Gibson and Clarke Lead Bears to 6-3 Win over Senators
AHL Hershey Bears

Gibson and Clarke Lead Bears to 6-3 Win over Senators

Published on February 14, 2026 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


(Belleville, ON) - A three-goal effort in both the first and third periods powered the Hershey Bears (21-17-6-2) to an eventual 6-3 triumph over the Belleville Senators (20-22-8-0) on Saturday night at CAA Arena, as Hershey matched its season-highs for goals in an individual frame and an entire contest. Graeme Clarke tallied twice and Mitch Gibson set an AHL career-high in saves to help stake the team to the victory.

The win extended Hershey's point streak against the Senators at CAA Arena to nine games (7-0-2-0) dating back to Belleville's inaugural season in 2017-18.

NOTABLES:

Alex Suzdalev tallied his third goal of the season at 2:02 of the first period with Hershey on the man advantage to give the visitors a 1-0 edge. Suzdalev later added an assist on Graeme Clarke's second goal of the game to give the rookie forward his second multi-point game of the season.

After Jan Jeník tied the score for Belleville at 6:06, Clarke netted a pair of goals: the first, unassisted at 14:01, and his second at 14:37 from Matt Strome and Suzdalev, giving Clarke his third multi-goal game of the campaign.

Andrew Cristall added to Hershey's lead at 1:44 of the third period with his ninth of the season from Ilya Protas and Corey Schueneman.

Belleville and Hershey then exchanged goals at 4-on-4, with Philippe Daoust at 4:49 for the Senators and Henrik Rybinski at 5:30 from Ivan Miroshnichenko and David Gucciardi.

Bogdan Cristall then set up Bogdan Trineyev for his 10th of the season at 10:53.

Olle Lycksell closed out the scoring with a power-play goal at 19:29.

Mitch Gibson finished the night with an AHL career-high 39 saves on 42 shots against to earn his sixth win of the season. Belleville's 42 shots accounted for a new season-high for shots faced by Hershey.

SHOTS: HER 23, BEL 42

GOALTENDING: HER - Mitch Gibson, 39-for-42; BEL - Leevi Meriläinen, 17-for-23

POWER PLAY: HER - 1-for-3; BEL - 1-for-6

THEY SAID IT:

Bears head coach Derek King on what the team faced this evening following a loss on Friday at Laval:

"I thought our first period, we had some energy, and it faded as the game went on, and we were prepared for that. But I still liked our compete. Obviously our goalie won the game for us here, kept us in it. They had a lot of opportunities, and they just couldn't score. We've been on that side of the game before, but I just liked our compete and we just stuck with it."

King on the play of Mitch Gibson:

"He just looked calm and square to everything. Everything was hitting him and he was smothering everything. I'm no goalie expert, but I know when goalies are seeing it well, with pucks smothered and no rebounds - he did a great job."

King on the play and progression of Alex Suzdalev:

"It's not easy for him, but when he does come into the lineup as of late, I think he's played a much better game. He knows he's got to play with a little more jam, and I saw that in the last couple of games he's been in, and it's good to see him get rewarded. He's a lot stronger on the boards, he's confident going in there, that he knows he can protect the puck and it's not going to hurt, and I like the way he's moving his feet when he gets the puck and not standing still trying to make plays."

King on having Graeme Clarke find the net twice:

"I think he's a goal scorer, and sometimes like that are either consistent with it or they're streaky. I think he's a bit of a streaky goal scorer, and when he gets on his streaks, look out, because he's feeling it. And right now he's feeling it."

King on preparing for Monday afternoon's rematch with Belleville:

"We just want to let them rest on Sunday. I know we've had the All-Star break, but when you come off a break like that, you need rest again - the plane travel, then hopping on a bus. We played, then got in late last night, had a game today. We've got to give these guys rest, and they're banged up a little bit."

Mitch Gibson on tonight's outcome:

"I think the guys were doing a good job. Belleville's a lethal team - they had a lot of good chances and they want to shoot the puck a lot. So I think just trying to limit their really good opportunities and try and keep them to the outside."

(Answers edited for clarity)

The Bears continue the 2025-26 season, presented by Penn State Health, when they face the Belleville Senators on Monday, Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. at CAA Arena. Hershey returns home to host the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for PA Lottery Night on Friday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at GIANT Center. The first 6,000 fans 18-and-over in attendance will receive a coupon offer, courtesy of the Pennsylvania Lottery. Fans 21-and-over can also take advantage of $5, 16 oz. Happy Hour select beer special on from doors until puck drop.

Check out the Hershey Bears Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from February 14, 2026


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.

OurSports Central