Bears Weekly #21: Hershey's Historic Streak Kick-Starts Playoff Push
February 26, 2019 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release
(Hershey, PA) - The Hershey Bears established a new franchise record point streak (16-0-0-1) and won 11 straight games before falling to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers this past Sunday at the Webster Bank Arena. The Bears have been one of the AHL's hottest teams over the past two months and the recent streak has propelled the club into third place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 31-21-0-3. The club has already surpassed its win total from last season and are now in the midst of a playoff push with 21 games remaining in the regular season.
Last Friday, the Chocolate and White opened its first three in three in a month with a 4-2 win at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Bears entered the third period trailing 2-1, but Jayson Megna scored his eighth goal versus his former team 55 seconds into the final frame to tie the game. Riley Barber completed a hat-trick, scoring the go-ahead goal with 3:41 remaining, and adding an empty net tally in Hershey's fifth win in Wilkes-Barre this year.
On Saturday, Hershey returned to Giant Center and earned the franchise's first ever win versus the Rockford IceHogs. Like the night before, an early third period goal, this time from Garrett Pilon at 1:28, tied the game at 2-2. Thanks to another strong performance in goal from Ilya Samsonov, the Bears got the best of the IceHogs in the shootout to score a 3-2 win and move the win streak to 11.
On Sunday, the streak ended in a 5-1 loss to Bridgeport. Hershey's lone goal came from Juuso Ikonen in the game's final minute. It was Hershey's first regulation loss since Jan. 11.
UPCOMING GAMES/PROMOS:
Ticket information: http://www.hersheybears.com/tickets/single-game.php
-Wednesday, Feb. 27 at Hartford, 7 p.m.
-Friday, Mar. 1 at Utica, 7 p.m.
-Saturday, Mar. 2 vs. Bridgeport, 7 p.m.
Promotion: Penn State Health T-Shirt Night (All Fans), Healthcare Night
#HersheyBearsCares:
The Bears are committed to giving back to the local community. The club is on the road this week, but will make several public appearances the week of Mar 4. Please follow the Hershey Bears on social media for more information.
WEEKLY PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, Feb. 27: 11:15 a.m., Morning Skate, XL Center
Thursday, Feb. 28: TBA., Adirondack Bank Center
Friday, Mar. 1: 11:15 a.m., Adirondack Bank Center
*Practice schedule subject to change. Follow @TheHersheyBears on Twitter for updates.
RECAPPING THE STREAK: Hershey's franchise record point streak saw the Bears go 16-0-0-1 from Jan. 12-Feb. 23, as the club went 44 days between regulation losses. Hershey won 10 one-goal games in the streak, and also claimed five shootout victories. Riley Barber and Mike Sgarbossa led the way with 18 points over the impressive stretch. The streak saw Hershey move from last place in the Atlantic Division (32 points through 37 games) to third (65 points in 55 games).
WELCOME DSP: The Bears gained a key forward with winger Devante Smith-Pelly's re-assignment to Hershey. Smith-Pelly has eight points (four goals, four assists) in 54 contests with the Capitals this season, and played a key part in Washington's 2018 run to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, scoring seven playoff goals. The 26-year-old forward has joined the Bears and is expected to make his debut this week. He last played in the AHL with Norfolk in 2013-14, leading the Admirals with 27 goals.
LOCK NESS MONSTER: Hershey defender Aaron Ness is having a monster season, leading the club's defenders with 39 points (three goals, 36 assists). He is tied for fourth among AHL defenders in points, and ranks fourth in the entire AHL in assists. His 19 power play assists are tied for second in the league, and his next assist will be the 200th of his professional career.
PILON IS ON: Rookie Garrett Pilon enters this week with points in two straight games and points in three of his past four games. He leads all Hershey rookies in assists (18) and points (23). The Saskatoon native was a third round selection, 87th overall, of the Capitals in the 2016 NHL Draft.
CLUTCH BARBER: Forward Riley Barber has been the go-to-guy in key situations. He leads the Chocolate and White with six game-winning goals this season, and also leads the league with three winning goals in shootouts. The sniper notched his second career hat-trick in last Friday's win at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and continues to lead the AHL in power play points with 27.
BEARS BITES: Hershey leads the AHL in shootout games (10) and shootout wins (7)...Hershey's victory on Friday in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was the club's first win on the road when trailing after 40 minutes. Previously, Hershey was 0-11-0-0...Goaltender Ilya Samsonov has allowed two or less goals in seven straight starts, lowering his goals against average to 2.84...Hershey went 3-0-0-0 versus Hartford at the XL Center last year.
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