Game Preview: Devils at Bears, 1 p.m.

April 17, 2021

The Hershey Bears continue the 2020-21 season, presented by Penn State Health, this afternoon versus the Binghamton Devils. The puck drops at 1 p.m. at GIANT Center. The game will be televised on FOX43.

Binghamton Devils (5-9-5-1) at Hershey Bears (14-5-2-0)
April 17, 2021 | 1 PM | Game #22 | GIANT Center
Referees: Brandon Schrader (#46), Jeremy Tufts (#78)
Linesmen: J.P. Waleski (#14), Bob Goodman (#90)

DOWNLOAD: AHL MEDIA KIT (Rosters, stats, and standings)

Broadcast Information 
Voice of the Bears, Zack Fisch, and FOX43's Todd Sadowski on the call  
TELEVISION: FOX43   
RADIO: WFVY-100.1 FM, Fox Sports 1460-AM, SportsRadio 98.9-FM & WOYK 1350-AM

WATCH LIVE: FOX 43, AHLTV
LISTEN LIVE: Fox Sports AM-1460 Stream

LAST TIME OUT:
The Hershey Bears were last in action last Sunday, earning a 2-0 win over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins as goalie Pheonix Copley earned his first shutout of the season with 21 saves. Aliaksei Protas scored in the first period for the Bears, striking for his first goal in North America, and Brian Pinho added an empty net goal on the power play with 11 seconds to play in regulation to move Hershey to 8-1-2-0 at GIANT Center this season. Hershey posted a season-high 33 penalty minutes in the game but held Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to 0-for-4 on the power play. The Devils played last night at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, coming away with a 6-3 win. Nate Schnarr scored twice for Binghamton and netminder Mareks Mittens earned his first AHL win in his first pro start, stopping 33 shots. 

STRONG IN THE SEASON SERIES:
Today marks the 9th of 12 meetings between the Bears and Devils, and Hershey has dominated the season series, going 7-1-0-0 versus Binghamton. Connor McMichael has posted seven points (4g, 3a) versus Binghamton, while six of Brett Leason's 10 points this season have come versus the Devils (4g, 2a). Hershey is 4-0-0-0 at GIANT Center versus the Devils this season, and overall versus Binghamton, the Bears are 7-1-0-0 on home ice since the franchise became the Binghamton Devils. Binghamton's roster does feature some new faces after moves at the NHL Trade Deadline including A.J. Greer, a former 44-point scorer with the AHL's Colorado Eagles.

PHANTASTIC PHEONIX:
Goaltender Pheonix Copley has won his last four starts for the Chocolate and White, going 4-0-0-0 since Mar. 24, posting a 1.25 goals-against average and a .954 save percentage in the span. The North Pole, Alaska native has allowed two or less goals in each of those appearances. He made 21 saves in last Sunday’s 2-0 win versus the Penguins to earn his 12th career AHL shutout. Copley has 96 career AHL wins and ranks 10th in the league this season with a 2.43 goals against average. 

WELCOME BACK MY FRIEND:
Defender Alex Alexeyev has rejoined the Bears after completing his season in the KHL and could return to the lineup soon. The 2018 1st Round selection of the Capitals played in 58 games with Hershey last season, striking for 21 points (3g, 18a) in his rookie campaign. With Ufa Salavat Yulayev in the KHL this year, Alexeyev finished second among defenders on the team with 16 points (8g, 8a). Alexeyev was Washington 1st round selection, 31st overall, in the 2018 NHL Draft.