The Capitals' AHL-affiliate has had a red-hot start to the season.

While the Washington Capitals have managed to have a good start to their own season, the back-to-back AHL champion Hershey Bears began their title defense on the right foot (or paw), with an Atlantic Division-leading 6-1-1 record through the first eight games.

Ivan Miroshnichenko sits in a three-way tie for second place in scoring with 10 points (six goals, four assists). Following closely behind him are Ethen Frank, Alex Limoges and Mike Sgarbossa, each with nine points so far. Hunter Shepard has started five of eight so far this season, and secured wins in all five starts along with a .955 save percentage.

Needless to say, Hershey is off and running in their second straight season defending the Calder Cup. Here are some recaps and storylines so far:

Oct. 12 and 13: Cleveland Monsters – Starting the Season with a Split Decision

Da Bears got off to a roaring start (see what I did there?), posting a convincing 7-3 win on the Cleveland Monsters in their season opener. It was the Ethen/Ethan show in this one as Ethen Frank put up a hat trick on Jet Greaves and Ethan Bear getting a goal of his own. Hunter Shepard stopped 30 of 33 in the win.

The only regulation loss so far this season came the next day, when the Bears fell 6-3 against the very same Monster squad. Fans at the Giant Center lost hats again in this one, with Ivan Miroshnichenko getting a hatty. Not to be outdone, the Bears yielded a hat trick to Monsters’ forward Luca Del Bel Belluz. Clay Stevenson stopped 21 of 26 on the night.

Fun facts: This was the first time since 2000 that the Bears recorded back-to-back hat tricks, with Serge Aubin getting consecutive hattys on Feb 26^th-27^th, 2000.

Oct. 16: @ Bridgeport Islanders – 3-2 W

The Bears got back on the win train on the 16^th, with a 3-2 win at Bridgeport. No hat tricks in this one, but Mike Sgarbossa notched his first goal of the season, and Miroshnichenko added the game-winning goal (my fingers are getting tired typing Miroshnichenko so much). Hunter Shepard stopped 29 of 31 for the victory.

Oct. 19 and 20: Weekend Split with the Chicago Wolves

Hershey dropped a game to Chicago on their return home in a 3-2 loss in overtime. No Ethan/en goals this time, or from Ivan. Clay Stevenson took the loss, stopping 31 of 34 shots.

Hershey came back the next day and took care of Chicago, earning a 5-0 victory. Hunter Shepard stopped all 26 shots he saw. Ethen Frank added his fourth and fifth goals of the season, as well as an assist, and Ivan M. added a goal and two assists.

Oct. 25-27: Hershey Bears Winning Roadshow in Providence/Springfield

Hershey took to the road this past weekend and started off with a 2-1 win against the Providence Bruins. Ethen Frank scored for Hershey, and 2023 Calder Cup hero Mike Vecchione assisted on both Hershey goals. Hunter Shepard stopped 38 of 39 shots for the win.

The next day, it was Springfield’s turn to feel the wrath of the Bears. The Thunderbirds jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the 1^st, but it was all Hershey thereafter. Alex Limoges and Chase Priskie each scored twice, and Mitch Gibson stopped 26 of 28 in net.

I also learned that the Thunderbirds have a player named Leo Loof, who got six penalty minutes in the game. I bring this up only because I found this to be a fun name to say.

Before leaving New England, Hershey went back to Rhode Island and beat Providence again with another 2-1 win. Frank got another goal, as did Miroshnichenko. Hunter Shepard stopped 24 of 25.

Notes

-Mike Sgarbossa earned a call-up to the big show. With nine points to start, he’s certainly earned a chance with the Capitals.

-Hunter Shepard has certainly impressed to start the season. A .955 save percentage is nothing to sneeze at. He has been clutch for the Bears in recent years and continues to do so thus far in the early season.

-Hershey’s power play has started off 11 for 40, which at 27.5% is good for third in the league so far. On the PK, Hershey has killed off 90.9% so far, sitting at fourth in the league.

Hershey returns home on October 30^th against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, followed by a weekend series against Charlotte on November 2^nd-3^rd.