The Hershey Bears and the Cleveland Monsters are set to square off in the 2024 Calder Cup Playoff Eastern Conference Finals. This is the first time the two teams have met for postseason action since 2016. At that time, the then Lake Erie Monsters resided in the Western Conference, and the two teams squared off for the Calder Cup. The Monsters took the series in a four-game sweep. This year’s iteration of the rivalry grants the winner a trip to the Calder Cup Finals.
Our resident Hershey Bears and Cleveland Monsters experts here at The Calder Times, Corey Swartz and Deana Weinheimer, teamed up to lead you through what to expect and watch for in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Three Reasons the Hershey Bears Advanced
Hungry Bears
Hershey had four lines that contributed to the cause against Hartford. Top-line players like Ivan Miroshnichenko and Joe Snively racked up points, but it didn’t stop there. The Bears have a terrific bottom six, with big goals off the sticks of Garrett Roe and Matt Strome in Game Three. Roe entered the postseason as a healthy scratch but has since become an irreplaceable part of the team’s lineup.
Much like a season ago, Hershey’s unified team effort makes them a dangerous threat. The Atlantic Division Final saw the Bears as advertised from the regular season offensively. Hershey tallied 14 goals in three games while only allowing four against. When the Bears are rolling, they’re a difficult opponent to contain. The rest of the league was already on notice, but the team found their form at a critical juncture.
The Bears have not been resting on their laurels between series. Head coach Todd Nelson put his team to work in order to earn a break for the holiday. It’s the kind of conditioning the team has done all season long to play at their peak during this time of year. No championship win happens overnight, and the Bears’ bench boss knows it all too well.
Defense Wins Championships
Although pucks need to hit the net to win, the defense ultimately wins the day. Hershey’s defensive prowess limited Hartford’s offense not only in goals but in shots. With Hartford pressing in a do-or-die third period in Game Three, the Bears limited them to just three shots on goal. That’s not just done by limiting shots but putting your body on the line by blocking them. No more was that evident than Aaron Ness blocking a shot that led to Mike Vecchione‘s empty net goal to finish the job.
Hershey’s defense extends to the score sheet. In seven playoff games, the Bears have only allowed more than two goals in a single game once. They have allowed the fewest shots on goal among goaltenders to play in 400 or more minutes of game time. When the offense is clicking, and the defense is making life miserable for their opponent, it’s no surprise the Bears have gotten this far.
Sensational Shepard
As good as the Bears have been, this team doesn’t get to this point without some great goaltending. Hunter Shepard might not make the most saves in the game, but he’s come up huge in critical junctures. Dating back to his time in the NCAA, he’s always demonstrated a cool, calm demeanor in big moments. That carried over to last year’s playoff run, where he played a key role in Hershey’s 12th Calder Cup win.
This year’s Eastern Conference Final features the league’s top two goaltenders statistically. Both teams will find scoring challenging in this series, and Shepard must continue being at his best.
Three Reasons the Cleveland Monsters Advanced
The Cleveland Monsters swept the Syracuse Crunch in three games to emerge as the AHL’s North Division champions. Cleveland is on a six-game winning streak, dating back to game two of the North Division Semifinals against the Belleville Senators.
The Depth Steps Up
Cleveland’s depth has been pivotal throughout the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs. While eight or so players claimed most of the regular season scoring, the depth players didn’t have much chance to make noise.
With Trey Fix-Wolansky, Luca Del Bel Belluz, and Mikael Pyyhtia largely being held off the scoresheet so far, the Monsters needed someone to step up. Forwards Justin Pearson and Owen Sillinger, as well as defensemen David Jiricek and Marcus Björk, have answered that call.
Pearson’s shorthanded goal in game one of the Division Finals was the decider, allowing the Monsters to take a 1-0 series lead in an otherwise defensive masterclass.
As the series wore on, Billy Sweezey, Hunter McKown, Jakub Zboril, and Alex Whelan all contributed their first goals of the postseason.
To close out the series, Del Bel Belluz tallied his first professional playoff goal with Fix-Wolansky as the primary assist. Is this a sign of Cleveland’s main scoring line returning to life?
Jet Greaves, As Always
I know, I know. Here’s another article about the Cleveland Monsters and another nod to number-one goaltender Jet Greaves. But all of the accolades and mentions are so deserved.
In game one of the Semifinals, Greaves posted his first professional postseason shutout, turning away 28 shots. Greaves appeared in two games during the semifinals, allowing one goal on 46 shots. That’s a goals-against average of 0.5 with a save percentage of 0.978.
With a netminder that hot, there’s a great chance that their team will string together wins quite easily.
After game two, The Calder Times spoke with McKown about Greaves’ contributions so far in the playoffs:
I think having jet greaves is a is a big part of [the wins], And maybe the key. we’re grateful for him back there. there’s a lot of times it could have been a tie game or even down, so having him is just massive. we’re not nervous when when we see an odd man rush coming like you normally are. He’s just so lights out. So it’s, it’s pretty special having him back there.
Cleveland Monsters forward Hunter McKown on Jet Greves
Greaves was held out of game three against Syracuse for undisclosed reasons, with Malcolm Subban taking over in net. Greaves was reportedly practicing with the team before the trip to Hershey. There is otherwise no official word about his status.
Consistency Counts
Cleveland struggled to maintain a full 60 minutes in the North Division Semifinals against the Belleville Senators. The second periods were especially tough, with Belleville outshooting Cleveland 53 to 37 across the series. The Monsters flipped the script for the North Division Finals, outshooting the Crunch 34-25 in the second.
Cleveland’s key to winning the Division Finals was how the players settled into the game, not letting the other team have momentum for too long. Head coach Trent Vogelhuber kept legs fresh all night, rotating all four lines and three defensive pairs.
Perhaps even better for the skaters was the consistency of their partners. Unless a player came out of the lineup, everyone skated on the same line or pairing every game. We all know how the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
Regular Season Series
Hershey won all four matchups between the two teams in the regular season, scoring at least five goals in each game. However, that would be a misrepresentation of this series. Cleveland was without numerous key players for much of those matchups.
The first matchup took place way back on the second game of the regular season to boot. With neither of their NHL affiliates still playing, both teams will be at full strength for this matchup. This series will fully represent each team at its very best.
Hershey Bears Storylines and Players to Watch
The Bears may have one big lineup change entering play: the addition of Riley Sutter to the lineup. Hershey’s most valuable defensive forward has been unavailable due to a late-season injury. In practice, he appeared set to return to his regular role on the fourth line. He’s been known to chip in on offense from time to time, scoring the overtime winner in Game Three of the Calder Cup Finals nearly a year ago.
Ethen Frank was Hershey’s top scorer in the regular season series with 11 points (four goals, seven assists). He will continue to be counted upon to contribute offensively, particularly on the power play. Frank, Snively, Miroshnichenko, and Pierrick Dubé have been among the best scorers in the regular season, playoffs, and season series. They have been good and will be difference-makers in this series.
Cleveland Monsters Storylines and Players to Watch
Like the Bears, the Cleveland Monsters have a valuable player set to return. After sustaining an injury while on call-up to the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets, Monsters captain Brendan Gaunce has been on Injured Reserve since. He cleared waivers earlier this week and has been reassigned to the Monsters. Does Coach Vogelhuber immediately slot him in the lineup, or does Gaunce need time to reacclimate? He hasn’t played in a game since April 11.
In 24 games with the Blue Jackets this season, Gaunce tallied four points, evenly split between goals and assists. For the Monsters, Gaunce put up 39 points (19 goals, 20 assists) and 37 penalty minutes with a +7 rating. His tenacity and playmaking abilities make him an essential addition. He’s the type of player who routinely steps up and plays a “whatever you need, I’ll be there” game style. Crashing the net, knocking players off the rush, or a perfectly placed stretch pass- Gaunce can do it all!
Another storyline to watch is the status of the number one goaltender for Cleveland in Greaves. Was his absence in Game Three of the North Division Finals due to injury or illness? Maybe this was planned to get him a night off. Or perhaps the coaching staff wanted to get Subban in-game action?
The organization is understandably tight-lipped this time of year, so we will have to wait for warmups in Game One to see how the goaltending duo shakes out.
Bold Predictions
Hershey Bears
The Bears will continue to get contributions from across their lineup. Roe has been outstanding in the postseason, and his line with Miroshnichenko and Vecchione will keep producing points. It’ll be a team effort, much as it took a year ago against the Rochester Americans. A few more heroes will emerge in this series for the Bears to return to the Calder Cup Finals.
Cleveland Monsters
With Gaunce’s return, the forward lines will undergo a massive shakeup. He will be reunited with Fix-Wolansky, leading to an offensive outburst for the Monsters. Look for Pyyhtia to join them on the wing. This addition sets up a logjam of centers, with either Jake Gaudet or McKown coming out once Gaunce is ready.
At any rate, Cleveland will have forward lines with their own unique identity.
If you thought all the lines were rolling well already, it’s only the beginning. Coach Vogelhuber has told The Calder Times that this mindset makes this group successful. He says that he’s comfortable putting any player on the ice at any time.
Having more clearly defined lines than any they had when they previously faced Hershey causes a problem for the Bears, forcing the series to go the full distance.
Series Predictions
Corey: This will be a massive test for the Bears, but if they play at their best, they are capable of advancing. Hershey’s extremely balanced offense and stalwart defense are a potent threat. There’s good reason why the Bears finished with 111 points and have gotten to this point. The series format will lend the Monsters some strength on home ice, pushing the series back to Hershey. The Bears will win this series in six games.
Deana: “To be the best, you must beat the best.” This was Coach Vogelhuber’s message to me after Game Two of the Division Finals. Hershey is perhaps the most formidable and most dangerous postseason opponent for the Monsters. The memories of the losing streak and thin roster are long gone. This group is peaking at the right time and is ready to take on the regular season champs. It’ll be a long, grueling series, but the Monsters will prevail in seven games.
