Rochester Americans

Shane Gersich, a black ace from the Capitals 2018 championship team, sends Hershey to Calder Cup Finals

The Hershey Bears are going to the Calder Cup Finals after 26-year-old veteran, Shane Gersich, scored the series-winning goal — his first of the 2023 playoffs — to eliminate the Rochester Americans in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Gersich, a black ace from the Washington Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup championship run, is no stranger to big moments. As a member of the University of North Dakota’s hockey team, Gersich scored in the National Championship game against Quinnipiac, helping the Fighting Hawks capture the 2016 NCAA Division 1 National Championship.

(more…)

By Chris Cerullo 7 days ago

1 Comment

Hershey drops Game Five, will head to Rochester for another chance to clinch Calder Cup Finals appearance

The Hershey Bears and Rochester Americans will need at least six games to find the victor in this year’s Eastern Conference Finals. The Bears came into Wednesday night’s action with a 3-1 series lead and looking to clinch a spot in the Calder Cup Finals on home ice.

Hershey would get a deflection goal from Aliaksei Protas but could not put a second past Malcolm Subban in the Amerks net despite long stretches of offensive-zone pressure.

Game Six will come on Friday night in Rochester. Hershey will have another chance to win the Richard F. Canning Trophy (Eastern Conference Champions).

(more…)

By Chris Cerullo 1 week ago

0 Comment

The Canning Trophy will be in Giant Center for Game Five between the Hershey Bears and Rochester Americans

After a thrilling comeback in Rochester on Memorial Day, the Hershey Bears have returned home where they could do something that they haven’t done in 13 years.

If the Bears defeat the Rochester Americans in Game Five, Hershey could lift, or awkwardly pose by (with no touching), the Richard F. Canning Trophy at Giant Center. The award is given out to the AHL’s Eastern Conference Champions — similar to the Prince of Wales Trophy in the NHL.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 1 week ago

0 Comment

Hershey one win away from Calder Cup Finals after two-goal game from Mason Morelli

The Hershey Bears took a commanding 3-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals after an exciting comeback victory in Rochester on Monday. The Bears, down 2-0 heading into the third period, scored four unanswered goals to win Game Four.

Hershey got a two-goal night from Mason Morelli, who was also credited with the game-winner. The Bears also got goals from defensemen Lucas Johansen and Logan Day. Aliaksei Protas and Connor McMichael added clutch primary assists.

The Bears will now play for the Richard F. Canning Trophy (Eastern Conference Champions) and a spot in the Calder Cup Finals on Wednesday in front of its home fans.

(more…)

By Chris Cerullo 2 weeks ago

0 Comment

Rochester Americans fans throw debris onto ice after coach tells them to get ‘properly lubricated’ pregame

The Rochester Americans hosted a sold-out crowd of 10,746 at Blue Cross Arena for Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals Saturday night.

With their NHL-affiliated club, the Buffalo Sabres, missing the playoffs and many of the organization’s top prospects now playing in the AHL such as Matthew Savoie, support and excitement for the Amerks has swelled as the team won the North Division and has gone on an unlikely run in the Calder Cup playoffs. The Amerks are playing in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time 19 years.

To get fans amped for Game Three against the Hershey Bears, the team held a block party on Broad Street before puck drop, appropriately named ROC the Block, which featured food and drink specials.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 2 weeks ago

1 Comment

Connor McMichael scores game-winning goal to give Hershey 2-1 series lead in Eastern Conference Finals

The Hershey Bears took a 2-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals after their 4-2 win on the road over the Rochester Americans, Saturday. The Bears will play one more in Rochester on Monday before heading back home for a big Game Five at Giant Center.

Goaltender Hunter Shepard was masterful in the Bears net, carrying Hershey through large stretches of the game. The Bears also got goals from Logan Day, Sam Anas, Connor McMichael, and Aliaksei Protas as they yet again leaned on their forward depth to win another playoff game.

Hershey needs just two more wins to earn a spot in the Calder Cup Finals.

(more…)

By Chris Cerullo 2 weeks ago

0 Comment

Big goals from Henrik Borgstrom and Beck Malenstyn lead Hershey to Game Two victory in Eastern Conference Finals

HERSHEY, PA — The Hershey Bears and Rochester Americans are now tied in their Eastern Conference Finals series one game a piece.

Hershey defeated the Americans 2-0 in Game Two at Giant Center after two late second period goals by their veterans.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 2 weeks ago

0 Comment

Matthew Savoie, one of the best prospects not playing in the NHL, makes professional debut with Rochester Americans against Hershey Bears

HERSHEY, PA — Matthew Savoie, one of the top prospects not playing in the NHL, made his professional debut for the Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate on Thursday night.

Savoie, the Sabres’ first-round pick, ninth overall, in the 2022 NHL Draft, suited up in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Rochester Americans and Hershey Bears at Giant Center — the 500th all-time meeting between the two teams.

The Americans announced the news earlier in the day after the team’s morning skate.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 2 weeks ago

3 Comments

Todd Nelson calls Hershey’s Game One blowout loss a wake-up call: ‘We can’t cry over spilt milk’

HERSHEY, PA — Coming into Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Hershey Bears had won six of their seven games in the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs, defeating the Charlotte Checkers in four games and sweeping the Hartford Wolf Pack in three in the Atlantic Division Finals. The only game Hershey lost, Game Three of their opening round, was a 2-1 squeaker against the Checkers.

Tuesday, the Bears’ cakewalk to the Calder Cup Finals officially ended as they had the brakes beaten off of them in front of their home fans by the Rochester Americans, 5-1.

In their march to the ECF, the talented and fast Amerks scored the second-most goals (38) and posted the second-best goals differential (+12) in the Calder Cup playoffs after finishing the regular season with only the East’s eighth-best record. Their victory against Hershey was their seventh straight win overall in the playoffs.

Game One began ominously as Bears fans were still making their way to their seats. Amerks defenseman Joseph Cecconi joined the play and fired a shot through Gabriel Carlsson’s legs, beating Bears’ goaltender Hunter Shepard clean 14 seconds into the game.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 2 weeks ago

0 Comment

Hershey Bears open up Eastern Conference Finals series against Rochester Americans with poor showing at home in 5-1 loss

The Hershey Bears opened up their Eastern Conference Finals series with the Rochester Americans on Tuesday and laid an egg at home in Game One. The Bears will start the best-of-seven matchup in a one-game hole heading into Game Two on Thursday after a brutal 5-1 loss.

Goaltender Hunter Shepard was chased out of his cage after allowing four goals on 16 shots. Aaron Ness scored the lone goal for Hershey as he ruined Malcolm Subban’s shutout bid in the Rochester net.

Hershey is down in a series for the first time this postseason.

(more…)

By Chris Cerullo 2 weeks ago

0 Comment

Page 1 of 2