SUNDAY FEATURE: Kessy, Gabriel Refueling Rivalry Between Hershey and Lehigh Valley 12/15

HERSHEY, PA - Kale Kessy won’t apologize - to anyone - for getting into a fight. Heck, he won’t even apologize for a clean, hard check. But he doesn’t do either with the intent of hurting an opponent.

In Saturday’s slug-fest between the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and the Hershey Bears at Giant Center, Kessy, who is no stranger to the penalty box, was assessed a whopping 31 penalty minutes.

“A couple of guys came at me there at the start, so I just dropped my gloves. I’m always going to be one to answer the bell; I’m not going to be afraid or shy down from that.”

The first four minutes for roughing came after a hit on Cal O’Reilly along the boards behind Vitek Vanecek in the 2nd period. With O’Reilly battling for a loose puck, Kessy came in a leveled a blow that not only injured O’Reilly, but also drew the ire of Greg Carey, who stands about three inches shorter and weighs a slight 20 pounds less than Kessy.

“I thought it was just a big, clean hit there on their captain. It’s unfortunate that he got hurt there,” Kessy explained.

The result - Carey and Kessy were both assessed four-minute double minors for roughing, not fighting, which would be a huge positive for the Bears as the game continued.

Before the start of the third period, when the teams returned to the ice, there were some "friendly words" exchanged by Liam O’Brien and Kurtis Gabriel witnessed by those on the 5th floor of Giant Center. It turns out, Kessy was also involved in the exchange, but with O’Brien and Kessy both starting the period off the ice, little could be done until the 2:38 mark when things sorted themselves out so that Gabriel was on the ice for the Phantoms and Kessy was on the ice for the Bears.

“Gabriel was chirping at me to start the third period. Not much I could do about it because I wasn’t on the ice right then, but the next shift I’m ready to answer the bell. I don’t care who it is. I mean I’m not scared of Kurtis Gabriel - I’ll tell you that for free - so I thought it was a big clean hit, so always willing to answer the bell or step up for teammates.”

The gloves dropped and the ensuing two minutes would be seen across several social media platforms as the two heavyweights engaged in rather lengthy confrontation before being separated. As Kessy was escorted off the ice, he had some words for the entire Lehigh Valley bench, taunting them and pointing at them.

“It was heat of the moment,” Kessy said, not really recalling anything specific. “Adrenaline is kind of rushing through your body and you’re a little amped up after the fight. So I’m just trying to do what I can to play simple and play hard.”

Gabriel, on the opposite side of the rink, was taken to the ice by linesman Richard Jondo after Gabriel, who witnessed Kessy’s actions, seemed determined to take the fight into round 2 in front of the benches. Kessy only became aware of the takedown afterwards.

“I was in the room after I got kicked out of the game and the “Check Of The Game” came on and that happened to be the check of the game, so we got a pretty good laugh out of that,” he said. “That was the first time I saw it; it was pretty funny.”

Having already amassed 53 penalty minutes in just nine games so far this season for the Bears, Kessy is a far cry from his season record of 289 penalty minutes last year in 35 games with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL, but that doesn’t mean he’s the guy going out there looking for a scrap.

"My role, I have to just play simple and keep it a north/south game. I’m always one to finish checks. I just try to get pucks in and get pucks out and do [well] on the forecheck,” he said.

And he has other teammates who are ready and willing to stick up for teammates as well. Although not wanting to single out any teammates as being “tough guys” Kessy said, “I think everyone in the locker room is more than willing to stand up for everyone. I think we have a good team camaraderie going.”

While the season is long from being over, there are a few things that are certain.

First, the seven remaining Bears/Phantoms games will likely be a bit testier starting with this Sunday’s game in Hershey.

Second, unless specifically forbidden by staff, guys like Kessy, O’Brien, and even Tyler Lewington will definitely rush in to defend a teammate if needed (note - Beck Malenstyn is currently injured, but the forward has been known to drop the gloves when needed).

Third, the Bears definitely have shown an ability to play the finesse game and the tough game, both of which will be key to the success of this team this season.