Bears Split Weekend in Upstate New York
Hey Hershey Bears fans—it’s time for another recap as the team headed to upstate New York for a busy weekend road set. If you enjoy this article, be sure to check out my Hershey Bears podcast, The Grit and Bear It Podcast, available on all podcast platforms!
Wednesday, January 28 – Hershey Bears 3, Rochester Americans 1
The Hershey Bears opened the trip in Rochester, NY, for the first of two matchups against the Rochester Americans. These two clubs share the oldest rivalry in the AHL, with Hershey founded in 1938 and Rochester in 1956. While neither is a charter AHL member (those honors belong to teams such as Providence, Syracuse, and Springfield), their history spans more than six decades.
The game started evenly, with Rochester recording the first five shots on goal. However, Grant Cruikshank broke through on Hershey’s very first shot—scoring a shorthanded goal to give the Bears a 1–0 lead. It was Cruikshank’s seventh goal of the season and his fourth shorthanded tally, giving him the AHL lead in that category. Hershey now sits atop the league with eight shorthanded goals on the season.
Just 24 seconds into the second period, Justin Nachbaur extended the lead to 2–0 with a chip shot that floated over the shoulder of goaltender Devon Levi. Rochester answered quickly, though, as Anton Wahlberg slipped one past Clay Stevenson to cut the deficit to 2–1.
The Bears restored their two‑goal cushion when Henrik Rybinski netted his fifth of the season to make it 3–1. Rochester pushed hard in the third period, firing 12 shots on Stevenson, but the Bears’ netminder stood tall and stopped every one. Hershey secured the 3–1 victory and extended its point streak to 11 games.
- Photo Credit: The Hershey Bears
Friday, January 30 – Rochester Americans 3, Hershey Bears 1
The rematch at Blue Cross Arena had a different feel. This time, Rochester struck first as Riley Fiddler‑Schultz scored his 11th of the season to give the Amerks a 1–0 lead.
Hershey responded when Jon McDonald fired a seeing‑eye shot that found its way past Devon Levi, tying the game at 1–1. The score held until the third period, when Isak Rosen slipped a puck past Mitch Gibson on the short side to put Rochester ahead 2–1. Rosen’s 20th of the season proved to be the game‑winner.
Rochester sealed the victory with an empty‑net goal from Anton Wahlberg, his sixth of the season, as the Amerks earned a 3–1 win and split the two‑game series. The loss snapped Hershey’s 11‑game point streak.
Saturday, January 31 – Hershey Bears 4, Utica Comets 3 (OT)
Wrapping up a grueling January schedule—12 games with two extended road trips—the Bears traveled to Utica for their lone visit to the Adirondack Bank Center.
Hershey opened the scoring as Henrik Rybinski buried a feed from Ryan Chesley for his sixth of the season. Utica answered on the power play, with Brian Halonen netting his 14th to tie the game at 1–1. Just 38 seconds later, Corey Schueneman blasted a shot past Nico Daws to restore the Bears’ lead. Hershey took a 2–1 advantage into the first intermission.
The Comets rallied in the second period. Cam Squires scored his third of the season to even the game, and moments later a failed defensive-zone clear by Leon Muggli was intercepted by Ethan Edwards, who made it 3–2 Utica with his sixth of the year.
Hershey answered once again on the power play as Ivan Miroshnichenko tied the game at 3–3 with his seventh of the season. The third period was scoreless, sending the teams to overtime.
In the extra session, Miroshnichenko struck again—sniping a shot past Nico Daws to secure the win for Hershey. It was his second goal of the game and eighth of the season, capping off a thrilling overtime victory.
Looking Ahead
The Bears sit fourth in the Atlantic Division with a record of 20‑15‑5‑2 (47 points). Hershey returns home this week for a home‑and‑home series against the Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton Penguins, traveling to WBS on Wednesday before hosting the Baby Pens at Giant Center on Saturday.
- Richard Blosser/Olde City Sports Network
- Photo Credit: The Hershey Bears
