A total of five OHL graduates are AHL champions with the Hershey Bears, who defeated the Coachella Valley Firebirds in overtime of Game 7 of the Calder Cup Final in Palm Springs, Calif. on Wednesday.
Trailing 2-0, Connor McMichael (Hamilton Bulldogs/London Knights) scored his sixth of the postseason to begin the Hershey comeback as the Bears would tie things up before Mike Vecchione scored the deciding goal with 3:41 remaining in overtime.
The Calder Cup title is Hershey’s 12th in franchise history as the oldest franchise in the AHL record book narrowly edged the newest as the Firebirds finish as AHL finalists in their inaugural season. Coachella Valley won Games 1 and 2 on home ice before Hershey rallied at home for wins in Games 3, 4 and 5. The Firebirds extended the series with a win in Game 6 before Hershey prevailed in a one-goal decision.
Mikey gives us life…
🍎 Morelli
🍏 Snively pic.twitter.com/4PKwoyuoMW— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) June 22, 2023
Hershey played to a regular season record of 44-19-5-4 for second place in the Atlantic Division before eliminating Charlotte, Hartford and Rochester before besting Coachella Valley in seven games.
The Bears are the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Washington Capitals while the Firebirds are the farm team for the Seattle Kraken, and boasted a total of six OHL grads on their playoff roster including recent OHL talent in Shane Wright (Windsor Spitifres/Kingston Frontenacs) and Tye Kartye (Soo Greyhounds).
HERSHEY BEARS ROSTER – OHL GRADUATES (5):
AHL Affiliate of the Washington Capitals
Connor McMichael (Hamilton Bulldogs, London Knights, 2017-20)
Mike Sgarbossa (Barrie Colts, Saginaw Spirit, Sudbury Wolves, 2008-12)
Matthew Strome (Hamilton Bulldogs, 2015-19)
Hockey Operations Staff:
Vice President of Hockey Operations – Bryan Helmer (Belleville Bulls, 1989-90)
Assistant Coach – Nick Bootland (Guelph Storm, 1995-98)
Champions!
📰 https://t.co/X0DgAu88xB pic.twitter.com/cxRY6nJama
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) June 22, 2023
