The Hershey Bears are back in the running for the Calder Cup, after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2013-14 last season. With Lehigh Valley’s 10-6 win over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the Bears clinched their spot, joining their Atlantic Division rivals the Charlotte Checkers and Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Hershey struggled at the beginning of the regular season, going 0-5-0-0 through their first five games. They sat in last place in the Atlantic Division, and things looked pretty bleak for the Bears’ 81st AHL season. Right up until they didn’t.
Remember that time we started a season 0-5-0-0, but didn't quit. And miraculously overcame the odds? We sure do.
THE BEARS ARE PLAYOFF BOUND! WE'RE GOING TO THE 2019 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS! #HBH pic.twitter.com/KQt88UeF00
— x- Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 7, 2019
Buoyed by a goalie tandem of AHL All-Star Vitek Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov, as well as significant offensive contributions throughout the lineup, the Bears went on a franchise record 17-game point streak, breaking a 76-year old record. That streak lasted through February 23rd, and saw Hershey go 16-0-0-1.
Since January 12, the beginning of the Bears’ historic points streak, they have taken points in 30 of 35 games and gone 25-5-3-2, clawing their way back up to third place in the Atlantic. An incredible turnaround by any standards, and all under first-year head coach Spencer Carbery, who took over after the Bears parted ways with former head coach Troy Mann, and assistant coach Ryan Murphy.
Hershey’s first-round opponent and dates for their playoff games are not yet known. With four games left in the regular season, it may not become apparent until April 14th — the date of their final game, where the Bears will take on the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Ya done good, guys. We appreciate you! https://t.co/wRPsdqEJkY
— x- Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 7, 2019
Headline photo: @TheAHL
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