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AHL Hershey Bears

Bears Still Tops in AHL as Calendar Turns to December

December 1, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


Last Week: The BEARS began the week by dropping a 2-1 decision to the Albany River Rats at GIANT Center Wednesday. Shane Willis scored his second penalty shot goal in six days in the final minute of regulation for the only goal of the night for HERSHEY. Friday night found the BEARS in Norfolk against the Admirals, and HERSHEY was shutout by Steve Passmore 1-0 at the Norfolk Scope. It was the first time this season that the BEARS had been shutout. HERSHEY rebounded Saturday night at GIANT Center with a 2-1 victory over Norfolk. Mikhail Kuleshov and Sheldon Keefe provided the goals on offense, while Peter Budaj earned his eighth win of the season in goal.

On Sunday, the BEARS fell behind after two periods, but rallied to tie the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 3-3 at GIANT Center. D.J. Smith scored two third period goals to pace the comeback as HERSHEY finished the week unbeaten in two straight games.

Notables: After starting the season without a point in 19 games, center Bruce Richardson has points in two straight games entering play Wednesday night against Philadelphia. Mikko Viitanen earned his first professional assist Saturday night on Sheldon Keefe's game-winning goal. Mark Jerant also earned his first AHL assist Saturday night in the win over Norfolk. Of Mikhail Kuleshov's three goals this season, two have come against the Norfolk Admirals. After Sunday's game, Tampa Bay recalled Shane Willis and assigned centerman Martin Cibak to HERSHEY. The BEARS announced Sunday morning that left wing Dwayne Hay was recalled from Pensacola (ECHL). Hay picked up an assist in his HERSHEY debut Sunday night against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The two goals for D.J. Smith in the third period Sunday night that tied the game were his first two goals of the season. The 43 shots that HERSHEY collected Sunday night against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tied a season high. The BEARS also fired 43 shots against Wilkes-Barre on November 1 at GIANT Center. As of Monday, the BEARS have held a share of first place for 18 consecutive days. Pascal Trepanier's 14 assists ranks him second in the AHL for playmakers by a defenseman. Only Norfolk's Marty Wilford has more assists from the blueline than Trepanier this season.

Colorado Update: The Avalanche tied the defending Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils last night at Pepsi Center 1-1. Colorado is in second place at the start of the week, trailing the first place Vancouver Canucks by just two points. Much like the BEARS, the Avalanche have made the most of games on the road this season. Colorado sports a 7-2-0-1 mark away from Denver this season, tops in the Western Conference. The Avs will take their road show to San Jose this Thursday for a game with the Sharks before coming home to meet the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday night in Denver. Travis Brigley played nearly 18 minutes Sunday night in Colorado's 1-1 tie with New Jersey. Charlie Stephens and Brett Clark were both healthy scratches in the game.

Tampa Bay Update: The Lightning begin the week with the best home record in the Eastern Conference, but in second place to Atlanta in the Southeast Division. The Bolts fell to the Atlanta Thrashers 2-1 Saturday night to lose a hold on first place for the first time this season. Tampa, however, has five games in hand on Bob Hartley's Atlanta club. Shane Willis is expected to be in the lineup when Tampa Bay plays at Montreal tomorrow night at Bell Centre. The Lightning return to the St. Pete Times Forum Thursday for a date with the Ottawa Senators before traveling to Buffalo Saturday and New York on Sunday to meet the Sabres and Rangers. Upcoming promotions: Bruce Richardson Bobblehead night is Sunday when the BEARS take on the Syracuse Crunch at 5:00 p.m. A free Bruce Richardson Bobblehead will be given away to the first 4,500 fans through the gates. BIG 92.7 FM and WGAL sponsor this year's Teddy Bear Toss on Saturday, December 13 when the BEARS host the Worcester Icecats at 7:00 p.m. Fans are encouraged to bring teddy bears to the game and throw them onto the ice when HERSHEY scores it's first goal of the game. All bears to be donated to local charities for the holidays. The BEARS, BIG 92.7 FM, ABC 27 and Dodge team up to give away a brand new Dodge Dakota 4 x 4 pickup truck on Sunday, December 21 at 5:00 p.m. All fans in attendance 18 and older have one chance to win the truck at second intermission.

Practice Schedule (Subject to Change):

Monday, December 1: Off day

Tuesday, December 2: Practice 10:00 a.m. GIANT Center

Wednesday, December 3: Pre-game skate 10:00 a.m. Game vs. Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 4: Practice 10:00 a.m. GIANT Center (off ice conditioning after)

Friday, December 5: Practice 10:00 a.m. GIANT Center, Bus to Bridgeport

Saturday, December 6: Pre-game skate 10:00 a.m. Game at Bridgeport 7:05 p.m.

Sunday, December 7: Game vs. Syracuse 5:00 p.m.

The week ahead: Wednesday, December 3: Philadelphia Phantoms at BEARS 7:30 PM Game #24, Home Game #13 Radio: BIG 92.7 FM PRE-GAME 7:10 PM Saturday, December 6: BEARS at Bridgeport Sound Tigers 7:05 PM Game #25, Road Game #12 Radio: BIG 92.7 FM PRE-GAME 6:45 PM

Sunday, December 7: Syracuse Crunch at BEARS 5:00 PM Game #26, Home Game #14 Radio: BIG 92.7 FM PRE-GAME 4:40 PM

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