Hershey Bears’ Skid Continues Following Loss to Lehigh Valley

The past few weeks have been nothing but frustrating for the Hershey Bears. Hershey has hit a bit of a rough patch in the month of January, and it continued tonight as the Bears fell the the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 5-1. Posting a 1-7-2 record this month, the Bears have seen their nine-point standings lead over the Bridgeport Soundtigers dwindle to just one point.

What is the problem with the Bears?

The Chocolate and White have had some trouble with their defense this during this rough stretch. Prospect Madison Bowey sustained a lacerated tendon during a game against Syracuse on December 28th that will keep him out until April. Now, there have been people very critical of Bowey’s play, but since his injury, the Bears have won just 2 games (12/30 – Bridgeport and 1/14 – Lehigh). Records don’t lie.

I think I found what happened to Madison Bowey. #HBH pic.twitter.com/uqWdluYK06

— Caps Hockey Enjoyer (@SpicyCapsfn) December 29, 2016

Tyler Lewington took a puck off his foot last night against the WBS Penguins which has him listed as “day-to-day” and Colby Williams is out on bereavement leave.

The Bears have signed a few defensemen, Colton Saucerman and Steve Weinstein, to PTOs to try and help with their defensive woes, but the struggle continues. In his post game press conference, Head Coach Troy Mann he made the comment that the bears have an “ECHL defense” right now.

Thoughts are w/Colby Williams & his family. Will be away from team this weekend on personal leave. He'll be back next week.

— Zack Fisch (@zackfisch) January 19, 2017

With the defense being banged up, the Bears need to get more out of their forwards. During their current skid, the Bears have been out scored 47 – 24. The Bears were 4th in the league in goals against heading into 2017, and at the current moment they sit at  24th in the league.

Something needs to change in Hershey to get them back on track. Whether it is a move to pick up a veteran defenseman to help with the Bears woes on the back end, or an offensive spark to get their forwards to produce, they need something.

It’s not a happy time in Chocolatetown as the Bears look to rebound from their tough run in January. Hershey will return to action Wednesday night in Hartford.

Photos From Sunday vs. Lehigh Valley

Captain Garrett Mitchell

Liam O’Brien

Hubert Labrie

Christian Thomas

Steve Weinstein made his Bears debut Sunday Night against Lehigh

Chris Bourque

Travis Boyd

Bears have a discussion with the refs during the first period.

Aaron Ness battles with Danick Martel in front of the Bears net.

Galiev watches his deflection go wide.

Galiev and Lyon collide behind the net.

Mitchell with a chance late on Lyon.

Stepehenson battles with Brennan for position

Weinstein locks up Zengerle

Bears celebrate C. Bourque’s 3rd period goal.

Troy Mann’s Post Game Presser

Highlights