Credit: Tori Hartman

With their backs against the wall, the Hershey Bears failed to answer the call. On May 21, the hopes for a three-peat vanished from the hearts of the Chocolatetown faithful, as the Charlotte Checkers completed the 3-0 series sweep in the Atlantic Division Finals. After dropping the first two games in Charlotte, the Hershey Bears were fighting an uphill battle, as only 14 teams in the history of the Calder Cup Playoffs have managed to overcome a 2-0 series deficit in a best-of-five series.

First Period:

The first period seemed to replicate a shooting gallery, as both teams shot first and asked questions later. The Bears took the first jab at 4:39 into the first period, as Spencer Smallman forced a turnover, and Mike Sgarbossa was able to pounce on the loose rebound. Much to Sgarbossa’s chagrin, Charlotte’s standout goaltender Kappo Kähkönen was able to see the shot all the way into his chest. The Chocolate and White clapped back with another quality scoring opportunity, and this time it was Bogdan Trineyev. At 6:19 into the first period, Trineyev cut through the slot and registered a chance against Kähkönen that was ultimately turned aside. The constant post whistle shenanigans were docked at 7:27 and again at 11:22, as Riley Sutter and Jake Massie were hauled off for roughing and cross checking. These penalties gave the Checkers power play unit an early gift, but the Bears penalty killers were able to answer the bell. The Bears eliminated any potential threat on a 16 second 5-on-3 power play and improved to 2-0 on the penalty kill.

“That was great for us,” said Hershey Bears head coach, Todd Nelson. “Our kill has been great all year, and they got the job done. Obviously, when you go through something like that, it gives your bench a lift.”

Oddly enough, the power play has been the Achilles heel of the Hershey Bears during their playoff run, as they have allowed four shorthanded goals this postseason. At 12:15 into the first period, Tobias Bjornfot was penalized two minutes for interference – giving the Bears a chance to rectify their power play struggles. Yet again, the Bears failed to generate any momentum off their power play opportunity, and the game remained deadlocked at zero a side. 

Then, at 15:23 into the first period, Ben Steeves received a pass in the slot, and ripped one towards the top right corner. Hunter Shepard stood his ground, denying him with a flashy glove save. 

The momentum took a sweet turn in favor of the Chocolate and White at 19:02 into the first period, as Ivan Miroshnichenko won a puck battle along the far side boards. His pass was able to spring free Trineyev who ripped the twine in the final minute of the first period. Trineyev’s fifth goal of the postseason led the team, and Miroshnichenko and Jake Massie picked up the assists.

“If you look at Bogdan’s goal, Charlotte had some opportunities to score on that power play and they didn’t,” said Nelson. “All of a sudden, we come down and score a goal. It gave us a big lift.”

Upon the conclusion of the first period, Hershey’s 14 shots on goal represented their largest output for the opening frame during the 2025 postseason.

Second Period:

Hershey opened the second period with a bang, as Mike Vecchione took advantage of a perfectly executed drop pass from Garret Roe and blasted the biscuit past Kähkönen. Vecchione’s third goal of the postseason allowed Hershey to claim a 2-0 lead and was set up by Roe and Priske. 

Charlotte wouldn’t go away quietly, as Will Lockwood’s first goal of the Calder Cup Playoffs kickstarted the comeback at 3:50 into the second period. This would prove to be the point when the wheels fell off. Charlotte would go on to score two additional unanswered goals from Michael Benning (3) and John Leonard (3). 

“We’re up 2-0, once again we don’t get the puck deep, we turn over the puck, we get stuck in our end, they score,” said Nelson. “I don’t know what we were doing on the 4-on-4 goal against. Then another turnover, and all of a sudden now they’re up 3-2.”

To add further insult to injury, the Bears would be outshot 20-2 by the Checkers in the second period. This differential represented the largest volume of shots against in a single period in the postseason and tying the season-high of the regular season.

Third Period:

Will Lockwood was hungry for more, and was able to satisfy his hankering to extend the lead at 2:27 into the third period. The rout was officially on when Kyle Criscuolo gave the Checkers a 5-2 lead, seemingly evaporating all hope from Giant Center. 

Just when all seemed lost, Miroshnichenko was able to provide a jolt of momentum after going top shelf at 5:54 into the third period. This sudden boost of excitement wouldn’t last for long. 

Ultimately, Rasmus Asplund would deliver the knockout punch after Hershey pulled Shepard for an extra attacker.

This is the third time in franchise history that the Checkers have made the conference finals (2011 and 2019), and tonight’s 6-3 victory marks the third playoff sweep that the Checkers have ever earned. 

Looking Ahead:

A season that held so much promise has officially ended sooner than most fans anticipated. Looking back on yet another historic season, the Bears managed to record the best road record in the AHL (24-6-5-1), captured their second Atlantic Division title and broke an American Hockey League record by winning their ninth consecutive playoff series.

“I love them and it was a hell of a ride to win nine series in a row,” said Nelson. “People have to understand, when you get into the playoffs, it’s tough enough to win a series, tough enough to win one championship. When you win back-to-back, and then you have to come back the third year, and we still clawed our way into first place, but we knew it was a gauntlet getting through this division.”

The Bears will return to Giant Center in October for their 88th AHL season. To purchase season tickets, click here.