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AHL Hershey Bears

Bears and Pens gearing up for critical game Sunday at Giant Center

March 14, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


Last Week: The BEARS began the week by dropping a narrow 3-1 decision to the Syracuse Crunch Friday night at the Onondaga County War Memorial in Syracuse. Cody McCormick scored the lone HERSHEY goal with a short-handed effort early in the first period. Peter Budaj made 30 saves in the loss On Saturday, the BEARS concluded a four game road trip by falling in overtime 3-2 in Bridgeport. The Sound Tigers led the game 2-0 late in the third period before Mathieu Darche scored at the 16:36 mark of the third. Jeff Ulmer then tied the game at two with a goal at 17:29. Justin Mapletoft won the game in overtime for Bridgeport at 4:06 of sudden death, but the BEARS earned a point on the road to push the season total to 67. Sunday found the BEARS back at home for the first time in March, and HERSHEY responded with an impressive 5-3 victory over the Norfolk Admirals. Eric Perrin gave the BEARS an early 1-0 lead just 57 seconds into the game that was followed up by a Mike Souza goal just 18 seconds later. Souza finished the game with two goals and was named the game's number one star. Marek Svatos scored his 14th goal of the season while Ulmer added his 18th lamp-lighter of the campaign. Jamie Rivers finished the game with three assists, and Perrin and Ulmer each recorded three point nights in the victory. HERSHEY begins the current week with a 33-28-2-1 record, good for 69 points and fifth place in the AHL's East Division standings. The BEARS trail fourth place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton by seven points with 16 games remaining in the regular season. The Penguins visit GIANT Center this Sunday at 5:00 p.m.

Notables: The two-goal game for Mike Souza Sunday was his first in a HERSHEY uniform. Jamie Rivers recorded three points Sunday for the first time in a BEARS sweater as well. Jeff Ulmer extended his career best for goals in a season with his 18th of the season coming Sunday night against Norfolk. Yevgeny Lazarev played in his first AHL game Friday in Syracuse since April 7, 2002 when he dressed for the BEARS against the Philadelphia Phantoms in the final regular season game played at HERSHEYPARK Arena. Lazarev scored 11 goals in 50 games for HERSHEY that season. With Sunday's win over Norfolk, the BEARS have won eight of nine home games at GIANT Center dating back to January 30. Sunday's win over the Admirals also gave HERSHEY 33 wins this season, which ties the team's win total from 2003-04. Sunday's 1968-69 throwback jersey auction raised approximately $30,000 dollars for the HERSHEY BEARS foundation. Peter Budaj's win on Sunday pulled him into a tie for 11th place all time on HERSHEY'S goaltender win list. He ties Marc D'Amour, who also had 53 wins during his career with the BEARS.

Upcoming promotions: Sunday, March 20 is Bic Graphic USA Photo Night when the BEARS take on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a free HERSHEY BEARS marker from Bic, and all fans may come onto the ice after the game to take photos of BEARS player. All fans that enter the ice after the game will also receive a complimentary team photo. The HERSHEY BEARS Booster Club will host their Central Pennsylvania Food Bank Drive on Saturday, March 26 when the BEARS host the Philadelphia Phantoms at 7:00 p.m. Fans are encouraged to bring a food donation to the game. Sunday, March 27 is Commerce Bank Car Flag night at GIANT Center when the BEARS take on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 5:00 p.m. A free HERSHEY BEARS car flag will be given away to the first 3,000 adults through the games, thanks to Commerce Bank. Fairview Golf Course night is Saturday, April 9 when the BEARS face the Philadelphia Phantoms at 7:00 p.m. A free HERSHEY BEARS golf ball will be given away to the first 3,000 fans through the turnstiles thanks to Fairview Golf Course.

Down on the Farm: The Reading Royals begin the week one point behind both Wheeling and Atlantic City in the ECHL's North Division standings. The Royals lost to Atlantic City Saturday night 3-1 at the Sovereign Center in Reading, with Cody Rudkowsky suffering the defeat. Reading has a 34-18-5 record entering play this week, with home games Tuesday and Thursday against Peoria and Dayton. Quad City won at home Sunday 2-1 against Kansas City, with Jason Deskins scoring both goals for the Mallards. QC has a 30-25-10 record in the UHL's Western Division, good for 70 points and fourth place. The Mallards return to action this Wednesday at the Mark of the Quad Cities for a home tilt against Muskegon.

Practice Schedule (Subject to Change):

Monday, March 14: Off day

Tuesday, March 15: Practice-HERSHEYPARK Arena 10:00 a.m. Bus to Springfield

Wednesday, March 16: Road game at Springfield 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 17: TBA

Friday, March 18: Road game at Binghamton 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, March 19: Practice-TBA

Sunday, March 20: Home game vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 5:00 p.m.

The week ahead:

Wednesday, March 16: BEARS at Springfield Falcons 7:00 PM Game #65, Road Game #32 Radio: 1460 AM/1390 AM PRE-GAME: 6:40 PM

Friday, March 18: BEARS at Binghamton Senators 7:05 PM Game #66, Road Game #33 Radio: 1460 AM/1390 AM PRE-GAME: 6:45 PM

Sunday, March 20: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at BEARS 5:00 PM Game #67, Home Game #34 Radio: 1460 AM/1390 AM PRE-GAME: 4:40 PM

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