Hershey Bears Face Wolf Pack in Crucial Division Matchup
HARTFORD, Conn. — The Hershey Bears visit PeoplesBank Arena tonight to face the Hartford Wolf Pack at 6 p.m., seeking their first win of the season against a division rival that has already defeated them twice.
Hershey (26-21-6-2) lost both previous meetings with Hartford this season, both in overtime at home in January. A victory tonight would mark the franchise’s 50th all-time against the Wolf Pack since the team relocated to Connecticut before the 1997-98 season.
The Bears enter Hartford after a 4-1 loss to the Charlotte Checkers on Tuesday, which ended a four-game winning streak. Alex Suzdalev scored Hershey’s lone goal. Hartford is coming off a 6-0 rout of the Bridgeport Islanders on Friday, with Trey Fix-Wolansky recording four points and Spencer Martin earning a 22-save shutout. Hershey Bears
Bongiovanni Debuts, Roster Moves for Both Teams
Hershey’s forward group received a boost this week with the Washington Capitals acquiring Wyatt Bongiovanni from the Ottawa Senators prior to the NHL trade deadline on Friday. Bongiovanni played college hockey at Quinnipiac University alongside former Bears defenseman Chase Priskie and turned pro after the 2021-22 season. He is familiar to Hershey fans, having scored the game-winning goal against them on Feb. 16 while playing for the Belleville Senators. He is expected to produce his Hershey debut tonight. Hershey Bears
Hartford also experienced roster changes. The New York Rangers traded forward Brennan Othmann to the Calgary Flames for junior prospect Jacob Battaglia and sent defenseman Derrick Pouliot to the Chicago Blackhawks for Aidan Thompson. Hershey recently faced Thompson while he was with the Rockford IceHogs.
Leason’s Streak and Playoff Picture
Brett Leason is the player to watch for Hershey tonight. He has been the Bears’ most productive skater against Hartford this season, with three points in two games. Over his career against the Wolf Pack, Leason has seven points in six games. He also enters tonight’s contest on an eight-game point streak, with three goals and eight assists. One more point would tie the season-high nine-game streak set by Andrew Cristall earlier this year. Hershey Bears, theahl.com
With Springfield falling 2-0 to Iowa on Friday, Hershey’s magic number to clinch a 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs spot is 26. Sonny Milano, with six points in his first four games with the club, is expected to be a key contributor in the playoff push.
The Bears have won at least one road game against Hartford every season since 2014-15 and have two more opportunities this year, starting tonight and concluding with an April 4 rematch at PeoplesBank Arena.
Special Teams
HER PP: 18.5% (17th in AHL) | HER PK: 81.6% (17th in AHL)
HFD PP: 16.1% (25th in AHL) | HFD PK: 81.0% (19th in AHL) Hershey Bears
Game Officials
Referees: Harrison O’Pray (82) & Hayden Verbeek (61)
Linespersons: Brent Colby (7) & Jake Herzog (48) Hershey Bears
How to Watch
Today’s game will be broadcast on FOX43.2 Antenna TV. Live coverage from PeoplesBank Arena begins at 6 p.m. Zack Fisch, Todd Sadowski, and Jesse Liebman will provide commentary. Antenna TV can be found on:
- WPMT 43.2 over the air
- Xfinity Ch. 247 and 1178
- Verizon FiOS Ch. 463
- Blue Ridge Ephrata Ch. 91
- Blue Ridge Newberry/Duncannon Ch. 88