Hershey Bears have another tough three game in three night schedule
UPCOMING GAMES for the Hershey Bears:
Friday, Oct. 27 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 28 vs. Providence, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 29 vs. Hartford, 5 p.m
While Hershey has gotten off to a slow start, the penalty kill has been terrific so far this season. Hershey ranks second in the AHL at 91.2%, going 31-for-34. The Bears have one shorthanded goal on the season which came from Chandler Stephenson who is currently on recall to Washington for the injured Andre Burakovsky. The Hershey Bears are taking penalties of all sorts putting them in tough situations. Going forward Hershey will need to cleanup there penalty woes to not break down there penalty killing to early in the season.
Stephenson completed his first hat-trick of his career while also adding an assist, in Saturday’s 4-2 win at Grand Rapids. The contest was not only Stephenson’s first hat trick, but also his first multi-goal game of his AHL career. On Tuesday, Stephenson earned himself an NHL call-up to the Capitals. Chandler played 13 NHL games for the Capitals last season however he is still looking for his first NHL point. Chandler Stephenson so far this season has been the entire offense for the Bears. What will the Bears do now with Stephenson gone?
Look for Center Travis Boyd to move up to the top line and become the number one center on the team. The Bears will look for the veteran presence on the team to really step up and help push the young talent to become better offensively. Wayne Simpson another player putting up points will need to continue to stay solid for the coming weeks. Wayne Simpson scored his first goal as a member of the Bears last Friday.
Goal-tending will continue to be a factor for the Bears. Parker Milner has started all but one game for the Bears this season. Milner is 0-4-1-0, giving up twenty five goals in five games played. Its been a tough season so far for the fifth goaltender on the depth chart for the Washington Capitals. Adam Carlson who made his AHL debut went on to win his first career game in his first career start.
The Bears will make their first visit to the Mohegan Sun Arena to take on the 4-2 Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins. The division rival will be another true test to a beat up Hershey Bears team. The following night the red hot Providence Bruins sitting at 5-1 on the season. Then to end the weekend the Bears battle the 3-3-0-1 Hartford Wolf pack.
