On any given night this season, the Hershey Bears have been without more than one key player. Some missed multiple games due to injury (Barber, Walker, Bowey, and Gazley to name a few). Others, most recently Jakub Vrana and Paul Carey, have been recalled to Washington. Some were traded, some returned, and still others departed for leagues overseas like Jonas Siegenthaler. 

But through it all, the Bears have found a way to trudge onward with different faces on any given night.

Until now. With Burakovsky back, Vrana was reassigned to Hershey today. Walker returned from injury last week, and Bowey and Gazley are expected back this weekend as well. Also, with Seigenthaler’s season ending Zurich SC, his arrival in Hershey is anticipated – he’s not here yet and isn’t on the roster as of tonight’s game.

UPDATED 3/18/17 11:00 AM

In his post-game interview last night, Troy Mann fielded questions on Vrana, Bowey, and Siegenthaler.

Vrana, who did not play Friday night, will be in the lineup tonight as the Bears have a rematch with Hartford.

“No doubt there is at least one forward coming out tomorrow for Vrana.”

— Beids (@juliebeidler) March 18, 2017

Bowey will not be though, according to Mann.

Bowey will rest tomorrow – “No need for him to play all three.”

— Beids (@juliebeidler) March 18, 2017

Additionally, Siegenthaler will arrive early in the week and will start working on reintegrating with the team, possibly seeing game action at the end of March.

Mann said, “He’s going to fly in Monday. He’s not going to make the trip to St. John’s, but he’ll be here on Monday, practice with us Tuesday…He won’t see any action the first week.”

Suddenly, Troy Mann no longer has to reach for the phone and make a call to South Carolina or find a defenseman somewhere in the ECHL. Nope, now comes that wonderful prospect of figuring out who to scratch.

UPDATED 3/18/17 11:00 AM

Hershey is finally back in the playoff picture. Currently 4^th in the Atlantic Division, Hershey is tied for 3^rd points-wise with Providence. Frontrunners Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Lehigh Valley are playing again tonight. Hershey has again tonight at Giant Center before boarding a bus to Bridgeport, the team that is no outside looking in and has had Hershey’s number lately, especially in those Sunday afternoon games.

With everyone back in the fold, it’s time for the playoff push, and with all of the pieces back in place, it’s easy to see why hopes are soaring in Hershey.

By Julie Beidler
Follow @juliebeidler

@Mitchy1_0 telling Providence to kiss their playoff dreams goodbye in latest “Fun with Mitchell” pregame fun. pic.twitter.com/RkboFj5OOr

— Beids (@juliebeidler) March 12, 2017