Hershey Bears head coach Todd Nelson said in the Calder Cup final that the defenseman Logan Day has “ice in the veins”. Little did we know that Day also had upper olfactory sensory neurons in his nose. By that I mean he has an incredible internal tolerance to stench.
We know this because Day hasn’t taken off his jersey since dressing for the Hershey Bears in Game 7. Wednesday evening. The Bears won the franchise’s twelfth Calder Cup after Mike Vecchione scored in overtime in the seventh longest game in AHL history.
It’s now Friday – nearly two full days later – and Logan’s jersey full of sweat, booze, and maybe other things I can’t imagine is still stuck to his body, maybe not to never again be taken away.
A summary in photos
The Game 7 face-off took place at 10:08 p.m. EST on Wednesday. Three hours and eight minutes later, the Bears won the Calder Cup at 1:17 p.m. EST Thursday. Day lost the lead after Veccs scored the game-winning goal and celebrated with teammates Lucas Johansen and Hunter Shepard. Please note Day’s stache here for future reference.
As the clock ticked down to 2 a.m. EST, Day lifted the Calder Cup at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., as his teammates cheered him on in the background. Day finished the playoffs as the Bears’ second-leading scorer with 14 points (3g, 11a).
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/GxKQ7OFDT5
— Zack Fisch (@zackfisch) June 22, 2023
The Bears returned to the locker room where the team celebrated. The beer was flowing and splashing.
As night turned into early morning, the party inside the locker room finally died down. Players and staff changed out of their soaked and alcohol-smelling clothes. Day still wears his jersey.
The Bears left Southern California early Thursday afternoon around 2 p.m. EST. Day, freshly shaven, can be seen wheeling his suitcase towards the team bus. The temperature was 97 degrees in Palm Desert.
On Bear Force 1, Day – now in sunglasses – brought a smile to a team photographer’s face. Yeah. I always wear it.
The Bears landed at their home around 6 p.m. in Harrisburg and were surprised by a crowd of reporters and fans lining the fences. They took the team bus to the Giant Center where about a thousand fans lined up to congratulate the team. Other Bears players wore championship jerseys. Not the day.
Presumably, the Bears continued their celebration Thursday night in central Pennsylvania. Friday morning at 9 a.m., the Bears had their team photo. Other players donned their Calder Cup final shirts. Day just kept his.
Day’s aroma seemed to cause problems for Matt Strome.
About an hour later, Day can be seen exiting the Giant Center.
Exception granted! Sweeter by the dozen, @TheHersheyBears. pic.twitter.com/gze6GlmwR5
– Tröegs Brewery (@TroegsBeer) June 23, 2023
In the afternoon, a crowd of Hershey Bears decided to take the Calder Cup to the Troegs Brewery down the road from the Giant Center. The day was still in (top left).
At 1:17 p.m., the Bears estimated that Day wore his jersey for 39 consecutive hours. In publishing, we are approaching 45 hours. If he still has it during the Bears’ championship celebration at 3 p.m. Saturday, Day will have kept his precious for 68 straight hours.
Maybe Day will finally rip the sweater off after the celebration. Or maybe he’ll put on new clothes on July 1st.
Each time that happens, Day has etched his place in Hershey Bears history and the pride he feels is clearly evident.
Congratulations, buddy.
Photos courtesy of Hershey’s Bears