Bears Triumph Over Firebirds in Game 2, Even Up AHL Calder Cup Final

Despite failing to capitalize on three first-period power plays and being significantly outshot, the Hershey Bears demonstrated why they are the defending AHL champions.

The Bears secured a 5-2 victory over the Coachella Valley Firebirds in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Final on Sunday at Giant Center.

This rematch of the 2023 Final is now tied at one game apiece, with Games 3, 4, and 5 set to be played at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, CA.

Hershey's goals came from Ivan Miroshnichenko (his seventh), Jimmy Huntington, Pierrick Dubé, and Hardy Häman Aktell. Goalie Hunter Shepard made 32 saves, including stopping a shorthanded breakaway.

Luke Henman and Marian Studenic scored for the Firebirds, who also missed several close-range opportunities.

Henman, a free-agent signing by the Seattle Kraken in 2021, scored his first goal of the 2024 postseason to tie the game at 1-1 at 2:42 of the second period.

Coachella Valley goalie Chris Driedger allowed two goals on four second-period shots, breaking the tie.

Huntington restored the Bears' lead at 13:01, and Dubé extended it 3:41 later.

As the third period began, Kraken's 2022 first-round draft pick Shane Wright showcased the Firebirds' determination. Wright took a snap shot, retrieved the puck, and set up Marian Studenic, who scored to narrow the gap to 3-2 just 17 seconds in.

By seven minutes into the final period, Coachella Valley had taken the first five shots, increasing its shots-on-goal lead to 29-13.

Driedger faced increased pressure. Miroshnichenko, who had scored in the first period, missed a breakaway backhand shot as Driedger gave him no angle. The Firebirds' goalie then made a crucial save on a Häman Aktell blast.

However, Häman Aktell got his revenge on the ensuing faceoff, scoring at 9:45 to give Hershey a 4-2 lead. He has now scored in both games of this year's Final.