The Hershey Bears eliminated the Lehigh Valley Phantoms from the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs after defeating them 5-3 at PPL Center on Saturday.
The Bears were led by 20-year-old forward Ivan Miroshnichenko who scored twice in the game. The tallies were his first career AHL playoff goals and points.
After the victory, the team held its postgame Player of the Game celebration in the locker room where Ethen Frank awarded the Russian rookie the team’s coveted Bears Head.
“Great job tonight,” Bears head coach Todd Nelson began. “When our heads are in the right spot, we’re a pretty good hockey team and we were tonight. We stuck with them for 60. Hell of a job. (Present the) Bears Head.”
“Nice work everybody, way to close it out,” Frank, the previous winner, said. “Shep thought you played great. Dubes, hell of a way on two sides of the puck. But it’s going to Two-Goal Miro over here.”
The team cheered.
“Great, great game boys,” Miroshnichenko said in English after being egged on to give a speech. “Next round Bears go hunt wolf.”
The locker room broke into wild applause and Nelson and other Hershey staff members could be seen laughing.
Earlier in the season, Miro received the Bears Head after scoring his milestone first professional goal. He exclaimed “I’m really happy today” and did the team’s signature ROAR celebration. The moment was priceless.
The Bears’ third-round opponent in the Atlantic Division Finals is the Hartford Wolf Pack — a rematch of the same series from last season. The series begins at Giant Center on Thursday.
Hershey also honored Miroshnichenko’s performance on Saturday by using a picture of him to promote tickets for Game 1 of the series.
Good news: Games 1 & 2 of the Atlantic Division Finals are at home on 5/16 & 5/18
Great news: The first 5,500 fans will get a rally towel for ❗️both❗️ games!
🎟️: https://t.co/5BaCu9u4mR pic.twitter.com/atADIZqFeK
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) May 13, 2024
