AHL Hershey Bears

Bears Reach Semis

Published on April 23, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


Last Week: The Bears advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals by eliminating the Norfolk Admirals last week in the Western Conference Quarterfinals, three games to one. After splitting the first two games in Norfolk, the Bears captured Game Three at home last Wednesday, 3-1. Yevgeny Lazarev, Kelly Fairchild and Vaclav Nedorost accounted for the HERSHEY goals while Phil Sauve made 34 saves in the win. On Friday in HERSHEY, the Bears rallied from a 1-0 deficit and tied the game at 4:34 of the third period on Yuri Babenko's screen shot from the slot. After a scoreless first overtime period, the Bears won the game and the series when Fairchild fired a left circle wrist shot through Craig Andersson's pads. The Bears will meet the Houston Aeros in the Western Conference Finals. The Aeros edged Utah, three games to two, in their first round series win. As the fourth seed in the Conference, Houston will hold the home ice advantage in the best-of-seven-game series. The Bears and Aeros did not play each other during the 2001-2002 regular season.

Notables: Fairchild's double overtime goal was the first series-clinching overtime goal for the Bears since April 20, 1994, when Mike McHugh's OT winner completed a 4-0 sweep of the Rochester Americans. The Bears have won five of their last six first round playoff series. Nedorost, who has points in the last three games (2-3-5), is tied for the league playoff scoring lead among rookies. His linemate Tavis Hansen also has points in three straight contests (0-3-3). The Bears are 9-0-1-0 in their last 10 home games, a streak that began on March 2. Phil Sauve has allowed only seven goals during his last seven home appearances. Fairchild, who has netted back-to-back game-winning goals, fired 10 shots on goal during Friday's marathon. He matched the team-high for shots in game, a mark he initially set on December 29. The double overtime game was HERSHEY's longest home playoff game since May 11, 1997, when the Bears ousted Philadelphia, 3-2, in triple overtime of Game Six of the South Division Finals.

Roster Update: The following players remain on recall in the NHL: Bryan Muir (Colorado) and Riku Hahl (Colorado). Brad Norton, assigned from the Florida Panthers, joined the Bears on Thursday but did not play in Game Four. Center Charlie Stephens, Colorado's ninth choice, 196th overall, in the 2001 Entry Draft, has signed an ATO contract with the Bears. Stephens' Junior team in London (OHL) was eliminated from the playoffs on April 14. The Bears have released forward Colt King from his ATO contract. King did not appear in any games with HERSHEY.

Practice Schedule (Subject to Change):
Tuesday, April 23: Practice – HERSHEYPARK Arena – 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Wednesday, April 24: Practice – HERSHEYPARK Arena – 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Thursday, April 25: Flight to Houston.
Friday, April 26: Game One at Houston – 8:30 PM.
Saturday, April 27: Game Two at Houston – 8:30 PM.
Sunday, April 28: Flight to Hershey.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 23, 2002


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