2026 Calder Cup Playoffs: Game 2, Bridgeport - 2 at Hershey - 5 (4/23/26)
Hershey Bears
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Written by: Tony Androckitis
@TonyAndrock on Twitter/X
HERSHEY, PA - The Hershey Bears completed the sweep of the Bridgeport Islanders Thursday night, advancing to the Atlantic Division Semifinals following a 5-2 win in Game 2.
Andrew Cristall (two goals) got the home crowd at Giant Center active and engaged with his game-opening goal 4:10 into the contest and, after the Islanders had tied the game early in the 2nd period, fully restored momentum in Hershey's favor after his second period tally extended the Bears' lead to 3-1.
Sam Bitten's go-ahead goal in the second period provided a spark, and Cristall and the top line alongside AHL Rookie of the Year Ilya Protas and Bogdan Trineyev carried the load the rest of the way.
Bridgeport battled in the third period, but when they exhausted all options and pulled goaltender Marcus Hogberg for the extra attacker the Bears sealed the deal with empty net tallies from Sonny Milano and Trineyev to help Hershey advance to the next round, where they will face either Providence or Wilkes-Barre/Scranton depending on the result of the Charlotte/Springfield series.
The Islanders loss brings to an end the Bridgeport Islanders as an American Hockey League (AHL) franchise. The New York Islanders are relocating their AHL franchise to Hamilton beginning with the 2026-27 season.
