Calder Cup Finals live: Hershey Bears 5, Firebirds 4 (final, OT) (2024)

Hello Hershey. We meet again. It's down to the Calder Cup Finals for the Coachella Valley Firebirds and the Hershey Bears. Game 6 of the best-of-seven series begins at 4 p.m. PT Monday in Pennsylvania. Hershey now leads the series 3-2 after winning three of the last four games. The Bears can wrap the series up with a home win tonight.

Check back here for game analysis, scoring updates and behind-the-scenes moments as the Coachella Valley Firebirds continue their quest to win the AHL Calder Cup.

• Firebirds vs. Bears: Calder Cup conundrum: How do you beat the Hershey Bears?
• Next Firebirds coach?: Burning Coachella Valley Firebirds question: Who will be the next head coach?
• 'American Idol' winner Abi Carter to play Acrisure: Indio's Abi Carter announces July concert date at Acrisure Arena

Hershey Bears beat Firebirds in first overtime

Led by Pierrick Dube’s hat trick, Hershey wrapped up its 13th Calder Cup championship by beating the Coachella Valley Firebirds 5-4 in overtime on Monday night at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Matt Strome scored the game-winning goal -- his second of the postseason -- to send Hershey home as the champion just 1:06 into the extra session. Hershey won the series 4-2.

Hershey became the 10th team in the history of the AHL to repeat as Calder Cup champions, joining the Buffalo Bisons (1943-44), Cleveland Barons (1953-54), Hershey Bears (1958-59; 2009-10), Springfield Indians (1960-61-62; 1990-91), Rochester Americans (1965-66), Nova Scotia Voyageurs (1976-77), and Maine Mariners (1978-79).

The Firebirds came up short to Hershey for the second straight year. Hershey beat Coachella Valley in seven games last season.

Third period recap

With the game tied at 3-all, Hershey had its second power play opportunity of the game but Coachella Valley killed it. Firebirds goalie made a nifty save with no rebound during the Bears advantage to keep Hershey out of the net. The game remains tied with 12:04 to play.

Hershey's Pierrick Dube scored for the third time after poor puck management by the Firebirds in front of the net, to give the Bears a 4-3 lead with 11:04 remaining. The crowd erupted in excitement, tossing hats onto the ice that briefly delayed the game.

The hat trick was the second in the series. The Firebirds' Max McCormick had one earlier in the series.

And we are all tied again. The Firebirds' Cale Fleury scored on a wrist shot after a rebound, sending the puck over goalie Hunter Shepard's glove with 2:55 remaining. The score is now 4-4. Shane Wright and Cameron Hughes were credited on the assist.

Connor Carrick nearly won the game for the Firebirds, but his shot was blocked with about 3 seconds remaining.

So we are headed to overtime for the first time in the series.

Second period recap

The Coachella Valley Firebirds were once again quite efficient with an early score in the period as Marian Studenic netted his fourth playoff goal just 1:51 into the period.

The Firebirds' goal was the team's third 4-on-4 score of the series after both teams were called for early penalties.

Ryan Winterton scored a massive goal -- his second of the game -- to give Coachella Valley a 3-2 lead with 12:01 remaining in the period. Winterton now has six goals in the Calder Cup Finals and seven total in the postseason. Shane Wright and Cameron Hughes were credited with assists. For Hughes, it was his 15th assist in 18 playoff games this season.

Back and forth we go. Hershey capitalized on the Firebirds' overplay in front of the net and tied the game at 3-3 with 6:08 remaining when Pierrick Dube scored for the second time in the game.

Hershey outshot the Firebirds 6-5 in the period and now holds a 16-12 edge in the game.

Twenty minutes remain to decide this game.

Watch party attracts lively crowd

Even after Game 6 started, Firebirds fans continued to trickle into Acrisure Arena for the Firebirds watch party. Around 700 fans were here for the free gathering to watch the big game on the videoboard. But that number has already grown near 1,000.

Fuego is in the building as is game announcer Jason Hernandez. The only thing different looking from a home game is that the west bleachers underneath the scoreboard have been tucked back into the wall leaving an open area.

When Ryan Winterton scored the game's first goal, the place erupted and sirens went off, creating an atmosphere not unlike game night.

Admission and parking is free. The arena will host the watch party again for Game 7 on Wednesday if the Firebirds extend the series with a win Monday.

First period recap

Hershey capitalized on a Firebirds turnover and scored in the final minute to grab a 2-1 lead at the first intermission. Hendrick Lapierre's seventh playoff goal continued a friendly trend for the Bears of scoring late in periods.

Before fans had settled into their seats at the Giant Center, Coachella Valley's Ryan Winterton cashed in on his fifth goal in the Calder Cup Finals, sending the puck over the left shoulder of Hershey goalie Hunter Shepard.

The quick start goal came 1:37 into the period on the first shot of the game by either team and was set up by assists from Cameron Hughes and Shane Wright.

Hershey answered with its first goal, taking advantage of excellent puck movement and tying the score at 1-all on a power-play goal by Pierrick Dube. The score came 5:51 into the period.

Both teams had one power play in the period. Hershey capitalized on its opportunity, while the Firebirds continued a trend in the finals and did not.

Hershey held a 10-7 lead in shots on goal in the period.

Puck drops on Game 6 between Firebirds vs. Hershey Bears

The puck has dropped on Game 6 of the Calder Cup Finals, and the Coachella Valley Firebirds face a do-or-die situation against the Hershey Bears.

Hershey leads the series 3-2, meaning the Firebirds face elimination if they don't win.

Will we see the always thrilling Game 7 on Wednesday night? We'll find out after 60 more minutes of hockey.

Missing Potsy

Firebirds forward Andrew Poturalski has missed almost the entire Calder Cup Finals after sustaining an undisclosed injury in Game 1. Poturalski, the center on the Firebirds’ top line, had a remarkable streak going as he was playing in his fourth consecutive Calder Cup Finals, one with Charlotte, one with Chicago and the last two with the Firebirds.

In the 13 playoff games he did play this year, Poturalski had two goals and eight assists. His absence is particularly noticeable on the power play. One of Poturalski’s strengths, the Firebirds are a dismal 1 of 16 on the power play in the Calder Cup Finals.

Lleyton Roed has been added to the lineup and Shane Wright has moved into his spot on the first line, but none of them can match his experience.

“He’s a great player, gets a lot of points and provides a lot of offense, but he’s more than providing points, he’s a winner,” coach Dan Bylsma said of Poturalski after Saturday's loss left the Firebirds behind 3-2 in the series. “He’s done it over and over and over again and he’s still in the finals right now. He’s still in the finals right now and he will be going with us to Game 6 and whether he gets in his jersey or not, he will be with us and be a part of the team for games 6 and 7.”

He has not officially been ruled out for Game 6 and a potential Game 7, but his return to the series could be categorized as doubtful.

How to attend Monday watch party at Acrisure Arena

Acrisure Arena will host a watch party on Monday for Game 6 of the Calder Cup Finals against Hershey, which begins at 4 p.m.

The doors will open at 3 p.m., an hour before puck drop. Parking and admission will be free and seats will be on a first-come, first-served basis as fans can gather to watch what could be the final game of the season on the big video board at the arena.

At the watch party, there will be food and drink specials and Calder Cup Finals-specific merchandise available.

Fans will be invited back on Wednesday for Game 7 if the series is extended. That will also be a 4 p.m. start in Hershey.

Throughout the playoffs, Spotlight 29 Casino has hosted watch parties for road games. The watch party at Acrisure Arena on Monday is also presented by Spotlight 29.

How to watch Game 6 with Firebirds vs. Hershey Bears

Local TV/radio: Game 6 of the Calder Cup series will be televised locally on Fox 11, as will a potential Game 7 on Wednesday. All Coachella Valley Firebirds playoff games air live on The Eagle 106.9 radio station.

AHLTV.com: AHLTV is a subscription service that allows viewers to buy a one-day pass ($8.99). All the Calder Cup finals games will be available at AHLTV.com.

NHL Network: NHL Network will not air Game 6 due to the Stanley Cup Finals, but will air Game 7 on Wednesday if that game becomes necessary.

Can Hershey close it out?

Hershey has posted a 3-4 record during the 2024 playoffs when trying to close out a series. The Bears own a lifetime playoff win-loss record of 80-70 in games when attempting to clinch a series victory.

While Hershey is 9-2 when scoring first, the club is also 4-4 when allowing the first goal of the game. Coachella Valley is 8-1 when scoring first in the playoffs, and 4-4 when surrendering the first goal.

Game 6 is a sellout

The Firebirds' task of winning Game 6 will be harder as the Bears announced Monday morning that the game is sold out.

Monday's game at Hershey will mark the fourth sellout in the Calder Cup Finals. Game 2 at Hershey, and games 4 and 5 at Acrisure Arena were all sellouts.

The Giant Center in Hershey holds 10,507 fans. Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert holds 10,087 for hockey games.