Game Preview: Bears at Monsters, 3 p.m.

March 24, 2019

The Hershey Bears close the weekend with the finale of back-to-back games against the Cleveland Monsters. Today's game also marks the fourth and final meeting between the two clubs this season.
 
Hershey Bears (36-23-3-4) at Cleveland Monsters (32-26-7-1)
March 24, 2019 | 3 PM | Game 67 | Quicken Loans Arena
Referees: Michael Markovic (47), Peter Tarnaris (17)
Linesmen: Joe Sherman (75), Brendan Lewis (82)

Broadcast Information (Pre-game 2:30 p.m.)
RADIO: WQIC-100.1 FM, WOYK 1350-AM, Fox Sports 1460-AM, Voice of the Bears Zack Fisch on the call. 
LISTEN LIVE: Fox Sports AM-1460 Stream, Caps Radio 24/7
WATCH LIVE: AHLTV

ATLANTIC DIVISION STANDINGS

LAST TIME OUT:
The Hershey Bears look to bounce back after dropping a 5-2 decision last night to the Cleveland Monsters. Tommy Cross opened the scoring at 11:21 immediately after an offensive zone face-off win, but the Bears countered only seconds later. Shane Gersich forced a turnover behind the net, and Steve Whitney hit pay-dirt on a backhander at 12:18. Mike Sgarbossa gave the Chocolate and White their one and only lead of the game at :13 of the second period, before Cleveland's Alexandre Texier evened the score at :47. Kevin Stenlund scored the eventual game-winner at 14:05 of the second period following a neutral zone turnover, and Zac Dalpe and Mark Letestu added power play goals in the third period to round out the scoring. 

BOSTON COLLEGE CONNECTION:
Last night's game featured a goal each for a pair of former NCAA teammates. Cleveland defender Tommy Cross and Hershey forward Steve Whitney tallied goals less than a minute apart in the opening period of last night's Monsters' win. The two skated together for three seasons at Boston College, with the duo helping the Eagles to National Championships in 2010 and 2012. Hershey prospect Parker Milner was also part of both those Boston College squads. Whitney has collected 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 50 games this season with Hershey, while Cross has collected 31 points (six goals, 25 assists) this season. 


SEASON SERIES VS MONSTERS:
Tonight marks the final game of the season series between Hershey and Cleveland. The Monsters have won two of the three contests, with each win coming by a 5-2 margin. Hershey is paced by forward Riley Barber (two goals, two assists) and Mike Sgarbossa who has also collected four points (three goals, one assist) in the three contests versus his former club. The Monsters have enjoyed strong play from Tommy Cross who has half of his six goals this season in the three games versus the Bears. Both teams are fighting for playoff positions with Cleveland sitting in 5th place in the North Division, two points out of a playoff spot, while Hershey holds down 3rd place in the Atlantic Division, seven points ahead of 5th place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. 

SEEKING A "W" INSIDE "THE Q": 
Last night marked Hershey's first regular season game at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland in over six years. Prior to last night, the Bears last visited the Cleveland Monsters in the regular season on Feb. 5, 2013. The Bears edged the then named Lake Erie Monsters in a shootout, 3-2. Former Bear Paul Carey opened the scoring for the Monsters in the opening minute, but the Chocolate and White responded with goals by Mike Carman and Barry Almeida. Ryan Potulny and Jeff Taffe tallied for the Bears in the shootout, and Dany Sabourin made four stops on five shootout attempts to provide Hershey the win. In the all-time season series, the Bears are 6-7-0-2 against the Monsters dating back to the 2007-08 season.