Hershey Bears are facing elimination after 4-2 Game 3 loss to Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Photo credit: Stars and sticks
The two-time defending Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears find themselves in an unexpected position after losing 4-2 to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in Game 3 of the Atlantic Division Semifinals.
The Bears now trail the best-of-five series 2-1 and face elimination for the first time since June 2024.
«Well right now it's do or die,» Bears head coach Todd Nelson said. «We have to come back and try to get a win Friday.»
Hershey's special teams continue to struggle by surrendering their third shorthanded goal in two games and this time, Jacob Gaucher capitalized after a puck redirected off an official and wasgiving Lehigh Valley the early lead.
Despite the rocky start, the Bears responded quickly in the second period and Andrew Perrott, in for the injured Nicky Leiverman scored his first AHL playoff goal on a point shot.
Just 1:24 later, Ivan Miroshnichenko added his first of the postseason with a wrist shot through traffic to make it 2-1 and then the momentum turned.
However, after Lehigh Valley Phantoms goalie Parker Gahagen left the game with an injury, the backup Cal Petersen stepped in and stopped all 15 shots he faced.
A controversial penalty on Pierrick Dubé led to a Garrett Wilson power-play goal which was followed by the game-winner from Nikita Grebenki who scored off a bounce off the end boards.
Olle Lycksell added insurance late in the third.
«They're playing smart, they're playing strong. You know, their top guys are getting it done,» Nelson said of Lehigh Valley. «Our guys aren't. You know, so internally for us, we've got to dig deep. I don't think everybody in that locker room right now is giving us 110 percent. I don't. We'll address that. And there'll be changes made for the next game.»
Game 4 is set for Friday at PPL Center, with the Hershey Bears needing a win to force Game 5 on Sunday at Giant Center.
| POLL | ||
MAI 5 | 34 ANSWERS Hershey Bears are facing elimination after 4-2 Game 3 loss to Lehigh Valley Phantoms Do you think the Hershey Bears can come back in the series against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms | ||
| Yes | 25 | 73.5 % |
| No | 9 | 26.5 % |
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