Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The Hershey Bears capped off a perfect weekend with a thrilling 2-1 overtime win against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Sunday (November 16). The victory at GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, marked the Bears' third consecutive win over the weekend, improving their record to 9-4-1-0.
Defenseman Connor Mayer, who was recalled from the ECHL South Carolina Stingrays just hours before the game, scored the game-winning goal in overtime. Mayer's goal was his first of the season, and it came after a long travel day, making it a memorable moment for the young player. "Just getting that off my back is pretty huge," Mayer said about scoring the goal.
The Bears' lineup included another call-up, D.J. King, who signed a professional tryout agreement. King, the son of Bears head coach Derek King, assisted on Ilya Protas' game-tying goal in the third period. This game marked the first time in Hershey's history that a father-son duo played as coach and player.
Goaltender Clay Stevenson was a standout performer, making 36 saves and earning the game's first star. The Bears opted for a lineup with seven defensemen to keep their players fresh after a grueling weekend schedule.
The Bears' win streak now stands at four games, and they have won eight of their last nine matches. Hershey will next face the Cleveland Monsters on Thursday (November 20) as they continue their 2025-26 season.