AHL Hershey Bears

Bears at home for nine of next ten starting Saturday

December 6, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


Last Week: The BEARS began four games in five days last Wednesday with a 3-0 shutout win at Albany. Eric Perrin, David Masse and Jeff Ulmer accounted for the HERSHEY goals while Tom Lawson posted his first shutout of the season. The win was the third victory in as many games for the BEARS this season against the River Rats. HERSHEY then traveled to Worcester and emerged with a 1-0 shootout victory over the IceCats. Masse scored the only goal in the shootout for either team as Lawson earned his second shutout in as many games. On Saturday, HERSHEY traveled to Portland to take on the Pirates and dropped a narrow 4-3 decision. Portland built up a 4-0 lead after two periods and held off the HERSHEY attack when Masse, Ulmer and Dennis Bonvie scored in the third period. Carl Corazzini was named the game's number two star for picking up two third period assists On Sunday, the BEARS dropped a 6-2 game at Providence against the Bruins, with Jeff Finger scoring his first goal of the season in defeat.

Notables: Tom Lawson is HERSHEY'S nominee for CCM Vector/AHL Player of the week. Lawson posted the first back-to-back road shutouts in club history by blanking Albany and Worcester last week. It marked the first time since January 1997 that HERSHEY posted back-to-back shutouts. J.F. Labbe and Petr Franek pulled the trick last. Lawson is also the first single goaltender since Don Edwards in January of 1977 to earn back-to-back whitewashes. Including Lawson's feat, the BEARS have posted back-to-back shutouts six times in franchise history dating back to 1938. Dennis Bonvie scored his first goal of the season Saturday in Portland during the third period. Chris Bala left the team after Saturday's game in Portland for family reasons. He is expected to rejoin the team this week. Jeff Finger scored his first goal of the season on Sunday in Providence. Finger's goal was also on the power play. David Masse has goals in three of his last four games entering play this week. Brett Clark ranks second in the AHL in scoring by a defenseman after adding another assist to his total Sunday in Providence. Clark also leads HERSHEY in scoring as the week begins. Carl Corazzini was named the game's number two star Saturday night in Portland for notching two assists on HERSHEY'S three goals in the third period. The playmakers were the first for Corazzini in a HERSHEY uniform. Graig Mischler was recalled Monday from Reading (ECHL) on Monday and played in all four games for the BEARS last week. He faced Providence's Cody Rudkowsky on Sunday; the Bruins' goaltender was Mischler's teammate just seven days earlier.

Upcoming promotions: Saturday, December 11 is HERSHEY'S annual Teddy Bear Toss night at GIANT Center when the BEARS take on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Fans are encouraged to bring new Teddy Bears to the game and toss them onto the ice when HERSHEY scores its first goal of the night. The promotion is sponsored by WGAL-TV and BELCO. Members 1st FCU Rally Towel night is set for Saturday, December 18 when the BEARS host the Manchester Monarchs at 7:00 p.m. A free rally towel to the first 3,000 fans through the gates courtesy of Members 1st Federal Credit Union. The popular Ultimate Christmas Gift from your hometown Dodge Dealers will be on Sunday, December 19 against Syracuse. All fans in attendance 18 and older will have a chance to win a brand new 2005 Dodge Dakota at second intermission. Strictly Formals New Year's Eve with the BEARS comes up on Friday, December 31 when HERSHEY plays Philadelphia at 5:00 p.m. First 3,000 men through the doors will receive a free top hat and a chance to win a new tuxedo from Strictly Formals.

Down on the Farm: The Reading Royals beat Trenton for the first time in four tries Saturday night on the road 2-1. Roster turmoil continues for the Royals, who lost Graig Mischler to the BEARS on Monday and goaltender Cody Rudkowsky to the Providence Bruins on Tuesday. The Royals signed goaltender Matt Yeats to replace Rudkowsky and also was assigned Mikko Viitanen late in the week.

Practice Schedule (Subject to Change):

Monday, December 6: Off day

Tuesday, December 7: Off Ice conditioning TBA

Wednesday, December 8: Practice-HERSHEYPARK Arena 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, December 9: Practice-HERSHEYPARK Arena 10:00 a.m.

Friday, December 10: Pre-game skate 10:00 a.m., Game at Philadelphia 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, December 11: Home game vs. Bridgeport 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 12: Home game vs. Lowell 5:00 p.m.

The week ahead:

Friday, December 10: BEARS at Philadelphia Phantoms 7:05 PM Game #25, Road Game #15 Radio: 1460 AM/1390 AM PRE-GAME: 6:45 PM

Saturday, December 11: Bridgeport Sound Tigers at BEARS 7:00 PM Game #26, Home Game #11 Radio: 1460 AM/1390 AM PRE-GAME: 6:40 PM

Sunday, December 12: Lowell Lock Monsters at BEARS 5:00 PM Game #27, Home Game #12 Radio: 1460 AM/1390 AM PRE-GAME: 4:40 PM

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American Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2004


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