The ultimate dynasty club in AHL history, the Hershey Bears went back to the drawing board following a playoff elimination in 1973 in our archival flashback.
By: John Travers
No sooner had the Hershey Bears been eliminated from the Calder Cup playoffs than coach Frank Mathers was readying for a few scouting trips.
He planned to take in part of the Western Division finals between the Cincinnati Swords and Virginia Red Wings and then move on to Canada to watch the Memorial Junior Cup finals. Mathers will accompany some of the parent club Pittsburgh Penguins officials to the junior playoffs. “That’s where Pittsburgh got its line on Ron Lalonde last year before the draft,” said Mathers.
At the same time Mathers latched on to winger Hank Nowak in the reserve draft. Nowak was property of the Philadelphia Flyers, who had him in Richmond. He turned out to be quite a find. He rapped in 25 goals for his finest pro season ever.
“That’s why I want to watch the Cincinnati-Virginia series,” said Mathers. “You never know who will be available at draft time.”
ArchivesThe Bears, who closed second in the American League’s Western Division, were favored to get past Virginia. However, even with the home ice edge, it didn’t work out that way.
Hershey actually penalizied itself right out of the post season play. Hershey pulled 200 minutes in penalties in the series, while Virginia had only 98.
With the Bears holding a commanding 3-1 edge in the series, the Wings caught fire behind Doug Grant’s brilliant goaltending to sweep three straight and sidelined Hershey. In winning the last three, the Wings drilled in seven power play goals and for the series had a dozen in seven games.
The power plays spelled the difference. For instance. In game No. 2, the Wings won, 3-2, getting two power goals; they picked up three in game No. 5 for a 5-4 decision and in the seventh game added three more in a 5-3 win.
Northland HockeyLittle wonder Wings’ coach Doug Barkley said: “Our power play killed them. Funny thing, though, it wasn’t going very good toward the end of the regular season.”
Mathers admitted his club drew “too many penalties” but added that the club “couldn’t change the style of play it used all season,” in the short playoff stretch.
Grant had it when it counted most — in the clutch. He made 253 saves on 276 shots, posted one shutout to close with a 3.27 average on 23 goals allowed. There’s no doubt he will get a shot at making the Detroit club next season.
The Wings line of Bill Hogaboam, Nelson Debenedet and Herb Boxer shelled Hershey for 11 goals to pace the Virginia attack. Hogaboam led everyone in the series with six goals, including a three-goal “Hat.”
Hershey’s two top scorers were Hugh Harvey with six goals and Steve Cardwell with five