Washington Capitals And More...

Good run Caps...

Holtby - you really shined these playoff series.

Go get em next season!

Who wants to go to Jersey anyway...

Seriously....

Also I want to congratulate new fathers

Keith Aucoin 

Chris Bourque

Braden Holtby

and

Happy Mother's Day to all 3 of the new moms

and to all moms out there, especially my own Mother!

Signing off now for the summer...

one more thing

The WBS Pens have a long plane ride home tonight in more ways than one...(trust me, I did a happy dance...if you know me, you know I am not a Penguins fan)

Way to go Ice Caps

but

I still think Oklahoma City Barons are going to take it....

TTFN

(ta ta for now)

So ends another season of the Hershey Bears. I must say that this first round of playoffs was very exciting and sadly, the Bears did not make it, but overall, it was fun and I thank you Hershey Bears for providing yet another year of entertainment for the Mr and me.

I have not been a good blogger lately (I think I have said this the last couple posts), this has been a whirlwind year once again for our family. My Marine son was deployed a month ago overseas, my granddaughter turned one, we are preparing for a family cruise to Bermuda, my work has given me a full workload and in my spare time, I started selling Avon, making crafts for upcoming craft shows, my gardening and re landscaping of the outside of the house - myself ( and with the Mr's help).....so yes, I have had a lot on my mind other the Hershey Bears, but trust me, my spirit has been there as well as I think I only missed 2 home games the entire season.

The Mr and I attended last nights game at the Mohegan Sun Arena. The game was exciting and I really thought we had a shot, but, the baby pens scored those two goals within seconds of each other which really caught me off guard. However, I did suspect this would be a close game with only one goal being the winning factor.
Before I sign off this blog for the summer, there are two things I want to say...

#1 - I do not think I will ever return to the Mohegan Sun Arena. That is all I will say about this. Sorry, Bears, but this fan will be cheering you from home when you play up the road on I-81.

#2 - My prediction for the Calder Cup 2012 will be - Oklahoma City.

Have a great summer and thanks again Hershey Bears!

My Thoughts...

As the guilt sets in on my Chocolate and White blogging, or should I say....not blogging....I do have some thoughts about the wrap up of the season. There are 3 more games left in the regular season, and no matter what the outcome, the Hershey Bears have overcome many obstacles.
With the comings and goings, injuries, bad ref calls, and with what looks like to me a totally different team than the beginning of the season, the Chocolate and White are doing well, in my opinion. We may have lost the last several games, but in the end, we are not dead last and have clinched a playoff spot. Some teams cannot say that as of yet.
Usually I am on top of who the players are (the new ones), but here of late, I have difficulty remembering or keeping up with...who is that new guy? Where did he come from?

The latest comings and goings and injured players - just to note, comments made are just my opinion.

• Keith Aucoin being recalled to the Capitals. - This, in my opinion, was a big hit to the Bears. I sometimes felt that Bourque looked lost out there without him. To Bourques credit though, he is the Number 1 in points currently sitting at 92. So I guess he found his groove without Aucoin after all! 
• Cody Eakin - he comes, he goes (to the Caps). He is an asset to the Bears and I sure do miss him when he is not here for the shoot outs! 
• Braden Holtby - another one that goes up to the Caps where he is at currently. I have mixed emotions about him. I also have a feeling he may not be our goalie next season. The Caps may keep him for next season? 
• Dany Sabaourin - He is, in my opinion, a fantastic goalie for the Bears, we just need to step up on the defense and help him out! Too many times it seems he has been left out there by himself with no help. Now he is back up with the Capitals....will he be here for the playoffs??? 
• The injured players - Mikflikier, Hanson, Mink, 3 key players, I think that we really need. Hopefully most can return for the playoffs. I will say, that these 3 are at the top of my favorite players list...

My other favorite players (currently on the roster)

• Kevin Marshall - I call him Ringo as I think he looks like Ringo Starr...I love his enthusiasm, his spunk and yes he does have attitude. I heard he had a little pushy shovey match with Mann and has sat out the remainder of one game and did not play Sundays game. Naughty naughty....I still like him. ( You may notice a theme to the players I like - they are rebels...I guess I like the bad boy type)
• Joel Rechlicz - who doesn't like the Recker? A lean mean fighting machine on ice and a sweet as a puppy dog off the ice. I have a personal goal of having my picture taken with him with our dukes up like we are going to have a brawl....but enough of my fantasies...
• Andrew Carroll - a fighter and a great player! I think he has really improved his game since he has been with the Bears. I like having an enforcer that can also get points. 
• Mike Carman - I just like him...he can be a bit of a rebel as well.
• Ryan Potulny - He is just a great player and we sure got a great deal with him. He may be my #1 favorite player on this team. 
• Tomas Kundratek - was so glad to get a player that adds to the defense as well as can score some goals! He was also a good trade if you ask me! 
• Garrett Mitchell - this guy has really improved his game and I have been cheering for him all the way. I love how he comes out to the players bench before each game and wraps his stick. I sit there an watch him...no I am not a stalker....just wondering what he is thinking and how he is preparing for the game....

Players I have not mentioned - like Bourque - well most everyone loves him...he is very good, but I get a little panicky when he does some of the moves I call his fancy moves....it doesn't always work for him....but he is the number one in points! So...

Then there is Captain, please stay out of the penalty box, Kane...the Mr and I like to have bets if Boyd will be first in the box... just something I have noticed this year...so far he has 139 PIM this year. Is that a lot for the captain? Does it matter?

Patrick McNeill - I like him on defense and he is a great player and asset to the team. 

Sean Collins, Zack Miskovic and DJ King - in my section, where I sit, there are mixed emotions about these three guys. I will say this...I like all of them. I think King adds to the new players out there and can give them many pointers. Collins and Miskovic both give the Bears the needed defense, but sometimes they seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time...but what do I know...stick a pair of ice skates on me and hockey stick in my hand and I will just fall on my behind. 

There are many players left, but I just do not know enough about them to really comment. Most are new and I do see that they try to hustle out there, but sometimes it just isn't enough. 

 In reality, I love all the players. Being out there with all the challenges here of late, this team can pull it together if they  follow the keys to the game. Will we make it past the first round this year? Time will tell and the team that wants it more will win. 

No matter what, the Hershey Bears will always be number one to me.

I also want to say, thank you for those that read this blog. I am not a cracker jack reporter and in no means a hockey know it all. I am still learning the penalties, still learning the game, the plays and even the pairings. I write this blog as entertainment for myself and my family. So keep that in mind when you read my nonsense and think to yourself...she doesn't know what she is talking about.....she knows nothing about real hockey.....When this season is over, I am going to the blogger to book form of this past Hershey Bears 2011-2012 year and have it printed for a family coffee table book and a keepsake for future generations of things their grandparents loved to do. I have several blogs about my hobbies and plan to do the same for the other two (gardening and crafting) on an annual basis.  I would have loved for my parents and grandparents to have had something like this to remember them by. 

Thanks again and GO BEARS! 

The Chocolate and White is Back On Track....

How about that Mitchell!!!!

Yes I am a bad blogger here of late. I haven't posted on this blog for a MONTH! Hey, life happens. Full time job, My Marine left today for his deployment, the garden had three wheelbarrows worth of weeds, and hey, I have been so busy, I haven't even seen my granddaughter for about 3 weeks!!!
Now that all excuses from under the sun have been made....back to The Chocolate and White....

I will start with this past weekend....
Bears vs Checkers and boy were those two games filled with craziness!!! I loved it! It was pure sweetness winning both of those games and now, Hershey currently sits at 6 straight wins and 84 points (1 point behind WBS).

Saturday's game was filled with hard hits and I think a little revenge on last years game where the Checkers took them out of the playoffs on that fateful Easter Sunday.
The game started with The Checkers scoring almost right off the stick. There would be no more scoring until the third period, but plenty of penalties! I don't know about you, but I thought Timmy the referee left me with a bad taste in my mouth...I know, I know, the players need to overcome that and a good team would not let bad officiating determine the outcome of the game....but good Lord....Timmy sort of sucked and I hope it is a while (like never) that we see the likes of him again. He even had Doug Yingst standing up in his seat looking a little miffed at a certain call....enough about that.
The third period finally brought some action and I don't know about you, but watching the replay of Charlotte's player, Blanchard, falling to the ice like that with his eyes, what seemed to be glazed over....wow. It was a clean hit though (by Kundratek) and thankfully all are okay.
Eakin and Kundratek both scored with Tomas having the winning goal which made the score 2-1 - Hershey.
I can't leave out Dany Sabourin.....he is on FIRE!

One last thing about Saturday's game - a big announcement was made - ON January 20, 2013, the Hershey Bears will host The The Capital Blue Cross Outdoor Classic Game. How exciting is that!!!!

Sunday's game was a bit more intensified, I think. Both teams played like they really wanted it and it made for an exciting game. The Checkers scored the first two goals in the second period, but Hershey answered back in the third with Potulny and Eakin tying up the game that lead to OT. That lead to a shoot out and boy oh boy it was a nail biter.
Mitchell getting it past Peters gave the Bears their 6th win in row. Eakin and Kane both scored in the shoot out as well. Final score 3-2 - Hershey.

To wrap up this post, now that life is back in order - sort of - I can get back to blogging about my favorite AHL hockey team - the Hershey Bears!!!! After all, the playoffs are coming and things are looking up for the Bears!

GO BEARS!!!!

Bears Can't Seem To Catch A Break This Week!

This post is going to be short and sweet - well maybe sour as it was not a good week for the Bears....

Last Wednesday's game against the Amerks was well....not a good one for the Bears - they lost 5-2. Matt Pope and Graham Mink (pp) were the lone scorers for Hershey, Holtby in goal and that is that....move on....

Thursdays game against the Monsters was another loss. At least this was a close one, but a loss nonetheless. Potulny, Kane and Kundratek were the net finders, Sabourin in goal, but Lake Erie had one goal on them and game over...

Saturday night's game - oh boy....the Admirals not only saluted the Bears, but sunk them deeper into third place. Pope, Bourque and Greentree all found their pucks in the net, but the loss was close - 4-3. Holtby seemed to me to struggle with this game as one goal for Norfolk was all but an empty net when Braden was caught behind the net....

So that is that - the Bears currently sit in third in the East Division with 67 points. WBS is second with 71 and Norfolk is at 75. 

Just to note, my Marine son is home on his 10 day pre deployment leave and my updates for the upcoming weekend will be brief as well as I am not sure what games I will be seeing as I want to have a family gathering for him over the weekend and we play two home games. Of course my priorities are my son and hopefully the Bears make a come back and end the losing streak. We left the Norfolk game early as that is when my son arrived home and I was very anxious to see him as this will be the last I see him until probably Thanksgiving time when he returns....

So this post and the next post that more than likely will be abbreviated, is not because they are losing....it is because my baby boy is home preparing to go off to God knows where and do God knows what.....he is an Infantry Marine and this whole thing is bittersweet for me - I am so proud of him, but on the other hand, scared out of my mind as to his safety and well being. Too much turmoil is happening in the world right now....

Sorry, more information than you may care to know as you come to read about the Bears.....just sharing, so I will stop babbling and say this....

GO BEARS!!!!

Weekend Recap

All three games this past weekend were away and I watched two of them.
Friday nights game against Providence was, well, not too good for the Bears. No goals for the Bears, 6 for the Bruins. Sabourin started in goal and played for about half the game, but was replaced by Holtby to finish. Both goaltenders had 3 goals slip by them. What more is there to say. I was taught, when I fall down, get right up, brush my knees off and keep going. The game is not won or loss by the goaltenders, it by the whole team.

Onto Saturday's game against Manchester Monarchs. This is the game I missed and this is the game that was won. Thanks to the Hershey Bears android app, I was able to follow the game off and on while the Mr and I were out. Apparently I missed an almost goal by Rechlicz, a fight with Rechlicz, a fight with Carroll and Potulny's 2 goals. The final score was 2-1. A much needed win for the Bears.

Sunday's game against the Sound Tigers went to a shoot out. I want to note that I started watching the game on AHLlive and while watching, the Mr was channel surfing on the tv. It turned out that our local cable company had it on their channel 11! We did not know that as that was not one of the channels listed that it would be aired. So we were pleasantly surprised and were able to watch the remainder of the game on the bigger screen! AWESOME!
The final score was 2-1 with Bourque (pp) as the one that did manage to find the back of the net past Nilsson. Speaking of Nilsson - that guy is friggin HUGE! I am surprised anyone gets a goal past him as he takes up the whole net! GEEZ! With all of that said, the Bears did get 3 out of a possible 6 points for the weekend. Better than none, but would have liked more....wouldn't we all.

This week holds two more road games - Wednesday against Rochester and Thursday against Lake Erie.
The points for the East Division are as stands today - Norfolk and WBS both at 69 (each have one more game in hand than Hershey) and Hershey at 67.

Go get em Bears! You can win these next two games and come back to beat Norfolk Saturday night!

GO BEARS!

5 Out Of 6 Points For The Weekend - Not Too Shabby

Friday night's game against Syracuse was fun to watch, especially seeing Andrew Gordon wearing his # 10 jersey (even though it was a Crunch sweater). Cody Eakin and Garrett Mitchell were 2 of the stars of the game with a goal each. Final score - 2-1.

Sadly, we missed Saturday's game against Worcester, as the Mr and I had to attend a 100th anniversary firemans banquet and did not see a bit of the game. The game was a loss in a shoot out, but it sounded like a good one where the Bears continued to play a full 60 minutes of hockey. 3-2 was the final score, BUT, Hershey did get a point for the game.

Now.....the BIG GAME! What a game it was! Probably one of the "sweetest" games ever. (Even though someone in the fan sections yelled out "BORING" at one point) Watching the Bears shut down those pesky penguins and win 5-1! (I personally think it should have been 6-1 if you look at Sweetest Hockey on Earth's photo of the goal that should have been)
Ryan Potulny and Jacob Micflikier (2 pp) were the big stars of the game as they had 2 goals each and throw in Garrett Mitchell's goal...you got 5!
Holtby (34 out of 35 saves)AND the defense were pretty amazing tonight and if they keep that up, they just may have a shot at the CUP.
Actually, the entire team was pretty awesome and played another 60 minutes of hockey. The one point of the game where I was a little nervous was during the 2nd period when DeFazio started beating the crap out of Kundratek and got many infractions, one being a 7 minute pp for the Bears and then Rust (WBS) shot a puck out to the fans and got a delay of game giving a 5 on 3 for 2 minutes and the Bears just did not capitalize on any of that. I was hoping they weren't running out of steam already and give up those 3 points in the lead....(remember the last time they were 3-0 and ended up losing 4-3?) They rallied back and managed to score 2 more by the games end.
All in all, this game ROCKED and I believe this team has is getting their groove with all the player comings and goings and has a real shot at making it all the way to the cup. All of the line pairings last night seemed to click for the most part and it was an enjoyable game.
Lastly, how about that WAVE action happening in the stands! I wish I would have had it on video....Hershey has the BEST fans.
The standings are now WBS 65, Hershey 64 and Norfolk 63....tight...
Please enjoy some of the photos I took during the game last night against WBS - I believe if you click on them it will make them larger - if you are interested...

Kisses 

Potulny Goal #1

Micflikier Goal #1

Can You Feel The Love Tonight 

Wellar always ready for a good fight

I believe this was the save of the game?

DeFazio taking his frustrations out on Kundratek - Wellar is pointing this out as the game was still going on.

Hit the showers hot head....

7 minute PP - (well I took it at 6:41 - but sweet nonetheless)

Final goal of the game - Potulny #2

Weekend Update - Losing Streak Ends...

The weekend started off with the Bears vs the Penguins at WBS. Bears fans everywhere I would think were excited to see the first two periods start off with the Bears leading 3-0. Mitchell (1st), Hanson and Kundratek (2nd) were our net finders and I must say I was ECSTATIC! -Side note - Mr H had a grueling day and headed off to bed a this point, while I sat on my comfy chair thinking to myself....this game is gonna ROCK! -
To fast forward a bit - Mr H said when I came to bed and just flopped in, he asked...what's wrong? I said - they blew it in the third and we lost 4-3.
The first 5 minutes of the third period, WBS scored bing, bang, BOOM! Holtby is then replaced by Sabourin and late in the third, the Pens scored the winning goal and that was that. GAME OVER.

To be honest, at this point, I was tired of the blame game - blame the goalie, blame the defense, blame the coaching....I have come to the conclusion that this is a team but the team is only as strong as their weakest link....but who or what is that weakest link? I am sure many can name a few, but there are times that some of these "weaker links" can really shine...so, I am just going to be loyal to the entire team and say....move on, learn not only from mistakes, but also from what really worked. We have a lot of talent on this team and after all, we are still close to the top of division and the Bears are not the only ones that have their struggles.

Moving on - Saturday's game against the Whale - another loss where the team could not rally back after the previous nights loss. Eakin was the lone scorer for the Bears. The game ended 4-1.
On another note, newcomer to the Bears, Kevin Marshall, took a puck to the teeth and from what I hear lost a few chicklets. Welcome to the team, Marshall!
Also, is it just me or did it seem like the Bourque brothers don't acknowledge each other on the ice....I had to chuckle as a few times they would pass each other at warm ups or just on the ice and neither looked at the other. Bouchard did go up and give a tap on the senior Bourque brother to say hello, but that was it. I also heard that Bouchard was almost a scratch for that game, but was left in because of being in his old barn??? Or something like that. Glad to see him there for the short amount of time he was on the ice and I also heard (boy I am a rumor mill), that he hurt his wrist during the game??

Sunday the Bears finally stopped that losing streak and beat the baby pens in a shoot out - 4-3.
In the first period, WBS scored first, almost right off the bat (a shorthanded goal at that)- about 3 minutes into the game, but about a minute later, COLLINS scored and it was be - u - t - ful! About another minute later Bourque scores and Hershey has the lead 2-1. Not too long after that, WBS scores and we are at a tie game.
On a power play for the Penguins, they score taking the lead during the second period.
The third period, new teammate, Mike Carman,(I love how he flew into the glass after he scored) scores the tying it up and we go into overtime and later the shoot out.
Eakin and Potulny both score on Monroe, with the baby pens only having one and the Bears end that streak of not only losing, but losing to the WBS Penguins at the Giant Center!!!
I truly enjoyed this game, not only because we won, but mainly because it was a game of hustle and speed on both teams. They both really wanted the win, and I expect a close game between these two rivals as they are both good teams. Take that for what it is worth as I am not a Penguin fan in any way, shape or form....as a matter of fact I am not a fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates or any team affiliated with Pittsburgh, but that is another story for another day.

Also to note, Marshall was back on the ice after the previous night's of losing some teeth - what a trooper! His hustle and skill on the ice is what I like and also with Carman, I think these two newly acquired Bears are going to be awesome!

Please enjoy some of the pictures I took during both home games....

"Stalking Holtby" - he caught me...

Recker all by his lonesome during the WBS game - wasn't for long though when he was
"discovered" sitting up there...

The Bourque boys

Bourque and Bouchard

Newly acquired Bear - Kevin Marshall - I think he looks like
Ringo Starr....but that is just me

Trouble between the Penguins and Bears? Go figure...

Can you feel the love tonight.....

I do like Micflikier

Marshall and Bortuzzo 

To end the picture show.....I could not resist - sorry dude - but WOW!

I was sad they didn't play the YMCA tonight for this guy....he would have totally rocked it!

A Whole Lot Of Crazy Happening This Week

It's like a revolving door at the Hershey Bears locker room. They come and stay for a bit, then leave - some return, others don't come back (unless on the opposing team)....
So, let's see what has happened this week....

• Recker and Eakin up with the Caps - Eakin has since returned - Wrecker - hopefully back soon
• Matt Ford and Danny Richmond both traded - Ford was traded to Aiderondack for D man Kevin Marshall. Richmond was traded to Lake Erie for C man Mike Carman
• Keith Aucoin was called up to the Caps! 

Did I miss anything? I probably did....my head needs to wrap around all of this for now.....

So tonight's game with WBS will be minus Aucoin, Recker and Richmond and Ford - add on Marshall and Carman and Eakin has returned. 

Saturday's game will be weird (weird for me) as well against the Whale - Bouchard will be on the opposing team...

I will tell you the game I am really looking forward to is March 4th against Springfield - Joudry, Amadio and Giroux - that is if they are still playing for the team - with all the trading and call ups that happen - who knows - but - I loved Amadio when he was with the bears - to me, he was like the Recker - so my thought is - what if Amadio and Recker have a little brawl - I will have to contain myself from flying down to the glass and ...... let's just leave it at that.....

Rechlicz Called Up To The Caps

You can read the story here. My first reaction was WHAT? What does this mean - signed and entry level contract and was called up to the Capitals... Does this mean he will play for the Caps now and not Hershey? I am very ignorant on these terms and not sure what it means. Will he ever come back down and play? Is he a Washington Capital now? For good? I know this is so very selfish of me and I am truly happy for him...but he will be missed. 

Oh yes and Cody Eakin was recalled as well today.

No offense Cody, as I have become used to your comings and goings and prefer you to be a Bear, but we can't have it all as Hershey fans and I figured from the beginning you would be called to the NHL level. 

Well, Good Luck Joel! 

* Edited to add - thank you to GM for responding in the comments below. I appreciate you taking the time to explain it to me and now I get it.
Thanks again!!!!