Bears Open Calder Cup Finals with 5-0 Loss to Firebirds
Published on June 8, 2023 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release
(Palm Desert, CA) -The Hershey Bears (10-4) opened the 2023 Calder Cup Finals with a 5-0 loss to the Coachella Valley Firebirds (13-7) on Thursday night at Acrisure Arena. Hershey's defeat was its first road loss of the 2023 postseason, and the club is now 6-1 away from GIANT Center. Goaltender Joey Daccord pitched a 25-save shutout for Coachella Valley to give the hosts a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Hershey's first shot of the contest early in the first period came on a gorgeous breakaway opportunity for Joe Snively, but the forward was denied in his attempt to light the lamp when he was stopped by Daccord. Throughout the night, Daccord showed a tendency to roam from his crease to cut down the angle on Hershey's attack.
The Firebirds lit the lamp first with a power-play goal at 9:02 of the opening frame as Tye Kartye wired a shot from the blue line past Hunter Shepard to allow Coachella Valley to draw first blood. Ryker Evans and Kole Lind each assisted on the goal; both would go on to each finish the night with three assists apiece.
Ville Petman padded the lead for the hosts at 6:54 of the second when his shot from the slot sailed over the glove of Shepard during a 4-on-4 sequence to give Petman's squad a 2-0 lead.
Andrew Poturalski pushed Coachella Valley's lead to 3-0 at 1:59 of the third period as he got a shot off while falling through the left circle.
Poturalski set up Jesper Froden at 9:30 for a one-timer off the rush and Alex True put home a goal at 10:08 to stake the Firebirds to a 5-0 lead.
Shots finished 27-25 in favor of the Firebirds. Shepard went 22-for-27 for the Bears in the defeat; Daccord went 25-for-25 to get the win for the Firebirds. Hershey was 0-for-3 on the power play, while Coachella Valley went 1-for-2.
The Bears' 2023 playoffs, presented by Penn State Health, continues when the Chocolate and White and Coachella Valley clash again for Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals at Acrisure Arena on Saturday, June 10 at 10 p.m. ET. Fans can once again head to Arooga's in Hummelstown for a Watch Party, which will begin at 9 p.m. (reservations are preferred). The series shifts back to Hershey for Game 3 at GIANT Center on Tuesday, June 13 at 7 p.m. CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS. Continue to check HersheyBears.com for the latest updates on the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs, including games, dates, times, and ticket information.
American Hockey League Stories from June 8, 2023
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- Calder Cup Finals Game 1 Preview: Bears at Firebirds, 10 p.m. - Hershey Bears
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