Mike Haviland Archives · Chocolate Hockey

Mike Haviland Named Head Coach of Colorado College

May 9, 2014
Chocolate Hockey
News

After just one season in Hershey, Head Coach Mike Haviland is taking a new career path. Haviland has left Hershey to become the new Head Coach of Colorado College. “I’m excited, I really am,” said Haviland in a phone interview. “The opportunity to work with one of the top programs in all of college hockey and the chance to work with a school that’s committed to excellence in academics and in hockey. They are a school that’s committed to winning a national championship. It’s a opportunity that I couldn’t pass down.”

Bears Continue to Struggle, Lose Fifth Straight

HERHSEY, PA – Zach Boychuck beats Phillip Grubauer in the first period during Charlotte’s win over Hershey Saturday night (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

Everything seemed to be going so well. The Hershey Bears had won 12 straight at home and 5 straight overall. They were vaulting toward first place. And now in a five game span, the Bears have hit their worst slump of the season. The latest loss was a 4-1 defeat Saturday night at the hands of a team that’s also been struggling, the Charlotte Checkers.

Philipp Grubauer, Bears Stymie Penguins 2-0

January 26, 2014
Matt Trust
Game Recap

HERSHEY, PA – Michael Latta and Dustin Gazley watch Jeff Taffe’s goal in the second period of Hershey’s 2-0 win (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

If you were to compare the weekend schedules of the Hershey Bears and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, it’s easy to predict the Bears might have had an edge entering Sunday.

The Chocolate and White kicked off the weekend with a home-and-home series beginning in Syracuse on Friday. Back-to-back wins over the Crunch including a Saturday 3-2 win at Giant Center built towards the hype of Sunday’s contest against Wilkes-Barre.

Hershey Stays Hot at Home, Beat Bridgeport, 5-3

January 19, 2014
Chocolate Hockey
Game Recap

HERSHEY, PA – Brandon Segal is joined by Nate Schmidt and Dustin Gazley to celebrate goal in the third period against Bridgeport (Tim Stough / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

It may not show in the standings just yet, but at the halfway point of the AHL season, the Hershey Bears have developed some valuable momentum. Saturday night at Giant Center, the Bears pulled out a 5-3 win over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The victory gave the Bears their fifth win in the last seven games.

Recent Cold Temperatures Do Not Affect Some Bears

January 7, 2014
Kyle Mace
News, Photos

If you think the past few days Central Pennsylvania have been cold, you clearly have never visited Patrick Wellar’s hometown. “I’m from Saskatchewan and up there’s it’s -50° Celsius. As cold as it is today, back home you have to put your car in, otherwise it won’t start,” said the Saskatoon native. For comparison, Hershey was -20° Celsius Tuesday. “Today’s cold, I’ll give it that. It’s amazing what you get used to growing up as a kid. There were no school days when it was that cold. Saskatchewan is a big Province, but it’s a lot of farm land. The wind chill gets you because there’s nothing to block the wind.”

Bears Blow Out Hackett, Americans; 5-1

January 5, 2014
Matt Trust
Game Recap

HERSHEY, PA – Brandon Segal scores his first of two goals on the night for Hershey in their 5-1 win over Rochester (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

It may not have been a 60 minute, complete game effort by the Hershey Bears like Head Coach Mike Haviland has been preaching, but it was awfully close. Brandon Segal tallied two goals and earned first star honors in a convincing 5-1 Saturday night win against the Western Conference Rochester Americans.

Bears Have Scoring Marathon, Beat B-Sens 7-4

December 15, 2013
Kyle Mace
Game Recap

HERSHEY, PA – Andrew Hammond is unable to save Stan Galiev’s goal, the first of seven in Hershey’s 7-4 win over Binghamton (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

After an unsuccessful comeback Friday night, the Chocolate and White tried to bounce back against Binghamton on a snowy night in Hershey. With former 2009 Calder Cup Playoffs MVP Michal Neuvirth back between the pipes for the Bears, Hershey was on their a-game, scoring seven goals on 41 shots, winning 7-4 over the Senators.

Bears Save Point in Chippy Game Against Wilkes-Barre (OT)

December 1, 2013
Chocolate Hockey
Game Recap

HERSHEY, PA – Dane Byers (left) celebrates David Kolamatis’ GWOTG against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

There was a different sense of urgency when the Bears began their game against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday night. After losing at home Wednesday to St. John’s, the Hershey players and coaches realized that their team was in trouble. Too many home losses brought a tough Friday practice and team meeting. The result was a 3-2 overtime win against the Penguins, the first of the year against their arch rivals.

Hershey Stuffed by St. John’s on Thanksgiving Eve

November 28, 2013
Chocolate Hockey
Game Recap

HERSHEY, PA – Former Bear Andrew Gordon celebrates a goal during St. John’s win over Hershey (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

When the appearance of one of the opposing players is the highlight of the evening, you know it was a long night for the Hershey Bears. Andrew Gordon returned to Hershey, this time as a member of the St. John’s IceCaps. Gordon got two ovations while doing his pre-game ritual on the bench and another when introduced as a part of the IceCaps starting lineup. His team then handed the Bears their 7th home loss in ten games 4-2.

Hershey Loses to Binghamton in Skills Competition, 5-4

November 10, 2013
Kyle Mace
Game Recap

HERSHEY, PA – Philipp Grubauer looks back at the shootout winning goal during Hershey’s 5-4 loss (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

Sunday night’s Hershey Bears game may show up as an overtime shootout loss, but the Bears showed up with two of their best efforts of the season this weekend. Hershey lost to Binghamton 5-4, but picked up three of four standings points and have now picked up points in five of their last six games.