The Hershey Bears have their Atlantic Division Semifinals opponent, and it’s almost like deja vu. After a two-game comeback from the Providence Bruins against the low-seed Springfield Thunderbirds, the Bears will face the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for a second-straight.

The Bears were slated to face the lowest-seed out of the first round, which slimmed options down to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Lehigh Valley, or Springfield. Had Springfield won, they would’ve automatically faced the top-seeded Bears, but their loss means LV is the lowest-seed out of the opening round.

In addition to the first-round bye, Hershey gets to open the series at GIANT Center.

The Series Schedule

Game 1 – Wednesday, April 30 at 7 PM in Hershey

Game 2 – Friday, May 2 at 7 PM in Hershey

Game 3 – Sunday, May 4 at 5 PM in Allentown

Game 4 – Friday, May 9 at 7:05 PM in Allentown *if necessary

Game 5 – Sunday, May 11 at 5 PM in Hershey *if necessary

Tickets for Hershey’s home games will go on sale tomorrow, April 28, at 10 AM on Ticketmaster.

Hershey beat Allentown in four games in Allentown last year, en route to their 13th Calder Cup. It’s the seventh postseason meeting between the teams, with Hershey leading the playoff series 5-1. In the regular season, the Bears and Phantoms played 10 games, and split for five wins, five losses each.

AHL PLAYOFFS

Atlantic Division Semifinals

(1) Hershey vs. (5) Lehigh Valley

(2) Charlotte vs. (3) Providence

North Division Semifinals

(1) Laval vs. (5) Cleveland

(2) Rochester vs. (3) Syracuse

*Rochester leads series, 2-0

Pacific Division Semifinals

(1) Colorado vs. (6) San Jose

(2) Abbottsford vs. (4) Coachella Valley

Central Division Semifinals

(1) Milwaukee vs. (5) Rockford

(2) Texas vs. (3) Grand Rapids