12-05-2025
Two-Time Defending Champion Hershey Bears Eliminate Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Advance To Atlantic Division Finals
The Hershey Bears' quest to win three straight Calder Cups remains intact after they defeated the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 4-2 on Sunday, eliminating them in five games to advance to the Atlantic Division Finals.
Hershey will take on the Charlotte Checkers in a best-of-five series with the chance to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Bears were led by Alex Limoges who had one goal and five assists and Bogdan Trineyev who had three goals and four points in the five game series.
2024 AHL Goaltender of the Year Hunter Shepard was back in the net in game five and made 19 saves on 21 shots after the Bears started Clay Stevenson in their game four victory.
Hershey went a dismal 4/29 on the power play in the series and will need to start converting at a higher rate to beat the Checkers.
On to the next
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) May 11, 2025
Despite the tough loss there is lots to look forward to if you are a Lehigh Valley/Philadelphia Flyers fan. Youngsters Alex Bump and Jett Luchanko looked dynamic in their first stretch of professional hockey, finishing with two and six points respectively.
Anthony Richard and Emil Andrae stood out in the series against Hershey, Richard finishes the playoffs with seven points in seven games while Andrae recorded six assists in seven games.
Phantoms starting goaltender Parker Gahagen was having a solid playoff showing before suffering an injury in game three, veteran Cal Petersen started games four and five.
Game one of the Atlantic Division Finals gets underway Friday May 16 in Charlotte.
Checkout The Hockey News' Washington Capitals site for more updates on Hershey.
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