The Hershey Bears’ first series of the 2024 Calder Cup playoffs is set.
The Bears will take on their geographic rival, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, in the Atlantic Division semifinals. The Bears got a first-round bye after winning the division and posting the best record in the AHL while Lehigh Valley swept the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in two games of their best-of-three series.
Game One will kick off at Giant Center on Wednesday, May 1. The Bears will host Game Two on Saturday, May 4, before the five-game series shifts to Lehigh Valley’s PPL Center on Wednesday, May 8, and Saturday, May 11 (if necessary). The decisive fifth game of the series — if needed to be played — will be held at Giant Center on Sunday, May 12.
Hershey won 8 of their 12 games against Lehigh Valley this season, falling twice in regulation and two times in the shootout. The Bears held a plus-10 goal differential over the Phantoms, outscoring them 31-21.
According to the Bears, tickets for Hershey’s home games will go on sale on Saturday, April 27 at 10 am online via Ticketmaster.
The Bears are looking to repeat as champions for the first time since 2009 and 2010. If they’re able to win the Calder Cup, it would mark the franchise’s 13th championship.
Here’s the press release from the Bears:
BEARS ANNOUNCE SCHEDULE FOR ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS VS. LEHIGH VALLEY
Bears looks to defend their Calder Cup title as they open the playoffs vs. the rival Phantoms
(Hershey, PA – April 26, 2024) – The Hershey Bears have announced the schedule for the club’s Atlantic Division Semifinals playoff series versus the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Hershey, the No. 1-seeded club in the Atlantic Division and the defending Calder Cup Champions, will square off with No. 6-seeded Lehigh Valley in a best-of-five series. This will mark Hershey’s first action in the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs after earning a bye in the First Round.
The complete schedule is as follows:
Game 1 – Wednesday, May 1 vs. Lehigh Valley, GIANT Center, 7 p.m.
Game 2 – Saturday, May 4 vs. Lehigh Valley, GIANT Center, 7 p.m.
Game 3 – Wednesday, May 8 at Lehigh Valley, PPL Center, 7:05 p.m.
*Game 4 – Saturday, May 11 at Lehigh Valley, PPL Center, 7:05 p.m.
*Game 5 – Sunday, May 12 vs. Lehigh Valley, GIANT Center, 7 p.m.*If Necessary. All times are Eastern.
Tickets for Hershey’s home games will go on sale on Saturday, April 27 at 10 a.m. online via Ticketmaster.
This marks Hershey’s first playoff series versus Lehigh Valley since the Atlantic Division Semifinals in 2017. That year, the Bears claimed the series in a decisive Game 5 in Allentown. Hershey went 8-2-0-2 versus Lehigh Valley this season, and the Bears are looking to become the first team in the American Hockey League to repeat as champions since Hershey did it in 2008-09 and 2009-10.
