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AHL Hershey Bears

Bears in First Place

December 16, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


After trailing the Norfolk Admirals by 11 points on November 15th, the Bears gained a first place tie on Sunday by defeating the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins 3-0. The Bears now have two games this week, a road game at the Spectrum Friday night in Philadelphia, and a home game with Rochester on Saturday to wrap up the pre-holiday portion of the schedule.

Last Week: The Bears started the week in Norfolk with a 1-1 tie on Wednesday. Brett Clark tied the game late in the third period to earn a point for HERSHEY. On Friday, the Bears closed to within two points of the penthouse suite in the South Division with a 3-2 win against the Admirals at the Scope. Charlie Stephens scored a short handed goal with 2:52 remaining in regulation to squeak out the win for the Chocolate and White. With the Admirals off on Saturday, HERSHEY had a chance to climb into a first place tie, but the Philadelphia Phantoms spoiled the party at GIANT Center by defeating the Bears 2-1. On Sunday night while Norfolk was losing in San Antonio to the first year Rampage, the Bears shutout the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins at GIANT Center 3-0. Phil Sauve earned his second shutout of the season and earned number one star of the game honors. At the start of this week, the Bears and Admirals are tied for first place with 37 points, but the Bears have two games in hand.

Notables: Phil Sauve is the Bears' nominee this week for Sherwood AHL player of the week. Sauve finished the week 2-0-1 with a goals against average of 1.00. Sauve now leads the AHL in wins with 12, and owns the second best goals against average in the league at 2.08. Eric Bertrand's goal on Sunday night against Wilkes Barre/Scranton was his first game winning goal since October 19th, when the Bears defeated the Rochester Americans 4-1 to open up the new GIANT Center. Through 28 games, the Bears are off to the best start since the Calder Cup Championship team of 1996-97. At this time that season, the Bears had 41 points. The Bears are 13-0-2 when leading after two periods this season. The Bears have only one loss in eight games in December, and only two losses since November 15th. On November 15th, the Bears trailed the Norfolk Admirals by 11 points in the South Division standings. Defenseman Dale Clarke and forward Daniel Goneau made their Bears debuts this past week. Goneau recorded his first point as a Bear on Sunday, assisting on Mark Freer's second period goal against the Penguins.

Colorado Update: After a 3-1 win over the Flames in Calgary, the Avalanche return home to Pepsi Center this week to begin a four game homestand. Colorado plays at home tonight against the Washington Capitals, then again on Thursday night against the Edmonton Oilers. The Avs wrap up their pre-holiday portion of the schedule with a game against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, and the Vancouver Canucks one week from today on December 23rd.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2002


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