Miroshnichenko Stays Hot, Iorio Returns & Capitals Prospects Help Hershey Sweep Hartford, Advance To Eastern Conference Finals

The Hershey Bears wouldn't be denied on Wednesday, as the Washington Capitals' AHL affiliate came together and put on a show for a 4-1 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Their victory completes the series sweep against the New York Rangers' AHL-affiliate, and the Bears are moving on to the Eastern Conference Finals as they continue their Calder Cup title defense.

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After Hershey gave up the game-opening goal to Hartford, Garrett Roe struck twice, before Matt Strome, the younger brother of Capitals center Dylan, and Mike Vecchione added insurance goals for the win.

Washington's prospects also got in on the fun, as Ivan Miroshnichenko picked up his first assist of the playoffs to extend his point streak to four games. Defenseman Chase Priskie had two assists, and Lucas Johansen also had a helper.

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The Bears also saw Vincent Iorio make his long-awaited return to the lineup. He had missed the last month due to an upper-body injury he suffered in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New York Rangers while up with Washington.

Iorio played on the second defense pairing with Johansen and helped shut down the Wolf Pack's offense.

Meanwhile, Hunter Shepard stopped 17 of 18 shots (.944 save percentage) as the Bears came together to win without Ethen Frank in the lineup. Frank was a late scratch due to injury, leading Matthew Phillips back into the mix.

Hershey will face the Cleveland Monsters, the Columbus Blue Jackets' AHL-affiliate, in the Eastern Conference Finals. Cleveland swept the Syracuse Crunch on Wednesday.