BEARS PUSHED TO BRINK IN 4-2 GAME 3 LOSS TO PHANTOMS

Lehigh Valley leads Hershey in best-of-five series 2-1

(Hershey, PA – May 4, 2025) – The Hershey Bears (1-2) rallied from a 1-0 deficit to take a 2-1 lead in the second period, but the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (3-1) responded with two goals of their own to deal Hershey by a 4-2 loss in Game 3 of the Atlantic Division Semifinals on Sunday afternoon at PPL Center. Lehigh Valley now leads the best-of-five series 2-1 and Hershey must win its next game (Friday, May 9 at Lehigh Valley at 7:05 p.m.) to extend its season.

BOX SCORE

NOTABLES:

The Bears surrendered a shorthanded goal for the second consecutive game and their third overall of the 2025 playoffs when Jacob Gaucher gave Lehigh Valley a 1-0 lead at 11:23 of the first period.
Andrew Perrot drew into the lineup for Hershey, making his Calder Cup Playoffs debut, and netted the tying score for the Bears at 3:03 of the second period on a shot from the point, with assists from Matt Strome and Alex Limoges.
Ivan Miroshnichenko then netted his first of the postseason at 4:27 to give Hershey a 2-1 lead.
Cal Petersen replaced Parker Gahagen in net for the hosts at 11:12 of the second period after Gahagen left the game with an apparent injury while making a save.
Garrett Wilson netted a power-play goal to level the score at 13:09 and Nikita Grebenkin scored at 15:51 to put Lehigh Valley back in front, 3-2. Olle Lycksell capped the scoring at 14:09 of the third period.
Forward Dalton Smith was also inserted into the lineup along with Perrott for Hershey, as Henrik Rybinski and Nicky Leivermann were unavailable after playing the first two games of the series.

SHOTS: HER 32, LV 26

GOALTENDING: HER – Hunter Shepard, 22-for-26; LV – Parker Gahagen, 15-for-17, and Cal Petersen [W], 15-for-15

POWER PLAY: HER – 0-for-6; LV – 1-for-4

THEY SAID IT:

Bears head coach Todd Nelson evaluating the series and power play unit:

“Well right now it’s do or die. Over the past couple years, our first year went to a Game Seven [in the Calder Cup Finals]. I know it’s only a five game series, but we have to come back and try to get a win next Friday. But tonight’s game, we weren’t that bad, but I thought once again, [Lehigh Valley got] another shorthanded goal, so our power play is going to be shaken up a bit – it’s going to be a different look on Friday for sure.”

Nelson on his level of concern with the team facing elimination:

“I’m not panicking by any stretch of the means. This is what you call nursing like a break in front of our face right now, so we’ve just got to go back home, lick our wounds, and prepare ourselves for the game Friday night.”

Nelson on whether the series thus far is the result of internal play or Lehigh Valley:

“I think it’s both. I’ve got to give Lehigh credit. They’re playing smart, they’re playing strong. You know, their top guys are getting it done. Our guys aren’t, and so for us we’ve got to dig deep. I don’t think everybody in the locker room has given us 110 percent, and we’ll address that. There’ll be changes made for the next game.”

NEXT GAME:

The Bears continue the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs when they visit Lehigh Valley for a must-win Game 4 of the best-of-five Atlantic Division Semifinals on Friday, May 9, at 7:05 p.m. at PPL Center. Should the series return to Hershey, Game 5 will take place on Sunday, May 11 at 5 p.m. at GIANT Center. Purchase tickets for the game by CLICKING HERE.

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About the Hershey Bears: The Hershey Bears have been proud members of the American Hockey League since the 1938-39 season, making them the longest continuously operating member club of the league still playing in its original city. The Bears have won the Calder Cup 13 times, the most of any AHL franchise, and they are the reigning back-to-back league champions, having won the title in 2023 and 2024. The Bears are the AHL affiliate of the 2018 Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League, and are affiliated with the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL. Visit www.Hershey Bears.com and follow Hershey Bears on our social media channels for ongoing team and schedule updates.

About Hershey Entertainment & Resorts: Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (HE&R) is a world-class entertainment and hospitality company dedicated to preserving the legacy of Milton S. Hershey. Founded in 1927 by Milton S. Hershey, HE&R and its subsidiaries own and/or operate the Hersheypark Entertainment Complex, Hersheypark Arena & Stadium, ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, Hershey Bears hockey team, GIANT Center, The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge, Hersheypark Camping Resort, The Spa At The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Country Club, and Hershey Golf Collection. For additional information about HE&R, visit www.Hershey PA.com.

Mike Miller