Fisch's Top 10: A Look Back at a Legendary Run

May 30, 2025

The Hershey Bears may no longer be the defending back-to-back Calder Cup Champions, but undeniably, the journey this team took us on the last three years was one for the ages. 

While we all wish the team was still competing for the Calder Cup, it's hard not to be overwhelmed with a sense of pride, accomplishment, and joy from the everlasting memories made in Chocolatetown that will be talked about for generations to come.

There were so many memorable moments these past few years that it was no easy task to try and whittle them down to a Top 10 list, but from my perspective in the broadcast booth - and with help from members of our hockey operation staff - as well as from our great fans who follow @TheHersheyBears on X, here are the Top 10 Playoff Moments for the Hershey Bears during the club's run to back-to-back titles, and an AHL-record nine straight playoff series wins. 
 

Let's get the list started with numbers 10 through 6:

10. May 11, 2025: Bears Take Down Phantoms in Game 5 to Set AHL Record
 

After finishing second in the AHL and winning the Atlantic Division, Hershey ran into a physical Lehigh Valley team in the 2025 Atlantic Division Finals as it started its quest for a three-peat. The Bears fell behind in the best-of-five series 2-1, and Hershey had its back against the wall early in the postseason. 

After some key lineup change from Todd Nelson paid off in a Game 4 win, the series went the distance with a decisive Game 5 at GIANT Center. Spencer Smallman scored just 5:19 into the game, and Riley Sutter posted his first professional multi-goal playoff game to give Hershey a 3-0 lead, and the Bears held on for a 4-2 win. It was Hershey's ninth straight playoff series win, a new AHL record, and an astounding feat for the AHL's most decorated organization.

 

9. May 11, 2023: Borgstrom Completes Comeback in Game 1 vs. Hartford
 

After dispatching Charlotte to start the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs, Hershey's next challenge was the red-hot Hartford Wolf Pack in the Atlantic Division Finals, who had swept Springfield 2-0 in the opening round and had upset the first-place Providence Bruins 3-1 in the Division Semifinals. In Game 1, Hartford goalie Dylan Garand stood on his head, and the Wolf Pack jumped out to a 2-0 lead through 40 minutes. In the third period, Logan Day, who would become a playoff hero in the coming month, struck on the power play for his first goal as a Bear just 2:52 into the frame. Connor McMichael found the tying tally on a deflection with just 2:09 remaining, and as he celebrated, the confident forward stuck his tongue out at the Wolf Pack bench.

In overtime, Hershey found an unlikely hero. An injury to Mike Sgarbossa had vaulted Henrik Borgstrom into the lineup, and the center completed the comeback with the overtime tally at 4:41. Borgstrom would become a key piece of Hershey's run, and Hartford's hot streak was over. The Bears made quick work of the Wolf Pack, sweeping them in three games. 

 

8. June 22, 2024: Huntington Wins Game 5 in Coachella Valley
 

With the 2024 Calder Cup Finals tied 2-2, Hershey won a pivotal Game 5 at Acrisure Arena thanks to Jimmy Huntington's heroics. Huntington scored with less than two seconds left in the first period to tie the game at 1-1. 

In the third period, Hershey defender Hardy Haman Aktell scored his fourth goal of the Finals on a long-range shot that fooled Coachella Valley goalie Chris Driedger to tie the game at 2-2, and Huntington netted his second of the contest - and the game-winner - with just 3:15 remaining. The victory gave Hershey a 3-2 series lead, and two days later Jimmy would be celebrating a Calder Cup win with his pal Cooper Schultz at GIANT Center.

 

7. June 2, 2023: Gersich Scores, Shepard Blanks Amerks to Send Hershey to Finals
 

The 2023 Eastern Conference Finals saw the AHL's two oldest teams battle as Hershey and Rochester squared off. It was an epic series in which Hershey went 3-0 at Blue Cross Arena, avoiding debris thrown by the crowd in Game 3, and scoring a 4-2 comeback win in Game 4, thanks to a four-goal third period. 

After failing to secure the series win in Game 5 at home, the series returned to Rochester for Game 6. Going with his gut, head coach Todd Nelson elected to keep forward Shane Gersich in the lineup over Ethen Frank, who had hit an offensive wall in the postseason after a remarkable 30-goal rookie campaign. The gamble paid off as Gersich scored the lone goal, and Hershey got 24 saves from Hunter Shepard in the 1-0 win. The Bears killed 1:25 of five-on-three power play time for the Amerks late in the second period thanks to saves by Shepard, and a superb defensive effort from blueliner Jake Massie. 

 

6. June 13, 2023: Sutter's OT Winner Swings Calder Cup Finals
 

After losing by a combined 9-0 score and falling behind 2-0 in the 2023 Calder Cup Finals, home ice was exactly what the Bears needed. Game 3 at GIANT Center was essentially a must-win, and the contest started well when Ethen Frank broke through with his first of the playoffs at 13:24 of the first period as the Bears finally solved Joey Daccord. However, the Bears saw a 4-2 lead evaporate in the third period as Coachella tied the game with less than 51 seconds left to force overtime. 

In the extra session, Hershey was nearly doomed on a chance by Coachella Valley's Ryker Evans, but the defender's shot rang the goal post to keep Hershey alive. Just over four minutes later, Riley Sutter won the game for Hershey on a rebound at 13:34 to give the Bears life in the series, and start a string of three straight one-goal wins at home to swing the series.

 

Before we get to the top five, a few honorable mentions thanks to our great fans and followers of @TheHersheyBears on X. 

Honorable Mention: May 4, 2023: Malenstyn Rattles Glass, Bears Eliminate Checkers

In Game 4 of the 2023 Atlantic Division Semifinals, the Bears fell down 2-0 in the first period at GIANT Center. Hershey got a spark from Beck Malenstyn, who threw a huge hit that knocked a pane of glass onto the ice. The Bears rallied and scored a pair of goals in the second period, with Malenstyn tying the game, and Hershey went on to win 6-2 to eliminate the Checkers. Thanks to @FoxOfTheStorm, @DiehlSkylar, and our guy on the PA, Jarrod Wronski (@sportsannouncin), for the nomination.

A few other honorable mentions: 

• @Simpsonnati mentioned Mike Vecchione and Pierrick Dube's overtime winners in Games 1 and 2 of the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals versus Cleveland. 
• @Honolulu17057 nominated Hershey's comeback in Game 4 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals at Rochester.
• Our FOX43 producer Ed Albert mentioned Ivan Miroshnichenko's leap to create a screen on Hardy Haman Aktell's goal to secure a Game 4 and series win over Leigh Valley in the 2024 Atlantic Division Semifinals.
• Former FOX43 sports reporter Andrew Kalista noted Game 4 of the 2023 Calder Cup Finals and the defensive stand from the team at the end of the game. 
• @SkyyyHoltz reminded us of Miroshnichenko's highlight-reel goal in the 2024 Atlantic Division Finals versus Hartford.
• While this list was filled with just playoff moments, regular season moments such as Miroshnichenko scoring on Hockey Fights Cancer Night in 2023, Garrett Roe's hat trick versus Laval on Dec. 16, 2023, the 2025 GIANT Teddy Bear Toss with over 100,000 stuffed animals collected, and many more were nominated. As dominant as the Bears were in the regular season over the last few years, we could certainly make an additional list in a future article! 
   

And without further ado, here are the Top 5 Moments: 

5. June 21, 2023: Shepard's Breakaway Save in Game 7 Starts Comeback
 

While it wasn't the flashiest save Hunter Shepard has ever made, it was by far his most significant. With the Bears down 2-0 in Game 7 of the 2023 Calder Cup Finals, Hershey went to work on the power play in the second period when Coachella Valley's Carsen Twarynski stole the puck and rushed in on a breakaway. Calm and collected, Shepard kicked out Twarynski's shot with his right pad. 

Had Twarynski scored, it would have likely wrapped up a storybook ending for the Firebirds in their inaugural season. Instead, Shepard gave the Bears life, and Hershey rallied for two goals before the period ended to tie the game. Shepard made 45 saves that night, and was named the MVP of the Calder Cup Playoffs, fitting for the stoic netminder who always rose to the occasion and made the timely save with the game on the line. 

 

4. June 17, 2023: Pilon Propels Bears to 1-0 Game 5 Win
 

Since the GIANT Center opened in 2002, there have been some unforgettable moments, and Garrett Pilon's overtime goal in Game 5 of the 2023 Calder Cup Finals is near the top of the list.  With Hershey riding high after winning two straight at home to even the series, the Bears played their final home game of the year with a chance to take a lead in the Finals to Coachella Valley. The game was tense and filled with phenomenal goaltending as both Hunter Shepard and Joey Daccord were unflappable as regulation concluded in a scoreless draw. 

In the extra session, Hershey got a power play, and a perfect storm of events occurred to set up the winner. As the man advantage expired, Logan Day made a sensational hold at the blueline while being tripped to keep the play onside and alive in the Coachella Valley zone. Coachella Valley's Gustav Olofsson came out of the penalty box and fell down, delaying him from getting back in the play. As Pilon took the puck, Mason Morelli provided the screen on Daccord, and Pilon snapped home the perfect shot to send GIANT Center (and the Hershey bench) into a frenzy. The next time Hershey gathered in front of the home crowd, it was a week later to celebrate the franchise's 12th Calder Cup. 

 

3. June 12, 2024: Roe Rises to the Occasion, Bears Win in Game 7 vs. Cleveland
 

In the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals, the Bears saw a 3-0 series lead slip away, and after a devastating overtime loss two nights prior, it all came down to Game 7. With the Coachella Valley Firebirds already in town awaiting their opponent in the Finals, Hershey and Cleveland played another tight game, and as they did three times prior at GIANT Center, the Monsters rallied late to tie the game and force sudden-death overtime, putting Hershey's bid for back-to-back Cups after a season in which they rewrote the record books under siege. 

With #65 on his back honoring his late mother, veteran Garrett Roe played hero, pouncing on the loose puck in the slot and beating Jet Greaves to bring bedlam to the GIANT Center. Roe, who at times did not receive a sweater during the playoffs, forever cemented himself in this team's history with the tally. A beloved leader, Roe will always be remembered in Hershey for that moment.

 

2. June 24, 2024: Strome Scores in OT to Lead Bears to 13th Calder Cup
 

Every individual that was part of the record crowd of 11,013 that crammed into GIANT Center has the memory of Matt Strome's Calder Cup-winning goal seared into their brain. Pierrick Dube had the best night of his career, completing a hat trick in the third period (which justifiably could make this list on its own) but Coachella Valley forced overtime with a tying marker in the closing minutes. 

With the score 4-4, fans returned to their seats for overtime anxiously awaiting the moment, and it didn't take long for the anxiety to turn to jubilation. Off a turnover, Strome streaked in from the slot and rang a shot off the post and into the net just 1:06 into overtime. The yard sale of sticks, gloves, and helmets followed as the GIANT Center was louder than I've ever heard it. 

For Strome, it was a monumental moment. Like Garrett Roe, he didn't start the playoffs in the lineup, but he had just scored an illustrious goal that made him forever part of this team's legacy. For the fans, it was a chance to witness history and celebrate into the night. For the Bears, it completed a season for the ages with a championship in front of the AHL's best fans. It will be a night that will be talked about forever in Hershey, and for many, it could arguably top this list.

 

1. June 21, 2023: Vecchione's Game 7 OT Winner Gives Hershey a 12th Title
 

It was nearly 2 a.m. back in Chocolatetown when Mike Vecchione buried the game-winning goal that captured Hershey its 12th Calder Cup, but everyone who stayed up late has a story of where they were when the puck hit the back of the net at Acrisure Arena. The goal completed what was an improbable win for Hershey - from down 2-0 in the series and from down 2-0 in Game 7 - to the glory of being at the top of the AHL again. The goal could not have happened without Henrik Borgstrom's wizardry on the boards, and there was no one better than Vecchione to ultimately bury the deciding tally. 

While the 2023-24 team was historically dominant and expected to win, the 2022-23 squad was an under-the-radar contender that willed its way to a championship. That team was as close-knit of a group as you'll ever find. Early in the season, Vecchione started "roaring" after goals, and the celebration was a rallying cry which the team ran with, and became intertwined with its identity. Vecchione's personality defined that 2023 roster. They were fun-loving and lighthearted, but dialed in and laser-focused when the game was on the line. It was truly a special group with future NHL stars, incredible veteran leadership, unsung heroes, and a coaching staff that pushed all the right buttons. The guys on that team loved each other so much that they refused to lose because they didn't want to let down their brothers beside them, and the celebration that followed that night in the California desert and continued into the wee hours of the morning seemed like it would never end.

It was only appropriate Vecchione "roared" right after the Cup-winning goal, pulling it off before being mobbed amid the chaos. Vecchione's goal was the first sudden-death Game 7 overtime winner in the history of the Calder Cup Finals. It doesn't get any bigger and better than that, and it was truly one of the top moments in this franchise's storied 87-year history and in the history of the AHL.

 

No matter if you agree or disagree with this list, we can all agree that we owe a thank you to the players and coaches for this amazing ride these last few years have been. 

Thank you to Hershey Entertainment and Resorts and the Washington Capitals. Thank you to Bryan Helmer. Thank you to Todd Nelson and his coaching staff. Thank you to everyone behind the scenes. Thank you to the fans and season ticket holders that provided such a home ice advantage.

Most of all, thank you to each and every member of the Chocolate and White for providing us with memories that will last a lifetime. You all are truly legendary. 

Written by Zack Fisch, Voice of the Hershey Bears