AHL Hershey Bears

Bears with one more tuneup Saturday in Reading

October 4, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


Last Week: The BEARS played two exhibition games to begin the 2004 preseason schedule. HERSHEY traveled to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to take on the Penguins Saturday night and fell 5-2. David Masse and Paul Cabana scored goals in the loss. Tom Lawson played the first half of the game, allowing three goals on 20 shots. Rookie goaltender Tyler Weiman saw his first preseason action by playing the second half of the game Saturday. Sunday saw the BEARS at home for the only exhibition game of 2004 at GIANT Center as the Binghamton Senators came to call. Four different goal scorers found the back of the net as HERSHEY prevailed 4-1. Pierre-Luc Courchesne notched his first goal of the preseason in the first period, while defenseman Mikko Viitanen picked up his first goal in the second period. The BEARS rounded out the scoring with third period goals from Marek Svatos and Martin Hlinka to cruise to the 4-1 win. Peter Budaj made his preseason debut in the game, earning the win by playing the first 29:58 of the game. Lawson stood between the pipes during the back half of the contest, and did not allow a goal during the final 30:02. With one preseason game remaining, the BEARS have a 1-1-0-0 record.

Notables: Following Sunday's game, BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst and the coaching staff made nine player cuts from 2004 camp. Defenseman Serge Crochetiere, center Drew Otten, forward Joe Dusbabek and defenseman Martin Wilde were assigned to Quad City (UHL). Defenseman Reagan Rome and Ian Turner were assigned to Reading (ECHL), while defenseman J.F. David was assigned to Danbury (UHL). Two other moves after Sunday's game sent defenseman Pierre-Luc Courchesne to Johnstown (ECHL) and defenseman Matt Libby to Trenton (ECHL). Center Marek Svatos played a game at GIANT Center Sunday night for the first time since January 18, 2003. The Kosice, Slovakia native played for the NHL's Colorado Avalanche during the 2003-04 campaign. Svatos scored a goal and added an assist in his 2004 preseason debut in the 4-1 victory over Binghamton. Center Mathieu Darche picked up his first point of the preseason Sunday night on Svatos' third period goal. Darche was signed by the BEARS last week after leading the Calder Cup champion Milwaukee Admirals in scoring last season. Eric Perrin played in his first preseason game of 2004 Sunday night. It was the first time Perrin played in a game at GIANT Center since March 21. He was recalled to Tampa Bay on March 26 and finished the season with the Stanley Cup Champion Lightning. HERSHEY begins the week with 27 players on the roster, with more roster moves expected between now and Sunday. Sunday's three stars of the game (in order one to three) were Marek Svatos, Pierre-Luc Courchesne and Binghamton goaltender Billy Thompson. The BEARS will host the second annual HERSHEY BEARS Golf Classic on Monday, October 11 at Fairview Golf Course in Lebanon. The event was originally scheduled for Parkview Golf course in Hershey, but was moved due to flood damage. Proceeds from the event will go to Shalom House, a women and children's shelter in Harrisburg. There are still a limited number of spots available for the event. For more information, call 717-534-8983.

Upcoming promotions: PNC Bank Magnetic Schedule night will be Saturday October 16 when the BEARS play the Norfolk Admirals for this season's home opener. A free magnetic schedule will be given away free to the first 8,000 fans in attendance thanks to PNC Bank. The BEARS are also pleased to welcome back SpongeBob Squarepants to GIANT Center as part of Opening Night festivities on October 16. The popular Nickelodeon character will be on hand from 6-9 p.m. meeting with fans of all ages thanks to our friends at Comcast. The BEARS will host the Philadelphia Phantoms on Saturday, October 23 at GIANT Center for Comcast Cable Night. The first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a free BEARS schedule mouse pad thanks to Comcast. HERSHEY FOODS Trick-or-Treat night will be held on Sunday, October 31 this season when the BEARS host the Norfolk Admirals at GIANT Center. All kids in attendance 12 and under will receive Halloween candy as they enter the game. The BEARS will also wear special Halloween jerseys that night will be auctioned off after the game for charity. Saturday November 6 will be Capital Blue Cross night when the BEARS host the Providence Bruins at 7:00 p.m. A free HERSHEY BEARS/Capital Blue Cross Ice Scraper will be given away free to the first 3,000 adults through the turnstiles. The first of two HERSHEYPARK Pass nights will be held on Sunday, November 7 when the Providence Bruins wrap up their two-game series at GIANT Center. All fans in attendance will receive a complimentary pass to HERSHEYPARK for the 2005 Park season, good through July 4, 2005.

Down on the Farm: The Reading Royals received two players from HERSHEY after Sunday's game. Defenseman Reagan Rome and Ian Turner will both attend Royals training camp after being reassigned. The Quad City Mallards, HERSHEY'S UHL affiliate, received Serge Crochetiere, Drew Otten, Joe Dusbabek and Martin Wilde on Sunday.

Practice Schedule (Subject to Change):

Monday, September 27: Practice-HERSHEYPARK Arena-10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, September 28: Practice-HERSHEYPARK Arena-10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday September 29: Practice-HERSHEYPARK Arena-10:00 a.m.

Thursday, September 30: Practice-HERSHEYPARK Arena-10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Friday, October 1: Practice-HERSHEYPARK Arena-10:00 a.m.

Saturday, October 2: Exhibition game vs. Norfolk at Reading, PA. 7:05 p.m.

Sunday, October 3: Off day

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American Hockey League Stories from October 4, 2004


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