AHL Hershey Bears

Bears roar into 2005 with four straight wins, Albany up next

January 3, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


Last Week: The BEARS picked up three wins in three games last week to complete a season-high seven game road trip at 6-1-0-0. HERSHEY began the final week of 2004 by scoring a season best seven goals in a 7-3 victory over the Binghamton Senators on December 29. Chris Bala scored two goals against his former team, while Eric Perrin earned the first four-point game by a BEARS skater this season with two goals and two assists. Andre Savage picked up three points on a goal and two assists for his second consecutive three point effort. Peter Budaj earned the victory and also picked up his first professional assist with a helper on Perrin's first goal of the evening. Friday's New Year's Eve game brought 2004 to a close in dramatic fashion, as the BEARS rallied from two goals down late to defeat the Philadelphia Phantoms 4-3 in a shootout. Mathieu Darche scored at the 10:00 minute mark in the second period, and then scored two more late in the third period to complete his first hat trick in a BEARS uniform. Darche scored at 16:03 and 17:52 of the third to tie the game at three. Following a scoreless overtime period, Eric Perrin and Marek Svatos converted goals in the shootout to earn the victory. The win was the second straight against the Phantoms, and the fifth consecutive win for Peter Budaj in goal. Sunday opened the 2005 portion of the schedule and closed out the seven-game homestand with a 5-1 victory over the Worcester IceCats. The Cats scored the game's first goal and outshot HERSHEY 20-3 in the first period before the BEARS outshot Worcester 30-14 over the last two periods and scored five goals in the process. Perrin again led the way with two goals while Carl Corazzini, Martin Wilde and Nick Naumenko would pick up one goal apiece. Budaj again earned the victory, his sixth straight, and made 33 saves. The BEARS begin the week back at the .500 mark for the first time since opening night at 17-17-1-0, good for 35 points and fifth place in the East Division standings. HERSHEY is just five points behind fourth place Norfolk and six points behind third place Binghamton with two games in hand on both clubs.

Notables: Eric Perrin is HERSHEY'S nominee for CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending January 2. Perrin enjoyed a seven-point week with four goals and three assists to pace the HERSHEY offense to three consecutive victories. The goal by Martin Wilde on Sunday against Worcester was his first of the season and his first in a HERSHEY uniform. Peter Budaj has not lost a game since December 12 against Lowell, winning six straight through the holiday season. The third-year pro is HERSHEY'S nominee for JOFA AHL Goaltender of the month. The BEARS have won four straight games at GIANT Center for only the second time since the building opened during October of 2002. HERSHEY last won four straight at home between March 16 and April 6, 2003, and have never won five straight at home since moving from HERSHEYPARK Arena. The hat trick by Darche was the second by a HERSHEY skater this season. David Masse earned the other "trick" on December 17 against Albany.

Upcoming promotions:. Huggins Printing Team Photo night is Saturday, January 15 when the BEARS host the Norfolk Admirals at 7:00 p.m. A free 2004-05 team photo to the first 5,000 fans in attendance thanks to Huggins Printing. The second and final HERSHEYPARK pass night of 2004-05 comes up on Wednesday, January 26 when the St. John's Maple Leafs visit GIANT Center. All fans receive a complimentary pass to HERSHEYPARK for the 2005 Park season, good through July 4, 2005. Stoner Graphix HERSHEY BEARS Post it-Notepad night is Saturday, February 5 when the Binghamton Senators come to town at 7:00 p.m. A free BEARS post-it note pad to the first 3,000 fans. COCO THE BEAR Bobblehead night, sponsored by your hometown Dodge Dealers, is Sunday, February 27 when the BEARS play the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 5:00 p.m. A free bobblehead doll of HERSHEY BEARS mascot COCO to the first 4,500 fans through the gates.

Down on the Farm: The Reading Royals defeated the Texas Wildcatters 6-2 on Sunday thanks to ten points between Jon Francisco (three assists), Ryan Kinasewich (two goals and one assist) and Jeff Miles (two goals and two assists). Former BEARS forward Judd Medak scored a short-handed goal in the win over Texas. The Royals finish a season high eight-game road trip tomorrow night in Pensacola, and stand in a fourth place tie in the ECHL's Northern Division with 33 points. Reading is just four points behind third place Wheeling as the week begins after winning four of their last five games. The Quad City Mallards stand in fourth place in the UHL's Western Division after a 4-1 loss to Port Huron on Sunday. Joe Dusbabek and Paul Cabana assisted on the only goal the Mallards scored Sunday. QC plays next in Flint on Saturday night. Mike Kompon leads the Mallards in scoring with ten goals and 33 points.

Practice Schedule (Subject to Change):

Monday, January 3: Practice-GIANT Center 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, January 4: Practice-GIANT Center 10:00 a.m. Bus to Albany after practice

Wednesday, January 5: Road Game vs. Albany, 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 6: Practice-Pepsi Arena, Albany 12:00 a.m.

Friday, January 7: Road Game vs. Albany, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 8: Off day

Sunday, January 9: Off day

The week ahead:

Wednesday, January 5: BEARS at Albany River Rats 7:00 PM Game #36, Road Game #17 Radio: 1460 AM/1390 AM PRE-GAME: 6:40 PM

Friday, January 7: BEARS at Albany River Rats 7:00 PM Game #37, Road Game #18 Radio: 1460 AM/1390 AM PRE-GAME: 6:40 PM

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American Hockey League Stories from January 3, 2005


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