2012–13 Hershey Bears season

File:Adam Oates in 2012 - cropped.jpg, Washington Capitals coach Adam Oates (pictured) briefly served as Bears co-coach along with Mark French.]]

After several years of roster stability, the Hershey Bears lost several players during the off-season, including Keith Aucoin, Chris Bourque, Andrew Carroll, Sean Collins, Cody Eakin, Kyle Greentree, Christian Hanson, D. J. King, Jacob Micflikier, Graham Mink, Zach Miskovic, and Joel Rechlicz. The team obtained several new players through free agency, including Alex Berry, Matt Beaudoin, Matt Clackson, Jon DiSalvatore, Jon Kalinski, Steven Oleksy, Garrett Stafford, Ryan Stoa, and Jeff Taffe. Rookies Stan Galiev and Cameron Schilling joined the team, Mattias Sjögren returned from the Swedish Elite League, and Hershey also obtained Zach Hamill in a trade that sent Bourque to the Boston Bruins organization.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Bears 2012–13 Preview: Season has new era feel |work=The Patriot-News |date=October 10, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/10/hershey_bears_2012-13_preview_12.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114223410/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/10/hershey_bears_2012-13_preview_12.html |archive-date=November 14, 2012 |url-status=live }} Bears coach Mark French said the new roster made the season feel like "a change in era".

Like all American Hockey League teams, the Hershey Bears saw changes at the start of the season due to the National Hockey League lockout. Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby and defenseman Dmitry Orlov joined the Bears roster due to the lockout, and Capitals head coach Adam Oates became co-coach of the Hershey team along with French. Oates' coaching staff also joined Oates and the team, including assistant coaches Calle Johansson and Tim Hunter, and video coach Brett Leonhardt.{{cite news

|title = NHL Notes: Tuukka Rask to leave Czech team

|date = November 23, 2012

|publisher = Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia

|url = http://phillyburbs.csnphilly.com/11/23/12/NHL-Notes-Tuukka-Rask-to-leave-Czech-tea/phillyburbs_landing_flyers.html?blockID=805173

|access-date = March 16, 2013

|archive-url = https://archive.today/20130410173734/http://phillyburbs.csnphilly.com/11/23/12/NHL-Notes-Tuukka-Rask-to-leave-Czech-tea/phillyburbs_landing_flyers.html?blockID=805173

|archive-date = 2013-04-10

|url-status = dead

}} Bears goaltender Sergey Kostenko started the regular season on injured reserve due to off-season shoulder surgery,{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Worcester Sharks rally for shootout win over Hershey Bears |work=The Patriot-News |date=December 15, 2012 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/worcester_sharks_rally_for_sho.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064209/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/worcester_sharks_rally_for_sho.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live }} and winger Danick Paquette required surgery after breaking his right forearm during an October 6 exhibition game against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears winger Danick Paquette recovering from tough break |work=The Patriot-News |date=December 4, 2012 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/hershey_bears_winger_danick_pa.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120010/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/hershey_bears_winger_danick_pa.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live }}

Hershey began its regular season with major offensive problems. They were outshot in 17 of their first 18 games,{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Offense sparks to life in Hershey Bears win over Toronto Marlies |work=The Patriot-News |date=November 25, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/offense_sparks_to_life_in_hers.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402195335/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/offense_sparks_to_life_in_hers.html |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=live }} and were held to one or fewer goals in seven of those games. Their 6–10–1–0 start was the lowest total through 17 games since 2004–05, which was the last season they failed to make the playoffs.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Offensive woes continue for Hershey Bears in loss to Adirondack Phantoms |date=November 24, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/offensive_woes_continue_for_he.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402175048/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/offensive_woes_continue_for_he.html |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=live }} After losing their season opener to the Syracuse Crunch,{{cite news|last=Kramer |first=Lindsay |title=Syracuse Crunch rings in home season with 4–3 win over Hershey |work=The Post-Standard |date=October 13, 2012 |url=http://blog.syracuse.com/crunch/2012/10/syracuse_crunch_rings_in_home.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121219035508/http://blog.syracuse.com/crunch/2012/10/syracuse_crunch_rings_in_home.html |archive-date=December 19, 2012 |url-status=live }} the Bears beat the Binghamton Senators on October 19 despite being outshot 44 to 21.{{cite news |title=B-Sens Drop First Game of the Season |date=October 20, 2012 |publisher=WBNG-TV |url=http://www.wbng.com/sports/B-Sens-Drop-First-Game-of-the-Season-175036021.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103165622/http://www.wbng.com/sports/B-Sens-Drop-First-Game-of-the-Season-175036021.html |archive-date=2012-11-03 |url-status=dead }} Hershey lost their first home game on October 20, falling 8–7 to the Rochester Americans; the 15-goal total marked the most combined goals from a Bears home opener, up from the previous record of 12 in 1987. Hershey center Ryan Potulny exited the game with an undisclosed injury,{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Rochester Amerks rally to spoil Hershey Bears' home opener |work=The Patriot-News |date=October 20, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/10/rochester_amerks_rally_to_spoi.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402183047/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/10/rochester_amerks_rally_to_spoi.html |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=live }} and would not return until November 16 after a nine-game absence.{{cite news|last=Sottille |first=Dave |date=November 16, 2012 |work=The Patriot-News |title=Syracuse Crunch hand Hershey Bears their third straight loss |url=http://blog.pennlive.com/fanbox/2012/11/syracuse_crunch_hand_hershey_b.html |access-date=November 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402185129/http://blog.pennlive.com/fanbox/2012/11/syracuse_crunch_hand_hershey_b.html |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=live }} The team's defense improved in subsequent games, allowing two goals or fewer in four of their next five matches.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |date=October 28, 2012 |title=Goal review works in favor of Hershey Bears in win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins |work=The Patriot-News |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/10/goal_review_works_in_favor_of.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104114015/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/10/goal_review_works_in_favor_of.html |archive-date=January 4, 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Stan Galiev's shootout tally lifts Hershey Bears over Springfield Falcons |date=November 2, 2012 |work=The Patriot-News |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/stan_galievs_shootout_tally_li.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107185751/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/stan_galievs_shootout_tally_li.html |archive-date=November 7, 2012 |url-status=live }}

Hershey lost 2–1 in overtime against Binghamton on October 21. The game would have gone to a shootout, but under the first usage of the AHL's new video replay system at Giant Center, a Senators goal that had been overturned with 6.5 seconds left in overtime was restored.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=After review, Binghamton Senators defeat Hershey Bears |work=The Patriot-News |date=October 21, 2012 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/10/after_review_binghamton_senato.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026014958/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/10/after_review_binghamton_senato.html |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |url-status=live }} The Bears were held to a single goal in a second straight game in a 3–1 loss to Connecticut Whale on October 26,{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears held to one goal in loss to Connecticut Whale |date=October 26, 2012 |work=The Patriot-News |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/10/hershey_bears_held_to_one_goal.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705063931/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/10/hershey_bears_held_to_one_goal.html |archive-date=July 5, 2015 |url-status=live }} but the next day saw their first home win and first shutout victory of the season. They defeated the Albany Devils 3–0 and Holtby, who had been sidelined since the previous week by an upper body injury, made 35 saves.{{cite news|title=DEVILS VS. HERSHEY : Holtby's 35-save effort lifts Bears, 3–0 |work=The Daily Gazette |date=October 28, 2013 |url=http://www.dailygazette.net/Standard/ShowStoryTemplate.asp?Path=SCH/2012/10/28&ID=Ar02204&Section=Sports |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130413170519/http://www.dailygazette.net/Standard/ShowStoryTemplate.asp?Path=SCH/2012/10/28&ID=Ar02204&Section=Sports |archive-date=April 13, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Forward T.J. Syner was recalled from the ECHL's Reading Royals and made his Hershey debut in that game. The Bears finished the month with a 3–2 victory against the Penguins on October 28, marking their first winning streak of the season. Orlov would miss the next four games due to an upper body injury, not returning until November 11.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Offensive struggles continue for Hershey Bears in loss to Portland Pirates |work=The Patriot-News |date=November 11, 2012 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/offensive_struggles_continue_f.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705073751/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/offensive_struggles_continue_f.html |archive-date=July 5, 2015 |url-status=live }}

Hershey defeated the Springfield Falcons 3–2 in a shootout on November 2, in which Boyd Kane and Matt Pope scored their first regulation goals of the season, and Galiev made the game-winner in the seventh round of the shootout, his first professional shootout attempt. In a subsequent 3–2 loss against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on November 5, the Bears allowed a season-high 11 power plays,{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Binghamton Senators beat Hershey Bears in shootout |work=The Patriot-News |date=March 16, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/binghamton_senators_beat_hersh.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308040253/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/binghamton_senators_beat_hersh.html |archive-date=March 8, 2013 |url-status=live }} four of which were five-on-three. Hershey had 50 total penalty minutes in the game, compared to 115 minutes total in their first eight games.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Bridgeport Sound Tigers ride power play to win over Hershey Bears |work=The Patriot-News |date=November 3, 2012 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/bridgeport_sound_tigers_ride_p.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110072346/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/bridgeport_sound_tigers_ride_p.html |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |url-status=live }} Stoa suffered an upper body injury that left him scratched until January 5.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears winger Ryan Stoa eyes return to lineup after being sidelined more than two months |work=The Patriot-News |date=January 4, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_winger_ryan_stoa_1.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110193133/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_winger_ryan_stoa_1.html |archive-date=January 10, 2013 |url-status=live }} The Bears went 3-for-7 on the power play during a 3–1 victory against the Penguins on November 9, ending a 0-for-18 power play stretch; Holtby made 38 saves in the game. The Bears lost their next match 2–1 against the St. John's IceCaps on November 10. They were outshot 27 to 19, making a total of 359 to 266 for the season and putting them 29th out of 30 in the league in shots.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=St. John's IceCaps give Dean Arsene happy homecoming with win over Hershey Bears |work=The Patriot-News |date=November 10, 2012 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/st_johns_icecaps_give_dean_ars.html |access-date=March 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610055803/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/st_johns_icecaps_give_dean_ars.html |archive-date=June 10, 2022 |url-status=live }}

Hershey's offensive problems continued in a 3–1 loss against the Portland Pirates on November 11, in which they struggled to get the puck out of their zone and through the neutral zone. Holtby, who made 31 saves, said afterward, "We just seemed to look dead the last couple games." Kalinski suffered a hand injury and would not return until December 27.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears continue success against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins |work=The Patriot-News |date=December 27, 2012 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/hershey_bears_continue_success.html |access-date=March 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102172215/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/hershey_bears_continue_success.html |archive-date=January 2, 2013 |url-status=live }} The Bears fell to Syracuse again on November 16. The 6–1 game, the most lopsided defeat of the season, was their third consecutive loss and third straight home game with only one goal. Hershey broke a three-game losing streak on November 17 with a 4–1 against the Penguins, where Garrett Mitchell scored two goals, including Hershey's first successful penalty shot since February 27, 2010. The team had surrendered two goals or fewer in eight of their past 14 games.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears winger Garrett Mitchell spearheads win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins |work=The Patriot-News |date=November 17, 2012 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/hershey_bears_winger_garrett_m.html |access-date=March 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115045/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/hershey_bears_winger_garrett_m.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live }} But Hershey lost their next two games, including a 4–0 shutout loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on November 21. The Binghamton-based Internet radio Power Play Post Show reported from an anonymous source that Penguins head coach John Hynes put a $200 bounty on Bears defenseman Oleksy for that game, a claim Hynes strongly denied.{{cite news |last=Fornabaio |first=Michael |title=Phantom Liveblog |work=Connecticut Post |date=November 21, 2012 |url=http://blog.connpost.com/fornabaio/phantom-liveblog-2/9971/ |access-date=March 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410172604/http://blog.connpost.com/fornabaio/phantom-liveblog-2/9971/ |archive-date=2013-04-10 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|last=Bombulie |first=Jonathan |title=Pens' Hynes heavily denies bounty claim |work=The Citizens' Voice |date=November 22, 2012 |url=http://citizensvoice.com/sports/pens-hynes-heavily-denies-bounty-claim-1.1407025 |access-date=March 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034936/http://citizensvoice.com/sports/pens-hynes-heavily-denies-bounty-claim-1.1407025 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live }}

After the November 21 game, Oates announced he and his assistant coaches would no longer coach the Bears, giving full control of the team back to French and assistant coach Troy Mann. Hershey's offensive problems continued with a 3–1 loss against the Adirondack Phantoms, where they went 0-for-7 on the power play and saw their points percentage drop to .382, the worst in the Eastern Conference. However, they won five of their next six games starting with a 4–2 victory over the Toronto Marlies on November 25.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Kevin Marshall lifts Hershey Bears to overtime win against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins |date=December 7, 2012 |work=The Patriot-News |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/kevin_marshall_lifts_hershey_b.html |access-date=March 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213084733/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/kevin_marshall_lifts_hershey_b.html |archive-date=December 13, 2012 |url-status=live }} The Bears' subsequent 5–2 win against the Norfolk Admirals on November 28 marked the start of a seven-game road winning streak that would not end until January 11.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears forwards Jeff Taffe, Evan Barlow injured in loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins |work=The Patriot-News |date=January 11, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_forwards_jeff_ta.html |access-date=March 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402102834/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_forwards_jeff_ta.html |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=live }} It was also just the second time in 19 games that they outshot their opponent, with 35 shots to Norfolk's 26. DiSalatore made two of the goals.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears outshoot, outscore Norfolk Admirals |work=The Patriot-News |date=November 28, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/hershey_bears_outshoot_outscor.html |access-date=March 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402173417/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/hershey_bears_outshoot_outscor.html |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=live }} The Norfolk match was Kane's 310th game with Hershey, placing him 39th in the teams' all-time games played list.{{cite web|title=Tonight's Game Preview – Sound Tigers at Bears |date=November 30, 2012 |publisher=Hershey Bears |url=http://www.hersheybears.com/news/detail.php?id=3941 |access-date=March 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402092247/http://www.hersheybears.com/news/detail.php?id=3941 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=live }} The Bears won a third consecutive game against Bridgeport on November 30, against leading in shots 32 to 24. They won 5–2, scoring four goals in the third period, a season high for goals in a single period.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears beat Bridgeport Sound Tigers for third straight win |work=The Patriot-News |date=November 30, 2012 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/hershey_bears_beat_bridgeport.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402172748/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/hershey_bears_beat_bridgeport.html |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=live }}

The Bears opened the month with a 5–1 loss against Norfolk on December 1, even though the Admirals allowed nine power plays.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Norfolk Admirals end Hershey Bears' three-game winning streak |work=The Patriot-News |date=December 1, 2012 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/norfolk_admirals_end_hershey_b.html |access-date=March 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712052134/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/norfolk_admirals_end_hershey_b.html |archive-date=July 12, 2015 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last=Hodges |first=Jim |title=Admirals roll behind Vatanen against Hershey |work=The Virginian-Pilot |date=March 9, 2013 |url=http://hamptonroads.com/2013/03/admirals-roll-behind-vatanen-against-hershey |access-date=March 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312032724/http://hamptonroads.com/2013/03/admirals-roll-behind-vatanen-against-hershey |archive-date=March 12, 2013 |url-status=live }} On December 4, DiSalvatore and Potulny were formally named alternate captains, ending the practice of rotating alternates throughout the season. Orlov suffered an upper body injury during Hershey's 2–1 victory against Norfolk on December 6,{{cite news |last=Whyno |first=Stephen |title=Caps roundup: Optional skate, no update on Dmitry Orlov |work=The Washington Times |date=February 2, 2013 |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/capitals-watch/2013/feb/2/capitals-roundup-optional-practice-no-update-dmitr/ |access-date=March 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206134531/http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/capitals-watch/2013/feb/2/capitals-roundup-optional-practice-no-update-dmitr// |archive-date=2013-02-06 |url-status=dead }} and did not return to Hershey until March 9.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Goalie Frederik Andersen backstops Norfolk Admirals to win over Hershey Bears |work=The Patriot-News |date=March 9, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/goalie_frederik_andersen_backs.html |access-date=March 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317105622/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/goalie_frederik_andersen_backs.html |archive-date=March 17, 2013 |url-status=live }} The Bears also won 5–4 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton after Kevin Marshall, who had been a healthy scratch the day before, made his first Hershey goal in overtime for the win. The Bears lost 3–2 against the Hamilton Bulldogs, with Potulny scoring both Hershey goals, including a power play goal that ended the team's recent 0-for-19 power play record.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Three-goal second period lifts Hamilton Bulldogs past Hershey Bears |work=The Patriot-News |date=December 8, 2012 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/three-goal_second_period_lifts.html |access-date=March 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712053805/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/three-goal_second_period_lifts.html |archive-date=July 12, 2015 |url-status=live }}

File:Braden Holtby 2013-02-03.JPG, pictured here playing for the Washington Capitals, had four shutouts for the Bears and was named December's AHL Goaltender of the Month.]]Hershey next won 2–1 against St. John's on December 11, in which Holtby the eighth goaltender in Hershey history to reach 70 victories. Taffe had two assists, tying him with Aucoin for second in the league for assists, and both Hershey goals came on the power play, marking the first time since November 9 they scored more than one power play goal in a game.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears goalie Braden Holtby records 70th Hershey win in victory over St. John's IceCaps |work=The Patriot-News |date=December 11, 2012 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/hershey_bears_goalie_braden_ho_1.html |access-date=March 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052749/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/hershey_bears_goalie_braden_ho_1.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live }} Holtby had three shutout victories in the next five games,{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears goalie Braden Holtby shuts out Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins |work=The Patriot-News |date=December 26, 2012 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/hershey_bears_goalie_braden_ho_4.html |access-date=March 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101125912/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/hershey_bears_goalie_braden_ho_4.html |archive-date=January 1, 2013 |url-status=live }} starting with a 4–0 win against St. John's on December 12. The Bears scored two power plays, marking the first time since the season's three opening games that the Bears scored power plays in three consecutive matches.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears goalie Braden Holtby makes history in shutout of St. John's IceCaps |date=December 12, 2012 |work=The Patriot-News |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/hershey_bears_goalie_braden_ho_2.html |access-date=March 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045955/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/hershey_bears_goalie_braden_ho_2.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live }} Paquette and Kostenko were reassigned to ECHL's Reading Royals, and rookie winger Stanislav Galiev was recalled from Reading to the Bears.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Stan Galiev rejoins Hershey Bears riding confidence boost |work=The Patriot-News |date=December 18, 2012 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/stan_galiev_rejoins_hershey_be.html |access-date=March 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070033/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/stan_galiev_rejoins_hershey_be.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live }} Holtby's next 4–0 shutout victory against Norfolk on December 19 moved him to fifth place in career Hershey shutouts with 13, and seventh place in regular season wins with 72.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears goalie Braden Holtby makes 35 saves to blank the Norfolk Admirals |work=The Patriot-News |date=December 19, 2012 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/hershey_bears_goalie_braden_ho_3.html |access-date=March 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100954/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/hershey_bears_goalie_braden_ho_3.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live }}

Hershey went 0-for-9 in the power play in their subsequent 1–0 loss to Springfield on December 22, which ended a seven-game point streak for Taffe.{{cite web|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Short-handed goal lifts Springfield Falcons over Hershey Bears |work=The Patriot-News |date=December 22, 2012 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/short-handed_goal_lifts_spring.html |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110533/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/short-handed_goal_lifts_spring.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live }} Holtby's 2–0 shutout against Scranton on December 26 brought his record to 12–9–1, tying him for third in the league for wins; his four shutouts of the season tied him for second in the league. During a five-game span he stopped 154 of 158 shots, a .975 save percentage. With their sixth straight road win on December 27 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Hershey saw a streak of 21 straight successful penalty kills end with a power play goal by the Penguins' Paul Thompson. Hershey lost their next three games, during which they went 0-for-11 on the power play.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/notebook_hershey_bears_versus.html |title=Notebook: Hershey Bears versus Worcester Sharks |work=The Patriot-News |date=January 6, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=January 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110231325/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/notebook_hershey_bears_versus.html |url-status=live }} Although his shutout streak ended, Holtby made 89 combined saves during the losing streak.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/albany_devils_forward_bobby_bu.html |title=Albany Devils forward Bobby Butler puts on all-star performance in win over Hershey Bears |work=The Patriot-News |date=December 29, 2012 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=January 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118005608/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/albany_devils_forward_bobby_bu.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_offense_struggle.html |title=Hershey Bears' offense struggles in loss to Binghamton Senators |work=The Patriot-News |date=January 5, 2013 |archive-date=April 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412100758/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_offense_struggle.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/worcester_sharks_beat_hershey.html |title=Worcester Sharks beat Hershey Bears in what might have been Braden Holtby's last game with the club |work=The Patriot-News |date=January 6, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=March 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315182313/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/worcester_sharks_beat_hershey.html |url-status=live }} He was named AHL Goaltender of the Month for December, during which he had a .943 save percentage and allowed one goal or fewer in six of 10 starts.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_goalie_braden_ho_5.html |title=Hershey Bears goalie Braden Holtby named AHL Goaltender of Month |work=The Patriot-News |date=January 2, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062934/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_goalie_braden_ho_5.html |url-status=live }}

With the end of the NHL lockout on January 6, Holtby and Schilling left Hershey for the Washington Capitals, which cleared the way for goaltender Philipp Grubauer to rejoin the Bears from ECHL's Reading Royals.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_goalie_philipp_g.html |title=Hershey Bears goalie Philipp Grubauer finally gets an AHL opportunity |work=The Patriot-News |date=January 10, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060503/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_goalie_philipp_g.html |url-status=live }} The end of the lockout was believed to ultimately benefit Hershey because they retained more of their roster than most other AHL clubs.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears welcome end of NHL lockout |work=The Patriot-News |date=March 16, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_welcome_end_of_n.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110233007/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_welcome_end_of_n.html |archive-date=January 10, 2013 |url-status=live }} Tomáš Kundrátek scored two goals for Hershey in their 4–3 win against Bridgeport on January 8, including the unassisted game-winner with 25.6 seconds left in overtime. Dany Sabourin made 35 saves, marking his third straight win as starting goaltender.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_defenseman_tomas.html |title=Hershey Bears defenseman Tomas Kundratek scores twice in win over Bridgeport Sound Tigers |work=The Patriot-News |date=January 8, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060455/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_defenseman_tomas.html |url-status=live }} Hershey's seven-game road winning streak ended with a 1–0 loss to the Penguins on January 11, in which Taffe, Potulny and Evan Barlow all suffered lower body injuries.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/notebook_hershey_bears_versus_2.html |title=Notebook: Hershey Bears versus Connecticut Whale |work=The Patriot-News |date=January 12, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055840/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/notebook_hershey_bears_versus_2.html |url-status=live }} Despite their absences, the Bears beat Connecticut 4–3 the next day, where the line of Kalinski, Mitchell and Barry Almeida combined for two goals and six points.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_down_connecticut.html |title=Hershey Bears down Connecticut Whale in shootout |work=The Patriot-News |date=January 12, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060205/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_down_connecticut.html |url-status=live }} Hershey beat the Whale again on January 13 in a 5–0 shutout, scoring four goals in the first period including three power plays, which equaled 11.1 percent of their 27 power plays of the season thus far. Tom Poti scored one of the power play goals; it marked his first game since January 12, 2011 for the Washington Capitals due to a fractured pelvis that threatened to end his career.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/first-period_goal_outburst_spa.html |title=First-period goal outburst sparks Hershey Bears to win over Connecticut Whale |work=The Patriot-News |date=January 13, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060200/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/first-period_goal_outburst_spa.html |url-status=live }}

The Bears won their third consecutive game on January 16 with a shootout victory over the Worcester Sharks. Grubauer stopped four of five shootout attempts by the Sharks, while Mitchell and Potulny scored on the shootout for the win.{{cite news|last=Sottile |first=Dave |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_win_third_straig.html |title=Hershey Bears win third straight by beating Worcester Sharks 3–2 in a shootout |work=The Patriot-News |date=January 16, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=February 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220234004/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_win_third_straig.html |url-status=live }} But that game was followed by a season-high four-game losing streak, which included a 2–1 overtime loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at the AHL Outdoor Classic on January 20. Before a crowd of 17,311 at Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey kept the Penguins scoreless for two periods before they tied it in the third, then Paul Thompson scored a game-winning breakaway goal 1:19 into overtime.{{cite news|last=Sottile |first=Dave |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/clutch_comeback_fuels_wilkes-b.html |title=Clutch comeback fuels Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's OT win vs. Hershey Bears in Capital BlueCross AHL Outdoor Classic |work=The Patriot-News |date=January 20, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071116/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/clutch_comeback_fuels_wilkes-b.html |url-status=live }} Their fourth straight loss against Binghamton on January 26 briefly took the Bears out of playoff contention in the Eastern Conference.{{cite news|last=Sottile |first=Dave |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_drop_fourth_stra.html |title=Hershey Bears drop fourth straight with a 3–2 shootout loss to Binghamton Senators |work=The Patriot-News |date=January 26, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201121711/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_drop_fourth_stra.html |url-status=live }} The Bears ranked 22nd in the league for scoring, averaging 2.53 goals per game, and were last in league for shots on goal per game at 25.21. Their record was 0-for-15 when trailing in two periods, and 12 of their games so far had been one-goal decisions.{{cite news |last=Fidler |first=Chris |url=http://www.ldnews.com/lebanonsports/ci_22468423/bears-ready-make-move |title=Bears ready to make move – Lebanon Daily News |work=Lebanon Daily News |date=January 28, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=2013-04-11 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411060044/http://www.ldnews.com/lebanonsports/ci_22468423/bears-ready-make-move |url-status=dead }} However, the January 26 loss also started a seven-game point streak for the Bears, which included three wins and four overtime losses, three of which in a shootout.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/hershey_bears_fall_to_hamilton.html |title=Hershey Bears fall to Hamilton Bulldogs in shootout |work=The Patriot-News |date=February 15, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304122905/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/hershey_bears_fall_to_hamilton.html |url-status=live }} On January 31, the Bears obtained winger Peter LeBlanc in a trade for Beaudoin to the Chicago Blackhawks, and also received Casey Wellman in a trade for Hamill to the Florida Panthers.{{cite news|last=Sottile |first=Dave |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_shuffle_the_deck.html |title=Hershey Bears shuffle the deck as forwards Zach Hamill and Mathieu Beaudoin are traded in separate deals |work=The Patriot-News |date=January 31, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101344/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/01/hershey_bears_shuffle_the_deck.html |url-status=live }}

File:Jeff Taffe Bears Pic..jpg is the season's points leader for the Bears, leading in both goals and assists.]]

Hershey broke their four-game losing streak with a 2–1 victory against the Manchester Monarchs on February 2, making a season-high 44 shots on goal. LeBlanc and Wellman combined for 10 shots in their Hershey debuts, and LeBlanc scored one of the two goals.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/hershey_bears_end_four-game_wi.html |title=Hershey Bears end four-game winless streak with commanding effort against Manchester Monarchs |publisher=PennLive.com |date=February 2, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060038/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/hershey_bears_end_four-game_wi.html |url-status=live }} Hershey lost the next day to the Penguins, falling 2–1 in overtime after allowing a power play goal with 10.8 seconds left in overtime.{{cite news |url=http://www.ldnews.com/sports/ci_22511600/pens-drop-bears-ot-again |title=Pens drop Bears in OT again – Lebanon Daily News |work=Lebanon Daily News |date=February 3, 2013 |last=Fidler |first=Chris |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=2013-09-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061132/http://www.ldnews.com/sports/ci_22511600/pens-drop-bears-ot-again |url-status=dead }} In a 3–2 shootout win against the Lake Erie Monsters on February 5, Sabourin made 35 saves and the Bears killed seven power plays.{{cite news |url=http://www.ldnews.com/lebanonsports/ci_22527397/bears-stop-monsters-so-3-2 |title=Bears stop Monsters in SO, 3–2 – Lebanon Daily News |work=Lebanon Daily News |date=February 5, 2013 |archive-date=2013-09-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055622/http://www.ldnews.com/lebanonsports/ci_22527397/bears-stop-monsters-so-3-2 |url-status=dead |access-date=2013-03-16 }} They also defeated Binghamton 4–3 on February 9, scoring on two of eight power plays, better than their 1-for-11 power play record going into the game.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/power_play_fuels_hershey_bears.html |title=Power play fuels Hershey Bears' win over Binghamton Senators |work=The Patriot-News |date=February 9, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060036/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/power_play_fuels_hershey_bears.html |url-status=live }} Hershey lost 4–3 in a shootout against Norfolk on February 10, despite scoring three goals in the third period. Potulny made two of the goals, including the last with 34.4 seconds in regulation, marking his second multi-goal game of the season.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/despite_rally_hershey_bears_fa.html |title=Despite rally, Hershey Bears fall to Norfolk Admirals in shootout |work=The Patriot-News |date=February 10, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060458/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/despite_rally_hershey_bears_fa.html |url-status=live }} Stoa also scored his second two-goal game of the season in the Bears' subsequent 4–3 loss against Norfolk on February 10, which marked the team's third consecutive shootout loss.

Hershey's seven-game point streak ended on February 16 with a 2–1 loss against Toronto. It was also their eighth one-goal game, tying them with the Houston Aeros for the season's most one-goal contests in the league.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/goalie_drew_macintyre_backstop.html |title=Goalie Drew MacIntyre backstops Toronto Marlies to win over Hershey Bears |work=The Patriot-News |date=February 16, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102248/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/goalie_drew_macintyre_backstop.html |url-status=live }} In a 4–1 win against Rochester the next day, Grubauer blocked 35 shots, marking his personal high in the American Hockey League and the third time this season he held an opponent to one goal in regulation.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/goalie_philipp_grubauer_backst.html |title=Goalie Philipp Grubauer backstops Hershey Bears to win over Rochester Americans |work=The Patriot-News |date=February 17, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=February 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228084518/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/goalie_philipp_grubauer_backst.html |url-status=live }} The Bears defeated Binghamton 5–4 in a shootout on February 22, rallying from a two-goal deficit in the third period and killing nine of the Senators' 10 power plays. The victory was one of only two victories, both shootouts, in the past 18 games where Hershey trailed after two periods. Taffe scored two power play goals for his first two-goal game for the Bears, and McNeill's three assists move his career points total to 146, making him eighth in all-time scoring among Hershey defensemen. Grubauer earned his AHL shutout for the Bears with a 3–0 win February 23 against Adirondack, making a season high-tying 40 saves. The game brought Hershey's penalty kill record in 10 games to 42-for-46, or 91.3 percent,{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/hershey_bears_g_philipp_grubau.html |title=Hershey Bears G Philipp Grubauer earns first official AHL shutout in win over Adirondack Phantoms |work=The Patriot-News |date=February 23, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=March 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308104942/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/hershey_bears_g_philipp_grubau.html |url-status=live }} bringing their overall penalty kill to eighth best in the league. The Bears lost 6–4 in Albany on February 24, which was also the third straight game Hershey scored two power play goals. They were scored by Stol and Potulny, who had each had five goals in their last six and seven games, respectively. Wellman also scored two goals in the game.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/albany_devils_defeat_hershey_b.html |title=Albany Devils defeat Hershey Bears at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall |work=The Patriot-News |date=February 24, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=March 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305075454/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/albany_devils_defeat_hershey_b.html |url-status=live }}

The Bears won their first three contests from March 1 to 3. Although it marked their fourth three-game winning streak of the season, it was their first time winning on three consecutive days, and first winning three in a row at home.

{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/hershey_bears_rally_to_beat_sy.html |title=Hershey Bears rally to beat Syracuse Crunch |work=The Patriot-News |date=March 3, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115920/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/hershey_bears_rally_to_beat_sy.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/norfolk_admirals_sink_hershey.html |title=Norfolk Admirals sink Hershey Bears |work=The Patriot-News |date=March 8, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060500/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/norfolk_admirals_sink_hershey.html |url-status=live }} The streak started with a 3–2 victory against the Penguins, scoring three goals in the first half of the first period.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/hershey_bears_ride_early_three.html |title=Hershey Bears ride early three-goal lead to win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins |work=The Patriot-News |date=March 1, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052552/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/hershey_bears_ride_early_three.html |url-status=live }} They were outshot 34 to 15, which tied for Bears' lowest total shots in a game.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/hershey_bears-wilkes-barrescra_7.html |title=Hershey Bears-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins game notebook: Boyd Kane records 99th Hershey goal |work=The Patriot-News |date=March 1, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104522/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/hershey_bears-wilkes-barrescra_7.html |url-status=live }} Grubauer was recalled to the Washington Capitals on March 7 to substitute for an ill Michal Neuvirth.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capitals-insider/wp/2013/03/07/capitals-recall-philipp-grubauer-michal-neuvirth-sick-2/ |title=Michal Neuvirth sick, Capitals recall Philipp Grubauer (updated) |work=The Washington Post |first=Katie |last=Carrera |date=March 7, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921215428/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capitals-insider/wp/2013/03/07/capitals-recall-philipp-grubauer-michal-neuvirth-sick-2/ |url-status=live }} He stopped 40 of 45 shots in 5–2 loss to the New York Islanders in his first NHL start on March 9, and was returned to the Bears the next day after Neuvirth recovered.{{cite web|url=http://capitals.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=659457 |title=Capitals Assign Philipp Grubauer to Hershey – Washington Capitals – News |publisher=Washington Capitals |date=March 10, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060918/http://capitals.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=659457 |url-status=live }} The Bears' lost their next three straight games, including two back-to-back losses against Norfolk in which they were held to one goal. Those losses placed them in danger of losing playoff contention, tying them with Connecticut for seventh, with Albany and Manchester each one point behind. It was also the first time this season the Bears lost a game in regulation that it led after two periods.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/binghamton_senators_stun_hersh.html |title=Binghamton Senators stun Hershey Bears with late rally |work=The Patriot-News |date=March 10, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=June 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601163753/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/binghamton_senators_stun_hersh.html |url-status=live }} The team's losing streak ended with a 1–0 victory against Bridgeport on March 17, when Mitchell scored a game-winning overtime goal.{{cite news|title=AHL: Mitchell sends Hershey Bears past Sound Tigers in overtime |work=The Sentinel |date=March 17, 2013 |url=http://cumberlink.com/sports/college/ahl-mitchell-sends-hershey-bears-past-sound-tigers-in-overtime/article_822b67b4-8eaf-11e2-b407-001a4bcf887a.html |access-date=March 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318154917/http://cumberlink.com/sports/college/ahl-mitchell-sends-hershey-bears-past-sound-tigers-in-overtime/article_822b67b4-8eaf-11e2-b407-001a4bcf887a.html |archive-date=March 18, 2013 |url-status=live }}

Hershey faced a challenging schedule for the end of its regular season, with only three of the last 14 games scheduled for home. This marked the fewest in team history, with a previous low of five games in the final 14 of 2002–03.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Road gauntlet confronts Hershey Bears |work=The Patriot-News |date=March 21, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/road_gauntlet_confronts_hershe.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071202/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/road_gauntlet_confronts_hershe.html |url-status=live }} The team also experienced significant roster changes in March, with Orlov, Oleksy and Schilling all being recalled to the Washington Capitals. Almeida and Kostenko were reassigned to the Reading Royals,{{cite news|last=Sottile |first=Dave |title=Hershey Bears defenseman Dmitry Orlov recalled to NHL, while forwards Barry Almeida and Danick Paquette are sent down to ECHL's Reading Royals |work=The Patriot-News |date=March 18, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/hershey_bears_defenseman_dmitr.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=March 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324063908/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/hershey_bears_defenseman_dmitr.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Jay Leach scores twice as Albany Devils defeat Hershey Bears |work=The Patriot-News |date=March 29, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/jay_leach_scores_twice_as_alba.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708091855/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/jay_leach_scores_twice_as_alba.html |url-status=live }} Nicolas Deschamps joined the Bears roster, and Kevin Marshall was for defenseman Chay Genoway.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=For Hershey Bears, 75th anniversary AHL season was a four-part odyssey |work=The Patriot-News |date=May 13, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/05/for_hershey_bears_75th_anniver.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=July 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727122537/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/05/for_hershey_bears_75th_anniver.html |url-status=live }} Capitals winger Joey Crabb also cleared waivers and was assigned to Hershey on March 23.{{cite news|last=Carrera |first=Katie |title=Joey Crabb clears waivers, assigned to Hershey |work=The Washington Post |date=March 23, 2013 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capitals-insider/wp/2013/03/23/joey-crabb-clears-waivers-assigned-to-hershey/ |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=September 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911014100/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capitals-insider/wp/2013/03/23/joey-crabb-clears-waivers-assigned-to-hershey/ |url-status=live }} The Bears ended a two-game losing streak with a 4–1 victory over Worcester on March 24,{{cite news|last=Sottile |first=Dave |title=Dany Sabourin strong in net as Hershey Bears beat Worcester Sharks 4-1 |work=The Patriot-News |date=March 24, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/dany_sabourin_strong_in_net_as.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=May 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527091531/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/dany_sabourin_strong_in_net_as.html |url-status=live }} but lost 5–3 on March 29 to Albany, who had just lost six consecutive games. Grubauer was replaced by Sabourin after surrendering three shots on seven goals. Hershey defeated Providence 3–2 the next day, rallying with two goals in the final 12 minutes. It marked the first time this season the Bears had won a game after trailing for two periods.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears rally to defeat Providence Bruins |work=The Patriot-News |date=March 30, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/hershey_bears_rally_to_defeat.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708083414/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/hershey_bears_rally_to_defeat.html |url-status=live }}

April brought further roster changes for the Hershey Bears, with Joel Rechlicz rejoining the team in exchange for Matt Clackson, and Stafford being traded for winger Dane Byers.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears trade D Garrett Stafford in exchange for Oklahoma City Barons F Dane Byers |work=The Patriot-News |date=April 2, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_trade_d_garrett.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=July 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707192056/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_trade_d_garrett.html |url-status=live }} Forward Michael Latta was also traded to Hershey, meaning the team had added seven new players to the roster via trades since January 31.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears quiet at AHL trade deadline |work=The Patriot-News |date=April 10, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_quiet_at_ahl_tra.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=May 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511025858/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_quiet_at_ahl_tra.html |url-status=live }} The April trades were intended to add forward speed and depth to the team, but a late NHL trade deadline resulting from the lockout left only nine james to meld the new players into the line-up. After beating Syracuse 4–1 on April 5,{{cite news|last=Kramer |first=Lindsay |title=Playoff clinching bitter-sweet as Syracuse Crunch a no-show in 4-1 loss to Hershey |work=The Patriot-News |date=April 5, 2013 |url=http://blog.syracuse.com/crunch/2013/04/post_110.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=May 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510035528/http://blog.syracuse.com/crunch/2013/04/post_110.html |url-status=live }} Hershey fell into a four-game losing slump that briefly knocked them out of playoff contention.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Manchester Monarchs send Hershey Bears to fourth straight regulation loss |work=The Patriot-News |date=April 13, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/manchester_monarchs_send_hersh.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=May 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512200208/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/manchester_monarchs_send_hersh.html |url-status=live }} The first of those games, a 2–1 loss against Syracuse at home, drew a season-high attendance of 10,943.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Bears' season attendance average surpasses 10,000 |work=The Patriot-News |date=April 6, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_season_attendanc.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=May 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511061344/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_season_attendanc.html |url-status=live }} However, by April 12, a loss against Providence knocked them into ninth place, and last place in the East Division.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears lose to Providence Bruins, fall to ninth place in Eastern Conference |work=The Patriot-News |date=April 12, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_lose_to_providen.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=May 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512203615/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_lose_to_providen.html |url-status=live }} Another loss the next day to Manchester left them tied with the Monarchs for last place at 75 points, a full four points behind Connecticut and Norfolk to get back into the running for the playoffs.

The Bears ended their win drought with a 5–3 victory against Portland. After having gone one-for-18 on the power play in the previous five games, Hershey scored a season-high five power play goals against the Pirates, including a hat trick by Crabb. Taffe recorded five assists, the team's season-high points total for a single game.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Fueled by Joey Crabb and power play, Hershey Bears beat Portland Pirates |work=The Patriot-News |date=April 14, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/fueled_by_joey_crabb_and_power.html |access-date=April 14, 2013 |archive-date=May 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512150107/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/fueled_by_joey_crabb_and_power.html |url-status=live }} Another victory against Adirondack on April 19 placed Herhsey back into playoff contention, tying them with Manchester, Norfolk and Connecticut at 79 points in the race for the final two spots.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears beat Adirondack Phantoms, regain control of playoff fate |work=The Patriot-News |date=April 19, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_beat_adirondack.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=April 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424075422/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_beat_adirondack.html |url-status=live }} The Bears clinched the eighth and final seed by defeating Manchester 4–2 in their final regular season game on April 21.{{cite news|last=Toth |first=Bill |title=Hershey Bears playoff schedule |publisher=WPMT |date=April 21, 2013 |url=http://fox43.com/2013/04/21/the-hershey-bears-playoff-schedule/ |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=May 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508184454/http://fox43.com/2013/04/21/the-hershey-bears-playoff-schedule/ |url-status=live }} Taffe finished the regular season the second-highest scorer in the league with 18 goals, finishing behind the Rockford IceHogs' Brandon Pirri at 22 goals. Taffe and Pirri tied for the league high in assists at 53.{{cite news|last=Sottile |first=Dave |title=Hershey Bears vs. Providence Bruins: Playoff preview at a glance |work=The Patriot-News |date=April 22, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_vs_providence_br.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=May 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504110848/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_vs_providence_br.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last=Neveau |first=James |title=IceHogs Miss Playoffs As Pirri Wins Scoring Title |publisher=WMAQ-TV |date=April 22, 2013 |url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/madhouse-enforcer/IceHogs-Miss-Playoffs-While-Pirri-Wins-Scoring-Title--204085611.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222033343/http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/madhouse-enforcer/IceHogs-Miss-Playoffs-While-Pirri-Wins-Scoring-Title--204085611.html |url-status=live }} Taffe was also named the team's Most Valuable Player and made the AHL's 2012-13 second all-star squad.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=After near detour to Sweden, Jeff Taffe rejoins Hershey Bears for 2013-14 |work=The Patriot-News |date=June 14, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/06/after_near_detour_to_sweden_je.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708213356/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/06/after_near_detour_to_sweden_je.html |url-status=live }} The Bears finished the regular season with a home attendance total of 381,764 and a club-record average of 10,046. This marked only the fifth time an AHL club had averaged more than 10,000 since records started being kept in 1962, and the first time since the then-Philadelphia Phantoms in 1999–2000.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears finish with 10,046 attendance average |work=The Patriot-News |date=April 21, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_finish_with_1004.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=May 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508035248/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_finish_with_1004.html |url-status=live }} Boyd Kane was named the club's Man of the Year.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears captain Boyd Kane named team's Man of Year |work=The Patriot-News |date=April 11, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_captain_boyd_kan_2.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=May 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513021020/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_captain_boyd_kan_2.html |url-status=live }}

The Bears faced the top-seeded Providence Bruins in the best-of-five first round, marking the eighth consecutive year Hershey made the Calder Cup playoffs. It also marked the sixth AHL playoff meeting between the two teams, with Hershey winning four of the previous five, losing only in the 1949 finals. The Bruins led the league in wins (5) and points (105) for the 2012–13 regular season, and no team had beaten the AHL's regular season points leader in the first round of the playoffs since the Cornwall Aces in 1996.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Epic performance by Hershey Bears G Philipp Grubauer backstops Game 2 overtime win over Providence Bruins |work=The Patriot-News |date=April 28, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/epic_performance_by_hershey_be.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=May 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523194628/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/epic_performance_by_hershey_be.html |url-status=live }} The Providence roster featured three former Hershey forwards: Chris Bourque, Christian Hanson and Graham Mink. Defenseman Patrick McNeill did not play for Hershey during the playoff series due to veteran roster limit issues.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=After six seasons and two Calder Cups, Patrick McNeill bids farewell to Hershey Bears |work=The Patriot-News |date=July 7, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/07/after_six_seasons_and_two_cald.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=July 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711123320/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/07/after_six_seasons_and_two_cald.html |url-status=live }}

Hershey won the first game 5–2 on April 26, with Crabb opening scoring with a power play goal, and the Bears taking a 4–0 lead by the second period, resulting in Providence goaltender Niklas Svedberg being pulled from the game.{{cite news|last=Sadowski |first=Todd |title=Hershey Bears Start Playoffs Fast with 5-2 Victory |date=April 27, 2013 |publisher=WPMT |url=http://fox43.com/2013/04/27/hershey-bears-start-playoffs-fast-with-5-2-victory/#axzz2eJp83rrI |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=May 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524150621/http://fox43.com/2013/04/27/hershey-bears-start-playoffs-fast-with-5-2-victory/ |url-status=live }} The victory marked Hershey's first game one win in a playoff series since defeating Manchester in the 2009–10 Eastern Conference finals.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears G Philipp Grubauer earns first career AHL playoff win |work=The Patriot-News |date=April 26, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_goalie_philipp_g_2.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=May 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523191419/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_goalie_philipp_g_2.html |url-status=live }} The Bears also won their second game 5–4 on April 28, with Grubauer making 54 saves, eight short of matching the team's playoff record. The Bruins allowed 64 shots, which were six short of Hershey's highest in a playoff game. Hershey was losing 4–3 in the third, their first time trailing in the series, but Grubauer was pulled for an extra attacker and Crabb tied the game with 91 seconds in regulation, allowing DiSalvatore to score the game-winner in overtime on a power play. Hershey's 5-for-10 power play record ranked the highest in the Calder Cup playoffs at the time.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears F Peter LeBlanc tied for AHL playoff scoring lead |work=The Patriot-News |date=April 28, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_f_peter_leblanc_1.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=May 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523224311/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/hershey_bears_f_peter_leblanc_1.html |url-status=live }}

If the Bruins were swept, it would have marked the first time an overall top-seed was swept from the opening round of the playoffs since the Cleveland Barons ousted the Buffalo Bisons in 1954.{{cite news|last=Sottile |first=Dave |title=Former Hershey Bear Chris Bourque keeps old teammates from advancing in Calder Cup playoffs |work=The Patriot-News |date=May 4, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/05/former_hershey_bear_chris_bour.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=June 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628102656/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/05/former_hershey_bear_chris_bour.html |url-status=live }} But the Bruins fought off elimination with a 5–1 victory in game three on May 4, where Bourque scored two goals and one assists against his former team. Despite scoring the first goal for the third straight game, Hershey failed to score on any of its six power plays, including a five-on-three that lasted a full two minutes.{{cite web|title=P-Bruins Stave off Elimination with 5-1 Win |publisher=Our Sports Central |date=May 4, 2013 |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4588530 |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910041850/http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4588530 |url-status=live }} Providence also won a dramatic fourth game on May 5. Trailing 4–3 in the third period, the Bruins stunned Hershey by scoring two goals in the final four minutes, including Carter Camper completing a hat trick with his game-winner with 64 seconds left in the game.{{cite news|title=Camper's hat trick gives P-Bruins dramatic win in Game Four |work=Providence Journal |date=May 5, 2013 |url=http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/bruins/content/20130505-camper-s-hat-trick-gives-p-bruins-dramatic-win-in-game-four.ece |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=July 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706112206/http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/bruins/content/20130505-camper-s-hat-trick-gives-p-bruins-dramatic-win-in-game-four.ece |url-status=live }} Hershey were eliminated from the playoffs after losing the fifth and final game by 3–2. Crabb tied the game 2–2 in the third with his fifth goal of the series, but Bruins forward Jamie Tardif broke the tie at 9:20 of the period. The Bears finished the period with a six-on-four advantage but could not score.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Providence Bruins win deciding Game 5 to eliminate Hershey Bears |work=The Patriot-News |date=May 8, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/05/providence_bruins_win_deciding.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=June 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627000836/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/05/providence_bruins_win_deciding.html |url-status=live }}

This marked the third consecutive year Hershey was eliminated in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs. They became the tenth team in AHL history to be eliminated after winning the first two games of a best-of-five series; the last was the Lowell Lock Monsters, who lost to St. John's Maple Leafs in 2002. The road team won every game of the Bears and Bruins series. The only other time that had happened in AHL history was in 1995, when the Fredericton Canadiens eliminated the St. John's Maple Leafs. Hershey finished the season with a league-worst average of 26.42 shots on goal per game, and a total of 204 goals, the team's lowest since 2003–04.{{cite web|last=Speck |first=Matthew |date=October 14, 2013 |title=Hershey Bears Notebook: Shooting and the Power-Play |publisher=The Hockey Writers |url=http://thehockeywriters.com/hershey-bears-notebook-shooting-power-play/ |access-date=October 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024010822/http://thehockeywriters.com/hershey-bears-notebook-shooting-power-play/ |archive-date=October 24, 2013 |url-status=live }}

On May 17, Bears President Doug Yingst and Washington Capitals General Manager George McPhee announced they would not renew the contract of head coach Mark French. French spent four seasons with Hershey, making the playoffs every time and winning the Calder Cup in 2009. He was the fifth winningest Hershey Bears coach at 180 wins, which was one win behind the fourth winningest, John Paddock. French subsequently became head coach of KHL Medveščak Zagreb for the Kontinental Hockey League.{{cite news |last=Fidler |first=Chris |title=Hershey Bears land Mike Haviland |work=Lebanon Daily News |date=May 17, 2013 |url=http://www.ldnews.com/hersheybears/ci_23485934/hershey-bears-land-mike-haviland |access-date=June 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623075828/http://www.ldnews.com/hersheybears/ci_23485934/hershey-bears-land-mike-haviland |archive-date=2013-06-23 |url-status=dead }} Several people were identified as possible candidates to succeed French, including Troy Mann, Paul Jerrard, Mike Stothers, Eric Veilleux and Larry Courville.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Hershey Bears assistant coach Troy Mann will be a candidate to succeed Mark French as head coach |work=The Patriot-News |date=May 17, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/05/hershey_bears_assistant_coach_2.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=December 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206105937/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/05/hershey_bears_assistant_coach_2.html |url-status=live }} After a search, it was announced on June 18 that Mike Haviland had been chosen for the position. Yingst said Haviland was chosen because it was believed he could improve Hershey's home record and create a tougher, more aggressive, "in your face" team. Haviland had applied for the Washington Capitals head coach position the year prior, but Oates was selected instead.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=New Hershey Bears head coach Mike Haviland goes from foe to friend |work=The Patriot-News |date=June 18, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/06/new_hershey_bears_head_coach_m.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=November 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114045133/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/06/new_hershey_bears_head_coach_m.html |url-status=live }}

After four years as Hershey's assistant coach, Mann accepted a job as head coach of ECHL's Bakersfield Condors on June 21. Mann had reinterviewed for his position with the Bears and felt it went well, but said he faced a deadline to accept the Bakersfield job and could not turn it down.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Departing assistant coach Troy Mann bids farewell to Hershey Bears |work=The Patriot-News |date=June 23, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/06/departing_assistant_coach_troy_1.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630081528/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/06/departing_assistant_coach_troy_1.html |url-status=live }} Ryan Mougenel was signed as Mann's replacement on July 5. He had previously worked with Haviland, when Mougenel was alternate captain on and Haviland was head coach of the ECHL's Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies in 2002–03, the year the team won the Kelly Cup.{{cite news |title=Hershey Bears add four players, assistant coach |publisher=Lancaster Online |date=July 8, 2013 |url=http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/870252_Hershey-Bears-add-four-players--assistant-coach.html |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=2013-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917082019/http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/870252_Hershey-Bears-add-four-players--assistant-coach.html |url-status=dead }}

The post season saw several players depart the Hershey Bears line-up. Immediately after Hershey was eliminated from the playoffs, the Washington Capitals recalled Joey Crabb and Tom Wilson for their Stanley Cup run;{{cite news |last=Boyer |first=Zac |title=Capitals Recall Joey Crabb, Tom Wilson From Hershey |work=The Free Lance–Star |date=May 9, 2013 |url=http://news.fredericksburg.com/dcsports/2013/05/09/capitals-recall-joey-crabb-tom-wilson-from-hershey/ |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=2013-09-10 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130910201738/http://news.fredericksburg.com/dcsports/2013/05/09/capitals-recall-joey-crabb-tom-wilson-from-hershey/ |url-status=dead }} Crabb later signed with NHL's Florida Panthers.{{cite news|title=Panthers signs Crabb, Mottau |work=The Miami Herald |date=July 5, 2013 |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/07/05/3486439/panthers-sign-crabb-mottau.html |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=September 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130911012923/http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/07/05/3486439/panthers-sign-crabb-mottau.html |url-status=live }} After 365 games with Hershey and playing as captain since 2001, Boyd Kane left the Hershey Bears for Medveščak Zagreb in Croatia, reuniting with French.{{cite news|last=Sottile |first=Dave |title=Hershey Bears captain Boyd Kane joins former coach, signs with KHL club in Croatia |work=The Patriot-News |date=July 3, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/07/hershey_bears_captain_boyd_kan_3.html |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=June 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610230422/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/07/hershey_bears_captain_boyd_kan_3.html |url-status=live }} Sabourin left the Bears for the Graz 99ers of the Austrian Hockey League,{{cite web|last=Ellis |first=Steven |title=Dany Sabourin Signs With Austrian Team Graz 99ers |publisher=Yardbarker |date=July 2, 2013 |url=http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/dany_sabourin_signs_with_austrian_team_graz_99ers_nbspby_nbspsteven_ellis/13958596 |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=June 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610213019/http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/dany_sabourin_signs_with_austrian_team_graz_99ers_nbspby_nbspsteven_ellis/13958596 |url-status=live }} and McNeill, who was limited to 47 games in the 2012–13 season due to veteran roster limits, signed a one-year two-way contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets.{{cite news|last=Butzin |first=Cory |title=Columbus Blue Jackets sign former Saginaw Spirit standouts Patrick McNeill and Cody Bass |publisher=Booth Newspapers |date=July 8, 2013 |url=http://www.mlive.com/spirit/index.ssf/2013/07/columbus_blue_jackets_sign_for.html |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=June 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610230315/http://www.mlive.com/spirit/index.ssf/2013/07/columbus_blue_jackets_sign_for.html |url-status=live }} Potulny signed with the KHL's Avangard Omsk, Pope joined the Aalborg Pirates in Denmark,{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Former Hershey Bears head coach Mark French embraces challenge of coaching in KHL |work=The Patriot-News |date=June 3, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/06/former_hershey_bears_head_coac_1.html |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005143528/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/06/former_hershey_bears_head_coac_1.html |url-status=live }} and Sjögren departed for the Linköpings Hockey Club in the Swedish Hockey League.{{cite web |last=Pettersson |first=Gustaf |title=Mattias Sjogren ready for LHC |publisher=Linköpings HC |date=May 16, 2013 |url=http://www2.lhc.eu/artikel/37854/ |access-date=September 10, 2013 |language=Swedish |archive-date=September 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922052558/http://www2.lhc.eu/artikel/37854/ |url-status=dead }}

Byers, Rechlicz, Stoa, Syner and Wellar were all re-signed for the 2013–14 season,{{cite web|title=Capitals Re-sign Ryan Stoa |publisher=Washington Capitals |date=April 15, 2013 |url=http://capitals.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=665868 |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=September 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920163622/http://capitals.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=665868 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Speck |first=Matt |title=Hershey Bears Retain Rechlicz, Byers |publisher=Inside Hockey |date=June 27, 2013 |url=http://insidehockey.com/hershey-bears-retain-rechlicz-byers |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=2013-09-10 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130910160531/http://insidehockey.com/hershey-bears-retain-rechlicz-byers |url-status=dead }} and Deschamps and LeBlanc received qualifying offers from the Washington Capitals.{{cite news|last=Carrera |first=Katie |title=Capitals make qualifying offers to five restricted free agents |work=The Washington Post |date=July 2, 2013 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capitals-insider/wp/2013/07/02/capitals-make-qualifying-offers-to-five-restricted-free-agents/ |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=October 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011153558/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capitals-insider/wp/2013/07/02/capitals-make-qualifying-offers-to-five-restricted-free-agents/ |url-status=live }} It was announced June 14 that Taffe re-signed with the Bears. The Swedish Hockey League had announced one month earlier that Taffe had signed a contract with them, but Taffe said that announcement had been premature, and he wanted to keep his family in North America.{{cite news |last=Leone |first=Tim |title=After near detour to Sweden, Jeff Taffe rejoins Hershey Bears for 2013-14 |work=The Patriot-News |date=June 14, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/06/after_near_detour_to_sweden_je.html |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708213356/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/06/after_near_detour_to_sweden_je.html |url-status=live }} In July, the Bears signed four free agents to one-year contracts: defenseman Tyson Strachan, winger Matt Watkins, forward Derek Whitmore and goaltender David Leggio. For the 2013–14 season, Hershey signed defenseman David Kolomatis,{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Washington Capitals, Hershey Bears sign D David Kolomatis |work=The Patriot-News |date=July 6, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/07/washington_capitals_hershey_be.html |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708212836/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/07/washington_capitals_hershey_be.html |url-status=live }} Nate Schmidt,{{cite news|last=Augustoviz |first=Roman |title=Schmidt surrounded by ex-Gophers on new train in Hershey |work=Star Tribune |date=April 17, 2013 |url=http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/203420501.html |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=June 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603073659/http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/203420501.html |url-status=live }} and Jaynen Rissling,{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=Legacy Jaynen Risling joins Hershey Bears |work=The Patriot-News |date=May 3, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/05/legacy_jaynen_rissling_joins_h.html |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=June 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610213451/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/05/legacy_jaynen_rissling_joins_h.html |url-status=live }} as well as goaltender Riley Gill,{{cite news|title=Northfield's Gill signs with AHL's Hershey Bears |work=Northfield News & Transcript |date=August 8, 2013 |url=http://www.southernminn.com/northfield_news/sports/article_9b8878bf-6beb-588e-b728-3c45697e8c1a.html |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=September 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130911020640/http://www.southernminn.com/northfield_news/sports/article_9b8878bf-6beb-588e-b728-3c45697e8c1a.html |url-status=live }} and forwards Josh Brittain, Dustin Gazley,{{cite news |title=Sports Briefs: Hershey Bears pick up Brittain, Gazley |work=Lebanon Daily News |date=August 7, 2013 |url=http://www.ldnews.com/lebanonsports/ci_23816265/sports-briefs-hershey-bears-pick-up-brittain-gazley |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=2015-06-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610225351/http://www.ldnews.com/lebanonsports/ci_23816265/sports-briefs-hershey-bears-pick-up-brittain-gazley |url-status=dead }} Brandon Segal,{{cite news|last=Raby |first=Ben |title=Caps sign forward Brandon Segal |publisher=Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic |date=August 20, 2013 |url=http://www.csnwashington.com/hockey-washington-capitals/talk/caps-sign-forward-brandon-segal |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=September 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923033651/http://www.csnwashington.com/hockey-washington-capitals/talk/caps-sign-forward-brandon-segal |url-status=live }} and Jamie Johnson, a former linemate of Taffe's with the Rochester Americans.{{cite news|last=Leone |first=Tim |title=AHL veteran Jamie Johnson signs with Hershey Bears, reunites with Jeff Taffe |work=The Patriot-News |date=July 5, 2013 |url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/07/ahl_veteran_jamie_johnson_sign.html |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=July 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130713215025/http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/07/ahl_veteran_jamie_johnson_sign.html |url-status=live }}

{{Color box|#97DEFF|y–|border=darkgray}} indicates team has clinched division and a playoff spot

{{Color box|#bbffbb|x–|border=darkgray}} indicates team has clinched a playoff spot

{{Color box|#ffcccc|e–|border=darkgray}} indicates team has been eliminated from playoff contention

Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, ET – East

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| colspan=11 |

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| colspan=11 |

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| colspan="11" style="text-align:center;"|

Legend:

{{legend2|#cfc|Win (2 points)|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#fcc|Loss (0 points)|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#ffc|Overtime/shootout loss (1-point)|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

|}

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| colspan="11" style="text-align:center;"|

Legend:

{{legend2|#cfc|Win|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#fcc|Loss|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

|}

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

Updated as of May 8, 2013{{cite web|title=Skaters – 2012–2013 Regular Season – Hershey Bears |url=http://theahl.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=skaters&team_id=319&season_id=40&tournament_id=0&leagueId=4&division_id=-1&confId=0 |publisher=American Hockey League |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014175704/http://theahl.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=skaters&team_id=319&season_id=40&tournament_id=0&leagueId=4&division_id=-1&confId=0 |url-status=dead }}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

^†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining team. Stats reflect time with the team only.

^‡Left the team mid-season

^*Rookie

Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice; W = Wins; L = Losses; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; SV = Saves; SA = Shots against; SV% = Save percentage; SO = Shutouts; G = Goals; A = Assists; PIM = Penalty minutes

Updated as of May 8, 2013{{cite web|title=Goalies – 2012–13 Regular Season – Hershey Bears |url=http://theahl.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=goalies&team_id=319&season_id=40&tournament_id=0&leagueId=4&division_id=-1&confId=0 |publisher=American Hockey League |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014181129/http://theahl.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=goalies&team_id=319&season_id=40&tournament_id=0&leagueId=4&division_id=-1&confId=0 |url-status=dead }}

^‡Left the team mid-season

^*Rookie

{{reflist|2}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.hersheybears.com/index.php Hershey Bears official site]

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{{succession box |

before = 2011–12 AHL season |

after = 2013–14 AHL season |

title = 2012–13 AHL season |

years = |

}}

{{s-end}}

{{Hershey Bears}}

{{AHL}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2012-13 Hershey Bears season}}

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Category:Hershey Bears

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