The Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers dropped the puck in a preseason exhibition Monday night at GIANT Center in Hershey, giving central Pennsylvania hockey fans an early look at NHL talent just weeks before the Hershey Bears open their own season.
The game, which Washington won 5-2, marked the second straight year the Capitals and Flyers have met at GIANT Center for a preseason matchup, drawing a crowd mixing Bears jerseys with Capitals red and Flyers orange. Many fans in attendance traveled from outside the region specifically for the chance to see NHL players who once wore Hershey uniforms.
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Tina Sphar, a Capitals fan from Alexandria, Virginia, said she came to see former Hershey players trying to earn a roster spot, along with new draft picks and players acquired at the trade deadline. Fellow Alexandria resident Ben Stack said he and his wife bought tickets as soon as they heard about the game. Stack said he is a fan of the Protas brothers, who both played for Hershey before joining the Capitals organization, and he looked forward to watching them share the ice together since that never happened during their time in the minors.
For Bears fans, the appeal centers on watching alumni play for the Capitals. Zachary Szekeres, a Bears fan from Mechanicsburg, said he wanted to compare the pace and style of NHL play to what he sees at the AHL level.
The exhibition also offered a convenient option for local Flyers fans who did not have to drive to Philadelphia to see their team play. Sydney Dye, of Hummelstown, a Capitals fan originally from Baltimore, attended the game with her friend Gillian Conner, a Flyers fan from the Philadelphia area. Dye said the rivalry between their hometown teams carries into every sport the two cities compete in. Conner pointed to a recent example, saying she and Dye did not speak to each other for the entire stretch when the Phillies and Orioles played each other over the summer.
When asked whether an exhibition game really carries that much weight, Conner said it matters regardless of the preseason label.
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The game gave both fanbases a chance to scout roster battles ahead of the regular season, which begins Tuesday, Sept. 29. For the Capitals and Flyers, preseason contests like this one help coaching staffs evaluate players fighting for final roster spots and ice time.
Former Hershey Bears captain and Capitals defenseman Dylan McIrath fought former Lehigh Valley and current Flyers foe Garrett Wilson to the crowd’s delight.
Defenseman Ryan Chesley had two assists, and forward Jonny Brodzinski had two goals.
For the Hershey Bears, the exhibition previews what’s to come. The team opens its own season in less than two weeks, and many of the players who spent time in Hershey uniforms remain tied to the organization’s identity even after moving up to the NHL level. Fans who packed the concourse before puck drop in chocolate-and-white jerseys reflected that connection, even as they found themselves outnumbered by supporters of the two NHL clubs.
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GIANT Center has become a regular stop for NHL preseason hockey in recent years, giving central Pennsylvania fans access to top-level competition without traveling to Washington or Philadelphia. That accessibility helped draw fans like Dye and Conner, who made the trip from Hummelstown, and Szekeres, who came from nearby Mechanicsburg.
As the Bears prepare for their season opener, the exhibition reminded everyone of the pipeline between Hershey and Washington. Players who once filled GIANT Center on Bears game nights now return wearing Capitals sweaters, giving local fans a personal stake in watching them compete at the NHL level.
The regular season opens for both NHL clubs on Sept. 29, when preseason showcases give way to games that count in the standings.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
