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AHL Hershey Bears

Bears host Philly on Saturday, Bingo trip looms Friday

October 18, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


Last Week: HERSHEY opened the 2004-05 season on the road in Norfolk Friday night and dropped a 3-2 decision to the Admirals. Andre Savage scored the first goal of HERSHEY'S season to pull the BEARS within a goal, and Chris Bala scored his first of the year to tie the game in the third period. Norfolk's Jim Vandermeer would notch the game-winner at the 6:16 mark of the third to clinch the game for the Admirals. Tom Lawson took the loss, making 30 saves. Saturday night, the BEARS celebrated the club's 67th American Hockey League home opener before the game, but fell to Norfolk 3-0 at GIANT Center. Peter Budaj took the loss in net Saturday, making 32 saves before a crowd of 7,208.

Notables: Saturday's 3-0 loss marked the first time since 1997-98 that HERSHEY was shutout in the club's opener. The last time the BEARS were blanked for its first home game of the season was October 4, 1997 when J.F. Labbe and the Hamilton Bulldogs prevailed 2-0. The 0-2-0-0 record after two games marks the first time since 1997-98 that the club has not earned at least one point through the first two games of the season. The BEARS went 13 power play chances without a goal in the two games played last week. HERSHEY is one of five teams in the AHL not to record a PPG during the first week of the 2004-05 season, although success on the man advantage against Norfolk is not uncommon. Last season, the BEARS were just 3-37 on power plays against Trent Yawney's defensive-minded Admirals Chris Bala was nominated for CCM/American Hockey League Player of the week honors for the period ending October 17. Bala scored a third period goal Friday that at the time tied the game at 2-2. Rookie defenseman Johnny Boychuk earned his first professional point on Friday night at Norfolk. Boychuk picked up the helper on Andre Savage's second period goal. Defenseman Mikko Viitanen earned his first point of the season with an assist Friday on Chris Bala's third period goal. Viitanen had just two points in 20 games played a year ago as a rookie. Captain Brett Clark picked up the only other point of the weekend with an assist in Friday's game. Dennis Bonvie is tied for the AHL lead in major penalties with three in his first two games. Despite the majors, Bonvie ranks 6th in the league in penalty minutes. Former BEARS defenseman Brent Thompson ranks 4th in the league in PIMS after fighting another former HERSHEY player, Evgeni Artukhin Friday night. Saturday's game at GIANT Center marked the homecoming of Eric Perrin at GIANT Center. Perrin had not played a game in HERSHEY since March 21, and won the Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay this past June. He signed an AHL contract to return to the BEARS lineup in September.

Upcoming promotions: The BEARS will host the Philadelphia Phantoms on Saturday, October 23 at GIANT Center for Comcast Cable Night. The first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a free BEARS schedule mouse pad thanks to Comcast. HERSHEY FOODS Trick-or-Treat night will be held on Sunday, October 31 this season when the BEARS host the Norfolk Admirals at GIANT Center. All kids in attendance 12 and under will receive Halloween candy as they enter the game. The BEARS will also wear special Halloween jerseys that night will be auctioned off after the game for charity. Saturday November 6 will be Capital Blue Cross night when the BEARS host the Providence Bruins at 7:00 p.m. A free HERSHEY BEARS/Capital Blue Cross Ice Scraper will be given away free to the first 3,000 adults through the turnstiles. The first of two HERSHEYPARK Pass nights will be held on Sunday, November 7 when the Providence Bruins wrap up their two-game series at GIANT Center. All fans in attendance will receive a complimentary pass to HERSHEYPARK for the 2005 Park season, good through July 4, 2005. Dennis Bonvie Bobblehead night comes up on the schedule on Sunday, November 21 when the BEARS take on the Albany River Rats at 5:00 p.m. A free Dennis Bonvie bobblehead will be handed out to the first 4,500 fans in attendance, thanks to your hometown Dodge Dealers.

Down on the Farm: The Reading Royals open the season this Friday at Trenton against the Titans. The Royals split its preseason games this past weekend; first winning on the road against Trenton 2-1 in a shootout Friday night. David Masse scored the game-winning goal in the shootout to clinch the win. Saturday night, the Titans returned the favor by downing the Royals at the Sovereign Center 3-1. Dan Sullivan scored the lone goal for Reading in the loss. Quad City split two games to open their UHL season this past weekend. The Mallards fell to Rockford 8-4 on Friday with BEARS camp invitee Drew Otten scoring the first goal of Quad City's season. Saturday night saw the Mallards rebound and win in a shootout on the road at Flint 4-3. Quad City begins its season with five straight road games before playing at home October 30.

Practice Schedule (Subject to Change):

Monday, October 18: Practice-GIANT Center -10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, October 19: Practice-GIANT Center -10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, October 20: Practice-GIANT Center -10:00 a.m.

Thursday, October 21: Practice-HERSHEYPARK Arena-10:00 a.m.

Friday, October 22: Pre-game skate 10:00 a.m. Road game at Binghamton 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, October 23: Home game vs. Philadelphia 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 24: Practice-1:00 p.m. Season Ticket Holder Skate 2:00-4:00 p.m.

The week ahead:

Friday, October 22: BEARS at Binghamton Senators 7:05 PM Game #3, Road Game #2 Radio: 1460 AM/1390 AM PRE-GAME:6:45 PM

Saturday, October 23: Philadelphia Phantoms vs. BEARS 7:00PM Game #4, Home Game #2 Radio: 1460 AM/1390 AM PRE-GAME:6:40 PM

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