Road doesn’t get any easier for Hershey, Bears face reigning champs tonight
Tonight the Hershey Bears (0-3-0-1) head to Grand Rapids for a matchup against the reigning calder cup champions, the Grand Rapids Griffins (2-2-0-1) at 7 p.m. at the Van Andel Arena. This is the first meeting between the two teams in over ten seasons. The Bears are unfortunately still looking for its first win of the 2017-18 season after falling 4-1 at Milwaukee last night. The Griffs were on the road as well last night in Rockford, the Bears opponent on Sunday dropping a 3-2 shootout decision to the Icehogs.
Back in 2005-06 the Bears played a pair of games against the Griffins. The first of which came in the Van Andel Arena, the site of tonights game. The Bears that seaosn had to contend with current Detroit Redwings goaltender Jimmy Howard, as well as current Bears VP Bryan Helmer who recorded points against the Bears. Grand Rapids would pull of their home game against the BEars 6-4, before coming to Hershey and dropping a road game to the Bears 4-3. Current Bear Chris Bourque played in both of those games.
Game Notes
The Griffins player to watch is Philadephia, Pa native Eric Tangradi. He is a familiar foe of the Bears, as he played against them as a member of multiple teams including in state rival the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins.
The Bears player to watch is Wayne Simpson. Last night against the Milwaukee Admiral, Wayne Simpson potted an unassisted goal. The goal was the Bears lone goal of the night, as the Bears dropped the game 4-1.
REFEREES for tonight’s game
Shaun Davis (31), Jarrod Ragusin (2)
