Two Wins and Three Milestones For Hershey Bears

Scott PayonkNovember 26, 2016

35 1 minute read

For the second night in a row the Hershey Bears faced the Springfield Thunderbirds. The Bears won 5-2 Friday night in Springfield and wanted to sweep the weekend when they met the Thunderbirds again Saturday at Giant Center.

Vitek Vanecek got the start for the Bears this evening, while Springfield started Reto Berra. After only playing 7:55, facing four shots and letting two in, Berra’s night was done. Mike McKenna came replaced Berra after Chandler Stephenson made it 2-0.

Vanecek getting set for the beginning of the third period.

Vanecek stopped 19 of 21 shots he faced tonight. The Bears were able to hold off a late comeback by the Thunderbirds to take the game 4-3.

Not only did the Chocolate and White complete the 3 for 3 sweep of the week, but there were three milestones the team also celebrated.

Chris Bourque played in his 600th AHL game Friday night in Springfield. Bourque was drafted by the Capitals 33rd overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Chris Bourque played in his 600th AHL game Friday night against Springfield.

Congratulations to Hershey forward @cbourque17! He is skating in his 600th career AHL game tonight at Springfield. pic.twitter.com/s12MxUDqMW

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) November 25, 2016

Tonight, Bears Captain Garrett Mitchell played in his 300th AHL game. All of his AHL games have been with Hershey. Mitchell was drafted by the Capitals in the sixth round 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Mitchell was named Captain of the Bears at the beginning of last season.

Captain Garrett Mitchell plays in his 300th NHL game Saturday night. — Captain Garrett Mitchell plays in his 300th AHL game Saturday night.

Congrats to our captain, @Mitchy1_0, on skating in his 300th @TheAHL game tonight! #DefendTheDen pic.twitter.com/aIEYhE2lVM

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) November 26, 2016

If celebrating these two milestones wasn’t enough, Head Coach Troy Mann hit the 100 wins mark tonight with the win over Springfield. Mann took over the helm as head coach in July of 2014.

Well deserved! Congrats to Troy. Huge week for the Bears. #DefendTheDen https://t.co/9gWUf81WHy

— Zack Fisch (@zackfisch) November 27, 2016

Congrats to Troy Mann on his 100th victory with Hershey! He is the 11th Hershey coach to accomplish this honor. #DefendTheDen pic.twitter.com/XH2pn7igNR

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) November 27, 2016

Overall it was not a bad week for the Chocolate and White. The Bears will look to continue racking up the points as they head to Lehigh Valley next Friday.