The Hershey Bears have done it. They were ALL IN for Game 7 despite blowing a 3-0 series lead. They survived a roller coaster regulation and overtime before Garrett Roe won the game in overtime. Now they have the chance to go for their 13th Calder Cup and the matchup is the same as last year.
The Bears will see the Coachella Valley Firebirds
Word on the street was the Firebirds were already practcing and attending games in Hershey. We'll have a further breakdown of the schedule soon.
How it all went down
The Bears secured their seventh Richard F. Canning Trophy by defeating the Monsters which has been indicative of the AHL's Eastern Conference Champions since 1998. Overall per the Bears, they will be making their league leading 25th appearance in the Calder Cup Finals.
The Monsters took the early lead on a goal from Trey Fix Wolansky that came late in the first period at 19:02 on the power play. Logan Day answered at 19:41 with the assists coming from Alex Limoges and Henrik Rybinski.
In the second at 4:14 Pierrick Dube gave the Bears the lead with Joe Snively and Hendrix Lapierre assisting. It was Snively's 10th assist and Lapierre's 11th this spring in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
In the third at 14:08 the Monsters would tie it with a goal from James Malatesta. Roe's overtime winner came at 7:38.
Pregame notes
Pierrick Dube skated wearing a bubble. Ethen Frank, Lucas Johansen and Aaron Ness did not skate but it was just an optional. The mood was calm before the big game which is what you need to win. The Bears know how it's done based on their storied history plus connections to the Capitals.
Dube in the clutch
But it was Dube who would win the game in overtime. So the will to win was there and on display last night.
Garrett Roe sends us through to the next round! https://t.co/fea4nRjSeR pic.twitter.com/6iBQDMpXio
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) June 13, 2024
After the game he would get the Bear head in the locker room. It was overall another good and classic night at GIANT Center.