14
June
2024
|
16:02 PM
America/New_York

Hershey Bears to Defend Calder Cup Championship

Historic Hockey Club Seeks 13th AHL Championship Title

For the 25th time in franchise history, the Hershey Bears have advanced to the Calder Cup Finals! The best-of-seven series starts on Friday, June 14, against the Coachella Valley Firebirds, in a rematch of last year’s championship round for the American Hockey League's (AHL) top trophy. The Bears earned  home ice advantage for the start of the series by finishing the regular season at the top of the league standings. Hershey looks to repeat last season's outcome by winning the team's 13th Calder Cup Championship. 

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Hershey faced the Cleveland Monsters in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Bears won the series in overtime of Game 7 to secure the team's seventh Richard F. Canning Trophy since 1998. The 2023-24 campaign has been one for the record books. The team ended its 86th regular season with a record of 53-14-0-5, finishing first in the league standings for the ninth time in franchise history. The club's .771 points percentage established a new franchise record, surpassing the previous mark set by the legendary 2009-10 team (.769) that went on to win the Calder Cup that spring, and Hershey's 53 wins in the regular season surpassed the league record of 51 victories in a 72-game schedule.

The complete Calder Cup Finals schedule is as follows:

  • Game 1 - Friday, June 14 vs. Coachella Valley, GIANT Center, 7 p.m. 
  • Game 2 - Sunday, June 16 vs. Coachella Valley, GIANT Center, 5 p.m.
  • Game 3 - Tuesday, June 18 at Coachella Valley, Acrisure Arena, 10 p.m.
  • Game 4 - Thursday, June 20 at Coachella Valley, Acrisure Arena, 10 p.m.
  • *Game 5 - Saturday, June 22 at Coachella Valley, Acrisure Arena, 9 p.m.
  • *Game 6 - Monday, June 24 vs. Coachella Valley, GIANT Center, 7 p.m.
    *Game 7 - Wednesday, June 26 vs. Coachella Valley, GIANT Center, 7 p.m.

*If Necessary. All times are Eastern.  

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For the first game of the championship series, the Bears donated over 250 tickets to local organizations as part of the team's Hershey Bears Cares community initiative. Throughout this season, the team engaged with dozens of local groups, spending time with sick children, families in need and area school kids. Players participated in over 25 community-focused events during the 2023-24 regular season, and love giving back to the best fans in the AHL! 

Visit HersheyBears.com  for tickets, merchandise and information about the team. 

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The Hershey Bears have been proud members of the American Hockey League since the 1938-39 season, making them the longest-continuously operating member club of the league still playing in its original city. The Bears have won the Calder Cup 12 times, the most of any AHL franchise. The Bears are the AHL affiliate of the 2018 Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and are affiliated with the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL. 

Since 2018, the Hershey Bears Cares℠ charitable initiative has been the platform to highlight the organization’s community outreach and engagement. In a typical season, our players, coaches and staff members participate in dozens of meaningful events and appearances. It is a way for the team to thank the best fans in the league and give back to the community.