Last night, the Hershey Bears conquered the Coachella Valley Firebirds in a 5-4 overtime victory in Game 6, securing their back-to-back Calder Cup championship and their 13th overall.
This achievement, clinching the win against the Firebirds for a second season in a row, highlights the exceptional depth and talent within the Bears’ roster, which notably included four former Phantoms players.
Matt Strome
The game-winning goal of the series came just 1:06 into overtime, courtesy of Matt Strome.
When asked about what he was thinking about during the final play of the game, Strome confessed:
“Honestly, when I saw the puck there, I just blacked out and shot it.”
In his second season with the Bears, Strome played 50 regular-season games before making his Calder Cup Playoffs debut this year. Throughout the playoffs, he played in 15 games, scoring two goals and collecting three assists.
Drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the fourth round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Strome previously played 91 games for the Phantoms between 2018 and 2022. His game-winning goal in the Finals underscored his critical role in the Bears’ success.
Mike Vecchione
Mike Vecchione’s professional hockey journey began with a one-year entry level contract with the Flyers in March 2017, making his NHL debut on April 4, 2017 against the New Jersey Devils.
He played 132 games for the Phantoms between 2017 and 2019 before joining the Bears for the 2021-22 season, earning an “A” on his jersey by the following season.
In an on-ice interview after the win, Vecchione praised Strome’s dedication, stating,
“Stromer’s been battling all season long…he plays the right way…he got rewarded there. There is no better person to score that big one for us…he’s just a great locker room presence.”
Vecchione, who scored the decisive goal in last year’s Game 7 of the Calder Cup Finals, continued his clutch performances this postseason, playing all 20 games and notching two goals and eight assists, including the game-winner in the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Monsters.
Garrett Roe
Garrett Roe, who played 129 games for the Adirondack Phantoms from 2011 to 2013, returned to the AHL this season after a decade in Europe.
His return was marked by a series of impactful performances, but none more crucial than his overtime goal in Game 7 against the Cleveland Monsters.
Unfortunately, Roe sustained an injury in Game 1 against the Firebirds and was unable to participate in the rest of the series. Nonetheless, his contributions throughout the playoffs were instrumental in the Bears’ journey to the trophy.
Logan Day
Defensemen Logan Day, signed along with Strome to a one-year AHL contract last summer, played a vital role in the Bears’ playoff run this postseason. Appearing in 15 playoff games, Day scored two goals and registered five assists, with both goals coming in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Monsters.
Day previously played 95 games with the Phantoms during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, showcasing his defensive skills and offensive capabilities.
Congratulations to the Hershey Bears on another outstanding season and their well-deserved championship.
