HERSHEY, Pa. — The Hershey Bears will host the Laval Rocket tonight at GIANT Center in a highly anticipated Thanksgiving Eve matchup between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference. The puck drop is set for 7 p.m., with fans enjoying a festive night that continues a tradition dating back to 1961.
The Bears (13-4-2-0), leading the Atlantic Division, face the North Division's first-place Rocket (13-3-1-0) in a clash featuring two of the AHL's premier teams. Hershey enters the game after a thrilling 5-4 shootout win against Syracuse, while Laval is coming off a 3-1 victory over Belleville.
Tonight’s game is steeped in tradition. The Bears have hosted a Thanksgiving Eve game in 56 previous seasons, boasting a .580 lifetime record in these contests.
Key Matchup
Hershey’s high-scoring offense, led by Ethen Frank, who has 12 goals this season, will face Laval’s formidable goaltending duo. Connor Hughes and Jakub Dobeš rank among the league’s best, with goals-against averages of 2.00 and 2.18, respectively, and save percentages above .920.
Hershey has averaged the third-lowest penalty minutes per game this season (10.00). Laval has the 14th-ranked power play in the league (18.3%).
Hershey thrives in close contests, leading the league with nine one-goal victories this season. Additionally, the Bears have seen nearly a third of their games stretch into overtime or shootouts. Mike Vecchione, with two overtime winners, is one goal away from tying the franchise record for most overtime goals in a season.
The keys to tonight's game are to be prepared to play, keep the puck to the outside, and have a killer instinct.
Players to Watch
Ethen Frank ranks second in the AHL with 12 goals and is tied for seventh in points (18). Defenseman Ethan Bear is tied for the league lead in plus-minus at +13. Goaltender Hunter Shepard leads the league with 10 wins and is third in saves with 318. On Laval’s side, Joshua Roy, who scored and assisted on all three goals in their last win, is a critical player for Hershey to contain.
Quick Notes
Alex Limoges: Seven power-play assists (T-3rd in AHL), two assists shy of 100 in pro hockey
Pierrick Dubé: 65 shots (2nd in AHL)
Ethan Bear: +13 (T-1st in AHL), 11 points (T-9th among defensemen)
Brennan Saulnier: Leads Eastern Conference with four major penalties for fighting
Tonight's Officials
Referees: Liam Maaskant (45), Mitch Hardy (53)
Linespersons: Tommy George (61), Bill Lyons (27)
How To Watch
Tonight's game is on FOX43. Live coverage from Giant Center begins at 7 p.m. Zack Fisch, Garrett Mitchell, and Todd Sadowski will have the call.
