AHL Hershey Bears

Bears face three games in four days leading up to All-Star break

February 2, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


Last Week: The BEARS began the week with at 2-0 shutout victory over the Providence Bruins at GIANT Center. Jordan Krestanovich and Shane Willis provided the goals while Peter Budaj earned his second consecutive home shutout. Dennis Bonvie picked up his first point as a Bear with a second period assist. HERSHEY would go on the road and win Friday night at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 3-1 over the Penguins. Willis would pick up two more goals, including a short-handed tally in the third period. Eric Perrin picked up his 18th goal of the season as Tom Lawson picked up his ninth win of the season. Martin Hlinka picked up his first point since being recalled from Quad City in the victory. The BEARS then returned home and lost to the Providence Bruins 3-1 Saturday night at GIANT Center. Shane Willis scored the lone goal in defeat, while Peter Budaj absorbed the loss in net.

Notables: Shane Willis was nominated for Sher-Wood AHL player of the week honors for the period ending February 1st. Willis scored four of HERSHEY'S six goals last week, including two at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Friday night. Peter Budaj had a home shutout streak stopped Saturday night at 133:02. Budaj recorded back-to-back home shutouts on January 21 and 28. Dennis Bonvie had a modest two-game assist streak snapped when he was held off the scoresheet Saturday night against Providence. With 53 games played, the BEARS have played more games than any other team in the American Hockey League. HERSHEY centerman Bruce Richardson, defenseman Jeff Finger and broadcaster John Walton will be appearing tonight at Lebanon Valley Mall in Lebanon from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The trio will be participating in the mall's annual Boy Scout Expo. The power play goal scored Saturday night against Providence was the first in the last 11 at GIANT Center that Eric Perrin was not involved in. Previous to the Shane Willis power play goal from Jordan Krestanovich and Martin Hlinka, Perrin had either scored the goal or notched an assist on the last 10 power play goals at home. With 12 home games remaining, the BEARS have yet to win back-to-back games at home this season. HERSHEY begins the week just three points out of first place.

Colorado Update: After an 11 win January, the Avalanche sport the best record and point total in the National Hockey League. Colorado is 29-11-9-3 starting the week, good for 70 points and the Northwest Division lead. Vancouver sits just one point back in second place, with the Calgary Flames now 11 points off the pace in the Northwest. The Avs begin February with a home game Tuesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. Tony Granato's club will play Thursday night at Pepsi Center against the Detroit Red Wings in the finale before the All-Star Break.

Tampa Bay Update: The Lightning have won five straight after a 5-2 win over the Atlanta Thrashers Saturday night. The Bolts have now built up an 11 point lead over second place Atlanta in the Southeast Division, and Tampa Bay also has three games in hand on the Thrashers. The Lightning will play three road games this week, beginning with a date in Philadelphia tonight. Tampa will also play at Washington Tuesday and Nashville Thursday before taking off for the NHL's All-Star Break. The Lightning and Flyers both have 26 wins entering play tonight at the Wachovia Center in Philly.

Upcoming promotions: The BEARS will host the Portland Pirates on Saturday, February 14 for 93.5 WTPA/Boyd's Bears night. The first 3,000 fans will receive a free Boyd's Bear, a $20 value. 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 2: Practice at GIANT Center 10:00 p.m. Off Ice Conditioning afterwards

Tuesday, February 3: Practice at GIANT Center 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, February 4: Pre-game skate 10:00 a.m., Game vs. Albany 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 5: Practice at GIANT Center 10:00 a.m.

Friday, February 6: Pre-game skate 10:00 a.m., Game at Binghamton 7:05 p.m.

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

Sunday, February 8: Off day-All Star Break

February 8-10 All Star Break-Bears will resume practice Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, February 4: Albany River Rats at BEARS 7:30 PM Game #54, Home Game #28 Radio: BIG 92.7 FM PRE-GAME 7:10 PM Friday, February 6: BEARS at Binghamton Senators 7:05 PM Game #55, Road Game #27 Radio: BIG 92.7 FM PRE-GAME 6:45 PM

Saturday, February 7: Syracuse Crunch at BEARS 7:00 PM Game #56, Home Game #29 Radio: BIG 92.7 FM PRE-GAME 6:40 PM

Check out the Hershey Bears Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central