By: Joshua Gearhart

Credit: The Hershey Bears

After a 4-1 loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the Hershey Bears fell to 1-2-0-0 on the season against their in-state rival. Prior to puck drop, the Bears inducted five new members into the organization’s Hall of Fame. The tradition dates back to the 2012-13 American Hockey League season, and Chris Bourque, Alexandre Giroux, Boyd Kane, Mike McHugh and William W. “Tiny” Parry joined an elite list of legendary Bears to receive the honor.

“I think it was good for our guys to see what it means to be a Hershey Bear,” coach Derek King said. “Those guys in the round circle sacrificed for years here and won championships, so it was good for our guys to see it, and hopefully they take something from it.”

Additionally, captain Aaron Ness has now skated in 800 career AHL games. Ness has passed former Bear Frank Mathers for sole possession of 16th in league history among defensemen and has tied former Bear Dave Creighton for 44th overall.

“To hear some of these names, it’s pretty special,” Ness said. “There are a lot of unbelievable players who have not only played here but played in this league, and to even be side by side in the record books with some of these guys is very cool. I’m just really blessed to be able to continue playing and continue with this organization.”

Credit: The Hershey Bears

Brett Leason opened the scoring at 11:32 of the first period with his second goal of the season. David Gucciardi (4) and Andrew Cristall (12) had the assists. The Bears took a 1-0 lead into the locker room for the second time this season against the Penguins.

“We kept it simple in the first period; we didn’t turn pucks over,” King said. “We got pucks in deep and were on the forecheck, forcing them to make plays, and they were turning pucks over. We forced them to play a 200-foot game, and then we got away from it at the end of the first.”

Valtteri Puustinen’s third goal of the season tied the game at 17:26 of the second period. Phil Tomasino (7) and Jack St. Ivany (4) had the assists. The second period marked a key turning point, as the Penguins pulled ahead in total shots — a lead they would never relinquish.

“The biggest difference is their forwards are better than our forwards,” King said. “That’s the biggest difference. They have big ‘D’ back there that can move, and they moved the puck, and their goalie made saves, and that’s why they’re in first place. And that’s why we’re not. We have to be better. We can be better, and we show it, but we can’t be inconsistent. That team plays the same way, period after period after period. They don’t change the way they play. We decided we were going to change the way we play, and it’s in the back of our net.”

The Penguins wasted no time extending their lead, as Puustinen scored his second goal of the night just 58 seconds into the third period. The floodgates opened from there, with Gabe Klassen scoring his third of the season and Aidan McDonough sealing Hershey’s fate with his fifth.

“I would like to yank a few players out and get some fresh bodies in, but I don’t have them,” King said. “I have to deal with what I have, and I’ve got to get these guys rested and show them the mistakes being made, and hopefully they wake up and play three periods of hockey the way I know they can.”

Tonight’s Takeaways

• In the last four games, Brett Leason has recorded four points — all of which have come against the Penguins.
  
• Joel Blomqvist was the star of the night, turning aside 27 of 28 shots to earn first-star honors.
  

Looking Ahead:

The Bears return to action tomorrow at 3 p.m. against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. All fans in attendance will receive a 2026 Hersheypark ticket, valid for one-day admission through June 30, 2026. The team will also auction off its 1970s throwback jerseys. Click here to purchase tickets.