Hershey Hopes To Remain Hot Heading Into AHL All-Star Break

HERSHEY, Pa. - The Hershey Bears (29-10-5) hope to head into the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic with a win in their final game Saturday night before the All-Star break.

Last Weekend

Saturday, January 28: Hershey - 7 at Lehigh Valley - 3

The Hershey Bears returned to Allentown on Saturday night and exploded for seven goals en route to a 7-3 victory on the road.

Ethen Frank notched his second four-point performance of his rookie season to help pace the Bears. One of his two assists came on the first goal of the game as the top line once again proved skillful with a textbook passing play that ended with a Mike Vecchione goal.

Shane Gersich added a tally just past the midway point of the period.

Frank’s second assist came in the final minute of the period when he set up his other linemate, Mike Sgarbossa, for a 3-0 lead.

Early in the second, Garrett Pilon scored before Hershey gave up a shorthanded goal to make it 4-1.

In the third, Frank added a goal to his pair of assists just 34 seconds into the final frame. He scored again after another goal for the home team.

Following another Lehigh Valley goal, Mason Morelli rounded out the scoring with a powerplay goal.

Zach Fucale made 20 saves in net for the Bears.

Sunday, January 29: Bridgeport - 2 at Hershey - 0

Unfortunately for the Bears, they were unable to replicate Saturday night’s performance at home Sunday as Jakub Skarek shutout the Bears for the first time ever on Teddy Bear Toss Night.

The Islanders scored a pair of powerplay goals en route to the 2-0 victory that saw the officials run the final 5.4 seconds off the clock as an angry Giant Center fan base decided to rebel against the request to not throw animals onto the ice even if the Bears scored within the final three minutes of the third period.

Hunter Shepard made 19 saves while Skarek was a perfect 39-for-39.

Nelson, who noted that this was the second time he's been a part of a team that hasn't scored a goal on Teddy Bear Toss Night, said, "I think the guys were thinking about the wrong things. It's tough because the fans came here, the building was electric, and everybody was waiting for something to happen and be part of something special. The most important thing is the kids will get those bears. I guess we made history tonight - the first time in history we haven't scored at home."

It should be noted that Hershey also made history once again by beating their own World Record set last season and collecting a maddening total of 67,309 teddy bears and stuffed animals.

Quotable

"Last night I had a funny feeling on the ride back from Lehigh. We scored seven goals. I hope we didn't waste all the goals tonight, that kind of crept into my mind, and you know what, coming to the game there were some things that were off, the announcers here announced the wrong starting line-up. These are bad signs. I'm a pretty superstitious guy," Nelson admitted.

The Week Ahead

Hershey returns to Allentown Wednesday night at 7:05. The Bears then travel to Bridgeport for a 7:00 contest Friday before returning home to host Lehigh Valley at 7:00 on Saturday. Saturday night's contest will feature a PA Lottery giveaway to the first 4,000 fans 18 and older.

Wednesday, February 1: Hershey - 2 at Lehigh Valley - 5 Friday, February 3: Hershey - 4 at Bridgeport - 1 Saturday, February 4: Lehigh Valley at Hershey, 7:00 p.m. ET

Team Leaders

Points: Mike Sgarbossa - 39 (T-19th in AHL) Goals: Ethen Frank - 21 (T-5th in AHL) Assists: Mike Sgarbossa - 24 +/-: Ethen Frank +20 (T-5th in AHL), Gabriel Carlsson +20 (T-5th in AHL) PIM: Dylan McIlrath - 71 (T-14th in AHL), Kale Kessy - 68 (T-18th in AHL) Saves: Zach Fucale - 529 SV%: Hunter Shepard .920 SV% (7th in AHL) GAA: Hunter Shepard 2.05 GAA (1st in AHL)