Sunday February 27, 2005 vs. Albany (Posted Sunday 11:17 P.M. EST.)

 

Bears honor #3 with 3-0 shutout of River Rats

 

By Joe Shetrom, 7641 Sports

 

Some game results are very befitting. Sunday's game was no exception, as the Hershey Bears honored the late Frank S. Mathers with a 3-0 blanking of the Albany River Rats before 9,278 fans at the Giant Center.

 

Mike Souza, Mathieu Darche, and Jeff Ulmer pocketed the Hershey goals, while goaltender Peter Budaj turned aside all 22 River Rats shots to earn his fourth shutout of the season. With the win, Hershey (32-26-1-0, 65 points) remains four points behind Wilkes-Barre (who defeated Philadelphia 3-2), but closed the gap to six points on Norfolk, and to five points on Philly, who each lost on Sunday. Hershey also finished the season series by sweeping Albany (18-28-6-5, 47 points) in all eight contests this season, and have defeated the Rats in nine straight, dating back to last season.

 

Need to Know: Souza would continue his offensive outpouring of late, netting the game's first score---and eventual game-winner---at the 2:37 mark of the 1st period. Souza, who has pocketed four of his five goals in February, punched in a loose puck from the crease, left there after Eric Perrin weaved around the Albany net and fired a shot that was initially stopped by Rats goalie Ari Ahonen.

 

With just under six minutes remaining in the final period, Darche would ring up a power play insurance marker to give Hershey a 2-0 advantage. Jeff Ulmer would set up the Bears' man advantage score, throwing a left circle pass back to Brett Clark at the point. Clark would then blast a shot towards the Rats net, which was redirected by Darche and trickled through the Albany netminder's pads.

 

Ulmer would put an exclamation point on the victory, picking up his 16th goal of the season---a power play tally---just under three minutes later at 15:50 of the 3rd. Perrin would earn another assist in the game, writing a shot from the left circle that was stopped by Ahonen, only to be picked up by Ulmer, who cashed in from the right side.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (25-16-0) earned five of Hershey's eight victories against Albany this season, allowing a total of 8 goals. Ahonen (9-16-1) suffered the loss for the Rats, finishing with 30 saves … although each team had several scoring opportunities, Dean McAmmond may have had Albany's best scoring chance during the 3rd period, zipping around the Bears net to attempt a wrap-around on an open goal. Martin Wilde would preserve the shutout though, getting a stick in front of the goal mouth to block McAmmond's low-ice shot … Hershey has outshot their opponent in four straight games … Ulmer finished with 3 points; his second, three-point game of the season ...if it wasn't special enough that Hershey registered 3 goals on "Frank Mathers Night," the Bears also finished with 33 shots on goal in the game...D Nick Naumenko (groin), RW Carl Corazzini (groin), and D Dean Arsene (ankle) were scratched from the Bears lineup, while D Agris Saviels returned to the lineup for his first game since February 9th … Hershey has killed 25 out of their last 26 short-handed situations (96.1%) … the Bears have gone 21-10-0 since December 17th.

 

Honoring "Mr. Hershey Bears Hockey": Before the start of the game, the Bears honored Mathers with a ceremony that was MC'd by longtime NHL announcer Mike "Doc" Emrick. Bears President/GM Doug Yingst introduced Mathers' wife Pat, sons Mike and JD, and daughter Patty, who were each escorted to their seat at the presentation by a Hershey player. AHL President Dave Andrews also took to the podium, but it was Emrick who spoke the longest, telling humorous stories regarding the Bears legend. Emrick orated as a video montage of Mathers rolled on the scoreboard, with Frank Sinatra's "My Way" playing in the background. Emrick concluded his speech by stating, "All that is left to do is win the hockey game," a line that Mathers would often use when a game was preceded with a ceremony/presentation.

 

Upon entry into the Giant Center, the first 8,000 fans were given Mathers Hockey Hall of Fame mini replica banners, similar to the one hanging in the GC rafters. The game night programs were also dedicated to Mathers, and both sides of the center ice faceoff circle were adorned with "FSM 3", Mathers' initials and Bears jersey number … video tributes to Mathers included those from former Hershey players, such as Mike Nykoluk and Willie Marshall, former Bears Head Coach John Paddock, former Bears President/GM Jay Feaster, and from longtime NHL executives John Muckler and Bobby Clarke … the Canadian National Anthem was performed in memory of the Winnipeg, Manitoba native.

 

Coming Up: The Bears hit the road for 4 straight, starting with back-to-back games next Friday and Saturday at the "Rock," in St. John's, New Foundland. It will mark the final appearances in the Canadian Maritimes for Hershey, as the Toronto Maple Leafs will begin placing their AHL prospects in Toronto next season. The Bears will actually play 6 of their next 7 away from Chocolatetown, but return to the Giant Center for a Sunday contest against the Norfolk Admirals on March 13th.

 

 

From left to right during the pre-game ceremony, Bears President/GM Doug Yingst, NHL broadcaster Mike Emrick, AHL President Dave Andrews, and the Mathers family: wife Pat, daughter Patty, and sons Mike and JD.

 

 

Mike Souza (#17) prepares to give Hershey a 1-0 lead early in the 1st period. Also pictured are Albany goalie Ari Ahonen, Pascal Rheaume, and Hershey's Jeff Ulmer (right).

 

 

Albany's Ryan Murphy attempts this wrap-around try on Bears goaltender Peter Budaj during 3rd period action. Also pictured are Hershey's Eric Perrin (left) and Jamie Rivers (right), with River Rats captain Pascal Rheaume standing at the doorstep.

 

 

Dean McAmmond's golden opportunity is dashed as Hershey's Martin Wilde (#4) gets a stick in to prevent an Albany goal during the 3rd period.

 

 

Mathieu Darche (left) redirects this Brett Clark shot past Albany netminder Ari Ahonen, giving the Bears a 2-0 lead in the 3rd period.

 

 

Jeff Ulmer (right) slips this shot past Ahonen to give the Bears a 3-0 advantage in the 3rd period. Hershey's Mathieu Darche (left) and Albany's Ray Schultz look on.

 

 

Bears goaltender Peter Budaj keeps a close eye on the puck, making one of his 22 saves during 3rd period play. Budaj earned his 25th win of the season, as well as his 4th shutout of the season.

 

Current Bears Statistical Leaders (through 2-27-05)

 

• Games: 43 (Peter Budaj)
• Wins: 25 (Peter Budaj)
• Losses: 16 (Peter Budaj)
• Shutouts: 4 (Peter Budaj)
• G.A.A.: 2.65 (Peter Budaj)
• Save %: .920 (Peter Budaj)

 

The 7641 Sports' News 'N Notes team can be contacted via e-mail at: nnn@7641.com

 

Saturday February 26, 2005 vs. Wilkes-Barre (Posted Sunday 1:47 A.M. EST.)

 

Bears rally to ice Penguins 2-1

 

By Joe Shetrom, 7641 Sports

 

Once again, the Hershey Bears saved the best for last, coming back from a one goal deficit to score two, 3rd period goals and down the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 2-1 before 9,695 fans Saturday night at the Giant Center. Mike Souza scored the equalizer two minutes into the final period, and Dennis Bonvie slipped in the game-winner nearly five minutes later to secure Hershey's 9th, come-from-behind victory this season. With the win, Hershey (31-26-1-0, 63 points) moves within 4 points of Wilkes-Barre (28-17-5-6, 67 points) for 4th place in the East Division.

 

Need to Know: Picking up from where they both left off last weekend, Bonvie and Wilkes-Barre's Mike Sgroi dropped the gloves 3:19 into the opening frame. The combatants circled each other for 10-15 seconds near the Hershey blueline before any punches were thrown. Each threw several punches, with Bonvie's appearing to be the only ones landing; as Sgroi's wild rights were off their mark. Both came in close, tying each other up before the linesmen intervened.

 

Hershey had a golden opportunity to put goals on the scoreboard in the 1st period, as the Pens' Michel Ouellet was whistled for a 5-minute high-sticking major on Jeff Ulmer at 15:48. However, Hershey's Mathieu Darche was called for interference just 27 seconds into the major penalty (at 16:15), knocking two minutes off of the man advantage. If that wasn't bad enough, Hershey's Marek Svatos (slashing at 16:30) and Dean Arsene (high-sticking at 17:48) were sent off for infractions, giving the visitors a 2-man advantage for 1:45.

 

Goaltender Peter Budaj played a big role for the short-handed Bears, coming up with several key saves to keep the game scoreless heading into the first intermission.

 

Wilkes-Barre would take the game's first lead at the 13:43 mark of the 2nd period, with Ryan VandenBussche finishing a bang-bang play with Tomas Surovy. Surovy led the charge into the Bears zone, throwing a left circle pass over to VandenBussche, who managed to chip home the goal from the crease.

 

Darche nearly tied the game for Hershey in the final minute of play in the 2nd, taking in a breakaway that was turned aside by Penguins goaltender Dany Sabourin.

 

The Bears would unexpectedly tie the game at the 2:00 mark of the 3rd period, with Souza notching his 4th goal of the season. After a Ryan Steeves Penguins zone faceoff win came over to Souza, he fired a right circle attempt that eluded Sabourin high on the glove side, tying the contest at 1-1.

 

The Bears would take the lead at 6:51, with Bonvie sliding in the game-winner from the doorstep of the net. The goal was scored after Svatos fired a right circle shot that was initially stopped by Sabourin, only to be left out in front, where Martin Hlinka was unable to capitalize, but Bonvie came from behind the net to sneak home his first game-winning tally of the season.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (24-16-0) earned the win in net for the Bears, turning aside 31 shots in what was overall, one of Hershey's top defensive showings of the 2004/05 season. Sabourin (5-4-2), who pitched a near-perfect game for the Pens last Saturday at the Giant Center, took the loss in goal, finishing with 35 saves … in addition to his assist on the game-winning score, Hlinka had a solid game defensively for Hershey, dishing out big 1st period hits on Wilkes-Barre's Ross Lupaschuk and Shane Endicott … Hershey is 11-3 this season when Bonvie earns at least 1 point in a game … VandenBussche, known more for his toughness than scoring touch, has 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) in two games versus Hershey this season...the Bears have 21 victories versus East Division opponents this season, tops in the AHL … Hershey leads the AHL with 9 victories this season when losing after the 2nd period … the Bears are 6-1 in their last 7 home games, and have gone 8-4 in their last 12 East Division matchups … Hershey owns a 3-2 lead in the season series with the Pens … Wilkes-Barre still has two games in-hand on Hershey … LW Josh Olson, acquired from the San Antonio Rampage on Friday, made his Bears debut … Hershey has gone 6-0 this season when referee Brian Pochmara officiates … D Nick Naumenko (groin), Carl Corazzini (groin), and D Agris Saviels were scratched from the Hershey lineup.

 

Coming Up: The Bears wrap up their weekend with a 5 PM Sunday matinee against the Albany River Rats at the Giant Center. Hershey is 7-0 versus the Rats this season, and have won eight straight over Albany dating back to last season. Before the start of Sunday's game, veteran NHL broadcaster Mike Emrick will MC a pre-game ceremony in tribute to the late Frank S. Mathers.

 

 

Hershey's Dennis Bonvie (left) trades punches with Wilkes-Barre's Mike Sgroi during their fight in the 1st period.

 

 

Wilkes-Barre's Colby Armstrong (#9) gets a ride from Hershey's Jamie Rivers during 1st period action.

 

 

Hershey's Josh Olson (left) can't stop Ryan VandenBussche from netting this 2nd period goal, beating Bears netminder Peter Budaj and giving the Penguins a 1-0 lead.

 

 

Dennis Bonvie (right) watches as Mike Souza's shot from the right circle gets past Penguins goalie Dany Sabourin, tying the game at 1-1 two minutes into the 3rd period.

 

 

Hershey's Dennis Bonvie (top) prepares to pick up the loose puck and give the Bears a 2-1 lead at the 6:51 mark of the 3rd period. Also pictured are (from left to right) Alain Nasreddine, Martin Hlinka, Danny Sabourin, and Rob Scuderi.

 

 

Bears goaltender Peter Budaj turns aside one of his 31 saves turning 3rd period play.

 

The 7641 Sports' News 'N Notes team can be contacted via e-mail at: nnn@7641.com

 

Friday February 25, 2005 at Philadelphia (Posted Friday 11:47 P.M. EST.)

 

Sim steals show as Phantoms trip Bears 4-1

 

The Philadelphia Phantoms spotted the Hershey Bears a 1-0 lead before storming back to down their in-state rivals 4-1 in front of 13,226 fans Friday night at the Wachovia Spectrum in South Philadelphia. Jon Sim netted three goals for the victorious Phantoms (32-17-2-4), pocketing a natural hat trick in an 8-minute span during the 2nd period. With the loss, Hershey (30-26-1-0, 61 points) remains six points behind Wilkes-Barre, who were idle on Friday. However, the Bears now sit nine points behind 1st-place Philadelphia and Binghamton, and eight points in back of Norfolk in the East Division standings.

 

Need to Know: Midway through the opening period (at 10:03), Cody McCormick would give the visitors a 1-0 advantage, pocketing his 4th goal of the season on a backhand shot that beat Phantoms goaltender Antero Niittymaki on the five-hole. McCormick set up the score by skating the puck into the Philadelphia zone, throwing a pass left to Eric Perrin, who then found McCormick between the circles for the marker.

 

Hershey's Jeff Finger and Philly's Riley Cote would earn fighting majors at the 14:33 mark of the 1st period. After a scrum in the corner of the Bears zone, Finger dropped his gloves first, throwing a shot or two at Cote, who then got Finger's jersey over his head, tossing a couple of shots before Finger lost his balance and fell to the ice.

 

On "Teddy Bear Toss Night," Jon Sim would incite the home crowd, netting the equalizer at 2:18 of the 2nd period. After Philly's Todd Fedoruk stripped Dennis Bonvie of the puck in the Phantoms zone, Fedoruk threw a right circle pass to Sim in-between the circles, who then fired a wrist shot past Bears goalie Peter Budaj.

Fedoruk would have a big hand in giving the Phantoms their first lead of the contest, skating the puck from the Hershey right corner to the net in a wrap-around attempt. Budaj made the save on Fedoruk's shot, but Sim was at the doorstep to put home the game-winner at 8:21 of the 2nd.

 

Bonvie and the Phantoms' Josh Gratton would renew acquaintances on the ensuing faceoff, each dropping the mitts near center ice. It would be all Bonvie in the bout, firing several unanswered rights to earn the lopsided win.

 

Sim would finish the natural hat trick at 10:55 of the 2nd, taking a Fedoruk feed and wristing a shot that beat Budaj low on the glove side. The goal was set up after a breakout in the Hershey zone by Joni Pitkanen, Fedoruk and Sim. Pitkanen would slide the puck over to Fedoruk on the left side, who then found Sim in the slot.

 

First-year pro Tony Voce would finish the evening's offense, capping the Phantoms' run of four unanswered goals at 17:11 of the 3rd period. Voce stole the puck from Hershey's Brett Clark in the neutral zone, going into the Bears zone and ripping a right circle shot that was stopped by Budaj. Voce followed the shot though, connecting on a baseball-style swing as the rebound was in mid-air.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (23-16-0) suffered the loss in net for Hershey, ending with 29 saves. Niittymaki (21-15-4) earned the win in goal for Philadelphia, finishing with 34 saves … Hershey saw its 3-game winning streak against the Phantoms come to an end … Bears D Johnny Boychuk has assists in two straight, the first he's earned points in back-to-back games this season … Sim's three goals was the second hat trick Hershey has allowed this season, with Duncan Keith netting a trifecta in Norfolk's 6-1 win on February 18th … Philadelphia is now 21-1-1-1 this season when leading after the 2nd period … the Phantoms have allowed only two 1st-period goals in their last 9 games … Philadelphia was without the services of rookie Ben Eager, who on Friday was suspended two games for a high-sticking major and attempt to injure match misconduct penalties Wednesday night in Cincinnati …veteran NHL referee Kerry Fraser was nearly pressed into action to start the game, as his son-in-law---AHL referee Harry Dumas---got hung up in traffic. Fraser, whose son Ryan is also an AHL on-ice official, skated to center ice for the opening faceoff, sporting a black track suit … the crowd was the largest audience Hershey has played in front of this season … although he has previously won in Philadelphia, Paul Fixter has yet to win a game at the Spectrum as Bears Head Coach …the Phantoms improved to 5-3 in the season series versus Hershey … the Bears are 0-6 this season when Dumas officiates.

 

Vet overload problem solved: Earlier in the day, the Bears and the San Antonio Rampage exchanged players, with Andre Savage leaving for South Central TX, and LW Josh Olson coming to South Central PA. Olson, 23, is a 6-5, 235 lb winger who comes to Hershey with 16 points (9 goals, 7 assists) in 53 contests this season with the Rampage. Savage, who fell victim to an abundance of veteran players on the Hershey roster, leaves town with 30 points (7 goals, 23 assists) in 53 games this season for the Bears. Last season, Olson finished second on San Antonio with 22 goals, and also netted a goal in 5 games played with the Florida Panthers. His 1st career NHL goal was scored in his NHL debut, beating Montreal's Mathieu Garon in Florida's 3-2 OT win on March 11th, 2004.

 

Coming Up: The Bears return to the Giant Center for a weekend homestand, beginning with a 7 PM faceoff against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Saturday evening. Hershey is 2-2 versus Wilkes-Barre this season, having dropped a 7-1 decision to the Pens last Saturday at home.

 

The 7641 Sports' News 'N Notes team can be contacted via e-mail at: nnn@7641.com

 

Wednesday February 23, 2005 at Bridgeport (Posted Wednesday 9:47 P.M. EST.)

 

Svatos' scores surge Hershey past Bridgeport, 5-2

 

The Hershey Bears played the role of spoilers Wednesday night, snapping the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 6-game home winning streak and sending the team to its worst home loss of the season by a 5-2 score. Marek Svatos led the way on offense for the Bears, collecting a season-high 4 points, including a hat trick and game-winning tally. With the win, Hershey (30-25-1-0, 61 points) remains four points behind the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, who defeated the Manitoba Moose 2-1 Wednesday evening in Wilkes-Barre.

 

The Norfolk Admirals also won on Wednesday, but the Philadelphia Phantoms lost to the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks on the road, leaving the Bears only 7 points behind the East Division front-running Phantoms and Binghamton Senators, who both have 68 points. Bridgeport (23-27-1-1, 48 points), who also saw a 3-game win streak come to an end, now sits 13 points behind Hershey in the division standings.

 

Need to Know: With the Bears on the man advantage from a Jody Robinson hooking penalty, Cole Jarrett would net the game's opening score, taking a Brendan Yarema feed and firing a shot from the top of the left circle, beating Hershey's Peter Budaj. The short-handed goal, scored at 8:13 of the 1st period, was the second allowed by Hershey in their last two meetings against Bridgeport.

 

Late in the opening frame (at 18:38), Marek Svatos would even the score for Hershey, coming up with his 10th goal on a shot from the right circle, beating Bridgeport goaltender Dieter Kochan in the top right corner of the net.

 

For the second straight meeting against Bridgeport this season, Hershey would pocket a short-handed goal after surrendering an earlier "shorty" in the game. This time around, Jeff Ulmer would strip the 'Tigers defense of the puck at their own blueline, taking a breakaway attempt and chalking up his career-high 15th goal of the campaign.

 

Svatos would strike again for the Bears at the 5:19 mark of the 3rd period, taking a Martin Hlinka pass and burying a shot from high in the slot to give Hershey a 3-1 lead.

 

With Jim Campbell serving a delay of game penalty for Bridgeport, Brett Clark would give Hershey some extra breathing room, connecting on a shot from the right circle at 10:08.

 

Matt Koalska would get the Sound Tigers within two goals, converting a power play attempt from the near side at 15:19.

 

Svatos would round out the night's scoring by securing the hat trick at 18:36 of the 3rd stanza, taking an Ulmer helper and sinking an empty-net goal to give Hershey the 5-2 victory.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (23-15-0) earned the win in goal for Hershey, finishing with 26 saves. Kochan (11-12-0), the reigning AHL Player of the Week, took the loss for Bridgeport, ending with 34 saves…overall, it was Svatos' 9th multi-point game of the season; and it was Hershey's third hat trick of the season (David Masse on 12/17, and Mathieu Darche on 12/31)…Eric Perrin also had 4 points in Hershey's 7-3 win over Binghamton on 12/29…Masse finished with 2 assists for the Bears, his first multi-point contest since 12/29 versus Binghamton…of Jarrett's 3 career AHL goals, 2 have come on short-handed situations…Ulmer has 2 of Hershey's 4 short-handed scores this season…Hershey outshot an opponent for the first time since 1/28 at Wilkes-Barre (12 games)…as of this posting, Bridgeport has allowed the most power play goals in the AHL this season (56)…the Sound Tigers entered Wednesday tied for fourth in home wins this season (19), but sat tied for last in the AHL with 4 road victories…not that it matters, but Hershey is 5-0 this season when referee Brian Pochmara officiates…Andre Savage (veteran), Carl Corazzini (groin), and Agris Saviels (thumb) did not travel with the team…former Bear Graham Belak was a healthy scratch for the Sound Tigers…Hershey now holds a 3-2 lead in the season series against Bridgeport.

 

Etc: Former Bears enforcer Frank Bialowas (99/00) will make his professional boxing debut March 24th at the Wachovia Spectrum in Philadelphia. The former on-ice pugilist steps into the squared circle to take on Jarad Vasquez in a special 3-round donnybrook. That evening's card also features Eric "Butterbean" Esch taking on Philly-area police officer Jamie Campbell in a scheduled 3-round bout…according to internet rumors, the American Hockey League will end its affiliation with Pointstreak effective the end of this season. Pointstreak currently serves as the official statistics provider to the AHL, but has made noticeable errors on several occasions this season involving box scores.

 

Coming Up: The Bears next travel to Philadelphia for a 7:05 PM faceoff against the Phantoms Friday night at the Spectrum. Hershey has beaten the Phantoms in 3 straight after losing 17 consecutive contests dating back to last season. Philadelphia, however, still maintains a 4-3 lead in the season series. The game can be seen locally on Comcast Sports Net (Channel 35 for Harrisburg-area viewers).

 

The 7641 Sports' News 'N Notes team can be contacted via e-mail at: nnn@7641.com

 

Sunday February 20, 2005 vs. Syracuse (Posted Sunday 10:47 P.M. EST.)

 

Bears back on winning track after 3-1 win

 

By Joe Shetrom, 7641 Sports

 

It took the Hershey Bears only 52 seconds to do what they weren't able to do in 125 minutes of play against the Syracuse Crunch this season…score a regulation goal. Sunday night, the Bears reeled off two goals in just over five minutes into the 1st period, and relied on a terrific performance by goaltender Peter Budaj en route to a 3-1 victory before 8,578 fans Sunday evening at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. Hershey (29-25-1-0, 59 points) remains six points behind 4th place Norfolk, who shutout the Hartford Wolf Pack 2-0 Sunday in Hartford. With their loss, Syracuse (24-23-4-3, 55 points) now shares 5th place in the North Division with the Hamilton Bulldogs, who defeated St. John's 4-2 Sunday afternoon.

 

Need to Know: Nick Naumenko would give Hershey the early 1-0 advantage just 52 seconds into the 1st period, netting an unassited marker on a right point blast that hit Syracuse goalie Andrew Penner's glove before dropping into the net.

 

Cody McCormick would have a big hand in setting up Hershey's second goal, flattening the Crunch' Andre Lakos on a hit near the end boards in the Syracuse zone. Chris Bala would pick up the loose puck from Lakos in between the circles and wrist home the game-winner at 5:11.

 

After a scoreless 2nd period, Eric Perrin would give the Bears an insurance goal just 19 ticks into the 3rd stanza, cruising through the slot and flipping a shot past Penner.

 

Syracuse would finally get on the scoreboard at the 14:36 mark of the 3rd, with Aaron Johnson rifling a shot from the top of the point to make it a 3-1 contest.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (22-15-0) earned the win in goal for Hershey, stopping 34 of 35 shots. Penner (3-5-0), who had shutout the Bears 3-0 at the Giant Center back on December 19th, took the loss for Syracuse, finishing with 22 saves…McCormick was handed a double roughing minor, as well as a ten minute misconduct at the 20:00 mark of the 3rd period. As McCormick gave chase to a puck squirting out of the Hershey zone and into neutral territory, Syracuse's Johnson stuck his leg out in what appeared to be a clipping attempt on the Bears centerman. Johnson however, was not assessed any penalties by referee Ryan Fraser…Bears LW Mathieu Darche returned to the lineup after missing Saturday's game due to veteran restrictions. Darche, who ranks 3rd in the AHL in shots taken, did not register a shot in the contest…Hershey has won its last 5 contests when scoring the game's first goal…in the game of veteran musical chairs, Bears D Jamie Rivers was left standing, and did not dress…play was delayed for several minutes early in the 3rd period, as a piece broke off of the bottom of an entrance door on the ice, with the puck lodged inside the dasher board. Members of the Giant Center rink crew were able to conceal the blemish with the always dependable, yellow duct tape.

 

Coming Up: The Bears head into a crucial week, facing four East Division opponents, including two road games in Bridgeport (Wednesday) and Philadelphia (Friday). Hershey returns to the Giant Center for home games next Saturday against Wilkes-Barre, and Sunday versus Albany.

 

 

This shot by Nick Naumenko hits goaltender Andrew Penner's glove, which would fall into the Syracuse net, giving the Bears a 1-0 lead early in the 1st period. Mathieu Darche and Francois Beauchemin are also pictured.

 

 

This shot by Chris Bala sails by Penner, giving Hershey a 2-0 lead 5:11 into the opening period. Syracuse's Aaron Johnson (#23) is also pictured.

 

 

Syracuse's Ole-Kristian Tollefsen runs Hershey's Dennis Bonvie into the boards during 1st period action. Tollefsen was assessed a boarding penalty on the play.

 

 

Syracuse goaltender Andrew Penner bobbles the puck, but holds onto this shot during 4-on-4 action late in the 1st period.

 

 

Hershey's Eric Perrin (left) flips this shot over goaltender Andrew Penner to give the Bears a 3-0 lead just 19 seconds into the 3rd period. Also shown are Syracuse's Aaron Johnson and Hershey's Brett Clark (#5).

 

 

Bears goaltender Peter Budaj turns aside this 3rd period shot as Syracuse's Alexander Svitov keeps an eye on the play.

 

 

Hershey's Peter Budaj and Dean Arsene watch as Aaron Johnson's score cuts the Bears lead to 3-1 with 5:24 remaining in the 3rd period.

 

Current Bears Statistical Leaders (through 2-20-05)

 

• Games: 55 (Johnny Boychuk, Eric Perrin, Jeff Ulmer)
• Goals: 19 (Mathieu Darche)
• Assists: 31 (Eric Perrin)
• Points: 49 (Eric Perrin)
• PIMs: 258 (Dennis Bonvie)
• +/-: +4 (Johnny Boychuk)
• PPGs: 7 (David Masse)
• SHGs: 1 (Jeff Ulmer, David Masse, Mike Souza)
• GWGs: 7 (Eric Perrin)
• Shots: 187 (Mathieu Darche)

• Games: 39 (Peter Budaj)
• Wins: 22 (Peter Budaj)
• Losses: 15 (Peter Budaj)
• Shutouts: 3 (Peter Budaj)
• G.A.A.: 2.74 (Tom Lawson)
• Save %: .918 (Peter Budaj & Tom Lawson)

 

Bonvie's 258 penalty minutes currently rank 2nd in the AHL...Masse's 7 power play goals rank 3rd among AHL rookies…Perrin's 7 game-winning goals are tied for 1st in the AHL…Darche's 187 shots rank 3rd in the league…with 31 points, Brett Clark is tied for 9th in scoring among AHL defenseman…Budaj's 22 wins in net are tied for 5th in the league, and his 5 shootout victories are tied for the AHL lead.

 

The 7641 Sports' News 'N Notes team can be contacted via e-mail at: nnn@7641.com

 

Saturday February 19, 2005 (Posted Sunday 9:58 P.M. EST.)

 

Penguins Alumni shine at "Old Barn"

 

By Joe Shetrom, 7641 Sports

 

On Saturday afternoon, several familiar names and faces graced the Hershey Park Arena ice, as the Pittsburgh Penguins Alumni faced off against Team Labatts in a charity-oriented contest benefiting the Ronald McDonald House of Hershey, as well as several other local charities. NHL Hall of Famers Bryan Trottier and Joe Mullen were among the participants competing for the Pens Alum, as were former Bears fan-favorites Mitch Lamoureux and Gary Rissling. Other former Penguins, including 2-time Stanley Cup winner Phil Bourque, Warren Young, and Mark Kochowski laced up the skates for the visiting alumni squad. The Pens Alum went on to defeat the Labatts squad 14-7, with Rissling and former Bears defenseman Bob Wilkie each netting hat tricks, while Shawn Powell registered 3 goals for the losing Labatts team.

 

The Team Labatts crew was headed by event coordinators Rob Ziemba and Jon Jehrio. Ziemba, who lives in nearby Palmyra, is also the founder/chairman of Slapshot 2. In 2004, the Philadelphia Flyers presented Ziemba with their annual 7th Man Award. The honor, which was presented by former Philly greats Bobby Clarke and Bob Kelly, was given for his dedication to the Flyers, hockey and charity. Says Ziemba, "The main purpose of our events is to raise money for charity and have fun. If a team of local hockey players can get together once a year, play against the pros and donate to a good cause, we are happy."

 

Since starting the alumni games in 2001, the Slapshot 2 organization has donated proceeds to many local charities, including the Jake Gittlen Cancer Research Institute, and the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg. This year, a donation will be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Hershey. From 2001-2004, the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni played an annual game in Central PA, with 2005 marking the first time that the Pittsburgh Penguins Alumni has made a stop in the area.

 

You can visit the Slaspshot 2 official website at: www.slapshot2.org

 

Notes: Before the game, players and fans observed a moment of silence in honor of Bears great Frank Mathers, who passed away last week at age 80. The Hershey Park Arena ice was adorned with "FSM 3" logos on both sides of the center ice faceoff circle, the initials and jersey number of Mathers…Trottier, who took and won the opening faceoff against Labatts' Ricky King, won 7 Stanley Cup Championships as a player and coach. Although he had served behind the bench as a visitor to Hershey Park Arena (as Head Coach of the Portland Pirates, and as an Assistant Coach with the Colorado Avalanche), it was his first time playing in the legendary arena…Rissling, who currently owns restaurants in the Baltimore area, won a Calder Cup Championship with Hershey in 1980 and went on to play with the arch-rival Baltimore Skipjacks in the mid-1980's…Bourque was a member of the Penguins 1991 & 1992 Stanley Cup-winning teams. When asked if he had any particular memories about playing in Hershey, he mentioned an incident where he went head-first into the end boards while playing with Baltimore, resulting in a trip to the Hershey Medical Center…Young serves as the President of the Pittsburgh Penguins Alumni Association…Corey Lamoureux, son of Bears great Mitch, played for the Penguins Alumni team, skating several shifts alongside his father. In fact, the younger Lamoureux assisted on a late-3rd period goal scored by his Dad…ABC27's Gregg Mace, as well as Nipsey from 105.7 The X served as Game MCs…Hershey Bears Head Coach Paul Fixter was in attendance…Barbara Kreamer, who tickled the ivories for 3 seasons at Hershey Park Arena, performed the National Anthem.

 

 

Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier signals the crowd after scoring a 1st period goal to give the Penguins Alumni a 2-0 lead.

 

 

Warren Young, President of the Pittsburgh Penguins Alumni Association, hovers around the net as Team Labatts goalie Austin Shemon defends during 2nd period action.

 

 

A Team Labatts member attempts to capitalize on this shot as Penguins goalie Dennis Begley tries to get into position during 3rd period play.

 

 

Hall of Famer Joe Mullen (in baseball cap) skates towards a neutral zone draw as referee Tom "Punky" O'Connell (left) races to the faceoff circle during the 3rd period.

 

The 7641 Sports' News 'N Notes team can be contacted via e-mail at: nnn@7641.com

 

Saturday February 19, 2005 vs. Wilkes-Barre (Posted Sunday 1:58 A.M. EST.)

 

Pens administer another thumping to Hershey, 7-1

 

By Joe Shetrom, 7641 Sports

 

Lately, it seems that when the Hershey Bears lose, they lose in a big way. In the last three weeks, Hershey has lost 6-1 (Hartford, 1/29), 8-2 (Wilkes-Barre, 2/4), and 6-1 Friday night in Norfolk. Saturday night, the Penguins scored twice early in the 1st period and never looked backed, cruising to a 7-1 win before 10,339 fans at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. With a goal and two assists each for Wilkes-Barre, Colby Armstrong and Erik Christensen supplied enough offense to lead the Pens and tie the season series with the Bears at 2-2. With the loss, Hershey (28-25-1-0, 57 points) now trails Norfolk by six points for the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division. With their victory, Wilkes-Barre (27-16-5-6, 65 points) claims sole possession of 3rd place in the East, a spot they shared with Norfolk coming into Saturday's game.

 

Need to Know: Wilkes-Barre would quickly get on the scoreboard Saturday evening, with Ramzi Abid finishing a tic-tac-toe play with Shane Endicott and Colby Armstrong to give the Pens a 1-0 advantage just 1:09 into the 1st period. Abid took an Endicott cross-ice pass, skated into the right circle and fired a shot past Bears goaltender Peter Budaj.

 

Just over a minute and a half later (at 2:40), Armstrong would make it 2-0 Penguins, skating into the left circle, turning around and blazing a wrister that beat Budaj on the stick side. Armstrong's 14th goal of the season would stand as the eventual game-winning score.

 

Hershey's Dennis Bonvie and Wilkes-Barre's Mike Sgroi then "had a go" in the Penguins zone at 5:18 of the 1st, with each throwing numerous right-hand shots. Each landed a couple of glancing blows, but Bonvie landed the best shot after Sgroi missed with a haymaker early in the fight. The two combatants had actually dropped the gloves minutes before, but with neither participant willing to come in close, the linesmen jumped in after a good 30 seconds of non-action.

 

Chris Kelleher would finish the 1st period offensive output for Wilkes-Barre, pocketing a power play goal on a shot from the slot that eluded Budaj at 13:11.

 

With under a minute remaining in the 2nd frame (at 19:17), amid a scramble around the Hershey net, Matt Hussey picked up a Ryan VandenBussche rebound in the crease, slipping the puck past Budaj to give the Penguins a 4-0 lead heading into the second intermission.

 

The Penguins would continue to pour it on in the 3rd stanza, with Erik Christensen coming from behind the Bears net and into the right circle, where he would turn around and rip a shot that beat Budaj stick-side. The goal, which pushed Wilkes-Barre's lead to 5-0, was scored at 2:40.

 

With Christensen serving a hooking penalty for the Penguins, Eric Perrin would erase the goose egg for Hershey, tallying his 5th power play goal---and 17th overall---at 3:21. Perrin would take Nick Naumenko's pass from between the circles and wrist home a shot from the right circle.

 

Wilkes-Barre would add insult to injury by ringing up 2 more goals in the period that occurred just 23 seconds apart. Maxime Talbot's unassisted marker at 6:25 and Tomas Surovy's 12th of the season at 6:48 provided the Penguins with a 7-1 advantage that would stand the final thirteen minutes of the contest.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (21-15-0) finished with 31 saves in defeat for Hershey. One of those saves included a 3rd period penalty shot awarded to Sgroi, who attempted to go stick-side on the Bears netminder. Budaj was also in net the last time an opponent attempted a penalty shot, when Albany's Pascal Rheaume was denied in a 4-2 Bears victory on November 19th…Dany Sabourin (4-3-2) earned the victory in net for the Pens, ending with 33 saves…Bears captain Brett Clark saw his 5-game assist/point streak come to an end…Hershey's 114 goals scored this season sit second only to Utah for last in the AHL…the Bears have been outshot in each of their last 10 games…the loss snapped Hershey's 4-game winning streak at the Giant Center…Hershey D Jamie Rivers, out since January 19th, returned to the lineup…LW David Masse returned to the Hershey lineup after missing the last four games…Bears LW Mathieu Darche, who had played in each of Hershey's prior 53 games this season, sat as veteran healthy scratch…D's Martin Wilde and Agris Saviels were Hershey's other scratches…Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier, who played earlier in the day for the Pittsburgh Penguins Alumni Association at Hershey Park Arena, attended the game.

 

Coming Up: The Bears finish the weekend with a 5 PM Sunday matinee against the Syracuse Crunch. The last time the two teams met, Syracuse shutout the Bears 3-0 December 19th at the Giant Center. It will be the final visit to Chocolatetown this season for the Crunch, who will host the Bears in their season finale March 11th in Syracuse.

 

 

Wilkes-Barre's Mike Sgroi and Hershey's Dennis Bonvie square during early 1st period action. No punches were exchanged though, and both players were issued Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalties.

 

 

Bears goaltender Peter Budaj watches as Colby Armstrong's left circle shot sails over his shoulder, giving the Penguins a 2-0 lead early in the 1st period.

 

 

In what became a familiar scene on Saturday night, Budaj watches as Chris Kelleher's 1st period score gives Wilkes-Barre a 3-0 advantage.

 

 

Hershey's Eric Perrin goes airborne over Wilkes-Barre's Maxime Talbot during 1st period action. Also pictured is Penguins goalie Dany Sabourin.

 

 

Wilkes-Barre's Matt Hussey (left) watches as his shot squeeks past Budaj, giving the Penguins a 4-0 lead with 43 seconds remaining in the 2nd period.

 

 

Eric Perrin's (right) power play attempt finds its way past Wilkes-Barre's Rob Scuderi (#2) and Sabourin, making it a 5-1 score at 3:21 of the 3rd period.

 

 

Maxime Talbot (left) gives the Penguins a 6-1 lead at 6:48 of the 3rd period, netting this unassisted goal as Budaj checks the net. Also pictured are Hershey's Dean Arsene and Jeff Finger (#6), as well as Wilkes-Barre's Matt Hussey.

 

 

Wilkes-Barre's Mike Sgroi has this 3rd period penalty shot attempt stonewalled by Bears netminder Peter Budaj.

 

The 7641 Sports' News 'N Notes team can be contacted via e-mail at: nnn@7641.com

 

Friday February 18, 2005 at Norfolk (Posted Friday 11:01 P.M. EST.)

 

Bears kickoff second half in losing fashion

 

Fresh off the All-Star break, the Hershey Bears returned to action Friday night by receiving a 6-1 beating from the Norfolk Admirals before 5,607 fans at the Scope in Norfolk, VA. Duncan Keith would provide the offense for the Admirals, registering a hat trick, while twelve of his teammates registered at least 1 point in the blowout. The Bears (28-24-1-0, 57 points) saw their four-game winning streak come to a halt, while dropping 6 points behind Norfolk (29-18-1-4, 63 points) and Wilkes-Barre, who sit tied for 3rd place in the East Division.

 

Need to Know: Duncan Keith would give the Ads a 1-0 lead early into the 1st period, taking a top left circle pass from Matt Keith, and firing a shot from the slot that found its way past Bears goaltender Tom Lawson at 1:18.

 

Norfolk scored early in the period, and they would do it again towards the closing of the period, with Jason Morgan netting his 6th goal at 18:44 courtesy of a shot that went in off of Lawson's leg pad.

 

With Quintin Laing serving a high-sticking minor for Norfolk, Nick Naumenko would get the Bears on the scoreboard, coming in from the right circle and netting the power play score on a shot that hit Admirals D Michal Barinka before passing by goaltender Michael Leighton. The goal, scored at 15:08 of the 2nd period, cut the Norfolk lead in half at 2-1.

 

Norfolk would quickly reclaim a 2-goal lead at 16:48, with Jim Vandermeer capitalizing on a Lawson slashing call and beating the Hershey netminder to make it 3-1 Admirals.

 

Thanks in part to a Cody McCormick late-2nd period hooking call for Hershey, Eric Nickulas would lengthen Norfolk's lead to 4-1, blasting a right circle shot that beat Lawson in the top left corner of the net just 54 seconds into the 3rd period.

 

After Lawson made an initial save on a Laing attempt, Duncan Keith would pick up the loose puck and slip a shot past Lawson at 11:25, giving the Ads a 5-1 advantage.

 

With 13 ticks remaining in the 3rd period, Duncan Keith would net the hat trick for Norfolk, beating Lawson five-hole and giving the Admirals a 6-1 lead.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Lawson (7-11-0), who made his first start since January 30th, suffered the loss in goal for Hershey, finishing with 44 saves. Leighton (16-13-2), earned the victory in net for Norfolk, ending with 27 saves…with an assist on Naumenko's 2nd period score, Bears captain Brett Clark extended his assist/point streak to 5 games…Hershey's Dennis Bonvie and Norfolk's Mike Brown, who were inserted into their respective teams' starting lineups, squared off just 11 seconds into the opening period…Bears D Dean Arsene and Admirals LW Travis Moen fought at the 14:29 mark of the 1st, after Arsene laid out the Ads' Pavel Vorobiev with a clean, open-ice hit…Norfolk's 20 wins vs East opponents leads the Division…the hat trick was the first Hershey has allowed since 2/21/04, when Freddy Meyer netted three en route to the Philadelphia Phantoms' 4-1 win at the Giant Center…the 50 Norfolk shots allowed by Hershey matched a season-high, who also chalked up 50 in a 5-0 loss to the Bears on December 26th…Hershey, who was making its final visit of 04/05 to Norfolk, is now 3-6 vs the Admirals this season…the Bears have been outshot in 8 of 9 matchups against the Ads this season, registering 248 attempts compared to Norfolk's 340 shots…the Admirals improved to 14-0-0 at home this season when leading after the 2nd period…D Jamie Rivers, LW David Masse, and D Agris Saviels did not make the trip for Hershey.

 

Coming Up: The Bears head back to Chocolatetown for a 7 PM faceoff against East Division rival Wilkes-Barre Saturday night at the Giant Center. Hershey is 2-1 against the Penguins this season, including a 4-2 win in their previous meeting last Friday in Wilkes-Barre.

 

The 7641 Sports' News 'N Notes team can be contacted via e-mail at: nnn@7641.com

 

Thursday February 17, 2005 (Posted Thursday 8:17 P.M. EST.)

 

No NHL? No problem

 

Perrin now focused on helping Bears to postseason

 

By Joe Shetrom, 7641 Sports

 

To quote the Grateful Dead, "What a long strange trip it's been." For the last 20 months, Eric Perrin can relate. First, he returned to North America to play pro hockey for the first time in four seasons, having signed a 1-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning in June of 2003. After the Lightning assigned him to Hershey during training camp, he sat out the 2003/04 season opener in Syracuse as a healthy scratch, the victim of too many veterans in the lineup. However, after that first game, Perrin never looked back, eventually leaving Hershey on March 27th, 2004 as the team and league leader in points, and finishing the campaign with the Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning. After re-upping with Tampa Bay this past summer, and figuring to be a fixture in the Lightning lineup, September 15th rolled around. "D" Day. That's the date when the National Hockey League shut down operations, closing shop when they and the NHL Players Association couldn't hammer out a new agreement. Suddenly, numerous players found themselves out of work, including Perrin. While many players signed overseas, Perrin signed with Hershey on September 27th, returning to a community that he and his family thoroughly enjoyed a season before. Now, with the NHL locking out its players for the balance of the 2004/05 season, Perrin remains in Hershey as a key figure in the Bears' drive to the playoffs.

 

"It's disappointing," said Perrin, referring to the NHL's announcement on Wednesday to cancel the rest of the 2004/05 season. "For the hockey world and its fans, it's a shame that we couldn't figure out something. It's regretful…and from the players side, it's not that they don't want to be playing…I know they feel bad for the fans. What's bad is that all of the details are out, and they're just out to make each other look bad."

 

When asked if he believed the NHL and the NHLPA would reach an accord before Wednesday's 1 PM deadline, Perrin stated "I did. I was a believer, but little did we know that we were so far off. That's even more embarrassing. 80% of the NHL guys probably didn't know how far apart they were."

 

Perrin said that the lockout wasn't on his mind while he was on the ice, and that his play was never affected due to the work stoppage. "Over the years, I've suffered too many obstacles to let things bother me. I just play my game and not worry about those things." Now that the lockout is in effect for the rest of this season, Perrin feels a sense of relief knowing that Hershey will be his home until at least April. "In a way, it clears your mind. Now you just focus on one thing, and one thing only, and that's to win games here in Hershey."

This past Monday night, he made his second straight appearance in an All-Star Classic, representing the Canadian AHL All-Stars. Perrin said it was an honor to represent the organization, but chuckled when stating, "It was a little embarrassing for the Canadian team there in the 2nd and 3rd periods." The Canadian All-Stars were up 4-0 after the 1st period, but ended up losing the game 5-4 in a shootout.

 

In that same contest, Perrin also scored the American Hockey League's first-ever short-handed goal in an All-Star Game, beating Chicago Wolves goaltender Kari Lehtonen during the 1st period. "I came to find that out later on (referring to the first-ever AHL All-Star Game short-handed score). I was thinking that there wouldn't be many short-handed goals, especially when there are no penalties. (Philadelphia's) Patrick Sharp set up the whole thing…he kind of delayed the play coming into the zone and waited for me as I was coming from the bench. He saw me coming and just passed it over and I caught the defenseman standing still, so I just went around and took a quick shot, and got the rebound in the air."

 

"Nothing like getting right back into it," Perrin said when asked about this weekend's "3 in 3" games against Norfolk, Wilkes-Barre, and Syracuse. "The first two are huge divisional games and are very important games for us to win. We're not going to waste any time…we're going to try and go get those two wins and do whatever we can. And then we have Syracuse on Sunday, who is a tough team…and I think they're better than their record shows."

 

When asked about the major differences with the current Bears lineup, as compared to the squad from earlier in the season, he stated, "I think the confidence level is higher. Everybody is playing a lot better all around, from the goalies to the defenseman to the forwards. We're scoring goals; we're keeping them out of our net. Our goaltending is really good, and we just found a way to play together. I think that's what we were missing, just a chemistry and playing as a team. We're doing that now and we also believe in ourselves every game that we can win."

 

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I am Iron Man…err Iron Men: Perrin, Mathieu Darche, Jeff Ulmer, and rookie Johnny Boychuk have suited up for each of the Bears' 52 games this season. If all four end the 04/05 campaign having played in every game, it would mark the first time that four teammates have appeared in all 80 games since the 1982/83 season, when Denis Lapensee, Lou Franceschetti, Wayne Prestage, and Frank Perkins each played in all 80 matches. Since that season, only four Bears teams have produced players who dressed for all 80 contests: 1992/93 (Tim Tookey, Corey Foster, Bill D. Armstrong), 93/94 (Mitch Lamoureux & Mike McHugh), 00/01 (Evgeny Lazarev), and 02/03 (Brett Clark). Former Hershey captain Bob Bilodeau holds the team single-season record with 81 games played in 77/78, a mark that was set due to the Hampton Gulls disbanding during the season, leaving all but two teams playing 81 contests.

 

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Notes: On Thursday, Bears President/General Manager Doug Yingst announced that the team will honor the late Frank Mathers in a pre-game ceremony on Sunday, February 27th against the Albany River Rats. The first 8,000 fans through the Giant Center gates will receive a replica Frank Mathers Hockey Hall of Fame banner, similar to the one that currently hangs in the Giant Center rafters. The Bears will also dedicate the February 27th game program to Mathers, and will honor "Mr. Hershey Bears Hockey" in a pre-game ceremony hosted by longtime broadcaster Mike "Doc" Emrick … As if they weren't represented enough in the toughness department, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have signed veteran RW Ryan VandenBussche to a contract. VandenBussche, 32, has played 290 career games in the NHL with the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks, piling up 660 penalty minutes along the way. During his 11-year pro career, he's also spent time in the AHL, racking up 934 PIMs with St. John's, Springfield, Binghamton, Hartford, Portland, and Norfolk. He's probably most remembered for his 1-punch knockout of former Bear Nick Kypreos in a Rangers/Maple Leafs preseason game in 1997. Kypreos, who lay unconscious in a pool of his own blood, retired shortly after the incident … This past Tuesday, former Bear Steve Moore ('01-'04) filed a civil lawsuit against the Vancouver Canucks stemming from an on-ice attack by the Canucks' Todd Bertuzzi on March 8, 2004. Moore, 26, suffered a broken neck, concussion, and facial injuries after being blindsided from behind by Bertuzzi. Also named in the suit are Bertuzzi's teammate Brad May, Canucks Head Coach Marc Crawford, and former Vancouver General Manager Brian Burke. The claim, which was filed in Denver, alleges a string of charges including civil conspiracy, assault, battery, negligence and outrageous behavior. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, and is to be heard by a jury.

 

The 7641 Sports' News 'N Notes team can be contacted via e-mail at: nnn@7641.com

 

Sunday February 13, 2005 (Posted Sunday 6:10 P.M. EST.)

 

Current Bears Statistical Leaders (through 2-13-05)

 

Saturday February 12, 2005 vs. Bridgeport (Posted Sunday 2:27 A.M. EST.)

 

Bears tighten East Division with 4th straight win

 

The Hershey Bears continue to roll, reeling off their 4th-straight win with a 6-2 drubbing of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Saturday night at the Giant Center. Mike Souza (2 goals, 1 assist) and Andre Savage (1 goal, 2 assists) led the offensive charge for the Bears, who have now won 8 of their last 10 contests. With the victory, Hershey (28-23-1-0, 57 points) now stands 4 points behind the Norfolk Admirals, who slipped to 4th place after a 2-1 home loss to the Philadelphia Phantoms on Saturday night. Meanwhile, Bridgeport (20-26-1-1, 42 points) dropped to a woeful 3-21-1-1 on the road this season, and now sits 15 points behind Hershey in the East Division standings.

 

Need to Know: Only 9 seconds into a Brendan Yarema holding penalty for Bridgeport, Andre Savage would pocket his 9th goal of the season at 15:40 of the 1st period. Savage, who was unable to capitalize on two chances earlier in the period, darted to the left of the Sound Tigers goal, taking an Eric Perrin backhand pass from behind the Sound Tigers net and beating goaltender Wade Dubielewicz.

 

Just over two minutes later (at 17:57), Mike Souza would put Hershey up 2-0, picking off a pass from former Bear Ed Campbell and firing a shot from between the circles that would elude Dubielewicz.

 

After Bears D Jeff Finger laid out Bridgeport RW Rob Collins with a neutral zone hit along the far boards in the 2nd period, Sound Tigers agitator Kevin Colley immediately sought redemption, going after Finger in the Hershey end. Both would earn 5-minute majors for fighting, with Colley earning the instigator and misconduct penalties.

 

On the ensuing Hershey power play, however, Bridgeport D Brendan Yarema would beat Bears goaltender Peter Budaj on a stick-side shot, bagging a short-handed tally and cutting the Hershey lead in half at 2-1. The goal, Yarema's 3rd of the season at 15:33 of the 2nd period, was the first short-handed score Hershey has allowed at home this season.

 

Fisticuffs would ensue after a scrum in front of the Bridgeport net, with Hershey's Cody McCormick dropping the gloves with former Bear Graham Belak at 17:27 of the 2nd. Both threw numerous right-hand punches in the bout, with Belak earning the decision with more effective shots landed.

 

In the waning moments of the 2nd frame, Steve Regier would even the score at 2-2, picking up a rebound off of a Jody Robinson shot, turning around and wristing home his 4th goal at 19:36.

 

Jeff Ulmer would once again give Hershey the lead at 5:30 of the 3rd period, backhanding a shot from the end boards that hit the back of Dubielewicz' pads and trickled into the Sound Tigers goal. The eventual game-winner, Ulmer's 14th of the season, tied his pro career high in goals scored for one season.

 

Chris Bala would set up Hershey's 4th goal, leading a 3-on-2 rush into the Bridgeport zone and throwing a right-side shot to the net, which was picked up by Perrin and deposited his 16th of the season at 11:45 of the 3rd.

 

The 4th liners would account for the Bears' 5th goal, with Ryan Steeves collecting his 3rd of the season at 16:26, with assists coming from Dennis Bonvie and Souza. Bonvie set up the goal by backhanding a pass from the end boards to Steeves, who fired a shot from the right faceoff circle, beating Dubielewicz over the shoulder in the top left corner of the net.

 

Souza would put an exclamation point on the win, netting the Bears' fourth unanswered goal of the period with an empty-net, short-handed tally from the Bears blueline at 19:28.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (21-14-0) earned his 4th straight win in net for Hershey, turning aside 28 shots. Dubielewicz (12-16-1) took the loss for Bridgeport, finishing with 23 saves…with an assist on Savage's goal, Bears captain Brett Clark extended his point streak to 4 games (1 goal, 5 assists)…Ulmer previously scored 14 goals for the Canadian National Team during the 1999/00 season…Hershey's 4th line of Souza, Steeves and Bonvie accounted for 5 points in the win…Souza's short-handed score was the first the Bears have recorded on home ice this season...with Dubielewicz pulled in favor of a 6th attacker, Budaj made a save, quickly dropping the puck to the ice and firing a shot that went just right of the empty Bridgeport net...the Bears improved to 16-0-0 this season when scoring at least 4 goals in a game…Hershey has been outshot in each of their last 8 games…Bridgeport's 106 goals scored ranks 3rd-lowest in the AHL this season, and have been outscored 96-45 on the road in 04/05…the season series between Hershey and Bridgeport is now tied at 2-2…before the start of the game, players and fans observed a moment of silence in honor of former Bears Player/Head Coach/General Manager/President Frank Mathers, who passed away last Wednesday at age 80. The Bears will pay tribute to Mathers with a video homage before their home game against the Albany River Rats on Sunday, February 27th.

 

Coming Up: Heading into the All-Star break, Hershey is off until next Friday, when they travel to the Norfolk Scope to take on the division-rival Admirals at 7:30 PM. Hershey is 3-5 against the Ads this season, including a 3-1 loss in their last meeting on January 21st in Norfolk.

 

 

Andre Savage (top left corner) and Mathieu Darche watch as Savage's 1st period power play goal beats Bridgeport goalie Wade Dubielewicz, giving Hershey a 1-0 lead.

 

 

Bridgeport's Ed Campbell (left) and Wade Dubielewicz react as Mike Souza's 1st period shot gets by, giving Hershey a 2-0 advanatge.

 

 

Hershey's Jeff Finger (left) dukes it out with the Sound Tigers' Kevin Colley during a 2nd period fight in the Hershey zone.

 

 

As teammates and officials look on, Hershey's Cody McCormick (#20) prepares to land a punch on Bridgeport's Graham Belak during their 2nd period donnybrook.

 

 

Bridgeport's John Morlang (left) celebrates as Steve Regier's goal ties the game at 2-2 with 24 seconds remaining in the 2nd period.

 

 

Bears goaltender Peter Budaj stops this Eric Godard attempt during 3rd period action.

 

 

Eric Perrin (right) prepares to give Hershey a 4-2 lead, pushing this shot into the net as Bridgeport's Chris Campoli and Wade Dubielewicz react.

 

 

Ryan Steeves (bottom, #14) gets this 3rd period shot past Bridgeport goalie Wade Dubielewicz, giving Hershey a 5-2 lead.

 

The 7641 Sports' News 'N Notes team can be contacted via e-mail at: nnn@7641.com

 

Friday February 11, 2005 at Wilkes-Barre (Posted Friday 9:45 P.M. EST.)

 

Bears win emotional game in Wilkes-Barre

 

The Hershey Bears, playing with heavy hearts after the loss of Bears great Frank Mathers this past Wednesday, rose to the occasion by blanking the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 2-0 before a sellout crowd of 8,355 Friday night at the Wachovia Arena in Wilkes-Barre. With a goal and an assist each, Martin Hlinka and Marek Svatos provided the offense for the Bears, while Peter Budaj stood tall in goal, earning his 3rd shutout of the season and turning aside all 42 Penguins shots. Even after mustering a season-low 15 shots on goal in the victory, Hershey (27-23-1-0, 55 points) moves within 5 points of the 4th-place Philadelphia Phantoms, who dropped a 1-0 decision to the Lowell Lock Monsters Friday night at the Spectrum. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (25-14-5-6, 61 points), who entered Friday in a 3-way tie with Norfolk and Binghamton for 1st place in the East Division, saw their 4-game winning streak come to an end.

 

Need to Know: Racing up the left side of the Penguins zone, Hlinka would give Hershey the first lead of the game, firing a left circle shot that found its way under Wilkes-Barre goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. The goal, Hlinka's 2nd of the season, was scored at 6:08 of the 1st period and would stand as the game-winner.

 

After a Hlinka faceoff was won back to Svatos, Svatos would rifle a shot from high in the slot, beating Fleury in the top right corner of the Penguins net and giving the visitors a 2-0 lead at 12:47 of the opening frame.

Wilkes-Barre C Kris Beech, currently 10th in AHL scoring, was handed a 5-minute major and game misconduct for elbowing Hershey's Dennis Bonvie at 10:29 of the 2nd period. Bonvie, who suffered a nosebleed from the elbow, remained in the game, and even saw time on the ensuing power play. The Bears, however, were unable to convert on the lengthy man advantage.

 

Even with Hershey registering a season-low 1 shot on goal in the 3rd period, Budaj stonewalled the home team, helping the Bears go four games over the .500 mark for the first time this season.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj improved to 20-14-0 on the season, and has earned decisions in 15 out of the Bears' last 16 victories. Fleury (19-10-3) took the loss in net for the Pens, finishing with a mere 13 saves…Hershey has now won 7 of their last 9 games, and have earned victories in 6 of their last 8 contests on the road…it was Svatos' 8th, multi-point game of the season…Wilkes-Barre was shutout for the 1st time this season, and last took a shutout loss on March 21st, 2004, when the Bears blanked the visiting Penguins 5-0 at the Giant Center…the Hershey record for least amount of shots in one period is 0, which was set in a 5-0 win on March 12th, 1999 against the Worcester Ice Cats…this season, Hershey has won 8 times when scoring the games' first goal, but getting outshot in the contest…LW Mike Souza returned to the Bears lineup after sitting out Wednesday's win in Lowell…the Bears debuted a game jersey patch in honor of Mathers, which will be worn the remainder of the season. The patch, which is shaped like a star, features Mathers' initials "FSM," as well as "3," which was the number he wore while playing with the Bears.

 

Etc: Former Hershey bench boss John Paddock, who led the Bears to the 1988 Calder Cup Championship, coached his 1,000th career AHL game Friday night as the Binghamton Senators faced the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Paddock joins NHL Hall of Famers Bun Cook & Mathers as the only AHL coaches to reach the 1,000 games coached plateau. Paddock also ranks 3rd all-time in the AHL with 522 victories, trailing only Cook (636) and Mathers (610).

 

Coming Up: Saturday evening, the Bears return to the Giant Center for an East Division matchup against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 7 PM. Hershey is 1-2-0 versus the 'Tigers this season, having dropped a 4-1 decision in their last meeting on December 15th in Bridgeport. Before Saturday's game, the Bears will observe a moment of silence in tribute to former Bears legend Frank Mathers, who passed away this past Wednesday at age 80.

 

The 7641 Sports' News 'N Notes team can be contacted via e-mail at: nnn@7641.com

 

Thursday February 10, 2005 (Posted Thursday 4:16 P.M. EST.)

 

Bears Legend Passes Away

 

Earlier this afternoon, the Hershey Bears announced that longtime Player/Head Coach/General Manager/President Frank Mathers had passed away Wednesday evening. Mathers, 80, spent 35 years in the Bears organization, leading Hershey to 6 Calder Cup Championships during his tenure.

 

Mathers spent five seasons as a player with the Bears, during at which time he also served as head coach for the chocolate and white. After hanging up the skates for good in the 1961/62 season, Mathers continued to serve as head coach through the 72/73 season, then briefly returning to the Bears bench for 37 games during the 84/85 campaign. During his time as head coach, Mathers led the Bears to 6 Calder Cup Finals appearances, capturing 3 championships along the way (57/58, 58/59, 68/69). After being named General Manager prior to the 73/74 season, Mathers was part of another Calder Cup winning team that season with Hershey. In 1978/79, the title of President was added to his General Managerial duties, and helped guide the Bears to Calder Cup Championships in the 79/80 & 87/88 seasons.

 

His 610 career regular season victories stand as a franchise high and ranks 2nd all-time in the AHL. He also ranks 1st all-time with 1,256 games coached.

 

After announcing that he would be stepping down as General Manager at the end of the 90/91 season, his #3 was retired to the Hershey Park Arena rafters on March 9th, 1991. In 1992, he was inducted into the National Hockey League Hall of Fame, enshrined into the Builder's Category. In fact, Mathers and longtime AHL President Jack Butterfield are the only 2 members to be inducted solely on their accomplishments in the AHL.

 

Other notable awards bestowed upon Mathers included the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award (AHL Coach of the Year) in 68/69, the James C. Handy Memorial Award (Outstanding Executive) in 76/77 & 90/91, and the Lester Patrick Trophy (outstanding service to hockey in the United States) in 1987. The AHL even named an award after Mathers in 1996, with the "Frank Mathers Trophy" being presented to the team winning the Mid-Atlantic Division. The trophy is presently awarded to the winner of the Eastern Conference.

 

Prior to joining Hershey, the Winnipeg, Manitoba native skated 3 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, totaling 4 points in 23 career NHL contests. He also played in the 1949 NHL All-Star Game, a contest which was played between the Leafs and the NHL All-Stars at the famed Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. The defenseman played on 2 Calder Cup Championship teams with the Pittsburgh Hornets (51/52 & 54/55) before being sold to the Bears in 1956. During his 14 seasons playing in the AHL, Mathers amassed 407 points (67 goals, 340 assists) in 799 regular season contests, played in 5 AHL All-Star Games, and was named a 1st Team All-Star in 5 straight seasons ('52-'56).

 

In a statement posted on their official website, Bears President/General Manager Doug Yingst noted, "Frank is and always will be Mr. Hershey Bears Hockey. His character, dignity and class stand alone. Frank epitomized the very best in hockey and life. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Pat and his family."

 

In a release on the American Hockey League's website, AHL President Dave Andrews stated: "The entire American Hockey League is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our true legends." "Frank Mathers left an indelible mark on the Hershey Bears and our league as a whole, and he will be truly missed."

 

The Bears will hold a moment of silence before Saturday night's home contest against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and will likely don a memorial patch on each game jersey for the remainder of the 2004/05 season.

 

The 7641 Sports' News 'N Notes team can be contacted via e-mail at: nnn@7641.com

 

Wednesday February 9, 2005 at Lowell (Posted Wednesday 10:46 P.M. EST.)

 

Bears complete comeback, knock off Lowell 4-3 in Shootout

 

The Hershey Bears should be called the "Cardiac Cubs," once again rallying to tie a game late before downing an opponent. Wednesday night, the Lowell Lock Monsters fell victim as Eric Perrin sealed the come-from-behind victory with his shootout conversion, while Peter Budaj stopped 9 of 11 Lowell attempts in his league-tying 5th shootout win of the season. With their 6th shootout win of the season, Hershey (26-23-1-0, 53 points) remains 7 points behind the 4th-place Philadelphia Phantoms, who defeated the Norfolk Admirals 3-1 on Wednesday evening. For the 3rd-place, Atlantic Division Lock Monsters (28-14-1-4, 61 points), they stumbled to only their 3rd loss in their last 13 contests at Tsongas Arena (10-1-0-2).

 

Need to Know: With both teams skating at full strength, Mike Zigomanis would give Lowell the first lead of the game, backhanding a shot past Bears goaltender Peter Budaj at 12:25 of the 1st period.

 

On just their 5th shot of the game, Hershey would even the score 1-1 at the 4:22 mark of the 2nd period. With a scrum in front of the Lowell net, Chris Bala would slip home his 8th goal of the season, beating Lock Monsters goalie Brent Krahn.

 

At 13:16 of the middle period, with Hershey and Lowell skating 4-on-4, Richie Regehr's floater from the top right circle would elude a screened Budaj, giving the Lock Monsters a 2-1 advantage. The unassisted tally---Regehr's 9th of the season---came on a failed clearing attempt by Hershey.

 

With Mark Giordano serving a holding penalty for Lowell, Bears D Nick Naumenko would blast a Brett Clark feed past Krahn at 17:08 of the 2nd, tying the contest at 2-2.

 

Ryan Bayda would once again give the home team the lead, taking a Zigomanis pass off of a faceoff and netting his 10th of the season at 13:54 of the 3rd period. Bayda would pick up his own rebound, firing home a shot from the left circle, beating Budaj in the top right corner of the Bears net.

 

With just under 2 ½ minutes remaining in the period, Hershey would spoil the 'Monsters lead when Mathieu Darche pocketed his team-leading 19th goal of the season to even the score at 3-3. After attempts by Jeff Ulmer and Jeff Ulmer were stymied by Krahn, Darche would finally push home the equalizer, helping the Bears reach overtime.

 

After neither team was able to find the back of the net in the extra 5-minute session, the clubs' headed to the shootout frame.

 

As the visiting team, Hershey would get first crack at Krahn, but Marek Svatos' backhand attempt would miss the Lowell net. Zigomanis would shoot first for Lowell, beating Budaj on a forehand shot and giving the Lock Monsters a 1-0 lead in the shootout.

 

Up next for Paul Fixter's squad would be Perrin, but his attempt was turned aside by Krahn. As Lowell's second shooter, Justin Taylor would beat Budaj, quickly giving the home team a 2-0 lead in the frame. That would be the last any Lock Monsters would beat Budaj in the shootout, as Andre Savage (4th shooter), Darche (5th), and Perrin (11th) would convert attempts, sending Hershey to its 6th win in their last 8 games.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (19-14-0), who turned aside 31 shots in regulation and overtime, has now stopped 34 of 40 shootout attempts this season (85%). Krahn (13-7-2) suffered the loss for the Lock Monsters, finishing with 23 saves in regulation and overtime, as well as another 8 stops in the shootout…Hershey registered only 2 shots on goal in the 1st period, a season-low for one period…Perrin now has points in 15 of his last 19 games (9-15-24), while Ulmer has points in 9 of the last 10 games (7 goals, 4 assists)…speaking of Perrin, he's now converted 6 of 10 shootout tries this season (60%)…Hershey's Cody McCormick fought Lowell's Brennan Evans at the 5:01 mark of the 2nd period, with each throwing several shots before eventually falling to the ice…Hershey remains the only AHL club to have not lost in a shootout in 04/05, while Lowell fell to 5-4 in shootouts this season…after sitting out Saturday's home game against Binghamton, C Martin Hlinka and D Martin Wilde returned to the Bears lineup…LWs David Masse (shoulder) and Mike Souza (healthy) were Hershey's scratches…the high octane line of Eric Staal, Chuck Kobasew, and Colin Forbes---who were each held scoreless on Wednesday---have attributed to 60 of the Lock Monsters' 156 goals this season (38.4%)…the Bears split the season series 1-1 with Lowell…Hershey improved to 15-0-0 this season when scoring at least 4 goals…the Bears have won 5 of their last 7 on the road.

 

Coming Up: The Bears finish their mini road stand with a 7 PM faceoff against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Friday night at the Wachovia Arena. Last Friday, Hershey suffered its worst defeat of the season to date, dropping an 8-2 decision against the Pens in Wilkes-Barre.

 

The 7641 Sports' News 'N Notes team can be contacted via e-mail at: nnn@7641.com

 

Tuesday February 8, 2005 (Posted Tuesday 9:58 P.M. EST.)

 

Reading Hosts ECHL All-Star Game

 

By Jim Starr, Special to 7641.com

 

The official pecking order of North American hockey is the National Hockey League (NHL), the American Hockey League (AHL), and the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). These top three professional leagues work closely with each other regarding player development, new marketing ideas and what works best between periods for fan entertainment.

 

Our hockey-rich area not only has the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals, but also the AHL's Hershey Bears, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Philadelphia Phantoms and the ECHL's Reading Royals, located about 40 miles east of Hershey. Last season, the Royals fought their way to the final four in the ECHL playoffs.

 

On January 26th, the Sovereign Center---situated in downtown Reading, PA---hosted the 2005 ECHL All-Star Game. The Center has 7,215 seats, of which 6,742 were filled with loyal and thankful fans that generated an absolutely electric atmosphere at the game. There was also an enthusiastic crowd for the ECHL Skills Competition, which was held the night before.

 

In attendance for the All-Star Game were many ECHL top brass, including ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna and Vice President & Director of Officiating Bryan Graham. Several ECHL team presidents and general managers, such as Reading Royals General Manager Ray Delia, and Charlotte Checkers President Jeff Longo, attended the contest. AHL President/CEO Dave Andrews was also on hand, along with numerous AHL and NHL executives, including many NHL scouts.

 

Even Pat Kelly, who had a record-setting playing and coaching career for over 50 years in numerous levels of pro hockey, was on hand to complete the festive atmosphere. The ECHL Championship trophy, the "Kelly Cup" was named in honor of Pat Kelly.

 

The 13th ECHL All-Star Game was broadcast on both television and radio in dozens of ECHL cities, the NHL Network in Canada, Comcast Charter Sports Southeast, CN8, and even broadband video on Yahoo! The TV broadcast was hosted by Reading Royals Director of Broadcasting and Play-by-Play Radio Announcer John Curtis, along with former New York Rangers President and GM Neil Smith.

 

"Fifteen players from last year's ECHL All-Star Game have gone on to play in the AHL," says Dave Farrish, coach of this year's American Conference All-Star Team. Farrish, who is now coaching the ECHL's Pensacola Ice Pilots, was a rough and tumble stand up defenseman for the Hershey Bears during the 1985-86 season. His total ECHL coaching stats, prior to the All-Star Game, is an impressive 210-89-28.

 

This year, a total of 24 ECHL All-Star players were rookies. A total of ten players are currently under contract with AHL teams, and five players are under contract with NHL Clubs. Overall, in 13 ECHL All-Star Games, a total of 22 players have gone on to play in the NHL.

 

Luke Curtin was named captain for the home team National Conference All-Stars. Curtin, a 1996 Colorado Avalanche draft pick, played two games with Hershey early in the 1997-98 season. Up until recently, Curtin had been captain of the ECHL's Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies, and helped lead the Bullies to their recent 2003 Kelly Cup Championship. Since last week's All-Star Game though, Curtin has since signed with the San Antonio Rampage, the 5th different AHL club he's played with in his 8-year pro career.

 

Reading forwards Ryan Kinesawich and Jon Francisco, as well as goaltender Barry Brust, represented the Reading Royals as part of the National Conference Team. Kinesawich and Francisco both picked up 2nd period assists, with Kinesawich delighting hometown fans with an empty net goal at 18:28 of the 3rd period.

 

Brust policed the crease in the 3rd period for the National Conference, making 11 saves. He was the only National Conference goalie to have a shutout period in their 6-2 win over the American Conference All-Stars. Brust also picked up an assist in Kinasewich's empty net score. The Reading Royals were the only team in the National Conference to have three players named to the All-Star team.

 

Only two, late-3rd period penalties were called by ECHL All-Star Referee Nygel Pelletier. "The games' pace was really fast tonight," said Pelletier. "This arena in Reading has tremendous atmosphere and excitement, and the fans are really great too."

 

Between periods, fans were treated to the on-ice antics of a dozen or more ECHL team mascots who made the trip to Reading. They were either tossing t-shirts to the crowd, or on occasion, playfully shoving each other to the ice showing mascot superiority.

 

Reading also has a resident "Crazy Fan" who runs up and down the steps, ripping his shirt off and busting a move with frolic dancing to the arena music. A few sections away, a group of fans are famous for starting the crowd "Wave" each game. It's safe to say that they love their ECHL Hockey in Reading!

 

The website edeal.com held an online Game Worn Jersey auction for seven days following the All-Star game, with proceeds going to the ECHL Players Health & Welfare Fund. A second set of auctions, this time for the player-used jerseys worn in the Skills Competition, are currently available to the highest bidder. "The auctions will close on February 10th, and bid results will be available at ECHL.com," says ECHL Director of Communications Jack Carnefix.

 

Jim Starr is a freelance Ice Hockey Broadcaster, Video Coach and Media Relations Consultant. He can be reached at: JimStarrHockey@cs.com

 

The 7641 Sports' News 'N Notes team can be contacted via e-mail at: nnn@7641.com

 

Sunday February 6, 2005 (Posted Sunday 5:34 P.M. EST.)

 

Current Bears Statistical Leaders (through 2-6-05)

 

• Games: 34 (Peter Budaj)
• Wins: 18 (Peter Budaj)
• Losses: 14 (Peter Budaj)
• Shutouts: 2 (Peter Budaj & Tom Lawson)
• G.A.A.: 2.57 (Tom Lawson)
• Save %: .920 (Tom Lawson)

 

Saturday February 5, 2005 vs. Binghamton (Posted Sunday 1:34 A.M. EST.)

 

Bears win cat and mouse game with Senators, 4-3 (OT)

 

In a game that resembled a tennis match, with play going back-and-forth and each team exchanging goals with one another, the Hershey Bears ultimately prevailed with the winning serve, downing the Binghamton Senators 4-3 in overtime before 7,655 fans Saturday evening at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. Eric Perrin and Brett Clark would pace the Bears offense with 3 points each, with Perrin bagging the overtime winner just 24 ticks into the extra frame. With the win, Hershey (25-23-1-0, 51 points) moves with 7 points of 4th place Philadelphia, who dropped a 4-1 decision Saturday night in Wilkes-Barre. Even with the OT defeat, Binghamton (27-18-4-3, 61 points) moved up into a 3-way tie for 1st place with Norfolk and Wilkes-Barre.

 

Need to Know: Hershey would assume the game's first lead at the 17:06 mark of the opening period, with Clark netting his 4th goal of the season. Clark, hovering wide open to the right side of the Binghamton net, took a Perrin top left circle pass and fired a shot past Senators goaltender Billy Thompson.

 

The Hershey lead was short lived though, with Jason Spezza immediately responding for the Sens by pushing the puck over the goal line just 22 seconds later. The goal was the former 2nd overall pick's 23rd of the season.

 

With Brian McGrattan serving a roughing penalty (that was assessed late in the 1st period) for Binghamton, Nick Naumenko would blast a shot from the top right circle, beating Thompson glove-side. The goal, only 42 seconds into the 2nd period, gave the Bears a 2-1 lead.

 

On a delayed Hershey penalty, Binghamton's Brandon Bochenski would fire a left circle shot, beating Bears goalie Peter Budaj to the top right shelf of the net. The tally, scored at the 2:48 mark of the 3rd period, tied the contest at 2-2.

 

Jeff Finger would give Hershey its third lead of the game, chalking up only his 2nd goal of the season at 16:48 of the 3rd. Finger, coming into the slot, would take an Andre Savage feed between the circles and beat Thompson top shelf, giving the Bears a 3-2 advantage.

 

With under a minute remaining in regulation, and Thompson pulled in favor of a 6th Sens attacker, Chris Kelly would punch home his 16th of the season, once more tying the game for the visiting team. The goal, which came with 44.7 seconds remaining in regulation, evened the contest at 3-3.

 

After allowing the late-period Binghamton score, Hershey would waste little in the overtime session, with Perrin roofing a shot over Thompson just 24 seconds into the extra frame. Perrin, who was parked to the right of the Senators net, collected his AHL-tying 7th game-winning goal of the season, giving Hershey its 5th victory in 7 games.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (18-14-0), who finished with 33 saves, established a new personal high with his 18th victory. Thompson (12-6-1) absorbed the loss for Binghamton, ending with 28 saves…Perrin has registered 10, multi-point games this season…after colliding at mid-ice with Binghamton D Jesse Fibiger, Bears LW David Masse left with an apparent hand injury with 6 minutes left in the 1st period, and did not return…Hershey D Dean Arsene left the ice briefly in the 2nd period. Arsene took a puck low to the midsection, dropping to the ice and vomiting in the left circle of the Hershey zone. He returned to action 5-10 minutes later…Bears RW Jeff Ulmer saw his 8-game point streak come to an end…Bochenski, who leads all AHL rookies in scoring, tallied a goal and an assist in the Sens' loss…Hershey is now 2-2-0 against Binghamton this season…Bears C Marek Svatos, who finished with 2 assists, returned to the lineup after missing the last 3 games with an ankle injury…Hershey D Agris Saviels also returned to the lineup, picking up an assist on Finger's 3rd period tally…Martin Wilde, Martin Hlinka, and Mike Amodeo were healthy scratches for the Bears…Bears Head Coach Paul Fixter returned behind the bench after receiving game misconduct and gross misconduct penalties that night before in Wilkes-Barre. Referee Dan O'Rourke, who officiated the Bears/Penguins game Friday night, presided over Saturday evening's game in Hershey…prior to their 2nd period power play goal, Hershey had converted only 3 of its prior 36 man advantage opportunities (8.3 %)…Binghamton is now winless in their last 6 games (0-4-1-1), having scored a total of 6 goals in those losses. Hershey improved to 14-0-0 this season when scoring at least 4 goals in a game.

 

Coming Up: Before returning home to play the Bridgeport Sound Tigers next Saturday night at 7 PM, the Bears play a pair of road contests in Lowell (Wednesday) and Wilkes-Barre (Friday). Wednesday's game at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell kicks off at 7 PM.

 

 

Bears captain Brett Clark (right) pockets this 1st period goal past Senators goaltender Billy Thompson, giving Hershey a 1-0 advantage.

 

 

Just 22 seconds after Hershey went up 1-0, Binghamton's Jason Spezza takes the puck over the goal line to even the score at 1-1. Also pictured are the Bears' Cody McCormick (#20) and Peter Budaj.

 

 

Senators LW Arpad Mihaly is unable to convert this 2nd period breakaway on Bears goalie Peter Budaj.

 

 

Eric Perrin (left) gets airborne as the Senators' Billy Thompson and Brandon Bochenski (right) defend during 2nd period action.

 

 

Brandon Bochenski's left circle shot prepares to find mesh, beating goalie Peter Budaj and tying the game at 2-2 early in the 3rd period.

 

 

Binghamton's Chris Kelly (#11) ties the game at 3-3 with this score with 44.7 seconds remaining in the 3rd period.

 

 

Eric Perrin (right) gives the Bears a 4-3 overtime victory, burying this shot past Sens goalie Billy Thompson just 24 seconds into the extra session.

 

The 7641 Sports' News 'N Notes team can be contacted via e-mail at: nnn@7641.com

 

Friday February 4, 2005 at Wilkes-Barre (Posted Friday 9:54 P.M. EST.)

 

Deconstructing Hershey

 

Sometimes, there are games you like to remember…and sometimes, well, there are games you'd like to quickly forget. After Friday night, the Hershey Bears would choose the latter, having received a good old fashioned whooping at the hands of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 8-2 before 8,109 fans at the Wachovia Arena in Wilkes-Barre. 8 different Penguins would tally scores for the victorious Penguins, with Maxime Talbot (1 goal, 2 assists) and Kris Beech (3 assists) leading the offense with 3 points for the home team. With the win, Wilkes-Barre (24-13-5-6, 59 points) leapfrogs over the Philadelphia Phantoms for 3rd place in the East Division. Hershey (24-23-1-0, 49 points), who surrendered a season-high 8 goals in the loss, now sits 9 points behind 4th place Philadelphia.

 

Need to Know: The Penguins would waste little time getting on the scoreboard, connecting on their first shot on goal. At 1:06 of the 1st period, Ross Lupaschuk's shot from between the circles would find its way through the pads of Bears goaltender Peter Budaj, giving Wilkes-Barre an early 1-0 lead.

 

Just 51 seconds later, Maxime Talbot would give the Pens a quick 2-0 lead, tipping in a David Koci left point shot past Budaj for his 5th goal of the season. It marked the second straight game against Wilkes-Barre that Hershey had fallen behind 2-0.

 

Still in the opening frame, Wilkes-Barre would light the lamp again, with Matt Murley taking a Ryan Whitney corner pass and coming from the backdoor to put home the eventual game-winner at 11:34. Moments later, Bears Head Coach Paul Fixter would pull Budaj, who surrendered 3 goals on 9 shots. For the second time in less than a week, Tom Lawson would replace Budaj in the Hershey net.

 

Erik Christensen would continue the Pens' 1st period onslaught, finishing a tic-tac-toe play by burying a shot from the right post past Lawson at 13:17, giving the home team a 4-0 cushion. After Wilkes-Barre's 4th goal of the period, Fixter would use Hershey's timeout to regroup the corps.

 

Near the midpoint of the 2nd period (at 9:32), Alain Nasreddine would give Wilkes-Barre a 5-0 advantage, beating Lawson on a shot that found the top left corner of the Hershey net. It was only the 2nd goal of the season for the veteran d-man Nasreddine.

 

In the midst of 4 on 4 action, Hershey would finally earn some measure of redemption, with David Masse redirecting a Nick Naumenko right point shot at 10:21 of the middle period.

 

At 16:02 of the 2nd, with Dean Arsene and Martin Wilde serving penalties for Hershey, Wilkes-Barre would take advantage of the situation, with Michel Ouellet netting his team-leading 29th goal of the season on a scramble in front of the Bears net. The tally would give the Penguins a 6-1 lead.

 

After referee Dan O'Rourke whistled Hershey captain Brett Clark for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, Fixter would hurl a water bottle in the direction of O'Rourke, earning bench minor, game misconduct, and gross misconduct penalties.

 

Coming from the corner in the Penguins zone, Carl Corazzini would bring the Bears a little closer, netting his 10th goal of the season at 8:07 of the 3rd period and making it a 6-2 Wilkes-Barre advantage.

 

After a shot from Nasreddine was stopped by Lawson, Ramzi Abid would pick up the rebound, popping in a shot that caught the corner of the Hershey net. The goal, Abid's 18th of the season at 13:09 of the 3rd, gave Wilkes-Barre a 7-2 advantage.

 

With 3:54 remaining, Penguins C Kris Beech was handed a deliberate injury match penalty for going after Bears d-man Johnny Boychuk, who gingerly skated off the ice after each were issued fighting majors.

 

Colby Armstrong would pour salt on the Hershey wounds, taking a short-handed breakaway and beating Lawson with 41 ticks remaining in the 3rd, giving the Pens an 8-2 padding.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Fleury (18-9-3), the 1st overall pick in the 2003 NHL Draft , earned the win for Wilkes-Barre, turning aside 24 shots. Budaj (17-14-0) took the loss for Hershey, while Lawson, in cleanup duty, finished with 22 saves on 27 shots faced…although his 7-game goal streak came to an end, Bears RW Jeff Ulmer extended his point streak to 8 games…Beech, among the AHL's leaders in assists, finished with 3 helpers…Hershey allowed a season-high 6 even strength goals in the loss…only Fleury, Chris Kelleher, Rob Scuderi, and Tomas Surovy did not record at least 1 point for Wilkes-Barre…Masse's goal was his first point since January 5th…Hershey last allowed 8 goals on February 16th, 2003, when the Portland Pirates trumped the Bears 8-4 in the "Blizzard Game," played at the Giant Center…Hershey's Dennis Bonvie and Wilkes-Barre's David Koci fought at the 2:07 mark of the 3rd period, with both falling to the ice in a quick scrap…Hershey has been outshot in 29 of 48 games this season…Bears C Marek Svatos (ankle) missed his 3rd straight game, while D Agris Saviels was a healthy scratch for the 2nd consecutive contest…LW Mike Amodeo, released by Hershey on January 28th, only to sign an SPC (Standard Player Contract) this past Wednesday, was not in the lineup.

 

Coming Up: The Bears conclude their weekend with a 7 PM matchup against the Binghamton Senators Saturday evening at the Giant Center. The Sens will be making their 3rd and final visit to Chocolatetown this season. Hershey is 1-2-0 against Binghamton this year, having dropped a 5-3 decision in their last meeting on January 23rd.

 

The 7641 Sports' News 'N Notes team can be contacted via e-mail at: nnn@7641.com