The 2013–14 Hershey Bears season is the franchise's 76th season in the American Hockey League, which began on October 5, 2013. It marked the first season with Mike Haviland as head coach, having replaced Mark French. Efforts were made to establish a more aggressive, better-balanced team, and 40 percent of the roster were new players once the season began.
Off-season
Follow Hershey's first-round elimination from the 2013 Calder Cup playoffs, it was announced Mark French would not be retained as the Bears head coach, a position he had held four years. He subsequently became head coach of KHL Medveščak Zagreb for the Kontinental Hockey League.[1] Several people were identified as possible candidates to succeed French, including Troy Mann, Paul Jerrard, Mike Stothers, Eric Veilleux and Larry Courville.[2] After a search, it was announced on June 18 that Mike Haviland had been chosen for the position.[1] Bears President Doug Yingst said Haviland was chosen because it was believed he could improve Hershey's home record and create a more aggressive, better-balanced, "in your face" team.[3][4] Haviland had applied for the Washington Capitals head coach position the year prior, but Adam Oates was selected instead.[3]Troy Mann also departed from his position as Hershey's assistant coach for a job as head coach of ECHL's Bakersfield Condors. He had re-interviewed for his position with the Bears and felt it went well, but said he faced a deadline to accept the Bakersfield job and could not turn it down.[5]Ryan Mougenel was signed as Mann's replacement on July 5. He had previously worked with Haviland, when Mougenel was alternate captain on and Haviland was head coach of the ECHL's Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies in 2002–03, the year the team won the Kelly Cup.[6]
By the end of the off-season, 40 percent of Hershey's new roster were new players.[4] The Bears training camp was held from September 23 to 26 at Hersheypark Arena,[20] followed by a three-game exhibition season that began with a 6–0 shutout victory over the Utica Comets on September 27. Leggio made 25 saves, and Hershey had six successful penalty kills against Utica.[21] Brittain suffered a left arm injury in the game, which could keep him sidelined for the first month of the regular season.[22] The Bears also defeated Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 6–1 on September 28; Marshall had two goals and two assists, as well as one fight, which gave him a Gordie Howe hat trick.[23] Hershey lost their September 29 preseason finale 2–1, also against the Penguins, with Stoa scoring Hershey's only goal.[24] Hershey went 3-for-16 in the power play in the three exhibition games.[21][23][24]
2013–14 Preseason Game Log: 2–1–0–0 (Home: 2–0–0–0; Road: 0–1–0–0)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Record
1
September 27
Utica
0–6
Hershey
Leggio
1–0–0–0
2
September 28
WB/Scranton
1–6
Hershey
Grubauer
2–0–0–0
3
September 29
Hershey
1–2
WB/Scranton
Gill
2–1–0–0
Regular season
October
Hershey lost their first three games of the season for the first time since 2007–08.[25] They lost their October 5 season opener to the Adirondack Phantoms 4–3 after allowing two goals against on rebounds in the first four minutes. Hershey scored three unanswered goals in the second period, but ultimately lost in overtime.[26] The Capitals recalled Nate Schmidt on October 11 to fill in for an injured John Erskine, and sent down to Hershey rookie defenseman Connor Carrick, who starting three games with Washington.[27] The Bears lost 3–1 to the Penguins the next day, allowing two goals against in the final three minutes of the game.[28] Hershey then split a pair of away games against the St. John's IceCaps, losing the first on October 18 by 5–1. Taffe scored the team's sole goal, breaking a 0-for-14 power play streak.[29]
The Bears secured their first win of the season the next day, with Grubauer stopping all 30 shots in a 4–0 shutout. Dmitry Orlov scored a goal and three assists, his first game with more than two points since November 19, 2011.[30] Hershey lost their second straight home game on October 26 with a 4–3 defeat against the Hartford Wolf Pack, surrendering two leads and failing to score on two five-on-three power play goals, including one that lasted 2:56.[31] Hershey recorded their first home victory on the next day with a 4–2 win over Norfolk, with David Leggio making 17 saves in his first victory for the Bears. They outshot the Admirals 38–19, marking the first time Hershey outshot an opponent all season. Nathan Walker scored his first professional goal, making him the first Australian-born player to score in the AHL.[32] The Bears lost their two leading scorers on October 30, as Orlov and Michael Latta were recalled to the Washington Capitals.[33]
November
Hershey lost their next three games, starting with a home-and-home series against the Penguins on November 1 and 2, dropping the first after winger Matt Watkins missed a penalty shot in overtime, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton scored with 25 seconds left in the extra period.[34] The Bears lost the second game despite Leggio making 38 saves and Hershey scoring twice in their first three shots, just two minutes apart.[35] In their 4–3 loss against Norfolk on November 3, the Bears scored three goals in three minutes during regulation, but failed to connect on the shootout.[36] Orlov, having just returned from Washington, scored a goal and assist,[37] leaving him tied for eighth in the league for defensemen with eight points, and first for shooting at 40 percent.[36] He was sent back to the Capitals after one day back with Hershey.[38] The Bears were successful in all 10 penalty kills over their past two games, bringing it to sixth-best in the league at 85.7 percent, although their power play was ranked 27th of 30 at 12 percent.[37] Having won only one of five home games so far, Mike Haviland believed the team needed to stop feeling so comfortable on home ice.[36]
Schedule and results
2013–14 Game Log – Regular season
October: 2–3–1–0 (Home: 1–1–1–0; Road: 1–2–0–0)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Gamesheet
1
October 5
Adirondack
4–3
Hershey
OT
Grubauer
8,753
0–0–1–0
1
Gamesheet
2
October 12
Hershey
1–3
WB/Scranton
Leggio
7,156
0–1–1–0
1
Gamesheet
3
October 18
Hershey
1–5
St. John's
Leggio
6,287
0–2–1–0
1
Gamesheet
4
October 19
Hershey
4–0
St. John's
Grubauer
6,287
1–2–1–0
3
Gamesheet
5
October 26
Hartford
4–3
Hershey
Grubauer
8,001
1–3–1–0
3
Gamesheet
6
October 27
Norfolk
2–4
Hershey
Leggio
10,125
2–3–1–0
5
Gamesheet
November: 5–4–1–2 (Home: 3–3–0–2; Road: 2–1–1–0)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Gamesheet
7
November 1
Hershey
2–3
WB/Scranton
OT
Grubauer
5,019
2–3–2–0
6
Gamesheet
8
November 2
WB/Scranton
4–2
Hershey
Leggio
8,563
2–4–2–0
6
Gamesheet
9
November 3
Norfolk
4–3
Hershey
SO
Leggio
10,760
2–4–2–1
7
Gamesheet
10
November 9
Bridgeport
2–3
Hershey
SO
Grubauer
8,408
3–4–2–1
9
Gamesheet
11
November 10
Binghamton
5–4
Hershey
SO
Grubauer
8,218
3–4–2–2
10
Gamesheet
12
November 13
Hershey
5–3
Charlotte
Leggio
3,878
4–4–2–2
12
Gamesheet
13
November 14
Hershey
8–1
Charlotte
Grubauer
5,451
5–4–2–2
14
Gamesheet
14
November 16
Hershey
1–3
WB/Scranton
Leggio
6,008
5–5–2–2
14
Gamesheet
15
November 23
Binghamton
2–5
Hershey
Grubauer
10,100
6–5–2–2
16
Gamesheet
16
November 24
Binghamton
5–1
Hershey
Grubauer
7,248
6–6–2–2
16
Gamesheet
17
November 27
St. John's
4–2
Hershey
Leggio
8,618
6–7–2–2
16
Gamesheet
18
November 30
WB/Scranton
2–3
Hershey
OT
Leggio
10,081
7–7–2–2
18
Gamesheet
December: 6–5–0–1 (Home: 4–2–0–1; Road: 2–3–0–0)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Gamesheet
19
December 1
Providence
3–2
Hershey
SO
Leggio
9,601
7–7–2–3
19
Gamesheet
20
December 6
Hershey
4–2
Binghamton
Leggio
2,727
8–7–2–3
21
Gamesheet
21
December 7
Hershey
2–4
Bridgeport
Leggio
3,680
8–8–2–3
21
Gamesheet
22
December 11
Hershey
4–3
Binghamton
SO
Leggio
3,079
9–8–2–3
23
Gamesheet
23
December 13
Hershey
3–5
WB/Scranton
Leggio
5,947
9–9–2–3
23
Gamesheet
24
December 14
Binghamton
4–7
Hershey
Neuvirth
9,045
10–9–2–3
25
Gamesheet
25
December 18
Syracuse
3–4
Hershey
SO
Leggio
10,801
11–9–2–3
27
Gamesheet
26
December 21
Worcester
3–2
Hershey
Leggio
8,744
11–10–2–3
27
Gamesheet
27
December 22
Worcester
0–4
Hershey
Leggio
8,986
12–10–2–3
29
Gamesheet
28
December 26
Hershey
1–4
Binghamton
Leggio
3,808
12–11–2–3
29
Gamesheet
29
December 27
Syracuse
3–2
Hershey
Leggio
9,278
12–12–2–3
29
Gamesheet
30
December 28
WB/Scranton
1–2
Hershey
SO
Leggio
10,708
13–12–2–3
31
Gamesheet
January: 10–2–1–0 (Home: 7–0–0–0; Road: 3–2–1–0)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Gamesheet
31
January 3
Hershey
0–1
Adirondack
OT
Gill
2,576
13–12–3–3
32
Gamesheet
32
January 4
Rochester
1–5
Hershey
Leggio
9,457
14–12–3–3
34
Gamesheet
33
January 5
Manchester
3–6
Hershey
Leggio
8,686
15–12–3–3
36
Gamesheet
34
January 10
Hershey
2–4
Binghamton
Leggio
3,023
15–13–3–3
36
Gamesheet
35
January 11
Springfield
3–5
Hershey
Leggio
9,555
16–13–3–3
38
Gamesheet
36
January 12
Hershey
4–1
Albany
Gill
2,734
17–13–3–3
40
Gamesheet
37
January 17
Hershey
2–3
Syracuse
Leggio
5,302
17–14–3–3
40
Gamesheet
38
January 18
Bridgeport
3–5
Hershey
Gill
10,469
18–14–3–3
42
Gamesheet
39
January 19
Albany
3–4
Hershey
SO
Leggio
9,719
19–14–3–3
44
Gamesheet
40
January 24
Hershey
4–1
Syracuse
Grubauer
5,568
20–14–3–3
46
Gamesheet
41
January 25
Syracuse
2–3
Hershey
Leggio
9,880
21–14–3–3
48
Gamesheet
42
January 26
WB/Scranton
0–2
Hershey
Grubauer
9,485
22–14–3–3
50
Gamesheet
43
January 31
Hershey
5–3
Adirondack
Leggio
4,929
23–14–3–3
52
Gamesheet
February: 6–5–0–1 (Home: 4–1–0–0; Road: 2–4–0–1)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Gamesheet
44
February 1
Hershey
1–4
Adirondack
Grubauer
16,173
23–15–3–3
52
Gamesheet
45
February 2
Norfolk
1–3
Hershey
Grubauer
9,186
24–15–3–3
54
Gamesheet
46
February 7
Hershey
1–4
Rochester
Leggio
7,149
24–16–3–3
54
Gamesheet
47
February 8
Portland
1–2
Hershey
Grubauer
9,596
25–16–3–3
56
Gamesheet
48
February 9
WB/Scranton
3–4
Hershey
OT
Grubauer
9,827
26–16–3–3
58
Gamesheet
49
February 14
Hershey
3–2
Albany
SO
Grubauer
2,931
27–16–3–3
60
Gamesheet
50
February 15
WB/Scranton
4–5
Hershey
Grubauer
10,890
28–16–3–3
62
Gamesheet
51
February 16
Hershey
3–1
WB/Scranton
Leggio
5,896
29–16–3–3
64
Gamesheet
52
February 22
Syracuse
5–0
Hershey
Grubauer
10,373
29–17–3–3
64
Gamesheet
53
February 23
Hershey
2–5
Syracuse
Grubauer
15,763
29–18–3–3
64
Gamesheet
54
February 25
Hershey
5–6
WB/Scranton
Leggio
4,391
29–19–3–3
64
Gamesheet
55
February 28
Hershey
1–2
Hartford
SO
Leggio
4,172
29–19–3–4
65
Gamesheet
March: 5–6–1–0 (Home: 3–3–0–0; Road: 2–3–1–0)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Gamesheet
56
March 1
Charlotte
4–1
Hershey
Grubauer
9,784
29–20–3–4
65
Gamesheet
57
March 2
Charlotte
6–3
Hershey
Leggio
9,942
29–21–3–4
65
Gamesheet
58
March 7
Hershey
3–2
Norfolk
Leggio
4,690
30–21–3–4
67
Gamesheet
59
March 8
Hershey
1–3
Norfolk
Leggio
8,386
30–22–3–4
67
Gamesheet
60
March 14
Hershey
2–3
Syracuse
OT
Grubauer
4,871
30–22–4–4
68
Gamesheet
61
March 15
Adirondack
1–4
Hershey
Leggio
10,995
31–22–4–4
70
Gamesheet
62
March 16
Norfolk
3–2
Hershey
Grubauer
10,753
31–23–4–4
70
Gamesheet
63
March 21
Hershey
2–0
Providence
Leggio
9,283
32–23–4–4
72
Gamesheet
64
March 22
Hershey
2–4
Worcester
Leggio
4,820
32–24–4–4
72
Gamesheet
65
March 23
Hershey
1–2
Manchester
Grubauer
8,902
32–25–4–4
72
Gamesheet
66
March 28
Albany
1–4
Hershey
Leggio
10,149
33–25–4–4
74
Gamesheet
67
March 29
St. John's
1–2
Hershey
SO
Leggio
10,506
34–25–4–4
76
Gamesheet
April: 5–2–1–1 (Home: 2–0–0–0; Road: 3–2–1–1)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Gamesheet
68
April 4
Hershey
3–2
Portland
Leggio
1,268
35–25–4–4
78
Gamesheet
69
April 5
Hershey
3–2
Worcester
Grubauer
4,024
36–25–4–4
80
Gamesheet
70
April 6
Hershey
5–4
Bridgeport
Leggio
5,854
37–25–4–4
82
Gamesheet
71
April 11
Hershey
4–5
Binghamton
OT
Leggio
3,246
37–25–5–4
83
Gamesheet
72
April 12
Hershey
3–4
Springfield
SO
Grubauer
5,848
37–25–5–5
84
Gamesheet
73
April 13
Binghamton
0–1
Hershey
OT
Grubauer
10,984
38–25–5–5
86
Gamesheet
74
April 16
Hershey
3–5
Norfolk
Grubauer
4,525
38–26–5–5
86
Gamesheet
75
April 18
Hershey
1–3
Norfolk
Grubauer
8,701
38–27–5–5
86
Gamesheet
76
April 19
Adirondack
1–2
Hershey
Leggio
10,964
39–27–5–5
88
Gamesheet
Legend: Win (2 points) Loss (0 points) Overtime/shootout loss (1-point)
Player statistics
Skaters
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes Updated as of November 3, 2013[39]
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining team. Stats reflect time with the team only. ‡Left the team mid-season *Rookie
Goaltenders
Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on Ice; W = Wins; L = Losses; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; SV = Saves; SA = Shots against; SV% = Save percentage; SO = Shutouts; G = Goals; A = Assists; PIM = Penalty minutes Updated as of November 3, 2013[40]
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