Black Bears Set New League Record

BINGHAMTON, NY - The Binghamton Black Bears broke a league record Friday night, as they are now the only team in league history to have three different players record a hat trick in the same game.

In game #224 of the 15th season of the FPHL, Binghamton’s Don Olivieri, Kyle Stephan, and Gavin Yates now cement themselves in league history. 11 months after his league-debut, Stephan was able to record his first ever professional hat trick. He also tied his career high in points in a single game. Olivieri matched his goal total from last year’s championship season, and now sits at 16 tallies, in just 21 games. The Philadelphia native’s last hat trick occurred on February 1st, 2024, 364 days ago. Gavin Yates, no stranger to big moments and breaking records, scored the final goal of night for Binghamton in a 11-4 victory over the Columbus River Dragons. The two-time Playoff MVP secured his first hat trick of the season at the 4:29 of the third period. Yates now has 68 across four seasons with the Black Bears.

The league’s highest-rated offense took center stage on Friday night. Binghamton improved to 30-4-1, inching closer to securing a back-to-back Empire Division title. The 11 goals scored marks a season-high for Binghamton as the Black Bears extended their winning streak to nine.

The FPHL is a Single-A Minor Professional hockey league operating in its 15th season during 2024-25.