AHL Hershey Bears

Final week of regular season to determine Bears post-season fate

Published on April 5, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


Last Week: The BEARS began the week with a 4-1 loss at Philadelphia Friday night. Martin Hlinka scored the only goal of the game for HERSHEY in the third period. Following the Friday night game in South Philly, the BEARS traveled to Bridgeport and lost to the Sound Tigers 3-2. Chris Bala tied the game with his second goal in a BEARS uniform early in the third period, but Martin Kariya scored for Bridgeport with less than two minutes to go to win it for the Tigers. HERSHEY stayed alive for a playoff spot Sunday by defeating the Springfield Falcons 3-1 at the Springfield Civic Center. Shane Willis scored the game-winning goal late in the second period as the BEARS broke a nine-game road losing streak. Peter Budaj got the win in goal for HERSHEY on Sunday.

Notables: HERSHEY'S win on Sunday in Springfield was the first away from GIANT Center since February 15th when the BEARS won at Bridgeport 1-0. The win on Sunday also snapped a season worst five game losing streak. Martin Hlinka is HERSHEY'S nominee for Sher-Wood AHL Player of the Week honors. He scored the only goal of the game Friday for the BEARS in a 4-1 loss, and scored the game's first goal Sunday in a victory over Springfield. The BEARS have not missed the playoffs since the 1992-93 season, the second longest active streak in the American Hockey League. Only the Rochester Americans (1988-89 season) have a longer active run of playoff appearances. The win for Budaj Sunday in Springfield was his first since January 28th against the Providence Bruins. Sunday's victory was also just the eighth time this season that HERSHEY has won despite giving up the game's first goal. Sheldon Keefe was injured Friday in Philadelphia and missed Saturday and Sunday's road games. He is listed as day-to-day. Brett Clark was recalled to the Avalanche Saturday and played for Colorado Sunday against Nashville. HERSHEY has finished under the .500 mark only once since the 1994-95 season. The BEARS finished the 2000-01 season at 34-39-4-3. The win at Springfield Sunday was only the third victory ever at the Civic Center against the Falcons.

Colorado Update: For the first time since moving to Denver from Quebec City for the 1995-96 season, the Avalanche enter the postseason without winning a division title. Colorado lost out to Vancouver this weekend when the Canucks defeated the Edmonton Oilers Saturday night at GM Place. The Avs lost to Nashville in overtime Sunday 2-1 to wrap up the regular season. Colorado enters the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs as the fourth seed in the Western Conference. The post-season begins for Tony Granato's team on Wednesday against the fifth seeded Dallas Stars at Pepsi Center. Game One can be seen in central Pennsylvania on ESPN 2 beginning at 10:00 pm. Paul Kariya was injured in Sunday's loss against the Predators with a right ankle injury. Rookie John-Michael Liles scored his tenth goal of the season in the final regular season game for the Avalanche on Sunday.

Tampa Bay Update: The Lightning are the top seed in the East for the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs, and they open the post-season with a best-of-seven series with the eighth seeded New York Islanders Thursday night at the St. Pete Times Forum. Game Two is set for Saturday afternoon in Tampa Bay. Martin St. Louis finishes the season as the NHL's scoring champion. St. Louis earned 94 points during the 2003-04 season, including 38 goals. He becomes the first former U.S. college player to win a NHL scoring title. Eric Perrin has played in four games for Tampa since being recalled from HERSHEY on March 27th. Perrin is averaging 8:31 in ice time in his four games played.

Upcoming promotions:. Fairview Golf Course night is Saturday April 10th when the BEARS take on the Norfolk Admirals at 7:00 p.m. The first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a HERSHEY BEARS golf ball, compliments of Fairview Golf Course. The final home game of the season is Sunday, April 11th when the Philadelphia Phantoms are the opponent. The 2003-04 HERSHEY BEARS Player Awards will be presented in pre-game ceremonies. Nickelodeon's Spongebob Squarepants will be present for meet and greets and photo opportunities (fans are encouraged to bring their own camera), starting at 4 PM (before the game and during intermissions). Appearance is courtesy of Comcast Cable.

Practice Schedule (Subject to Change):

Monday, April 5: Off Day

Tuesday, April 6: Practice at HERSHEYPARK Arena 10:00 a.m. Bus to Albany afterwards

Wednesday April 7: Pre-game skate at Albany 11:15 a.m. Game at Albany 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 8: TBA

Friday, April 9: Practice at HERSHEYPARK Arena 10:00 a.m.

Saturday, April 10: Home game vs. Norfolk 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 11: Home game vs. Philadelphia 5:00 p.m.

The week ahead:

Wednesday, April 7: BEARS at Albany River Rats 7:00 PM Game #78, Road Game #40 Radio: 92.7 WSJW PRE-GAME 6:40 PM

Saturday, April 10: Norfolk Admirals at BEARS 7:00 PM Game #79, Home Game #39 Radio: 92.7 WSJW PRE-GAME 6:40 PM

Sunday, April 11: Philadelphia Phantoms at BEARS 5:00 PM Game #80, Home Game #40 Radio: 92.7 WSJW PRE-GAME 4:40 PM

FOR TICKET INFORMATION, CALL THE GIANT CENTER BOX OFFICE AT (717) 534-3911

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American Hockey League Stories from April 5, 2004


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