Game Preview: Bears at Bruins, 7:05 p.m.
March 11, 2023 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release
(Providence, RI) - The Hershey Bears continue the 2022-23 season, presented by Penn State Health, as they open up a two-game weekend set in the Ocean State with a Saturday night clash against the Providence Bruins.
Hershey Bears (34-14-5-2) at Providence Bruins (32-14-8-2)
March 11, 2023 | 7:05 p.m. | Game 56 | Amica Mutual Pavilion
Referees: Tanner Doiron (1), Alex Lepkowski (74)
Linespersons: Trevor Disbennett (54), Jared Waitt (60)
Broadcast Information
Bears media specialist Jesse Liebman on the call
RADIO: WFVY-100.1 FM, Fox Sports 1460-AM, SportsRadio 98.9-FM & WOYK 1350-AM (joined in progress)
WATCH LIVE: AHLTV
LISTEN LIVE: Fox Sports AM-1460 Stream
Radio pre-game coverage starts at 6:35 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT:
Hershey hosted Providence on Saturday in an eventual 1-0 loss; the Chocolate and White outshot the Bruins 22-11 as the Bears set a new franchise record for fewest shots against, but Marc McLaughlin netted the lone goal of the contest for Providence at 13:37 of the third period on a redirected shot from Chris Wagner to give the Bruins the eventual victory. The Bruins were in action last night, falling 6-3 on the road at Springfield. With the Thunderbirds up by two goals midway through the first and again midway through the second, Oskar Steen provided goals in both instances for the Bruins to make it a one-goal contest. Springfield blitzed Providence with two goals less than four minutes into the third period to decisively pull ahead.
PUSH TO THE POSTSEASON:
The Bears enter tonight one point ahead of the Providence Bruins for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. With Providence falling last night at Springfield, Hershey has played one less game than the Bruins. As of this morning, the Magic Number for the Bears sits at 14 points; the Bears currently require 32 points to clinch the Atlantic Division title.
BRUIN AND BEAR IT:
The Bears are looking for their first win in Rhode Island since the 2019-20 campaign, when Hershey earned a 3-2 shootout win at what was then known as the Dunkin' Donuts Center, as Bobby Nardella set up Philippe Maillet's game-tying goal with 21 seconds left in regulation and Maillett and Christian Djoos both scored in the shootout to lift the Bears to victory. Hershey is 1-2-0-0 against the Bruins this season. Mike Vecchione (1g, 2a) and Mike Sgarbossa (0g, 3a) lead the Bears in scoring against the Bruins, while Marc McLaughlin (2g, 0a), Luke Toporowski (1g, 1a), Chris Wagner (1g, 1a), and Georgii Merkulov (0g, 2a) pace Providence against Hershey. Bears alternate captain Aaron Ness suited up for Providence during the 2021-22 campaign, while Bruins head coach Ryan Mougenel served as an assistant coach for Hershey under Mike Haviland during the 2013-14 season, and defender Connor Carrick was with Hershey for parts of three seasons from 2013-16.
VINNY'S BACK:
The Washington Capitals loaned defenseman Vincent Iorio back to the Bears on Friday afternoon. The rookie defender made his NHL debut for Washington on March 4 at San Jose, and earned his first NHL point with an assist on an Alex Ovechkin goal in the third period of an eventual 8-3 win. Iorio ranks tied for first among Hershey's defensive corps with 15 assists and is second with 17 points.
BEARS BITES:
Forward Mason Morelli needs two more points for 100 in his professional career...Defender Aaron Ness is two points shy of 200 in his pro career...Zach Fucale's 18 wins are tied for sixth in the league and tied for first among all Eastern Conference netminders...Hunter Shepard is first among qualified goaltenders with a 2.12 goals-against average, and has gotten the nod in net for all three prior outings against Providence this season...The Bears are second in the American Hockey League with 36 first goals, and are also second with 25 victories after scoring first...Hershey is 15-0-0-1 this season when Mike Vecchione scores a goal.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from March 11, 2023
- Barracuda Clawed by Condors, 6-2 - San Jose Barracuda
- Controversial Ending Sinks Colorado in 4-2 Loss to Abbotsford - Colorado Eagles
- Silver Knights Fall to Gulls in Second of Back-To-Back - Henderson Silver Knights
- Stars Score Two Short-Handed Goals to Edge Firebirds - Texas Stars
- Valiant Effort Earns Belleville Sens Point in Lehigh Valley - Belleville Senators
- Marody Late Hattie Propels Dramatic OT Win - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Monsters Fight for 3-2 Shootout Win Against Griffins - Cleveland Monsters
- Griffins Pick Up Point In Shootout Loss To Cleveland - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Amerks Doubled-Up in Syracuse - Rochester Americans
- Dryden Hunt Excited to be in Calgary - Calgary Wranglers
- Hogs Sunk by Wolves in 5-1 Defeat - Rockford IceHogs
- Jesper Wallstedt Notches 20 Saves in Wild Victory - Manitoba Moose
- Roadrunners Record Three-Goal Second Period in 5-3 Loss to Milwaukee Saturday - Tucson Roadrunners
- Wolves Rock Rival IceHogs 5-1 - Chicago Wolves
- Admirals Overpower Roadrunners - Milwaukee Admirals
- Wild Win Fourth Straight, Beat Moose 5-2 - Iowa Wild
- Bears Fall 3-2 as Bruins Battle Back - Hershey Bears
- Steen, Tralmaks Post Two-Point Nights as P-Bruins Complete Comeback Against Bears - Providence Bruins
- Comets Pull Away in Third, Penguins Lose, 4-1 - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Checkers Roar Back in Third to Earn Point, Fall in Shootout - Charlotte Checkers
- Crunch Defeat Amerks, 4-2 - Syracuse Crunch
- Frk's Second Hat Trick Pushes T-Birds to Win Over Laval - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Wolf Pack Earn Point with Late Goal, But Fall 3-2 to Marlies in Overtime Thriller - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Comets' Point Streak Reaches Seven Games, Defeat Penguins 4-1 - Utica Comets
- Barracuda Sign Tyler Bird to PTO - San Jose Barracuda
- Griffins Release Craggs from PTO - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Moose Release Zack Andrusiak from Tryout - Manitoba Moose
- Game Preview: Iowa Wild vs. Manitoba Moose - Iowa Wild
- Wolf Pack Make Lone Visit to Toronto for Saturday Date vs. Marlies - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Game Preview: Bears at Bruins, 7:05 p.m. - Hershey Bears
- Blackhawks Recall Philp and Khudobin from Rockford - Rockford IceHogs
- Toronto Marlies Return Home for a Game against the Hartford Wolf Pack - Toronto Marlies
- Game #58 - Tucson Roadrunners at Milwaukee Admirals - Tucson Roadrunners
- Griffins Recall Drew Worrad from Toledo - Grand Rapids Griffins
- IceHogs Ready for I-90 Rivalry Battle in Rosemont - Rockford IceHogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
