The Hershey Bears have struggled to start the season, compiling a 3-5-1 record through the first month of the season. That mark has the team sixth in the Atlantic Division. However, the Bears have shown signs of life recently, winning their last two games.
As Hershey attempts to turn their season around, they may be getting much needed reinforcements. Goalies Pheonix Copley and Vitek Vanecek both returned to practice from injury Tuesday.
Copley, Vanecek, and Carlson all skating at practice today pic.twitter.com/pQJJsvI7hM
— Kyle Mace (@kyle_mace) October 31, 2017
Neither Vanecek nor Copley has seen action so far this season. The two goalies were expected to be Hershey’s top pair this year. Both players have been sidelined for the first few weeks of the season with what the Bears described only as lower-body injuries.
Due to the absence of Vanecek and Copley, Parker Milner and AHL rookie Adam Carlson have been in net for the Bears. Milner, in six games, posted a .865 save percentage, while Carlson put up a .910 save percentage in three games.
In order to make room for the goalies’ return to the active roster, Milner was sent down to the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL. Defenseman Kris Bindulis was sent down as well, while defenseman Paul Geiger was recalled by the Bears.
NEWS: The Bears recall defender @PaulGeiger28 from @SCStingrays, re-assign Bindulis, Milner. ➡️ https://t.co/mNFelskzq8 #HBH pic.twitter.com/Ifcr2MiujJ
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) October 31, 2017
Copley could make his season debut as early as this weekend. The Bears travel to face the Rochester Americans on Friday.
Leads me to believe that we will see Pheonix Copley for the first time this weekend
— Kyle Mace (@kyle_mace) October 31, 2017
Headline image: @ChocolateHockey
