AHL Hershey Bears

Bears Square off with Pens, Sens and Admirals this Week

January 20, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


Last Week: The Bears suffered through three games without a win beginning with a 3-2 setback at home Wednesday against Wilkes Barre/Scranton. Brian Willsie scored both goals to pace the HERSHEY offense, but Tomas Surovy scored the game winner for the Penguins midway through the third period. On Friday, the Bears were in Rochester for the first time this season at Blue Cross Arena and a date with the Americans. Rochester led 2-0 midway through the third period, but the Bears would battle back with a goal from Brian Willsie midway through the third, and Eric Bertrand tied the game with just 4:44 remaining in regulation to earn a 2-2 tie on the road. The Bears outshot the Amerks 16-4 in the third period, and 5-1 in overtime en route to the deadlock. On Saturday, the Bears led 3-0 early in the second period against Syracuse, but the Crunch would score four unanswered goals in the middle stanza and went on to post a 6-4 victory. Brian Willsie scored his team leading 21st goal of the season in the loss.

Notables: Brian Willsie's 21st goal of the season Saturday is a career high. Willsie scored 20 goals for the Bears during the 1999-2000 season. The Bears scored multiple power play goals in a game Saturday for the first time since December 8th against Cincinnati. Despite going winless in three games last week, the Bears outshot its opponents in every game by a total margin of 113-85.

HERSHEY enters the week ranked third in AHL attendance at 7,495 per game. With 16 home games remaining, the Bears are on pace to draw 299,803 fans, which would shatter the club's all time attendance record for a season. The all time record stands at 262,323, which was set during the 1994-95 season. Eric Bertrand has points in six of his last eight games. Brian Willsie has a current five game goal streak entering tomorrow night's game at Wilkes Barre/Scranton. The AHL season high for goals in consecutive games is six, set be Willsie from November 16th to December 6th. Phil Sauve enters the week tied for second in the AHL in wins with 15. Marc Busenburg's goal Saturday night against Syracuse was his second AHL goal. His first came back on December 20th at Philadelphia.

Colorado Update: The Avalanche this week will play tonight against the Dallas Stars at Pepsi Center, followed by the conclusion of a three game homestand on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Tony Granato's club will then begin a five game road trip on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre.

Practice Schedule (Subject to Change):

Monday, January 20:Practice: 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, January 21:Pre-game skate 10 a.m., Road Game at Wilkes Barre/Scranton, 7:05 p.m.

Wednesday, January 22:Pre-game skate: 10 a.m., Home Game vs. Wilkes Barre/Scranton, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, January 23:Practice: 10:30 a.m.

Friday, January 24:Pre-game skate 10:00 a.m., Road Game at Binghamton, 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, January 25:Home game vs. Norfolk, 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 26:Off Day .

Games This Week:

Tuesday, January 21st:

Bears at Wilkes Barre/Scranton 7:05 PM

Game #45, Road Game #21

Radio: BIG 92.7 FM Pre-Game:6:45 PM

Wednesday, January 22nd:

Wilkes Barre/Scranton at Bears 7:30 PM

Game #46, Home Game #25

Radio: BIG 92.7 FM Pre-Game:7:10 PM

Friday, January 24th:

Bears at Binghamton Senators 7:05 PM

Game #47, Road Game #22

Radio: BIG 92.7 FM Pre-Game:6:45 PM

Saturday, January 25th:

Norfolk Admirals at Bears 7:00 PM

Game #48, Home Game #26

Radio: BIG 92.7 FM Pre-Game 6:40 PM

For ticket information on home games, phone the GIANT Center Box Office at (717) 534-3911.

Check out the Hershey Bears Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from January 20, 2003


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