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AHL Hershey Bears

Bears blank Bridgeport, season at three-quarter mark Friday

February 16, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


Last Week: The BEARS began a stretch of three games in three days by falling to the Albany River Rats 6-5 at Pepsi Arena Friday night. Eric Perrin picked up two goals and an assist while former River Rat standout Steve Brule added a goal and a helper. Tom Lawson started the game, but was pulled after two periods in favor of Peter Budaj. Budaj absorbed the defeat after allowing the game-winning goal in overtime. Albany outshot HERSHEY 41-39 in the game. Saturday night, the BEARS returned to GIANT Center and lost to the Portland Pirates 4-2. A crowd of 9,627 looked on as Portland scored the first two goals of the game and never trailed in the contest. The Pirates fired 44 shots at Peter Budaj, who lost his second game in as many days. David Masse picked up a goal and an assist in the loss for the BEARS. HERSHEY then traveled to Bridgeport, Connecticut for a game Sunday with the first place Sound Tigers. The game was scoreless until the third period when Steve Brule scored his 22nd goal of the season to provide the BEARS with the only offense they would need. Tom Lawson earned his team leading fourth shutout of the year to give HERSHEY a 1-0 win at the Arena at Harbor Yard. The win pulled the BEARS within three points of first place in the East Division Standings. HERSHEY begins the week with a record of 26-21-8-4.

Notables: Jordan Krestanovich left Saturday's game with Portland with concussion-like symptoms. The BEARS announced Sunday that forward Judd Medak was recalled from Reading (ECHL) to replace Krestanovich on the roster. Medak was assigned back to Reading following Sunday's game with Bridgeport. The 18 shots that HERSHEY allowed Sunday to the Sound Tigers in Bridgeport was a season best. The BEARS had allowed 26 shots or more in every regular season game in 2003-04 until Sunday. Pascal Trepanier left Sunday's game late in the third period after he was high sticked by Bridgeport's Justin Mapletoft. Trepanier is expected to be available Friday when the BEARS travel to Philadelphia. Shane Willis will miss this Friday's game with the Phantoms as he serves the final game of his five game suspension for a match penalty at Binghamton on February 6th. HERSHEY enters play this week having used 41 different players already this season. Both the BEARS and Hartford have used 41 players this season; only the Worcester Icecats (43) have used more. The BEARS allowed two short-handed goals Friday night in a 6-5 overtime loss at Albany. HERSHEY leads the league in short-handed goals allowed with 12 this season. Defenseman Brett Clark and forward Cody McCormick both remain on recall to Colorado.

Colorado Update: The Avalanche had five different players score goals Saturday in an impressive 5-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Colorado trailed 1-0 early, then tied the game at two before blasting three goals on Manny Legace in the third period for the victory. The Avalanche still posts the NHL's best record entering play this week. A four game slate awaits Tony Granato's team this week beginning tonight with a home game against the Vancouver Canucks. Colorado will stay at home following the game tonight for a game at Pepsi Center Wednesday night against the Edmonton Oilers before traveling to Dallas for a game at American Airlines Center Friday night with the Stars. The busy week concludes Sunday evening at the Xcel Energy Center against the Minnesota Wild.

Tampa Bay Update: John Grahame earned the victory Saturday night as the Lightning slipped by the Florida Panthers 3-2 at the St. Pete Times Forum The win was the 30th of the season for the Bolts, who now have a stranglehold on first place in the Southeast Division. With one game in hand on second place Atlanta, Tampa Bay now has an impressive 16 point lead with 25 games to play. The Lightning will finish a four game homestand Tuesday night when the Philadelphia Flyers come to call at the Forum. A four game road trip awaits John Tortorella's team beginning Thursday night with a game at St. Louis against the Blues. The week concludes with a game Friday night in Buffalo against the Sabres.

Upcoming promotions: February 29th is Verizon Wireless night at GIANT Center when the BEARS host the Binghamton Senators at 5:00 p.m. The first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a free cardboard replica of a HERSHEY BEARS goalie mask. Frederick Photo Night is Sunday, March 14th at GIANT Center when the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins come to call. A free HERSHEY BEARS Bic Marker to the first 5,000 fans in attendance, and all fans may come onto the ice after the game to take photos of their favorite BEARS players. All fans who enter the ice post-game will also receive a free HERSHEY BEARS team photo.

Practice Schedule (Subject to Change):

Monday, February 16: Off day

Tuesday, February 17: Practice at HERSHEYPARK Arena 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, February 18: Practice at HERSHEYPARK Arena 10:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 19: Practice at HERSHEYPARK Arena 10:00 a.m.

Friday, February 20: Pre-game skate 10:00 a.m., Game at Philadelphia 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, February 21: Home game vs. Philadelphia 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, February 22: Off day

The week ahead:

Friday, February 20: BEARS at Philadelphia Phantoms 7:05 PM Game #60, Road Game #30 Radio: BIG 92.7 FM PRE-GAME 6:45 PM

Saturday, February 21: Philadelphia Phantoms at BEARS 7:00 PM Game #61, Home Game #31 Radio: BIG 92.7 FM PRE-GAME 6:40 PM

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American Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2004


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