Rematch for Calder!
The Hershey Bears, the Eastern Conference Champions of the AHL, and the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Western Conference Champions, are set to go head-to-head in the Calder Cup Final for the second consecutive year. In 2023, the Hershey Bears defeated the Firebirds in 7 games, and the Firebirds are seeking vengeance from last year’s series. Recently, the Coachella Valley Firebirds won the Western Conference Final in 5 games against the Milwaukee Admirals, while the Hershey Bears are coming off a tough 7-game series win against the Cleveland Monsters. The Bears initially held a 3-0 series lead in the ECF, but the Monsters made a comeback, forcing a Game 7 in Hershey, PA, which even went to overtime, with Garret Roe scoring the winning goal.
Earlier this week, the Firebirds traveled to Hershey, PA to scout the Eastern Conference Final and adjust to the time zone. They did not expect that series to go as long as it did, so it was fortunate for them not to have to fly back to California after acclimating to the Eastern time zone. The Bears, on the other hand, are at a disadvantage after their long and grueling 7-game series that ended Wednesday night, while the Firebirds won in 5 games and have had more rest. However, the Bears are sure to give their best effort and will benefit from their enthusiastic home crowd in Game 1 on Friday night. This series is a must-watch for hockey fans as the Firebirds aim to take revenge on the Bears, while the Bears strive for back-to-back Calder Cup Championships.
Series Schedule:
Where to Watch (Audio/TV):
Coachella Valley Audio: 106.9 The Eagle | Listen | AlphaMediaPlayer.com
Hershey Audio: ♫ Fox Sports 1460 | Harrisburg – All Sports. All the Time. (iheart.com)
NHL Network (Game 1-2, 4-5, 7)
FOX 43 (Games 3-4 Locally – Hershey, PA)
FOX43.2 Antenna TV (Games 1-2, 5-7, locally – Hershey, PA)
Monumental Sports Network (Washington, D.C. market)
AHL TV
Coachella Valley TV Schedule:
Players to Watch (Hershey):
Hunter Shepard (Goalie): 10-4 Record, 31 GA, 2.16 GAA, 0.920 Save 5 – 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs
Hendrix Lapierre (Forward): 4 Goals, 11 Assists (15 Points) – 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs
Chase Priskie (Defenseman): 2 Goals, 10 Assists (12 Points) – 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs
3 D-Men Out for Hershey
Defenseman Colin Swoyer Called Up!
Players to Watch (Coachella Valley):
Chris Driedger (Goalie): 10-2 Record, 28 GA, 2.31 GAA, 0.927 Save % – 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs
Devin Shore (Forward): 5 Goals, 6 Assists (11 Points) – 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs
Cale Fleury (Defenseman): 4 Goals, 6 Assists (10 Points) – 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs
