HERSHEY, Pa. — Editor's note: The above video is from November 12, 2024.
The Hershey Bears will look to continue their strong start to the season when they host the Bridgeport Islanders at GIANT Center tonight.
The Bears (10-3-1-0) are coming off a 5-4 road victory over the Islanders (2-9-1-1) on Tuesday. Hershey rallied from an early 2-0 deficit, scoring four unanswered goals in the second period to take the lead. The game-winning goal came with just 7.3 seconds remaining, as Spencer Smallman redirected a shot from Vincent Iorio to give the Bears the win.
Hershey has found recent success against Bridgeport, going 10-1-0-1 in their last 12 home meetings. The Bears are 8-0-0-0 this season when defenseman Ethan Bear records a point, and he currently leads the league with a +13 plus-minus rating.
Offensively, the Bears have been paced by forwards Ethen Frank and Ivan Miroshnichenko, who are tied for fourth in the AHL in scoring with 14 points each. Alex Limoges also ranks among the league leaders with six power-play assists and seven power-play points.
In net, Hunter Shepard has been a rock for Hershey, tying for the AHL lead with eight wins while ranking third in saves with 256. The Bears are averaging the fifth-fewest penalty minutes per game at 10.50 and are fifth in the league in goals scored per game at 3.43.
Meanwhile, the struggling Islanders will look to get back on track against their Atlantic Division rivals. Bridgeport has just two wins through 13 games this season, though they do lead the AHL with four shorthanded goals. However, the Islanders have also allowed a league-high five shorthanded goals.
Veteran forward Chris Terry is expected to play in his 1,000th professional game tonight, a significant milestone for the former AHL scoring champion.
Terry has been a bright spot for Bridgeport, recording 37 points in 39 career games against Hershey. But he has been relatively quiet over his last three outings after an 11-point stretch earlier this season.
The Bears will look to take advantage of the Islanders' struggles and continue their strong start to the season. Hershey has already shown the ability to rally from deficits, as evidenced by their comeback victory on Tuesday.
Hershey begins a four-game road trip Saturday night in Lehigh Valley, then travels to Toronto, Rochester and Syracuse.
The Bears' next home game is Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. against the Laval Rocket. You can watch that game on FOX43.