It’s been an incredible stretch for the Hershey Bears since the return of Pheonix Copley. The Bears entered Wednesday night’s game with Binghamton riding a five-game winning streak that has catapulted the club into third place in the Atlantic Division and dispatched of the Senators, 3-1 in their final home game in March. 

Labrie, Galiev, and Carey discuss faceoff strategy

Hubert Labrie got Hershey on the board first when Riley Barber passed the puck across the ice to Labrie for the goal. Hampus Gustafsson earned his first point with the secondary assist.

Hampus Gustafsson once again filled in for injured Zach Sill

Another Hershey defenseman, Tom Gilbert, added a goal in the second period. Christian Djoos stood behind the Senators’ net, found Gilbert to make it 2-0. Christian Thomas inched closer to becoming a member of the 50-point club with the secondary assist; he has 47 points in his first season as a Bear.

Christian Djoos continues to impress in “Sophomore” season

Then with 58 seconds left in the second period, Hershey struck again. Madison Bowey made a back-handed pass to Jakub Vrana who found himself too low to attempt a shot. Instead, he noticed Barber on the opposite side of the ice and made a perfect tape-to-tape pass. It was Barber’s 10th goal.

Always working – Riley Barber works puck-handling skills during a break in the action

But it was Pheonix Copley who stole the show. He stopped 33 of 34 shots with the lone goal coming late in the game after Garrett Mitchell (holding) and Chandler Stephenson (slashing) were sent to the penalty box within 23 seconds of each other.

Copley stare down – no wonder pucks go the other way

Before the game, Paul Carey was honored for being named this week’s CCM/AHL Player of the Week. He was presented with his award by Bryan Helmer, Hershey’s VP of Hockey Operations. Troy Mann predicted in his postgame interview that Carey could be the recall tomorrow (@ 5:50 mark).

Hershey was 0 for 5 on the Power Play. The Bears were 1 for 7 on the penalty kill with the lone goal coming during a 5-on-3 for Binghamton.

Game highlights can be found here.

Barber, Copley, and Gilbert were named the three stars of the game.

Madison Bowey obviously isn’t used to a Wednesday evening game

Hershey’s record improved to 9-1 in March with the lone loss to Lehigh Valley. They have now won 6-straight games. They also have a 10-game winning streak on Giant Center ice.

Mattias Backman, filling in on D for an injured Aaron Ness, awaits the puck drop with Chris Bourque

Hershey leaves tomorrow morning for their final trip to St. John’s. They play Saturday and Sunday afternoon. They return to Giant Center on April 1st. It is Fan Appreciation Night.

By Julie Beidler
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@Mitchy1_0 is starting his own band these days. pic.twitter.com/L9J3aozcnP

— Beids (@juliebeidler) March 22, 2017