Capitals vs. Flyers Exhibition Game in Hershey: Celebrating 20 Years of Affiliation
The Washington Capitals are set to face off against the Philadelphia Flyers in an exhibition game at Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, marking the first time in nearly two decades that the Caps will play in Hershey. The game is a special occasion as it commemorates the 20th anniversary of the successful affiliation between the Capitals and the Hershey Bears, the Caps' AHL affiliate. Several members of the Capitals coaching staff, including head coach Spencer Carbery and assistant coach Scott Allen, have ties to Hershey, having previously coached there before joining the NHL team. The strong bond between the two organizations is evident in the number of players who have transitioned from Hershey to Washington over the years, with many players on the likely Washington roster having previously played for the Bears. The game in Hershey will feature familiar faces like the Protas brothers and potentially the Strome brothers, continuing the tradition of siblings playing together in the NHL. The Capitals are coming off a 5-2 victory over the Bruins in their exhibition opener, with Sonny Milano and Hendrix Lapierre leading the way offensively. On the other hand, the Flyers started their preseason with a shootout win over the Islanders followed by a loss to the Canadiens. Rick Tocchet, a former Capital, now coaches the Flyers, adding another layer of intrigue to the matchup. The game in Hershey will be a special reunion between the two organizations with a rich history of success and shared players.