It’s no secret the Hershey Bears have been roaring their way through 30 games of their championship defense. They’ve challenged nearly every record in the team’s 86-year history and made a new mark on Saturday with a 4-3 win over the Providence Bruins. Hershey’s mark of 24-6-0-0 is a new franchise record for the best start through 30 games. The win came on the same day that head coach Todd Nelson earned his second straight All-Star nomination with the Bears.
Holiday Road Warriors
Both teams entered the game having logged some late hours to get to the Sweetest Place on Earth. The Bears returned from a shootout win in Springfield, while the Bruins were in Rochester on Friday night. Those challenges on the road often go underappreciated by many as the teams still put on a great show at Giant Center. Hershey struck early as Vincent Iorio tallied his second goal in as many games against Providence. His last tally was the overtime winner in the last outing between the two teams.
Providence evened the score early in the second period. A heavy forecheck saw Joey Abate cut off a puck from getting to Clay Stevenson behind the net. The Bruins craftily shielded the puck and centered it to Vincent Arseneau for his fourth of the season.
Two Big Macs, Please
The game then became the Dylan McIlrath show. Hershey’s captain, known for his strong defensive presence and heavy physical presence, might have an audition for the power play. He tallied his second goal of the season on a heavy slap shot from the point to put the Bears back on top. McIlrath wasn’t done there, as he’d follow it up less than three minutes later with his second of the game with a wrist shot from a similar spot.
It’s the first time McIlrath has scored twice in a game since his time with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2018. Nelson coached him to a Calder Cup title that season as the two have been synonymous with success as a duo. Hershey’s bench boss lauded his improvement as a major factor in the team’s winning ways.
“He’s exceeded my expectations being a leader. He wasn’t in that role in Grand Rapids, but he’s grown into a very good leader and a very good captain. When he speaks, guys listen. As for his play, he’s the guy that holds others accountable and holds himself accountable first. I’m happy with how he’s progressed since I’ve had him in Grand Rapids. He’s developed into a good character leader for our hockey team.”
Rising Up
The Bruins didn’t let the Bears off lightly in this game. Providence pushed back, cutting the lead to one after 40 minutes on Anthony Richard’s eighth of the season. The Atlantic Division race is wide-open for the taking outside of the top ranked Bears team, and the Bruins want to climb the ladder. The prize is as high as second place, granting a bye in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, one the Bruins won back in the spring.
The difference in the game ended up being Pierrick Dubé’s goal early in the third period. Hershey got a good break, literally, with a defender breaking his stick and extending the Bears’ possession. Chase Priskie drew the defense to him and fed Dubé on the inside, who tallied his 16th goal of the season. It’s a nice gift for Hershey’s leading goal scorer, as he matches his total goal output from his rookie campaign in Laval. He’s been the latest success story in Hershey.
Saving Christmas
Like any feel-good Christmas movie, the Bears faced some adversity to put all this under the tree. Hershey killed off all six penalties called against them including four minutes straight in the third period. Stevenson made his first start in about two weeks due to illness, turning aside 27 shots to earn the win. It’s his tenth victory in 14 starts, just part of the reason the Capitals extended his contract earlier this month. Providence cut the lead to one goal late with a goal from Reilly Walsh, but that’s as close as they’d get in a 4-3 final.
Lost a bit in the scrum was a big night for Bears forward Matt Strome, who tallied a pair of assists in his 200th professional game. Strome was recognized as the second star of the game, and he’s a player that Nelson has relied on to set the tone.
“He’s always been a smart player. He’s always first over the boards with Sutter for the penalty kill. This year, he’s been playing with more confidence. He’s hanging on to pucks more, he’s making more plays. I think he’s playing the best hockey that I’ve seen of him these last couple weeks.”
All-Star Nod for Nelson
Nelson had some recognition of his own on Saturday as the first coach named to the AHL All-Star Game. Hershey’s win over Springfield guaranteed he’d be the coach of the Atlantic Division, the second straight year he’d earn the honors. Nelson has been selected to the All-Star festivities four times in his career. When asked about it, Nelson instead heaped praise across the board.
“It’s nice,” Nelson said. “I’m representing the team on behalf of the players and staff. It’s not a one man show by any means, everybody’s contributed for me to be in this spot. It’s an honor to represent the Hershey Bears. We’ll have some players joining us, the selection process is going on right now. I’ve been very fortunate to be in this position four times. It’s indicative of all the good people and hardworking people around me who make me look good.”
