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Hershey Bears Open Conference Finals With 5-1 Loss

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Rochester Americans goalie Malcolm Subban makes a stop against the Hershey Bears in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. (Tori Hartman/Hershey Bears)
Rochester Americans goalie Malcolm Subban makes a stop against the Hershey Bears in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. (Tori Hartman/Hershey Bears)

It was the Hershey Bears’ worst showing in all of the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs.

Two first-period goals by the Rochester Americans quickly left the Bears in the rearview mirror, and no meaningful response culminated in a 5-1 loss — giving Rochester a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Final.

The Bears matched the Americans’ shots on goal in the first period, but were unable to get a shot past goalie Malcolm Subban. Rochester added two more goals in the second period, forcing Hershey goalie Hunter Shepard to the bench.

In the third period, Hershey defenseman Aaron Ness tallied his first-career playoff goal — a forehand wrister that did little to affect Rochester.

The Americans added an empty-net goal with one minute left, cementing the 5-1 victory.

Bears Highlights

Up Next

The Bears return to the ice on Thursday, hosting the Americans in Game 2. Puckdrop is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Jared Serre covers the Washington Capitals for Washington Hockey Now. He is a graduate of West Virginia University.