The Hershey Bears are set to continue their 2024-25 season, sponsored by Penn State Health, as they take on the Providence Bruins for the first of two matchups this weekend.
Game Details:
– Teams: Hershey Bears (3-1-1-0) vs. Providence Bruins (2-2-0-0)
– Date: October 25, 2024
– Time: 7:05 p.m.
– Venue: Amica Mutual Pavilion
– Referees: Liam Maaskant (45), Mike Dietrich (15)
– Linespersons: Stephen Drain (2), Kenneth Gates (91)
Broadcast Information:
The game will be called by Zack Fisch, the Voice of the Bears, alongside media specialist Jesse Liebman. It will be available on Antenna TV (WPMT FOX 43.2), various cable channels, and radio stations including WFVY-100.1 FM and Fox Sports 1460-AM. Fans can also watch live on AHLTV and listen live via various streaming options. Pre-game radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m.
Previous Game Recap:
The Bears recently shut out the Chicago Wolves with a 5-0 victory. Hunter Shepard was impressive in goal, making 26 saves, while Ethen Frank and Ivan Miroshnichenko each contributed two goals and one assist. The Bruins, on the other hand, secured a 2-0 win against Springfield, with Michael DiPietro achieving 23 saves and Jordan Oesterle scoring the winning goal.
Power Play Performance:
Hershey’s power play has been remarkable, converting successfully in each of their first five games, ranking first in the AHL with an 34.8% success rate. Ivan Miroshnichenko leads the Bears with three power-play goals, which ties him for the league lead.
Individual Standouts:
Mike Sgarbossa has taken the lead in the AHL with five power-play points, and his four assists in that category tie him for first in the league. Sgarbossa previously notched 28 goals and 72 assists on the power play during his time with Hershey and has tallied 20 points against Providence in his career.
Historical Context:
Last season, the Bears were successful in Providence, winning all three matchups on the road, and overall, they have a historical record of 43-49-4-4-6 against the Bruins. Hershey head coach Todd Nelson achieved his 100th victory with the Bears recently, bringing his career total to 409, good for seventh all-time among AHL coaches.
Notable Players:
Ethen Frank, Ivan Miroshnichenko, and Alex Limoges are tied for fourth in scoring league-wide, each with seven points. Limoges has six assists to his name, while Frank and Miroshnichenko have five goals. Additionally, Hunter Shepard is tied for the AHL lead with three wins so far this season.
On this Day in History:
On October 25, 1944, the Bears faced the Indianapolis Capitals but protested the game’s outcome due to player eligibility issues. The protest was upheld, and the Bears were retroactively credited with a win, marking one of only two instances in which the team received a victory post-game.