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The Hershey Bears faced a tough loss in overtime against the Hartford Wolf Pack, ending their homestand with a 3-2 defeat on Wednesday (January 14). Despite the setback, the Bears have managed to secure at least one point in their last five games, marking a positive start to 2026.
Ivan Miroshnichenko and Ilya Protas were the goal scorers for the Bears. Miroshnichenko gave Hershey an early lead with his sixth goal of the season, while Protas added his team-leading 14th goal in the second period. However, Hartford managed to tie the game twice, eventually securing the win in overtime.
Hershey's head coach, Derek King, commented on the game, stating, "I don't think we played our best hockey. That's a team that's fast, got some skill, they play hard. So you need to be on your game." The Bears will now look to regroup as they prepare for upcoming road games in Charlotte on Saturday and Sunday.
The Bears' forward, Eriks Mateiko, left the game with a lower-body injury, and his status remains uncertain. Coach King emphasized the importance of rest and preparation as the team moves forward.