARBARIC: Forward Riley Barber has set a new career-best in goals, and now ranks second in the AHL with 29 tallies on the season. Barber leads the AHL in power play points (30), game-winning shootout goals (3), is tied for first in shootout goals (4), and ranks second in shots (204). His 54 points leads the Bears and is just one away from his career-best of 55 points set during his rookie season in 2015-16. 

40 APPLES FOR AARON: Defender Aaron Ness leads the AHL in assists among defenders with 40. The last time the Bears had a defender lead the league in assists was Christian Djoos who tied for first in the league among blue liners with 45 helpers in 2016-17. Mike Gaul holds Hershey’s franchise record for assists for by defender in a single season, posting 57 in 1999-2000.

BEARS BITES: Hershey’s Mike Sgarbossa is two goals from 100 in his professional career…Aaron Ness is two assists from 200 in his AHL career and two assists from 100 in his Hershey career…The Bears have allowed a power play goal against in eight straight games.