The Hershey Bears were treated to a nice surprise when they arrived back home at Harrisburg International Airport.
Hundreds of Bears fans were lined up the fence of the runaway as they touched down, cheering and chanting as they made their way off the New England Patriots’ team plane.
The organic reception comes as Hershey is on the precipice of more history. Saturday, Hershey defeated the Coachella Valley Firebirds 3-2 in Palm Desert, CA putting them one win away from the franchise’s 13th Calder Cup. And they would do so on home ice.
FOX43’s Ed Albert, who was traveling with the team, shared these videos from the airport on X.
“Everyone was super enthusiastic, even though it was so hot,” Tanya Stark-Beakes, who was there with her husband and two daughters, said to RMNB. “Everyone was cheering and chanting when the doors opened and the players came out. Lots of B-E-A-R-S chants.
“It was funny at one point because another plane came in for a landing first and for half a second everyone thought it was the Bears plane, but then we realized it was way too tiny after everyone started cheering. And being myself I yelled, ‘We wasted the good surprise on you.'”
The Bears even came over to show their sincere appreciation for the gesture, waving to fans before hopping onto the team bus to go home. FOX43’s Ryan Ye shared video to his X account.
“It was fun!” Tanya said. “Neat to see.”
The airport greeting appears to be just the start of what could be huge fan support for the team over the next 24 hours. Tickets for Game 6 of the Calder Cup Finals are already sold out.
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