OT Heartbreak: Hershey Bears beat Coachella Valley Firebirds to win Calder Cup championship
The Hershey Bears defeated the Coachella Valley Firebirds in OT to win the Calder Cup championship for the second year in a row.
The Bears beat the Firebirds 5-4 in overtime in a very back-and-forth game.
Hershey Bears defeat Firebirds 5-4 in overtime. Bears are are back to back Calder Cup champions. Wow. @KESQ pic.twitter.com/7uzKc9AStz
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) June 25, 2024
The Firebirds struck first, early in the 1st period.
let's go winny!!! pic.twitter.com/edvbVF0AFK
— y - Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) June 24, 2024
But the Bears came back soon after, scoring two goals in the 1st period to take the lead.
Perfectly-placed shot from Dubes!
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) June 24, 2024
🍎Lapierre
🍏Snively https://t.co/aLaNNFbAfL pic.twitter.com/iqY89BeFF1
The hand is quicker than the eye on Lappy's redirect for his seventh of the playoffs! 🪄
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) June 24, 2024
🍎Priskie https://t.co/7OUMs6jlrF pic.twitter.com/8z3uM1mLMV
The Firebirds tied the game up early in the 2nd period.
TIED GAME 2-2 pic.twitter.com/Ltx36hg044
— y - Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) June 25, 2024
Coachella Valley took the lead a few minutes later. Ryan Winterton scored his second goal of the game to the Firebirds up 3-2.
THAT'S 2 FOR WINTS!! pic.twitter.com/qaYroTOZ1K
— y - Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) June 25, 2024
Hershey tied it up again not too long after.
Make that two for Dubes!
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) June 25, 2024
🍎Limoges
🍏Huntington pic.twitter.com/Vjv9Z7oYkc
Hershey took the lead in the middle of the 3rd period in a hat trick for Pierrick Dubé.
What a sight, Dubes 🎩🎩🎩
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) June 25, 2024
🍎Limoges https://t.co/WB1oCuLkMW pic.twitter.com/uSoUdgRF5d
With a few minutes left in their season, the Firebirds managed to tie it up. The goal sent the game to overtime.
4-4!! pic.twitter.com/8S5Zo05Jul
— y - Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) June 25, 2024
But in overtime, the Bears closed out the series, scoring a few minutes into overtime.
ROAR = REPEATED pic.twitter.com/DXeQojF74J
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) June 25, 2024
Watch News Channel 3 at 10 and 11 p.m. for complete post-game coverage.
News Channel 3 Sports Director Blake Arthur is out in Hershey to bring you complete coverage of the game. Watch for his updates throughout our newscasts, as well as social media.
Have I mentioned how loud it is here in Hershey? @KESQ pic.twitter.com/p5s68PvvLT
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) June 25, 2024
Firebirds' season is on the line tonight with a must-win Game 6 in Hershey against the defending Calder Cup champion Bears. The Cup will be in the house and so will I! See you at Giant Center later tonight. @KESQ pic.twitter.com/HvoJdTxb59
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) June 24, 2024
BA back in Central PA! Let's go! @KESQ pic.twitter.com/xSKH0S6tYD
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) June 24, 2024
Series Recap
The Bears took Game 5 at Acrisure Arena, beating the Firebirds 3-2. The Firebirds were up most of the game, but the Bears rallied in the 3rd period to steal the game on the road.
It was a similar scoreline in Game 4. The Bears beat the Firebirds 3-2 at Acrisure Arena to tie the series.
The Firebirds were absolutely dominant in Game 3, beating the Bears 6-2. Coachella Valley set a franchise record for most shots on a goal in a single period. Captain Max McCormick capped off an amazing night with a hat trick, the first in a Calder Cup Finals since 2009.
In Game 2, the Bears dominated, coming out on top 5-2.
The Firebirds took Game 1 in a close affair, coming out ahead 4-3 in Hershey.
