AHL Hershey Bears

Bears host Norfolk Sunday at Giant Center

Published on March 7, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


Last Week: The BEARS traveled for the final time to St. John's to face the Maple Leafs at Mile One Stadium in Newfoundland. Friday night, the Leafs scored the first two goals of the game and edged HERSHEY 4-3 in regulation. Marek Svatos scored his 13th goal of the season, while Mike Souza notched a goal for the third consecutive game in defeat. Eric Perrin also scored in the defeat, his 19th goal of the year. Peter Budaj suffered the loss, making 20 saves on 24 Maple Leaf shots. On Saturday night, the BEARS faced the Leafs for the final time and lost 3-2 in a shootout. HERSHEY took a 1-0 lead in the first period when Johnny Boychuk potted his third goal of the season, but St. John's Clarke Wilm tied the game at one in the second period at the 14:04 mark. Perrin picked up his second goal of the weekend at the 18:13 mark of the second period to give the BEARS the lead, but the Leafs would tie the game early in the third period and win in the shootout in the eighth round. HERSHEY lost in the shootout despite scoring four times against Mikael Tellqvist in the skills competition. The BEARS picked up one point on the weekend and trail both Philadelphia and Norfolk by eight points for the final playoff spot in the East Division.

Notables: The shootout loss on Saturday was the first for the BEARS this season. HERSHEY was the last team in the AHL this year to lose a game in the shootout after winning six straight to start the season. The last time the BEARS lost in a shootout was October 24, 1986 in a game against the Springfield Indians. Eric Perrin is one goal away from tying his total from last season. Perrin scored 21 goals in 71 games in 2003-04, and now has 20 in just 61 games after scoring twice in St. John's. Mike Souza has points in four straight games after earning an assist Saturday at Mile One Stadium. Souza had a three game goal streak snapped on Saturday as well. Saturday's game was the final time that HERSHEY will play a team in Atlantic Canada. The BEARS first traveled to the region for a game on December 5, 1972 against the Nova Scotia Voyageurs. After Friday's game at Syracuse this week, the BEARS will have just one game left against a Western Conference opponent. HERSHEY will play longtime rival and Western Conference member Rochester at Blue Cross Arena to round out the regular season slate against the West. Peter Budaj was HERSHEY'S nominee for KOHO AHL Goaltender of the month for February. Budaj posted a 9-3-0-0 record during the month. The award was won by Cincinnati Mighty Duck backstop and former HERSHEY goaltender Frederic Cassivi. Sunday's game with the Norfolk Admirals marks the final time during the regular season that HERSHEY will face their East Division rivals.

Upcoming promotions: Sunday, March 13 is Throwback night at GIANT Center, with the BEARS taking on the Norfolk Admirals at 5:00 p.m. HERSHEY will wear commemorative 1968-69 jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game for charity. 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.

Down on the Farm: The Reading Royals took over first place in the ECHL's North Division on Sunday night after a 4-1 victory at Johnstown against the Chiefs. Paul Cabana and Jon Francisco scored single goals for the Royals while Dan Welch led the way with two goals in the winning effort. Barry Brust made 18 saves on 19 shots to earn the win in goal for the Royals, who now lead the Wheeling Nailers by one point. Reading has 71 points, Wheeling has 70 and Atlantic City has 69. The Royals have a record of 33-17-5. The Quad City Mallards in the UHL lost Sunday to Muskegon 3-1. Mike Kompon scored the lone goal for the Mallards, a short-handed tally in the first period. It was the 25th goal of the season for Kompon. The Mallards are 28-25-9, good for 65 points and fourth place in the UHL's Western Division.

Practice Schedule (Subject to Change):

Monday, March 7: Off day

Tuesday, March 8: Practice-HERSHEYPARK Arena 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, March 9: Practice-HERSHEYPARK Arena 10:00 a.m.

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

Friday, March 11: Road game at Syracuse 7:30 p.m. Bus to Bridgeport after game

Saturday, March 12: Road game at Bridgeport 7:05 p.m.

Sunday, March 13: Home game vs. Norfolk 5:00 p.m.

The week ahead:

Friday, March 11: BEARS at Syracuse Crunch 7:30 PM Game #62, Road Game #30 Radio: 1460 AM/1390 AM PRE-GAME: 7:10 PM

Saturday, March 12: BEARS at Bridgeport Sound Tigers 7:05 PM Game #63, Road Game #31 Radio: 1460 AM/1390 AM PRE-GAME: 6:45 PM

Sunday, March 13: Norfolk Admirals at BEARS 5:00 PM Game #64, Home Game #33 Radio: 1460 AM/1390 AM PRE-GAME: 4:40 PM

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American Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2005


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