Bears fall short to River Rats in Albany, 4-2
Published on March 28, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release
Despite getting goals from Shane Willis and Dennis Bonvie, HERSHEY fell to the Albany River Rats, who rallied from two one-goal deficits to beat the BEARS 4-2 at Pepsi Arena, Sunday night. Peter Budaj was in net for the BEARS. He stopped 24 of 27 shots in his first start since March 7th.
Shane Willis scored his 25th goal of the season, assisted by Steve Brule and Pascal Trepanier, on the power-play, at the 9:51 mark of period one. HERSHEY was on a five minute major power play thanks to Aleksander Suglobov who checked Agris Saviels from behind. Saviels left the game, but later returned to take a regular shift on defense. Albany would answer the HERSHEY goal with just seven seconds remaining in the first period. The teams entered their respective locker rooms tied at 1-1.
The BEARS would take a 2-1 lead on Dennis Bonvie's third goal as a BEAR, his fifth of the season, on a play made possible by Gavin Morgan. Chris Bala would also assist on the goal at 2:10 of period two. It wouldn't take long for the River Rats to respond. Just 3:11 later, Joe Hulbig tied the score with his second goal of the game. After trading goals for a second straight time, the second period ended with a 2-2 score.
HERSHEY could not put another goal behind Ari Ahonen in the third period. Albany would take the lead at 5:49 with a goal by Ilkka Pikkarainen. With Budaj on the bench for an extra attacker, an empty net goal by Steve Kariya would end the scoring 4-2.
The BEARS now look to break the Phantom hex as they head to the Spectrum for a showdown with Philadelphia on Friday at 7:05 pm, as they play the second of five games on the road. John Walton will have all of the action live from press row beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 pm on WSJW 92.7 FM and www.pennlive.com.
HERSHEY will return home to complete the 2003-2004 regular season with games against the Norfolk Admirals on Saturday, April 10th and the Philadelphia Phantoms on Sunday, April 11th. For tickets call the box office at 534-3911.
American Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2004
- Danis shuts out Roadrunners in debut - Hamilton Bulldogs
- IceCats cap weekend with win - Worcester IceCats
- Phantoms defeat Manchester, 3-1 - Adirondack Phantoms
- Monarchs Road Trip Ends With Loss At Philadelphia - Manchester Monarchs
- Aeros fall 3-1, but stay five points up on Cincinnati - Houston Aeros
- Ducks fall to Rampage, 2-0 - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Bears fall short to River Rats in Albany, 4-2 - Hershey Bears
- P-Bruins fall to Worcester - Providence Bruins
- Sound Tigers Clinch Berth In Calder Cup Playoffs - Bridgeport Islanders
- Bears begin five-game road trip Sunday in Albany - Hershey Bears
- Blackhawks recall Thornton - Norfolk Admirals
- Aeros give away 3,000 Klackers today - Houston Aeros
- Aeros recall D Starling from Peoria - Houston Aeros
- Penguins slip past Albany, 2-1 - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
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