Prior to Game Four of the Calder Cup Finals, Hershey Bears defenseman Nicky Leivermann had limited AHL experience. The first-year pro played in just three regular season games for the Bears in 2023-24 and none since mid-November. Leivermann largely skated with Hershey’s ECHL affiliate, the South Carolina Stingrays, until their season came to an end. Since then, he’s skated as a black ace for the Bears, honing his craft and supporting his team.
Leivermann in the Lineup
On Thursday, Leivermann was thrust into the role of a lifetime as he was inserted into the lineup for the Bears. Hershey’s defensive group, riddled with injuries, opted to go a different direction with Game Four’s lineup. Leivermann joined the lineup as head coach Todd Nelson swapped some pairings to best utilize the young defender’s skill set. He’d play a major role in an essential game for the Bears.
“He’s a good puck-mover,” Nelson said of Leivermann. “Very mobile defenseman. He hasn’t played in quite a long time; we’ll keep that in consideration. We feel that his skill set is going to benefit our team.”
Leivermann last skated in game action with the Stingrays on April 13. Game Four not only marked his Calder Cup Playoff debut but his return to AHL action in seven months. Paired with captain Dylan McIlrath, Leivermann’s objective was to provide speed and mobility to “fight fire with fire” against the speedy Firebirds.
Tuned Into Game Four
The adjustments paid dividends for the Bears to start the game. Hershey held Coachella Valley to only four shots on goal in the first period and had 11 for the first time in a single period in the series. The Bears played steady defense, allowing two goals only in four-against-four scenarios where open ice played a factor.
Hershey had an answer offensively, with the team’s top line putting in an outstanding performance. The top line of Ethen Frank, Hendrix Lapierre, and Joe Snively tallied all three goals for the Bears in different scenarios. After Lapierre called out the team’s performance on the power play after two periods, the unit connected for the game-winning goal. Snively got a bounce off of a defenseman on an attempted pass which found a way past the goaltender.
Frank and Lapierre each finished with three points (one goal, two assists) while Snively earned first star honors with the game-winner. He tallied a primary assist on Lapierre’s goal as the speed of the line created plenty of opportunities.
Turning the Tide
The Bears found their identity in the game, and it led to the style of play they’ve demonstrated all season long. Hershey endured a push from host Coachella Valley after the Snively goal. Hunter Shepard turned in another stellar performance in goal, turning aside some key chances. One of his best stops in the third was a goal line save where he sprawled to protect the goal line.
A thorn in Hershey’s side dating back to their series against the Cleveland Monsters has been an inability to hold leads. In this game, the Bears held off the potent offense and skill of the Firebirds late in regulation. Hershey made the 3-2 score stand up, just the second time the Bears took a win at Acrisure Arena.
Momentum Building
Leivermann, for his part, had an outstanding game. He had a few great setup passes from his own zone and a plus/minus mark of zero. The defender was not on the ice for any goals against as a good representation of his strong play. After the game, Leivermann was given the Bears Head as the team’s nod to their top player.
Many questions will be asked about the team’s lineup for Game Five. Veteran blue liner Aaron Ness, who has been out with injury since the Cleveland series, took warmups as a stride towards game action. He’s been listed as day-to-day recently and will be questionable for the next game. Leivermann has proven he’s an exceptional candidate to stay in the lineup.
With the win, the Bears guaranteed that the series will shift back to Hershey for a Game Six. Moreover, the Chocolate and White can use the momentum to try and take Game Five on Saturday night. Doing so would give them a series lead heading back to Giant Center and ensure two opportunities to capture the Calder Cup at home. For now, they’ve taken care of the need to win one game on the road.
