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Hershey Bears clinch berth in 2023 Calder Cup playoffs

By Ian Oland

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March 25, 2023 10:08 pm

The Hershey Bears, unlike their parent NHL team, are most definitely headed to the postseason.

Hershey defeated the Syracuse Crunch 4-1 on Saturday at Upstate Medical University Arena to clinch their third straight appearance in the AHL’s Calder Cup playoffs.

According to Bears PR, Hershey needed a win of any variety to secure a spot in the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs following Hartford’s 4-0 loss to Springfield earlier this evening. With the win, the game marked the earliest date Hershey had clinched a playoff spot since the 2009-10 campaign (March 6).

The Bears will be looking to win their 12th championship in their 70th postseason appearance.

The Bears got tallies from veterans Mike Sgarbossa, Shane Gersich, and Mike Vecchione as well as 25-year-old German winger Julian Napravnik – his fourth goal in 14 games this season.

Hunter Shepard stopped 33 of 34 Crunch shots for the victory. He was the first star of the game.

Connor McMichael extended his point streak to seven games after assisting on Napravnik’s third-period goal.

The Bears currently sit second in the Atlantic Division with 84 standings points. They trail the Providence Bruins by two for the Division lead with 10 games to go.

Headline photo: Katie Fri/Hershey Bears