Wednesday March 30, 2005 at Wilkes-Barre (Posted Sunday 10:17 P.M. EST.)

 

Bears pull off miracle win with 1.8 seconds left

 

During the 2000 Presidential election, newsman Dan Rather quipped, "This race is tight like a too-small bathing suit on a too-long ride home from the beach." The same can be said after the Hershey Bears pulled off the unbelievable, with Marek Svatos' second goal of the game with 1.8 seconds left in regulation that downed the bewildered Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 3-2 before 8,375 fans Wednesday evening at the Wachovia Arena. With likely their most important win of the season to date, Hershey (38-31-2-1, 79 points) now stands just 4 points behind Wilkes-Barre for the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division. For the Penguins (35-21-6-7, 83 points), who have two games in-hand on Hershey, they have now dropped four straight to the Bears.

 

Need to Know: Trying to inject some momentum for their respective teams, Dennis Bonvie and Ryan VandenBussche would renew acquaintances just 2:03 into the 1st period. The two longtime enforcers, who exchanged blows Sunday night in Hershey, would drop the gloves at center ice in a two-plus minute battle that saw Bonvie earning the decision.

 

Even though Bonvie earned the win in the fight, Wilkes-Barre would draw first blood on the scoreboard just 31 seconds later, with Matt Hussey picking up a Tomas Surovy rebound and beating Bears netminder Tom Lawson to give the home team a 1-0 advantage.

 

Immediately following the Penguins goal, Hershey would capitalize on the ensuing faceoff, with Svatos taking a Martin Hlinka feed and putting the puck past WBS goalie Marc-Andre Fleury at 2:42.

 

After Ross Lupaschuk was whistled for slashing at 6:32, Mathieu Darche would come in alone and bury the puck high in the net over Fleury at 7:21, giving Hershey a 2-1 lead. It was Darche's team-leading 25th goal of the season, as well as his front-running 9th power-play tally of the 04/05 campaign.

 

The only score of the 2nd period would belong to the Penguins, who would tie the score at 2-2 when VandenBussche would collect a Hussey rebound and slip the puck past Lawson at 14:23.

 

After Lawson made a huge save on Ramzi Abid with 45 seconds left in the 3rd, Svatos would net his second game-winning goal in as many games with a rocket that found its way past Fleury with just 1.8 ticks remaining on the scoreboard.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Lawson (10-12-0), making back-to-back starts in goal for the first time in nearly four months, earned the victory for Hershey, finishing with 29 saves. Fleury (23-16-4) took the loss in net for WBS, ending with 19 saves. The 2003 NHL 1st overall pick is now 1-5 against Hershey this season … Svatos registered his 12th multi-point game of the 04/05 campaign, and has collected 5 points (3 goals, 2 assists) in the last two contests … Bears D Jeff Finger and Abid fought at the 19:46 mark of the 1st period. Finger landed an uppercut that cut Abid, while Abid connected on a shot that knocked off Finger's helmet … with an assist on Svatos' 1st period goal, D Agris Saviels has points in back-to-back games for the first time this season … of Hlinka's 21 points this season, 10 have come in games versus WBS … Penguins RW Michel Ouellet extended his goal-less streak to 19 games … for the first time in 9 games, a Hershey opponent scored the game's first goal … Hershey managed only 3 shots on goal in the 2nd period … Hershey has been outshot in 6 of 8 games against WBS this season … Wilkes-Barre, who finished 0-3 on the man advantage, fell to 3-30 on the power-play versus Hershey this season … D Nick Naumenko, who missed the last 3 games with an elbow injury, returned to the Bears lineup … D Adam Borzecki, who was recalled to Hershey in time for Sunday's home game against Wilkes-Barre, was reassigned to Reading (ECHL) on Monday … the Bears currently lead the season series with Wilkes-Barre by a 6-2-0 mark … if, for some reason, Hershey would fall short in making the playoffs, it would be the highest point total of any Bears team that failed to qualify for the postseason.

 

Coming Up: Hershey next travels to the City of Brotherly Love, where they'll face the Phantoms Friday night at the Spectrum at 7:05 PM. The Bears are 3-5-1 versus Philadelphia this season, having dropped their last two meetings with their East Division rival.

 

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

 

Sunday March 27, 2005 vs. Wilkes-Barre (Posted Sunday 10:41 P.M. EST.)

 

Bears earn key points in 5-3 win over Penguins

 

By Joe Shetrom, 7641 Sports

 

In 2004, the Hershey Bears had their playoff hopes dashed on Easter Sunday. This Easter, they very well could have faced the same prospect with a loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. In what resembled a playoff game, the Bears staked a 3-0 advantage in the 1st period, only to see their lead evaporate with WBS scores late in the 1st, and early into the 3rd period. The home team, however, would prevail with two, 3rd period scores, earning the all-important two points and inching within 6 points of Wilkes-Barre for the fourth and final playoff position in the East Division. Hershey (37-31-2-1, 77 points) has now won three straight against WBS (35-21-6-7, 83 points), and improved to 5-2-0 this season versus their I-81 rivals.

 

Need to Know: The Penguins looked to gain momentum off the opening draw, with Head Coach Michel Therrien inserting the likes of Mike Sgroi, Ryan VandenBussche, David Koci, and Kyle Rossiter into the starting lineup. Hershey countered with enforcer Dennis Bonvie, and the Bears winger appeared ready to go with Sgroi, nudging the Pens forward with his stick as the puck was dropped. Sgroi was willing to go, but it appeared Bonvie simply attempted to draw the cement mixer into taking a penalty. Although Bonvie was unable to get Sgroi to take a needless penalty, he was successful in luring Koci into taking a roughing call just 42 seconds into the period.

 

Martin Hlinka, who has been a thorn in the side of Wilkes-Barre this season, would get the home team on the scoreboard first at the 7:02 mark of the 1st. Bears D Agris Saviels would send a right point shot towards the Penguins goal, with Hlinka redirecting a shot from the right of the net, sending the puck over goaltender Dany Sabourin and into the top right corner of the goal.

 

Just over 2 ½ minutes later (at 9:38), Hershey would go up 2-0, with Jeff Finger firing a right point shot that hit Rossiter in-between the circles and sailing into the WBS net.

 

Bears D Johnny Boychuk and Pens C Maxime Talbot would then "have a go" at the 14:34 mark of the 1st, dropping the gloves near the Hershey blueline. Emotions came to a head after Boychuk was knocked down from behind in the left corner of the Hershey zone. Boychuk retaliated with a cross-check to Talbot, who threw down his stick and gloves, asking the Bears rookie to oblige. Boychuk responded by dropping the visor-wearing Talbot with several rights along the left boards.

 

The fight would provide the Bears with some added jump in their step, as Eric Perrin would reel off Hershey's third unanswered goal of the period with his 22nd of the season at 15:45. Mike Souza would initiate the score, picking up a loose puck in neutral territory and skating into the WBS zone, where he hit the brakes at the right circle, sending a feed to center, where Perrin would bury a shot from in-between the circles.

 

Wilkes-Barre would finally break through at 17:28 of the opening frame, with Ross Lupuschuk connecting on a left circle attempt that found its way past several players screening Bears goalie Tom Lawson.

 

The visitors would carry over their late-period energy into the 3rd stanza, with Ryan Whitney sending a right circle shot through a scrum in front of the Hershey net, coming to rest in the Bears goal just 55 ticks into the final period.

 

Only 17 seconds later (at 1:12), Ramzi Abid would erase Hershey's earlier three goal lead with the equalizer on a mini breakaway, beating Lawson on a five-hole attempt.

 

Bonvie looked to quell the Penguins sudden burst by finding a dance partner in VandenBussche at the 2:23 mark, with each tossing aside their mitts in a scrap inside the Hershey zone. Bonvie would earn the win in the donnybrook, peppering the veteran NHL'er with several rights after VandenBussche had missed on a left cross.

 

Marek Svatos would then chalk up the game-winner in unlikely fashion at the 7:10 mark, picking up the puck in the left circle of the WBS zone and skating behind the net, where his wrap-around backhand attempt would squeak by Penguins netminder Marc-Andre Fleury. If it was possible, Koci should have earned a third assist in the game on the Svatos goal, turning the puck over by attempting a pass to Lupuschuk, who was playing without a stick at the moment.

 

With Fleury pulled in favor of a sixth attacker, Mathieu Darche would solidify the Hershey victory, sending a shot from mid-ice into the empty net with 2.8 seconds remaining in the contest. It was his team-leading 24th marker of the season.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Lawson (9-12-0), making his second start in three days, earned the win in net for Hershey, finishing with 33 saves. Fleury (23-15-4), who entered the game at the start of the 2nd period, surrendered only one goal, taking the loss for Wilkes-Barre and ending with 19 saves. Sabourin exited after the 1st period, turning aside only 6 of 9 shots … 9 of Hlinka's 20 points this season have come at the expense of Wilkes-Barre … Hershey improved to 20-0-0 this season when scoring at least four goals in a game … Souza has 8 points (6 goals, 2 assists) in the last 7 games at Giant Center … Penguins RW Michel Ouellet has now gone 18 straight games without a goal … Hershey has managed only 3 power-play goals in 28 opportunities against Wilkes-Barre this season (10.7%). The Penguins haven't fared much better, converting only 3 of 27 chances (11.1%) … the Bears have scored the game's first goal in 8 straight contests, and 11 of the last 12 … Hershey has won their last six Sunday games, all of which have been played at the Giant Center … before the game, D Adam Borzecki was added to the Bears roster from the Reading Royals (ECHL). He is the seventh player to spend time in both Hershey and Reading this season, and is believed to be the first Polish-born player to don a Bears jersey.

 

Coming Up: In the next six days, Hershey will close out March and begin April with a trio of games versus East Division opponents. Wednesday night, the Bears venture north to Wilkes-Barre before shuttling across the turnpike to Philadelphia for a Friday night match-up against the Phantoms. Hershey returns the following evening to play Bridgeport at 7 PM.

 

 

Martin Hlinka (right) redirects this Agris Saviels shot past Penguins goalie Dany Sabourin, giving the Bears a 1-0 lead at the 7:02 mark of the 1st period.

 

 

Hershey's Johnny Boychuk (left) and Wilkes-Barre's Maxime Talbot grapple during their 1st period fight.

 

 

Bears goaltender Tom Lawson turns aside this shot during 1st period action.

 

 

This Eric Perrin shot finds it way past Sabourin, giving the Bears a 3-0 lead during the 1st period.

 

 

Wilkes-Barre's David Koci (#3) levels Hershey's Mathieu Darche behind the Penguins net late in the 1st period.

 

 

Wilkes-Barre's Kris Beech (left) and Ryan VandenBussche (#37) celebrate as Ross Lupuschuk's left circle shot gets past Lawson, making it a 3-1 game with 2:32 remaining in the 1st period.

 

 

Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury goes airborne as Michel Ouellet crashes into the net during 2nd period action.

 

 

Agris Saviels (right) watches as Ryan Whitney's shot slips by Lawson just 55 seconds into the 3rd period.

 

 

Only 17 seconds later, Wilkes-Barre's Ramzi Abid (arms raised) celebrates as his goal ties the game at 3-3.

 

 

Hershey's Dennis Bonvie (left) and Wilkes-Barre's Ryan VandenBussche during their 3rd period fight.

 

 

Wilkes-Barre's Ross Lupuschuk (left) and Colby Armstrong (#9) watch as Marek Svatos (right) slips this shot by Fleury at the 7:10 mark of the 3rd period, giving the Bears a 4-3 lead. The goal would stand as the game-winner.

 

Current Bears Statistical Leaders (through 3-27-05)

 

• Games: 52 (Peter Budaj)
• Wins: 28 (Peter Budaj)
• Losses: 21 (Peter Budaj)
• Shutouts: 5 (Peter Budaj)
• G.A.A.: 2.65 (Peter Budaj)
• Save %: .919 (Peter Budaj)

 

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

 

Saturday March 26, 2005 vs. Philadelphia (Posted Sunday 12:51 A.M. EST.)

 

Bears playoff hopes fading after 4-2 loss to Phantoms

 

By Joe Shetrom, 7641 Sports

 

Coming off the heels of Friday's dominating win over the American Hockey League's top team, the Rochester Americans, the Hershey Bears looked to knock off another divisional leader Saturday evening. For the first two periods of Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phantoms, it looked as if the Bears would do just that. Unfortunately, there's three periods played in hockey, and the Phantoms saved the best for the final twenty minutes, erasing two Hershey leads and scoring three, third period goals en route to a 4-2 win before 10,164 fans at the Giant Center. Coupled with Wilkes-Barre's shootout loss to Providence, the Bears (36-31-2-1, 75 points) now stand 8 points behind the Penguins for the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division. With their victory, Philadelphia (41-21-3-4, 89 points) maintains a two point lead over Binghamton, who trounced Norfolk 6-2.

 

Need to Know: In what seems to be a recurring theme of late, Hershey would light the lamp first, with Jeff Ulmer beating Phantoms goalie Antero Niittymaki at 4:25 of the 1st period. Carl Mallette would have a hand in the score, coming from the Philly end boards into the left circle and firing a shot that would hit Mathieu Darche, only to be picked up by Ulmer in front of the net, who would beat the Finnish netminder on the glove side.

 

Just twelve seconds into a Martin Wilde tripping call, Philadelphia would even the score at 13:11 of the 1st, with John Slaney blasting a shot from the point that beat Bears netminder Peter Budaj high on the glove side.

Hershey would reassume the lead at the 12:53 mark of the 2nd, with Dennis Bonvie coming from around the Phantoms net and collecting his 4th of the season on a backhand shot thrown to the goal, only to sneak past Niittymaki.

 

Boyd Kane would begin the Phantoms' 3rd period assault at 1:41, coming in from the slot and beating Budaj on another shot that beat the Hershey goalie high on the glove side.

 

With Marek Svatos serving a charging penalty for Hershey, Jon Sim would pocket the game-winner for Philly, taking a Slaney centering pass and beating Budaj at 15:21. With the marker, Sim extended his goal-scoring streak to 5 games, and has now registered 7 goals in that timeframe.

 

Even with Budaj pulled in favor of a sixth attacker during the game's final minute, Hershey was unable to get the puck past the goal line, with Niittymaki standing tall and making several key saves, including a right-side shot by Eric Perrin.

 

Eric Meloche would put the exclamation point on the Phantoms victory, finishing off the Bears with an empty-net score with 13.3 seconds remaining in regulation.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (28-21-1) took the loss for Hershey, ending the contest with 27 saves. Niittymaki (28-18-4), who was stellar in net during the 3rd period, earned the win for the visiting Phamtoms, turning aside 26 of 28 shots … Sim is tied for the AHL lead with 10 game-winning goals this season. The 10 game-winners are also a Phantoms single-season record …Hershey fell to 3-5-1 against the Phantoms this season.

 

Coming Up: Hershey wraps up the weekend with an important 5 PM contest against Wilkes-Barre Sunday evening at the Giant Center.

 

 

Jeff Ulmer prepares to give Hershey a 1-0 lead, beating Phantoms goaltender Antero Niittymaki on this 1st period shot.

 

 

Hershey's Mike Souza (right) has this 2nd period attempt turned aside by Niittymaki.

 

 

Bears goalie Peter Budaj reaches out to make this save during the 2nd period.

 

 

Philadelphia's Boyd Kane ties the game at 2-2 with this goal at the 1:41 mark of the 3rd period.

 

 

Ulmer (left) has this shot stopped by Niittymaki during 3rd period action.

 

 

Jon Sim (#11) slips this shot past four Hershey defenders, giving the Phantoms a 3-2 advantage. The goal was Sim's AHL-tying 10th game-winner of the season.

 

 

Hershey's Eric Perrin (#12) has this shot denied by Niittymaki during the final minute of play in the 3rd period.

 

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

 

Friday March 25, 2005 at Rochester (Posted Friday 10:31 P.M. EST.)

 

David (Bears) slays Goliath (Americans), 6-1

 

Hartford, Manchester, Philadelphia, and now, Rochester. Top American Hockey League teams that have fallen to the Hershey Bears this season. Friday night, the Bears embarrassed an Americans club that had steamrolled their way to the AHL's first playoff berth this season, sending their longtime rival to just their sixth home regulation loss of the season in a 6-1 drubbing at the Blue Cross Arena. Mike Souza netted Hershey's fourth hat trick of the season, while Eric Perrin pocketed 4 assists as the Bears (36-30-2-1, 75 points) cruised to their first non-divisional road win since February 9th. Even with the victory, Hershey remains 7 points behind Wilkes-Barre, who defeated Bridgeport 2-1 Friday evening. Meanwhile, Rochester (48-12-4-6), who defeated Hershey 5-1 in their only other meeting this season, still holds an 18 point advantage on their nearest divisional rival.

 

Need to Know: For the sixth straight contest, Hershey would assume the game's first lead, with Souza pocketing his 11th of the season on a shot that beat Amerks netminder Ryan Miller at 13:46 of the 1st. Jeff Ulmer would earn the assist on the score, digging the puck out of a scrum in the Rochester corner and feeding Souza, who backhanded an attempt past the AHL's winningest goaltender.

 

Only 15 seconds later (at 14:01), Josh Olson would make it 2-0 Hershey, picking up a Marek Svatos rebound and collecting his first goal in a Bears uniform.

 

For the second time in the game, Souza would hit paydirt for Hershey, once again taking an Ulmer pass to beat Miller at the 6:19 mark of the 2nd period. Ulmer would force a turnover behind the Rochester net, throwing the puck out front to center, where Souza would ring up the goal.

 

Jeff Ulmer would reel off Hershey's fourth unanswered goal of the game, beating Miller on a shot from the top of the right circle at 13:17 of the 2nd. It was Ulmer's 20th goal of the season, and third point of the contest.

 

With Hershey's Jeff Finger in the box for an interference penalty, Rochester would finally erase their goose egg, but not on the power-play. After a Bears defenseman was caught covering up the puck in the Hershey crease, referee Jeff Smith signaled a penalty shot for the Americans. Thomas Vanek, who leads all AHL rookies with 31 goals, would register the marker for the Amerks, beating Bears goalie Tom Lawson at the 18:00 mark of the 2nd period. It was the first penalty shot goal Hershey has allowed since 2/26/99, when Cincinnati's Ivan Ciernik beat Bears goaltender David Aebischer in a 2-1 loss at the Cincinnati Gardens.

 

After Rochester's Milan Bartovic was whistled for hooking, Mathieu Darche would pick up a Finger rebound and collect his team-leading 23rd goal of the season at 8:33 of the 3rd. It was also Darche's 8th power-play tally of the campaign, tops on Hershey.

 

Souza would cap the evening's scoring with a 5-on-5 score to complete his first hat trick of the season, providing the visiting Bears with a 6-1 advantage on a blast from the right circle at the 11:49 mark of the 3rd period. Perrin would earn his fourth assist of the game on the goal.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Lawson (8-12-0), making only his fourth start in goal since late December, earned the win, finishing with 32 saves. It was also just his second win since 12/11. Miller (38-14-4), who entered Friday leading AHL goaltenders in wins, saves, and shutouts, suffered the humiliating loss in net for Rochester, turning aside just 31 of 37 shots … it was Souza's fourth, multi-goal game since February 12th … Ulmer registered his fourth, 3-point game of the 04/05 campaign. He also finished with a game-high +4, which tied a team season high … Perrin, who recorded his 16th multi-point game of the season, also had 4 points back on 12/29 … Hershey improved to 19-0-0 this season when scoring at least 4 goals in a game … Souza joins David Masse (12/17 vs Albany), Darche (12/31 vs Philadelphia), and Svatos (2/23 vs Bridgeport) in Hershey players who have recorded hat tricks this season … heavyweights Dennis Bonvie and Sean McMorrow dropped the gloves in a bout with 7:02 remaining in the 3rd period. Both are ranked in the AHL's top 5 for major penalties this season … Carl Mallette, in his second game with Hershey, picked up his first career AHL point with an assist on Ulmer's goal … Rochester last lost at home in regulation on December 10th, when the defending Calder Cup-champion Milwaukee Admirals left town with a 4-1 win … Hershey D Nick Naumenko was scratched due to an elbow injury … Former Bears enforcer Frank "The Animal" Bialowas (99/00), making his professional boxing debut, earned a 1st round KO win over Jarad Vazquez Thursday night at the Spectrum in Philadelphia.

 

Coming Up: The Bears return to Chocolatetown for a weekend set against East Division opponents, starting with a 7 PM faceoff against the Philadelphia Phantoms Saturday night at the Giant Center. Hershey is 3-4-1 versus their turnpike rivals this season, dropping a 4-1 decision in their last meeting back on February 25th at the Spectrum. The following evening, Hershey hosts Wilkes-Barre at 5 PM.

 

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

 

Wednesday March 23, 2005 vs. Portland (Posted Wednesday 11:48 P.M. EST.)

 

Bears swashbuckled by Pirates, 3-2

 

By Joe Shetrom, 7641 Sports

 

Playing against one of the AHL's weaker road teams, the odds appeared in favor of the Hershey Bears coming into Wednesday night's game versus the Portland Pirates. Unfortunately for Hershey, winners of five straight at the Giant Center, the Pirates sported the better poker face, sailing out of Chocolatetown with 3-2 victory. With the loss, Hershey (35-30-2-1, 73 points) falls seven points behind Wilkes-Barre for the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division. The Penguins, who managed only 14 shots on goal in the game, departed Hamilton with a 1-0 win over the Bulldogs Wednesday evening. With their victory, Portland (31-28-3-5, 70 points), in a playoff drive of their own, inches within six points of the Worcester IceCats for fourth place in the Atlantic Division.

 

Need to Know: For the fifth straight game, Hershey would assume the game's first lead, with Jeff Ulmer registering his 19th goal of the season at the 4:45 mark of the 1st period. Eric Perrin would set up the score, bringing the puck into the right side of the Portland zone and feeding a right circle pass over to Ulmer, who swept home the marker from in-between the circles.

 

After Hershey's Jeff Finger was whistled for holding at 12:02, Portland would even the score 52 seconds later, with Graham Mink taking a Dwayne Zinger right circle pass and collecting his 16th on a shot from in-between the circles. The power-play tally would end a 0-22 streak on the man advantage for Portland.

 

Carl Mallette, added to the Hershey roster earlier in the day, thought he had his first career AHL goal with 2:04 remaining in the 1st period. After goal judge Ron Lewis triggered the goal light, referee Ryan Fraser eventually waived off the apparent score due to a whistle blown before the puck had crossed the goal line.

Former Bear Brian Willsie would beat his former mates at 7:57 of the 2nd period, taking a Brooks Laich pass and beating Bears goalie Peter Budaj on a forehand attempt in front of the Hershey net.

 

Courtesy of penalties from Willsie (at 1:46) and Shaone Morrisonn (at 3:17), Hershey enjoyed a 2-man advantage on the power-play for :29, with Jamie Rivers providing the equalizer at 3:37 of the 3rd period. The goal, which technically was considered a 5-on-4 score, came after Perrin through a right circle pass to Rivers, who converted on a left point shot that beat Pirates goaltender Kirk Daubenspeck on the stick-side.

With 2:27 remaining in regulation, Owen Fussey, left untouched in front of the Bears net, would cinch the game-winner for Portland, potting a goal that beat Budaj high on the stick-side.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (28-20-1) suffered the loss in goal for Hershey, finishing with 31 saves. Daubenspeck (13-5-1) recorded the win in net for Portland, ending with 29 saves … Portland has yet to lose in regulation this season when leading after two periods (19-0-1-2) … the Pirates have recorded 23, 1-goal wins this season, 2nd in the AHL … Perrin recorded his 15th multi-point game of the season … since moving into the Giant Center, Hershey has gone 0-3 in home games against the Pirates … Portland swept the season series 2-0-0, winning both games by a 1-goal margin ... Pirates D Jean-Francois. Fortin was supposed to attend Hershey's training camp this past fall, but failed his physical before camp opened … prior to his recall from the Toledo Storm, Mallette was leading the ECHL in scoring with 77 points (30 goals, 47 assists) this season. In addition to the 61 games he's played in the ECHL, he's also suited up for 3 games this season with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks.

 

Coming Up: The Bears next head to Rochester, NY, where they'll face off against their longtime rival Americans at 7 PM Friday. The Amerks, currently the AHL's top team with 106 points, beat Hershey 5-1 at the Giant Center on October 30th.

 

 

Graham Mink (left) ties the score at 1-1 for Portland, pumping this 1st period power-play shot past Hershey's Peter Budaj and Brett Clark (right).

 

 

Hershey's Dennis Bonvie lays a big hit on Portland's Louis Robitaille during 2nd period action in the Pirates zone.

 

 

Robitaille returns the favor by laying out Bonvie in this 2nd period check along the boards in the Hershey zone.

 

 

Pirates goaltender Krk Daubenspeck turns aside this Hershey shot during 2nd period play.

 

 

Portland's Boyd Gordon (left) prepares to put this 3rd period shot on Bears goalie Peter Budaj as Hershey's Mathieu Darche pulls up from the rear.

 

 

Owen Fussey nets the game-winning goal for Portland, sinking this shot over Bears goalie Peter Budaj with just 2:27 remaining in the 3rd period.

 

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

 

Sunday March 20, 2005 vs. Wilkes-Barre (Posted Sunday 10:58 P.M. EST.)

 

Bears tighten race with 3-0 shutout win over Pens

By Joe Shetrom, 7641 Sports

 

Facing their most crucial game to date this season, the Hershey Bears played with a purpose, shutting out the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 3-0 in front of 9,015 fans Sunday night at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. Mike Souza pocketed a pair of goals, while Martin Hlinka assisted on all 3 scores and Peter Budaj kept the net clear en route to Hershey's 25th win over an East Division opponent this season. With their fifth straight victory at home, Hershey (35-29-2-1, 73 points) now sits just 5 points behind Wilkes-Barre (33-20-6-6, 78 points) for 4th place in the East.

 

Need to Know: After a scoreless 1st period, Souza would net the game's first goal---and eventual game-winner---at 12:20 of the 2nd, wrapping around the Wilkes-Barre net and burying a left-side shot past Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who attempted to make a sweeping pad save.

 

Tempers would come to a head late in the 2nd period, after Dennis Bonvie was whistled for boarding the Penguins' Michel Ouellet along the left boards in the Hershey zone. Pens captain Alain Nasreddine immediately went after Bonvie, earning instigator and ten minute misconduct penalties in what was mostly a wrestling match. Bonvie was assessed a boarding major, fighting major, and game misconduct.

 

At 1:50 of the 3rd period, with Wilkes-Barre still on the power-play stemming from Bonvie's major penalty, Mathieu Darche would come up with a short-handed marker, picking up a loose puck during a scrum in the Pens' crease and bagging his 22nd of the season.

 

Just over two minutes later, Wilkes-Barre likely had their best scoring chance of the night, with Ramzi Abid coming in from between the circles untouched by the Hershey defense, only to have his attempt stonewalled by Budaj.

 

With just under 2 minutes remaining, after Eric Perrin raced to the Hershey bench from receiving a Wilkes-Barre high stick, Penguins Head Coach Michel Therrien pulled Fleury in favor of an extra attacker. Moments later, Hlinka would find Souza, who sealed the win with a power-play, empty-net score from along the left boards in the Penguins end. Prior to the score, Hershey had gone scoreless in their previous 18 man advantage opportunities.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (28-19-1) earned his 5th shutout of the season, and 10th career white-washing for Hershey, turning aside all 23 shots faced. Fleury (23-14-3) suffered the loss for Wilkes-Barre, finishing with 17 saves … Souza has a 4-game goal-scoring streak at home, during which he has pocketed 6 markers … with his 20 penalty minutes in the contest, Bonvie went over the 300 PIM mark for the 8th time in his pro career. He also became only the 10th Bear in team history---and first since Wade Belak registered 320 in 96/97---to eclipse the 300 plateau. Others members of the elite club include: Craig Berube (325 in 86/87), Archie Henderson (337 in 78/79), Garry Rissling (also 337 in 78/79), and Steve Martinson (team record 422 PIMs in 85/86) … Ouellet, who was among the AHL's top-5 goal scorers coming into this past week, has now gone 14 straight games without a goal for Wilkes-Barre … the Penguins, who finished 0-4 on the power-play, are mired in a 2-30 slump on the man advantage … Hershey has scored the first goal in 6 of their last 7 games … Penguins D David Koci did not return after the 1st period, leaving the game with rib and back pains … RW Carl Corazzini returned to the Bears lineup after missing the last 12 games with a groin injury … the start of the game was delayed 25 minutes, as Wilkes-Barre was stuck in traffic after an accident halted travel on parts of I-81 near Frackville … Hershey is 9-1 in their last ten home games … the Bears now hold a 4-2 lead in the season series with the Penguins.

 

Coming Up: Hershey is back at home again this Wednesday, when they'll faceoff against the Portland Pirates at 7:30 PM. The Bears dropped a 4-3 decision to the Pirates in their previous meeting on December 4th in Portland.

 

 

Rob Scuderi (left) watches teammate Marc-Andre Fleury make this sprawling save during the 1st period.

 

 

Hershey's Mike Souza (left) gives the home team a 1-0 advantage, beating Fleury on this shot at the 12:20 mark of the 2nd period.

 

 

Wilkes-Barre's Alain Nasreddine (left) and Hershey's Dennis Bonvie tie each other up during their 2nd period fight. In addition to his fighting major, Bonvie was assessed a boarding major and game misconduct for his hit on Michel Ouellet. Nasreddine received instigator and ten minute misconduct penalties.

 

 

Mathieu Darche (#18) gives the Bears a 2-0 lead, bagging this short-handed goal 1:50 into the 3rd period.

 

 

Michel Ouellet (left) gloves the puck into the net as Hershey's Peter Budaj and Nick Naumenko look on during 3rd period action. The goal, however, was waived off.

 

 

Bears goaltender Peter Budaj, who recorded his 5th shutout of the season, makes one of his 23 saves during 3rd period action.

 

Current Bears Statistical Leaders (through 3-20-05)

 

• Games: 67 (Johnny Boychuk, Eric Perrin, Jeff Ulmer)
• Goals: 22 (Mathieu Darche)
• Assists: 39 (Eric Perrin)
• Points: 60 (Eric Perrin)
• PIMs: 301 (Dennis Bonvie)
• +/-: +10 (Johnny Boychuk)
• PPGs: 7 (Mathieu Darche & David Masse)
• SHGs: 2 (Jeff Ulmer)
• GWGs: 7 (Eric Perrin)
• Shots: 230 (Mathieu Darche)

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

 

Friday March 18, 2005 at Binghamton (Posted Friday 11:37 P.M. EST.)

 

Bears end road skid with 3-2 shootout win

 

Needing the two points to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Hershey Bears, up by two goals after the 1st period, downed the Binghamton Senators 3-2 in a shootout before 4,710 fans Friday evening at the Broome County Arena in Southern New York. Even with their 7th shootout victory of the season, Hershey (34-29-2-1, 71 points) was unable to gain any ground on Wilkes-Barre, who toppled the Syracuse Crunch 5-4 in a shootout on Friday. Binghamton (36-20-5-6, 83 points), who has now lost two straight games via shootouts, holds only a 1-point advantage over Philadelphia and Norfolk, who each won their respective contests on Friday.

 

Need to Know: For the third straight game, Hershey would assume the game's first lead, with rookie Ryan Steeves pocketing his 5th goal of the season at the 4:43 mark of the 1st period. Steeves, who netted a tally for the second straight contest, got behind the Binghamton defense and picked up a rebound off of Senators goalie Billy Thompson, pushing the puck over the goal line.

 

The Bears would bookend two earlier fights with a goal at 12:06 of the 1st, with Martin Wilde chalking up his 2nd of the season after a faceoff win in the Binghamton zone. Hershey's Mathieu Darche won the draw back to Wilde, who fired a shot that found its way through Thompson.

 

With Jeff Finger serving a roughing penalty for Hershey, Binghamton's Brian Pothier would cut the Bears lead in half, registering his AHL defenseman-leading, 11th power-play goal of the season at 15:05 of the 1st. Jason Spezza, the AHL's point leader, extended his scoring streak to 7 games, earning his league-leading 67th assist on the score.

 

Chris Neil would even the score for Binghamton at 2-2, redirecting a Charlie Stephens pass on the right side at 6:39 of the 2nd. It was the 1st goal of the season for Neil, who signed with Binghamton on March 1st after compiling 572 penalty minutes in 3 seasons with Ottawa.

 

Even with a 2-man advantage in the overtime period, the Bears were unable to convert, sending them to their eight shootout of the season.

 

Marek Svatos and Eric Perrin would quickly put the visitors up 2-0, beating Thompson on Hershey's first two attempts. As Binghamton's second shooter, Spezza would cut the lead in half, beating Bears goaltender Peter Budaj on a shot in the top right corner of the net. Anton Volchenkov would even the shootout score at twos, while Hershey failed to convert on their final three attempts. As the final shooter in the 5th round, Josh Langfeld had the chance to seal the win for Binghamton, but was unable to best Budaj, sending the game into individual shootout rounds.

 

After both sides were unable to convert in their following attempts, Bears captain Brett Clark would net the winner in the 9th round, with Denis Hamel unable to cash in on Binghamton's last attempt.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (27-19-1) improved to 6-1 in shootouts this season for Hershey, stopping 43 shots in regulation and OT, and another 7 in the shootout frame. Thompson (17-8-1) suffered the loss for Binghamton, finishing with 40 saves in 65 minutes, as well as another 6 stops in the shootout … Perrin's 8 shootout goals rank tied for 2nd in the AHL. Wilkes-Barre's Michel Ouellet pocketed his league-leading 9th S.O. score in the Pens' 5-4 victory over Syracuse on Friday … for the first time this season, Steeves and Wilde have registered points in back-to-back games … before Friday, Wilde's only other point of the season came on a goal he scored January 2nd against Worcester … of Pothier's 12 goals this season, 11 have come on the man advantage … Darche registered 10 shots on goal, a season-high for Hershey … the 1st period featured fights between Jeff Finger and Grant Potulny (at 7:07), and Dennis Bonvie and Brian McGrattan (at 10:48). Finger and Potulny had fought each other back on October 22nd, while former teammates Bonvie and McGrattan squared off back on January 23rd. McGrattan's 458 Penalty minutes lead the AHL, as do his 34 major penalties. He's attempting to eclipse Bonvie's AHL, single-season penalty minute mark of 522 PIMs, set during the 1996/97 season … the Bears and Senators combined for 86 shots, the highest total Hershey has been involved in this season … Hershey has converted only 2 of their last 28 power-play opportunities … Binghamton fell to 2-6 in shootouts this season … Hershey now holds a 3-2 advantage in the season series with Binghamton, and lead the AHL with 24 victories this season versus East Division opponents.

 

Coming Up: After getting a rare Saturday off, the Bears return to action on Sunday with a 5 PM match-up against East Division rival Wilkes-Barre at the Giant Center. Hershey, who carries a four-game home winning streak into Sunday, is 3-2 versus the Penguins this season, including a 2-1 victory in their last meeting on February 26th.

 

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

 

Thursday March 17, 2005 (Posted Thursday 8:51 P.M. EST.)

 

After 9 seasons, Bears and Avalanche will end partnership

 

By Joe Shetrom, 7641 Sports

 

In what had been a relatively quiet Thursday, with no trades or loans on the AHL's Clear Day for setting postseason rosters, the Bears made a late-afternoon surprise by announcing that their agreement with the Colorado Avalanche will cease effective the end of the current 2004/05 campaign.

 

While it may not have been a shocker, the timing of the announcement seemed unusual. Rumors have been circulating all season that the Hershey/Colorado marriage was on the rocks, and that Hershey would be left searching for a new affiliate come springtime. In their annual "Future Watch" issue, The Hockey News ranked the Avalanche in 30th and last place in the NHL among prospects. One big reason for that ranking is because Colorado has traded away many of its prospects and draft picks in favor of player depth for playoff drives. Although it's just speculation at this time, possible replacement candidates include the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and Washington Capitals.

 

Colorado had moved their affiliation from Cornwall to Hershey following the 1995/96 season, and produced a Calder Cup Championship in 96/97, the first season of their partnership. Prior to this season, Hershey produced a record of 298-241-69-32 as the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, including trips to the postseason in 7 of 8 seasons. In total, 50 different players saw action in both Colorado and Hershey in that timeframe, including NHL stars Alex Tanguay, David Aebischer, and Marc Denis.

 

In a press release on their website, Bears President/GM Doug Yingst stated, "We have enjoyed the partnership with the Colorado Avalanche over the last nine seasons." "We wish the Avalanche all the best in their future endeavors."

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Bears head into Binghamton Friday night attempting to snap a six-game road winless streak (0-4-1-1), while trying to keep their playoff hopes alive. Hershey is looking to avoid missing the postseason in consecutive seasons for just the third time in franchise history. Of the teams in front of Hershey in the East Division, only Philadelphia plays three games in three days (Worcester on Friday at home, Binghamton on Saturday on the road, and back at home Sunday against Portland). Meanwhile, Binghamton (home Friday and Saturday against Hershey and Philly), Norfolk (home for two straight against Portland on Friday and Saturday), and Wilkes-Barre (Friday in Syracuse, Sunday in Hershey) each have just two contests this coming weekend.

 

Notes: Hershey missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons in 1954/55 & 1955/56, and in the 1983/84 & 1984/85 campaigns … the Bears' current six-game road skid is the longest since last season, when they lost nine straight from 2/20 - 4/3/04, severely crippling their playoff chances … Binghamton has earned points in 13 of their last 15 games (9-2-2-2) … Senators C Jason Spezza, the AHL's leading scorer with 91 points, leads the team with 7 points (3 goals, 4 assists) against Hershey this season. Bears C Eric Perrin leads all Hershey scorers with 7 points versus Binghamton this season (3 goals, 4 assists) … in his first game back since being reassigned to Reading on Monday, David Masse bagged an empty net goal in the Royals' 3-1 victory over the Peoria Rivermen on Tuesday night.

 

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

 

Wednesday March 16, 2005 at Springfield (Posted Wednesday 9:41 P.M. EST.)

 

Road woes continue as Bears drop a laugher in Springfield, 4-2

 

Needing the two points to inch closer to a playoff berth, the Hershey Bears instead dropped a 4-2 decision to the lowly Springfield Falcons Wednesday night at the Civic Center in Springfield. Springfield (18-40-2-3, 41 points), who entered Wednesday with a six-game losing streak, would reel off four unanswered goals en route to just their second win in their last ten games. With the loss, Hershey (33-29-2-1), who has now gone winless in six straight on the road, remains seven points behind Wilkes-Barre in the East Division standings.

 

Need to Know: Facing one of the AHL's worst teams, Hershey wouldn't waste much time getting on the scoreboard first. Moments after Darren Reid's obstruction hooking penalty expired, Marek Svatos would punch a shot through the pads of Falcons goaltender Brian Eklund at 4:21, giving the visitors a 1-love advantage.

 

After Hershey was whistled for a too many men on the ice bench minor at 7:09, Springfield would even the score at 1-1, with journeyman winger Jim Campbell pocketing a goal from in-between the circles at 8:05 of the 1st.

 

Hershey would find itself down by a goal less than four minutes later at 11:55, with former Bear Nikita Alexeev chalking up his 12th goal on a shot that barely crossed the goal line.

 

With Hershey's Ryan Steeves in the penalty box for hooking, former Bear Ryan Craig would net the game-winning goal, beating Bears goalie Peter Budaj on a backhand shot at 15:32 of the 2nd period. It was Craig's team-leading 23rd goal of the season, as well as his 10th power-play score of 04/05.

 

Newly-recalled RW Justin Kelly, brought up Monday from the UHL's Adirondack Frostbite, would tally the Falcons' fourth unanswered goal at 3:10 of the 3rd, taking a Dennis Packard feed and burying the puck over Budaj in the top right corner of the net.

 

After allowing four straight goals to Springfield, Hershey would break out of their funk at 4:42, with Ryan Steeves netting his 4th of the season on a shot that went in off Eklund's glove.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (33-29-2-1), took the loss in goal for Hershey, finishing with 18 saves. Eklund (10-17-0), who attended Hershey's training camp in 2003, earned the win in net for Springfield, ending with 25 saves … Bears C Eric Perrin saw his six-game point streak come to an end … a season-high 10 different players earned points in the Falcons' victory … Hershey allowed a season-tying-low 22 shots on goal … Springfield's 2, man advantage scores tied a season high. The Falcons entered the game with an AHL-low 10.6% on the power-play … Springfield, who ranks second-to-last in AHL attendance, drew a crowd of only 2,539 for the game … the season series ended with each team capturing a victory in their home arena.

 

Coming Up: Before returning to Chocolatetown for a Sunday matinee against Wilkes-Barre, Hershey visits Binghamton on Friday night in a key East Division match-up. The Bears are 2-2 versus the Senators this season, but dropped a 3-2 decision in their prior visit to Broome County on October 22nd.

 

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

 

Sunday March 13, 2005 vs. Norfolk (Posted Sunday 11:39 P.M. EST.)

 

Offense shines as Bears cruise to fourth straight win at home

 

Sunday evening, the Hershey Bears didn't resemble a team that had gone winless in their four previous games. They did, however, resemble a team that needed to earn two points with a key victory over their East Division-rival Norfolk Admirals. And that they did, scorching the visitors with 2 goals just 18 seconds apart in the 1st period before eventually staking a 4-0 lead en route to a 5-3 win over the Admirals. Eric Perrin (1 goal, 2 assists), Jeff Ulmer (1 goal, 2 assists), Jamie Rivers (3 assists), and Mike Souza (2 goals) paced the offense, sending the Bears to their fourth straight victory at the Giant Center. With the win, Hershey (33-28-2-1, 69 points) now stands 7 points behind Wilkes-Barre, who dropped a 6-2 decision on home ice to Binghamton on Sunday. Meanwhile, Norfolk (36-23-1-5, 78 points)---who has now lost four straight on the road---maintains a one-point lead over Wilkes-Barre for 3rd place in the East Division.

 

Need to Know: As fans were still filing into their Giant Center seats, Eric Perrin would ignite the Bears offense, one-handing a shot past Norfolk goalie Adam Munro just 57 seconds into the 1st period. After Perrin picked up the puck in the neutral zone, he raced to the net with Matt Ellison clinging to his right arm, and was able to flick off a shot that beat Munro stick-side.

 

Only 18 seconds later (at 1:15), before the first goal could be announced, Mike Souza would quickly provide the Bears with a 2-0 advantage, taking a Perrin feed on the left side and burying the puck past Munro.

 

Following the faceoff from the first goal, Perrin would rush into the Norfolk end, hitting the brakes in the right circle and firing a pass to the left side, where Souza bested Munro on the stick-side attempt.

 

With 33.4 ticks remaining in the 1st, Marek Svatos would get in on the act, picking up a Mathieu Darche rebound and chipping in a shot that beat Munro low on the glove-side. The score occurred after Martin Hlinka unleashed a shot from along the left boards that was redirected by Darche, only to be stopped by Munro, but who couldn't stop the rebound that was left out front of the goal.

 

As Nick Kuiper was serving a tripping penalty for Norfolk, Ulmer would propel the home team to a 4-0 lead, pumping a left side shot---the eventual game-winner---over the shoulder of Munro at 11:38 of the 2nd.

 

Just 6 seconds after Anton Babchuk was called for high-sticking at 17:57 of the 2nd, Norfolk would finally get on the scoreboard…in the most unlikeliest of ways. With James Wisniewski attempting to clear the puck out of the Norfolk zone, he fired a blueline curveball that skipped the ice, eluding Bears goaltender Peter Budaj and catching the corner of Hershey's goal.

 

Norfolk would cut Hershey's lead in half at the 5:29 mark of the 3rd, with Pavel Vorobiev throwing a left circle pass to Eric Nickulas, who cashed in with a power-play marker from in-between the circles.

 

Hershey would reclaim a three-goal advantage at 10:49, when Souza would net his second goal of the game against his former team. After Rivers fired an outlet pass to Souza in the neutral zone, Souza would race into the left side of the Admirals zone, faking a pass to Ulmer before flipping a shot over the stick of Munro.

 

Anton Babchuk would get the visitors within two goals, taking a Mikhail Yakubov pass and capitalizing on a shot from in-between the circles with just 1:20 left in regulation.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (26-18-1) earned the big win in goal for Hershey, turning aside 33 shots. Munro (8-7-1) suffered the loss in net for Norfolk, finishing with 21 saves … Perrin extended his point streak to 6 games (3-7-10) … after registering only 3 points in his first 27 games for Hershey, Souza has collected 10 points (7 goals, 3 assists) in the last 13 games … the 3 points were a season high for Rivers … Jeff Finger earned his tenth straight start on defense for the Bears … Hershey is now 18-0-0 this season when scoring at least 4 goals in a game… after missing the last 6 games with a groin injury, D Nick Naumenko returned to the Bears lineup … Hershey LW David Masse was scratched from Sunday's lineup … Hershey has won 8 of their last 9 games at home … the Bears finished the season series with a 4-6-0 mark against the Admirals … Norfolk's 2nd period short-handed goal was only the second Hershey has allowed at home this season … Hershey sported commemorative game jerseys in the style of the 1968/69 Calder Cup-winning Bears team. In the post-game auction, jerseys worn by Dennis Bonvie ($2,150), Perrin ($1,950), and Brett Clark ($1,550) fetched the highest amounts … the Bears are 3-0 this season when wearing specialty-themed game jerseys (Halloween, New Year's, turn-back-the-clock) … in a ironic twist, the announced attendance was 6,869.

 

Coming Up: Hershey hits the road for games in Springfield (Wednesday) and Binghamton (Friday) before returning home next Sunday night to face East Division rival Wilkes-Barre at 5 PM. In their only other meeting this season, Hershey defeated Springfield 2-1 on November 24th at the Giant Center.

 

 

With Norfolk's Matt Ellison (left) clinging to Hershey's Eric Perrin (middle), Perrin lets go with this one-handed shot that beats goalie Adam Munro, giving the Bears a 1-0 lead just 57 seconds into the 1st period.

 

 

Only 18 seconds later, Mike Souza (#17) gives Hershey a 2-0 advantage, putting this shot past Munro as several players look on. Eric Perrin (top right), who set up the goal, celebrates the score.

 

 

Bears captain Brett Clark (left) gets a stick up on Admirals captain Ajay Baines during 1st period action. Clark was assessed a minor penalty for high-sticking.

 

 

Marek Svatos (middle) catapults Hershey to a 3-0 advantage, sending this shot past Munro with under a minute to play in the 1st period.

 

 

Admirals goalie Adam Munro stops this 2nd period shot by Dennis Bonvie (top right), as Norfolk's James Wisniewski defends.

 

 

As Norfolk's Marty Wilford (bottom left) defends, Souza (top left) slips this 3rd period shot---his 2nd goal of the game---past Munro, giving Hershey a 5-2 lead.

 

 

Norfolk's Anton Babchuk (right) celebrates as his shot gets past Bears goalie Peter Budaj, making it a 5-2 contest with 1:20 remaining in the 3rd period.

 

Current Bears Statistical Leaders (through 3-13-05)

 

• Games: 47 (Peter Budaj)
• Wins: 26 (Peter Budaj)
• Losses: 18 (Peter Budaj)
• Shutouts: 4 (Peter Budaj)
• G.A.A.: 2.68 (Peter Budaj)
• Save %: .918 (Peter Budaj)

 

Saturday March 12, 2005 at Bridgeport (Posted Saturday 10:32 P.M. EST.)

 

Valiant effort falls short as Hershey goes down 3-2 in OT

 

For the first 56+ minutes of Saturday night's contest, the Hershey Bears couldn't buy a goal. Then, with the game reaching its latter stages, they were able to pocket not one, but two scores, tying the contest and sending the match into overtime, where the home teams' Justin Mapletoft would spoil Hershey's effort with the OT game-winner at 4:06, giving the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (28-30-2-1, 59 points) a 3-2 victory. Even though they earned a point in the standings, Hershey (32-28-2-1, 67 points) wasn't able to gain any ground on Wilkes-Barre, who picked up point in their 3-2 OT loss in Norfolk. The Bears, who are now winless in their last 5 road games, return home for a critical East Division match-up against the Admirals Sunday night in Chocolatetown.

 

Need to Know: After an uneventful seventeen minutes of action into the 1st period, Cole Jarrett would kickstart the evening's offense, picking up a Sean Bergenheim rebound and beating Hershey goaltender Tom Lawson on the short side to give the Sound Tigers a 1-0 lead.

 

Bridgeport's Rob Collins, who led several short-handed, odd-man rushes in the game, increased the Sound Tigers lead to 2-0, putting home a third attempt on Lawson at 8:32 of the 3rd.

 

Hershey would finally breathe some life late in the period, with Mathieu Darche pocketing his team-leading 21st goal---a power-play tally---at 16:36, before Jeff Ulmer registered his 17th just under a minute later at 17:29, evening the score at 2-2.

 

As the overtime frame entered its last minute of play, Mapletoft and Bruno Gervais led a rush into the Hershey end, where Mapletoft would bury the puck, giving the Sound Tigers the win and drawing Bridgeport two points closer to Hershey in the East Division standings.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Lawson (7-11-1), making his first start since February 18th, and only his fourth nod in goal since late December, finished with 26 saves for Hershey. Dieter Kochan (16-15-0), earned the win for Bridgeport, ending with 30 saves … Hershey LW Yevgeny Lazarev had an apparent, early-1st period goal waved off, then dropped the gloves with the Sound Tigers' Kevin Colley just under five minutes later at 6:35 … Colley also fought Bears D Johnny Boychuk at the 3:40 mark of the 3rd period … Bears LW David Masse has just 1 goal in the last 27 games … prior to Darche's power-play score, Hershey had converted only 3 of their prior 29 man-advantage chances … Bears C Eric Perrin has points in five straight contests (2-5-7) … in games that have ended in overtime this season, Hershey is 4-2 … the Hershey/Bridgeport season series now stands at three wins apiece … the Sound Tigers improved to 20-0-1-1 this season when leading after the 2nd period, including a perfect 15-0-0-0 mark at home.

 

Coming Up: For the first time in two weeks, the Bears return to the Giant Center for a 5 PM Sunday matinee versus the Norfolk Admirals. Hershey will be sporting retro-style 1968-69 jerseys, which will be auctioned after the game. It will mark their final regular season match-up of the 2004/05 campaign. Hershey is 3-6 against the Ads this season, and have dropped their last three decisions to their East Division rivals.

 

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

 

Friday March 11, 2005 at Syracuse (Posted Saturday 8:47 A.M. EST.)

 

Bears lose third straight, 3-1 in Syracuse

 

Looking to rebound after last weekend's losses in St. John's, the Hershey Bears could muster only one goal, dropping a 3-1 decision at the hands of the Syracuse Crunch Friday night at the War Memorial at Oncenter in Syracuse, NY. Mark Hartigan led the way on offense, netting two power play goals, while Brad Moran and Francois Beauchemin each chipped in with two assists for the victorious Crunch (28-26-5-3, 64 points). With their season-high fourth-straight road loss, Hershey (32-28-1-1, 66 points) now sits nine points behind the 4th place team---Wilkes-Barre---in the East Division.

 

Need to Know: After Hershey was unable to convert on Alexander Svitov's 5-minute high-sticking major on Brett Clark, Cody McCormick's short-handed tally would propel the Bears to a 1-0 lead at the 5:48 mark of the 1st period. The goal was set up after Eric Perrin forced a turnover in the Syracuse zone, feeding the puck to McCormick, who took a breakaway in and beat Syracuse goalie Andrew Penner for his fifth goal of the season.

 

With Hershey's Johnny Boychuk in the penalty box for holding, Syracuse would even the score at 12:25 of the 1st stanza. Mark Hartigan would take a behind-the-net pass from Brad Moran, pumping a power-play shot past Bears goaltender Peter Budaj for his 21st goal of the season.

 

Syracuse would then assume their first lead just over three and half minutes later at 16:00, when Matthias Trattnig's right-side tip from a Jamie Pushor shot would give the Crunch a 2-1 advantage. The eventual game-winning marker was only Trattnig's 3rd goal of the season.

 

After Marek Svatos (tripping) and Martin Hlinka (high-sticking) whistled for penalties just three seconds apart, Hartigan would convert his second man-advantage score of the game at 7:02 of the middle period.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (25-18-1), took the loss in net for Hershey, finishing with 30 saves. Penner (5-7-0), earned the win in goal for Syracuse, ending with 27 saves. Two of Penner's five wins this season have come against Hershey … with an assist in the contest, Perrin now has 20 points (7 goals, 13 assists) in the last 20 games … Crunch RW Joe Motzko saw his 7-game point streak come to an end … Bears LW Yevgeny Lazarev, recalled from the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers on Thursday, made his 2004/05 AHL debut, sporting jersey #15 … speedy C Nathan Robinson, acquired earlier in the day from the Grand Rapids Griffins, made his Syracuse debut.

 

Coming Up: The Bears finish their four game road swing Saturday evening in Bridgeport before returning to the Giant Center Sunday night to take on the Norfolk Admirals at 5 PM. Hershey is 2-2 versus the Sound Tigers this season, including a 5-2 victory in their last meeting on February 23rd in Bridgeport.

 

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

 

Thursday March 10, 2005 (Posted Thursday 8:47 P.M. EST.)

 

Critical weekend looms ahead

 

By Joe Shetrom, 7641 Sports

 

With the ides of March quickly approaching, the Hershey Bears playoff hopes kick into full gear this weekend with 6 key points on the line in games against Syracuse, Bridgeport, and Norfolk. The Bears, currently residing in the East Division's 5th spot, need to regain some ground that was lost after last weekend's defeats in St. John's, Newfoundland. Although nothing is guaranteed, Hershey should earn victories in the first two games; and, on Sunday evening, the Bears host an Admirals team that will have played the two previous nights against Wilkes-Barre. Meanwhile, Binghamton (Rochester, Albany, Wilkes-Barre) and Philadelphia (Manchester, Portland, Worcester) each also have 3 games in 3 days. Hershey has a game in-hand on Binghamton and Norfolk, but have gone a collective 5-8 this season versus the Senators and Admirals …

 

… On Thursday, the Bears added a familiar name to their roster: Evgeny Lazarev. The 24-year old winger was brought up from the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers, where he registered 35 points (18 goals, 17 assists) in 42 games this season. Before his recall, he potted the game-winning, overtime goal in the Wheelers' 3-2 win in Atlantic City on Wednesday night. He had signed with the Johnstown Chiefs in December, but was released after only 5 games. The former 1998 Avalanche draft pick previously played with Hershey from 1998-2002, compiling 94 points in 229 games. His best season with Hershey came in 2000/01, when he collected 17 goals and became the only Bear from that campaign to play in all 80 games. Another bonus is that the gritty Lazarev hasn't amassed enough AHL games to be counted as a "veteran" to the Hershey roster …

 

… The Rochester Americans actually lost a game, ending their 17-game winning streak Wednesday night in a 4-3 shootout against the Binghamton Senators. What's even more amazing is that the Amerks began the season dropping their first 6 games. Their first win? October 30th, when they thumped the Bears 5-1 at the Giant Center. In that match, Jason Botterill netted 2 goals in what would be his second-to-last game, as he sustained a concussion the following evening against Syracuse, eventually leading to his retirement announcement last week. Hershey's final, non-divisional road contest of 04/05 takes place in Rochester on March 25th …

 

… Speaking of Rochester, their parent-club Buffalo Sabres announced that they have installed a light blue ice surface at HSBC Arena for two upcoming AHL contests. The NHL & AHL-approved experiment will feature bluelines painted orange, and the center red line replaced with a dark blue stripe. In addition, the faceoff circles will be painted orange, while the end lines and crease lines will remain red. No word on if fans will be issued joysticks to resemble playing NHL 94 on Super NES ...

 

Is it me, or does it seem as if the East Division's 1st - 4th place teams continue to gain on Hershey? It appears that every time Hershey wins, so does the top four. And when the Bears lose, the top four manage to somehow increase the point gap. Curiosity got the best of me, so I took a gander at those teams' records in the last ten games:

 

• Binghamton: 7-1-1-1
• Philadelphia: 6-4-0-0
• Wilkes-Barre: 7-3-0-0
• Norfolk: 6-4-0-0

 

In that same stretch, Hershey finished 5-4-0-1. Digging a little deeper, whenever Hershey and any of the other top four teams played on the same day (in that 10-game string), the competition posted a cumulative 22-8 mark …

 

• Games: 45 (Peter Budaj)
• Wins: 25 (Peter Budaj)
• Losses: 17 (Peter Budaj)
• Shutouts: 4 (Peter Budaj)
• G.A.A.: 2.66 (Peter Budaj)
• Save %: .919 (Peter Budaj)

Saturday March 5, 2005 at St. John's (Posted Saturday 10:28 P.M. EST.)

 

Revenge is a dish best served cold

 

Bears close all-time series with shootout loss to Leafs

 

David Ling keeps finding ways to score against the Hershey Bears this season. After registering seven points in three prior games versus Hershey this year, the veteran winger sealed the final-ever meeting between the two clubs with an eighth-round shootout goal to down the Bears 3-2 on Saturday night.

 

The resiliency of St. John's was also apparent in the contest, answering Hershey on five different occasions---twice in regulation, and three times in the shootout---before exacting revenge for a 15-round shootout loss to Hershey on January 26th at the Giant Center. With the victory, St. John’s (35-23-1-3, 74 points) wins the season series with a 3-0-0-1 record against Hershey, while knotting the all-time series 17-17-2. For the Bears (32-27-1-1, 66 points), they fell for the second straight night at Mile One Stadium, while losing their first shootout game of the 2004/05 campaign. Even with a point gained, Hershey lost ground in the East Division race, as Wilkes-Barre and Binghamton each won their respective games to stretch the gap to 7 points between third and fourth place.

 

Need to Know: For the first time in this season’s series with St. John’s, Hershey would score the game’s first goal, with Johnny Boychuk netting his 3rd of the season at 14:56 of the 1st period. Boychuk, who was called for hooking down the Leafs’ Kyle Wellwood earlier in the period, atoned for the gaffe by blasting a right circle shot that beat goaltender Mikael Tellqvist in the top left corner of the net.

 

At the 14:04 mark of the 2nd period, Clarke Wilm would even the score for St. John’s, tipping a Marc Moro shot past Bears goaltender Peter Budaj. After a faceoff was won back to Moro, the defenseman zipped a shot towards the Hershey goal, where Wilm, stationed on the left side, deposited a goal for the second straight game.

 

With Brad Leeb serving a slashing penalty for the Leafs, Hershey would regain the lead, with Eric Perrin pocketing his team lead-tying 20th marker of the season at 18:13 of the 2nd. Perrin, coming from the right circle, would pick up a Mathieu Darche rebound and fire the go-ahead goal that beat Tellqvist in the top right corner.

 

Hershey would face a 5-on-3 shorthanded situation late in the 2nd period and into the 3rd period, as Dennis Bonvie (boarding) and Jeff Finger (high-sticking major) were whistled for penalties. The infractions, called only six seconds apart, enabled the Leafs a two-man advantage for 1 minute 54 seconds.

 

As Finger was exiting the penalty box from his high-sticking major, St. Johns’ Nathan Barrett would even the contest at 2-2, coming from the backdoor to the left side and slipping the puck by Budaj at 4:42 of the 3rd.

 

After neither team could find the back of the net the final fifteen minutes of the 3rd period, as well as the overtime frame, Hershey advanced to its seventh shootout of the season.

 

As the first shooter, Marek Svatos would give Hershey a 1-0 advantage in the shootout, beating Tellqvist on a backhand attempt. Perrin and David Masse would not capitalize on their opportunities, but St Johns’ second and third shooters, Kyle Wellwood and Tyler Beechy would, giving the Leafs a 2-1 lead going into the fourth round. Jeff Ulmer would convert on his try, beating Tellqvist in the top left corner of the net, evening the score at 2-2. Jeremy Williams and Brad Leeb would fail for St. John’s, as would Hershey’s Mathieu Darche, sending the shootout to a sixth round of action. In the subsequent round, Svatos would convert for the second time in the shootout, once again backhanding a shot past Tellqvist. In a do-or-die situation for St. John’s, Wellwood would immediately answer, besting Budaj on his attempt. Perrin would provide Hershey with its third lead in the shootout, going back-and-forth before backhanding a shot past Tellqvist. Once again though, St. John’s would have an answer, as Beechy would capitalize for the second time in the shootout frame. Masse’s final try would be thwarted by Tellqvist before Ling wrote the final chapter of the book with the game-clincher in the 8th round of shootout action.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (25-17-0-1), making his 8th-straight start in net for Hershey, finished with 30 saves in regulation and OT, before turning aside only 3 of 8 shots in the shootout. This season, he is 5-1 in shootouts, making 37 saves on 48 shots (77%). Tellqvist (17-12-2) earned the victory for St. John’s, ending with 22 saves in regulation and OT before making another 4 of 8 in the shootout frame … although his goal streak came to an end, LW Mike Souza extended his point streak to 4 games with an assist on Boychuk’s goal … Perrin, who finished with 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists) against St. John’s this season, has now converted 7 of 12 shootout attempts in 04/05 (58%) … in addition to Ling’s 7 points, Wellwood (1 goal, 5 assists) and Matt Stajan (2 goals, 4 assists) each finished with 6 points against the Bears this year … it was the first time St. John’s had outshot Hershey in a game this season.

 

Coming Up: The Bears continue their four-game road swing Friday night in Syracuse, NY, where they’ll make their final visit of the 2004/05 season to the War Memorial at Oncenter. This season, Hershey is 2-1 against the Crunch this season, including a 1-0 shootout victory in their previous visit on October 29th.

 

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

 

Friday March 4, 2005 at St. John's (Posted Friday 9:14 P.M. EST.)

 

Bears lose cat and mouse game with St. John’s, 4-3

 

In the midst of a blizzard blanketing the Canadian Maritimes, the Hershey Bears dropped a 4-3 decision to the St. John’s Maple Leafs Friday evening before 4,851 fans at Mile One Stadium in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Hershey, down 2-0 in the 1st period, managed to tie the contest on two occasions, but Nathan Perrott’s game-winner in the latter stages of the 3rd period would seal the victory for the Leafs (34-23-1-3, 72 points). With the loss, Hershey (32-27-1-0, 65 points) now trails Wilkes-Barre by 6 points for 4th place in the East Division.

 

Need to Know: With newly-recalled RW Cail MacLean serving an interference call for Hershey, Nathan Barrett would give the home team a 1-0 lead 4:42 into the 1st period, backhanding a rebound past Bears goaltender Peter Budaj. It is third straight game against St. John’s this season that Hershey has allowed the first goal.

 

Just over ten minutes later (at 14:56), Tyler Beechey, who was leading the ECHL in scoring at the time of his recall to St. John’s this week, would put the Leafs up 2-0, firing a right circle shot that beat Budaj glove-side.

 

After Martin Hlinka won a left circle faceoff back to Dennis Bonvie in the Leafs zone, Bonvie would find Marek Svatos, who potted his 13th goal of the season at 17:45 of the 1st.

 

Courtesy of a miscue by Leafs goaltender Mikael Tellqvist, Hershey would tie the game 2-2 at the 3:42 mark of the 2nd period. Mike Souza, who entered Friday with goals in two straight games, would get credit for the marker that banked into the net after hitting Tellqvist’s pads.

 

Clarke Wilm would break the deadlock at 7:39 of the 2nd, taking a David Ling feed and coming in alone from the left circle to beat Budaj. The tally, Wilm’s 6th of the season, was set up after Ling raced into the Hershey zone and found Wilm ahead of the Bears defense.

 

For the second time in the contest, Hershey would even the score, with Eric Perrin picking up a Jeff Ulmer rebound and netting his 19th goal of the season at 15:12 of the 2nd frame.

 

After being denied on a breakaway attempt just moments earlier, Perrott would capitalize the second time around, beating Budaj on a backhand attempt and once again giving St. John’s a lead in the game. Perrott, who is tied for the AHL lead in fighting majors, flashed his offensive ability, pocketing his 14th of the season---the eventual game-winner---at 15:37 of the 3rd period.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (25-17-0), who has started 28 of the last 32 games in goal for the Bears, finished with 20 saves. Tellqvist (16-12-2), who has been in net for the Leafs in all three games against Hershey this season, earned the victory, ending with 34 saves … St. John’s leads the AHL with 20, one-goal victories this season … it was Perrin’s team-leading 13th, multi-point game of the season … with 2 assists in the contest, Ulmer now has 5 points in the last 2 games … Ling, who finished with 2 helpers, now has 7 points (1 goal, 6 assists) in three games versus Hershey this season. His 65 points are currently tied with teammate Kyle Wellwood for 4th place in the AHL’s scoring race … in two games since his Wednesday recall from the Pensacola Ice Pilots (ECHL), Beechey has registered 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) for St. John’s … Hershey (112) has outshot St. John’s (77) in all three games this season; and overall, has outshot their opponent in 5 consecutive contests … St. John’s has been outshot by a 163-90 margin in their last 4 contests … the Leafs entered Friday’s game having allowed the most shots in the AHL this season (2,107), and lead the circuit in average shots allowed/game (35.12) … Dean Arsene (ankle), Chris Bala (concussion), Carl Corazzini (groin), and Nick Naumenko (groin) did not make the trip for Hershey … it was the first time since November that Hershey did not open the month with a win.

 

Coming Up: The Bears finish their all-time series versus St. John’s with another 6:05 matchup at Mile One Stadium on “The Rock” Saturday evening.

 

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

 

Thursday March 3, 2005 (Posted Thursday 9:02 P.M. EST.)

 

10/9/91 - 3/5/05

 

Bears wrap-up all-time series against St. John’s

 

The Bears embark on a 4-game road swing, beginning Friday night at “The Rock” in St. John’s, New Foundland. Hershey returns the following evening to wrap-up the all-time series against the Baby Leafs. This season, both teams split the first two games played at the Giant Center, with Hershey taking the last one by a 3-2 score in a 15-round shootout on January 26th. Dating back to the 1991/92 season, Hershey owns a 17-15-2 mark against St. John’s. It was back on October 9th, 1991 that the Leafs made their AHL debut, dropping a 6-4 decision to the Bears at Hershey Park Arena. St. John’s would atone for the loss, returning one week later and leaving Chocolatetown with a 3-1 win. Current St. John’s Assistant Coach Kevin McClelland would earn an assist on Mike Stevens’ short-handed, game-winning goal, giving the Leafs their first-ever victory in franchise history.

 

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Heading into Friday, Hershey has 21 remaining contests, 15 of those coming against East Division opponents. The Bears lead the AHL with 22 victories this season versus East Divisions foes. Besides Friday and Saturday’s games in St. John’s, the remaining non-division matchups will be played this month, with road stops in Syracuse (3/11), Springfield (3/16), and Rochester (3/25); with Portland visiting Central PA on Wednesday, 3/23 … Friday’s game in Newfoundland will be only the second, non-divisional road contest Hershey has played since early December … Bears LW Chris Bala (concussion) did not make the trip north to the Canadian Maritimes, having suffered a concussion in the Bears’ 3-0 win over Albany this past Sunday. In his place, LW Cail MacLean was recalled for the third time this season from Reading (ECHL). The veteran MacLean, who previously played with Hershey in 01/02 & 02/03, leaves the Royals having posted 26 points (15 goals, 11 assists) in 42 games this season. In 12 contests for Hershey this season, he failed to register any points.

 

In other news: On Wednesday, former Bears G Frederic Cassivi (’99-’02) was named the American Hockey League’s Player of the Month for February. “Cass” posted a 7-1-0 mark, 3 shutouts, and a 1.54 G.A.A. in February, including a Cincinnati Mighty Ducks franchise-high scoreless streak of 189:38 … former Bears LW Peter Ambroziak (97/98) announced his retirement earlier this week. He had been playing for the New Mexico Scorpions of the Central Hockey League … former Hershey D Dave Farrish (85/86), currently the Head Coach of the Pensacola Ice Pilots, leads his team into the weekend sporting the ECHL’s most wins (37) and points (78). Playing for Farrish are former Bears Jordan Krestanovich (’99-’04) and Dwayne Hay (03/04), who respectively stand 2nd and 4th on the ‘Pilots in scoring. Tyler Beechey, who was leading Pensacola and the entire ECHL in scoring with 66 points, was recalled by St. John’s on Wednesday.

 

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