The Hershey Bears could get a much-needed return to their lineup on Tuesday night in Cleveland. Logan Day, who was injured in Hershey’s fourth game of this postseason, shed the non-contact jersey he was previously wearing at practice.
Day is not only one of the team’s top offensive weapons from the blueline but the Bears also find themselves in need of depth on their backend. Lucas Johansen was injured in Saturday night’s win over the Monsters and Hardy Häman Aktell has not played for the last two games due to injury.
Day donned a regular, black practice jersey denoting the team’s defensemen on Monday which indicates his return is imminent.
Good times in Cleveland today! pic.twitter.com/WNBhgHOnoO
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) June 3, 2024
Hershey is up 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals over the Monsters. The Bears held late leads over Cleveland in both games to start the series but needed clutch, overtime goals from Mike Vecchione and Pierrick Dubé to earn the wins after back-to-back, pulled goalie comebacks from the Monsters.
Day was a huge part of Hershey’s successful run to the Calder Cup last year. In 19 playoff games, he recorded 14 points (3g, 11a) which ranked second on the team behind only Joe Snively (15 points).
If he does make his way back into head coach Todd Nelson’s lineup, here’s what the team’s defense pairings could look like. Day may need to play on his off-hand side as the team currently has a lack of left-handed options.
In reserve, the Bears also have Dmitry Osipov, Jon McDonald, and Nicky Leivermann on their roster. Osipov would likely be the next man up if Day isn’t ready for a full return after the Russian-born rearguard got into 17 games during the regular season.
Morning skate ✅
Game 3 🔜 pic.twitter.com/3snzp3OAXA— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) June 4, 2024
The Monsters may see an addition to their blueline in the game as well via top Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Denton Mateychuk. Mateychuk arrived in Cleveland earlier this week after seeing his Memorial Cup run end in juniors.
Puck drop for Game 3 of the series is set for 7 pm on Tuesday night.
