Sunday's 5-4 overtime win over Rochester's Americans nailed down a fifth-place finish in their division for the Hershey Bears. Earning that result as the AHL's regular slate closed out meant Hershey now knows its first-round opponent: the club will tangle with Bridgeport in a semifinal round of the Atlantic as this spring's Calder Cup chase begins.
Securing the W likewise ensured one additional home date for the franchise before the year is out. To open this best-of-three matchup, the visitors will start on the road, after which the second contest swings home, and were a decisive third tilt to be needed, the No. 4 seed from Bridgeport would again serve as host.
How the Bears-Islanders matchup lines up
- Opener: April 21, a 7 p.m. Tuesday start hosted in Bridgeport at the Total Mortgage building
- Second game: April 23, another 7 p.m. puck drop, this one Thursday back home at GIANT Center
- Finale if needed: April 25, a Saturday afternoon affair beginning at 3 p.m., once more on Bridgeport's home ice
The third date happens only when required; all start times reflect Eastern.
Derek King, who runs the Bears' bench, pointed to the silver lining of a mere four-hour ride aboard the bus instead of an eight-hour slog over to Charlotte. He said he liked that supporters would be treated to a contest in their own building, something he figures will be exciting and terrific, and that the group planned to take in some video and a few clips. With the recent meeting between the clubs still fresh, the coach added, little about their approach needed changing apart from settling on the lineup before getting underway.
Back in the bracket are the Bears, who a year ago were ousted by Charlotte's Checkers in the divisional final. As for Bridgeport, the team came up empty in the standings during 2024-25, sitting dead last among its division.
Wrapping up the year, Hershey holds a record of 32-31-9 worth 73 points in the standings, while their opponents arrive carrying a 34-30-8 ledger and 76. Across the regular slate against Bridgeport, the Bears posted a 2-3-1 line, a run that featured Saturday night's 2-1 setback against that very opponent.
A young corps of forwards spearheads Hershey's playoff push, fronted by their scoring leader. Ilya Protas leads the way with a 66-point total, trailed by Andrew Cristall at 60, then Bogdan Trineyev with 45, plus 34 from Ivan Miroshnichenko. Between the pipes, the go-to starter is Clay Stevenson, sporting a save percentage of .912, a goals-against mark of 2.62, and an 18-13-3 ledger.
Up front for the opposition, two more experienced forwards drive things — Matt Luff, owner of 52 points, alongside Adam Beckman at 51. The roster additionally boasts a couple of familiar Hershey faces, notably defenseman Ethan Bear and 2024 title winner Pierrick Dubé.
The club's official announcement is reproduced below:
## Bears Announce Schedule for First Round Series vs. Bridgeport Islanders ### Hershey starts its quest for a 14th Calder Cup title next week with a best-of-three series (Hershey, PA – April 19, 2026) – The Hershey Bears announced the schedule for the club’s 2026 Atlantic Division First Round playoff series against the Bridgeport Islanders. Hershey, the No. 5 seed in the Atlantic Division during the 2025-26 regular season, will battle the No. 4-seeded Islanders in a best-of-three series. The complete schedule is as follows: Game 1 – Tuesday, April 21 at Bridgeport, Total Mortgage Arena, 7 p.m. Game 2 – Thursday, April 23 vs. Bridgeport, GIANT Center, 7 p.m. \*Game 3 – Saturday, April 25 at Bridgeport, Total Mortgage Arena, 3 p.m. \*If necessary. All times Eastern. Tickets for Hershey’s home game will go on sale Monday, April 20 at 10 a.m. online via Ticketmaster. Hershey went 2-3-0-1 in head-to-head play with the Islanders this season. This marks the third time Hershey will play Bridgeport in the playoffs, with the Bears winning each previous series, taking the 2010 East Division Semifinals 4-1 en route to claiming their 11th Calder Cup championship, and topping Bridgeport 3-2 in the 2019 Atlantic Division Semifinals. Fans are asked to continue to check HersheyBears.com and the club’s social media channels for the latest updates on the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs.