Preseason Game Preview: Bears vs. Penguins, 3 p.m.

The Hershey Bears conclude the 2026 preseason slate with a home game versus the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this afternoon.

Hershey Bears (0-1-0-0) vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (0-0-0-0)
Sept. 27, 2026 | 3 p.m. | GIANT Center
Referees: Chris Conway (33), Rob Hennessey (87)
Linespersons: Rich Jondo (55), Patrick Dapuzzo (57)

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Broadcast Information
Voice of the Bears, Zack Fisch, and former Bears captain Garrett Mitchell on the call
RADIO: No network radio coverage (GIANT Bears Radio Network to resume coverage during regular season), Listen in-arena on 88.9 FM
WATCH LIVE: AHLTV on FloHockey
Coverage begins approximately at 2:50 p.m. 

LAST TIME OUT:
The Bears opened the preseason last night with a 4-1 loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at PPL Center. Dalton Smith scored for Hershey just 1:45 into the game, but the Phantoms tallied four unanswered goals, including three in the second period, on the way to the win. Hershey was outshot 28-12 in the game. The Penguins’ preseason opener was slated for Friday vs. Lehigh Valley, but mechanical issues at Mohegan Arena caused the game to be canceled. The Pens are coming off a strong season that saw them advance to the Eastern Conference Finals where they fell to the eventual Calder Cup Champions, the Toronto Marlies, in six games.  

PLAYING THE PENS:
While there’s nothing on the line but bragging rights today, this afternoon’s contest marks Hershey’s first meeting with its I-81 rivals this season. It’s also a rematch of the 2026 Atlantic Division Semifinals which was won by the Penguins in four games. In the regular season last year, Hershey went 3-5-1-1 versus Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Avery Hayes led all scorers with seven goals versus the Bears. Hershey and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will once again play 12 times this season, with the first meeting that counts coming on Nov. 1 at GIANT Center.

WHERE ARE THE NEW BOYS?:
A pair of newcomers joined Hershey’s roster yesterday after clearing waivers who could make an immediate impact. Forward Josh Dunne played in 34 games for the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres last season and signed as a free agent with the Capitals on July 1. He’s scored 95 points (47g, 48a) in 204 games for Cleveland and Rochester. Dunne played in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals vs. Hershey with Cleveland, leading all skaters with seven points (4g, 3a) in the epic series that went the distance. On the blue line, Jacob MacDonald has joined the team after clearing waivers. He is one of the AHL’s most accomplished defensemen and ranks seventh in league history in goals by a blueliner with 103. He earned the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL’s outstanding defenseman in the 2024-25 season while skating with the Colorado Eagles, scoring 31 goals to establish a new league record for defensemen.

WELCOME BACK BOGEY:
Forward Bogdan Trineyev has joined the roster for his fourth season with Hershey after clearing waivers. Trineyev had a career-year for the Bears in 2025-26, scoring 45 points (17g, 28a) in 62 games and playing his first two NHL games with the Capitals. Trineyev, who made his AHL debut versus the Penguins in the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs, had six points (2g, 4a) in eight games vs. the Baby Pens last year. He added three more postseason points (2g, 1a) in four playoff games vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as well. 

BEARS BITES:
Thanks to a special exception made by the AHL, both teams will be permitted to dress 19 skaters for today’s game so should they choose…Goaltender Mitch Gibson exited last night’s preseason loss at Lehigh Valley late in the second period with an apparent injury…While it was just an exhibition game, last night’s 12 shots by Hershey was just one more than the franchise low of 11 shots, a mark set on Nov. 11, 2016 at Albany in a 6-3 loss…Using a roster composed primarily of soon-to-be Hershey Bears players, the Washington Capitals bested the Philadelphia Flyers’ nearly-normal lineup in preseason play by a 5-1 score last night…Hershey’s roster could see a boost ahead of today’s game with the assignment of many non-waiver eligible players from Washington…Following tonight, Hershey opens the 2026-27 season with seven straight home games, a franchise record to start a campaign. They won’t play on the road until Oct. 28 at Rochester. 

ON THIS DATE IN BEARS HISTORY:
Sept. 27, 2005 – The Bears announced in conjunction with the Washington Capitals the assignment of five players to Chocolatetown, as Hershey gained centers Jared Aulin, Chris Bourque, and Jakub Klepiš, right wing Eric Fehr, and center David Steckel. All five players would play a part in helping Hershey capture its ninth Calder Cup in franchise history that season.