Hershey Bears win AHL's Richard F. Canning Trophy
Published on May 25, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL) News Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. ... The Hershey Bears have won the Richard F. Canning Trophy as the AHL's Eastern Conference champions for 2008-09, claiming the title with a 5-2 victory over the Providence Bruins in Game 5 of their best-of-seven series at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence on Monday afternoon.
The Bears are heading to the Calder Cup Finals for the third time in four years since becoming the top development affiliate of the Washington Capitals, and for the 21st time overall, extending their own league record. Hershey's most recent AHL championship came in 2006.
Chris Bourque, whose father Ray played 21 seasons with the Boston Bruins, scored the series-clinching shorthanded goal in the third period on Monday. And rookie goaltender Michal Neuvirth, who assumed the Bears' starting role after Simeon Varlamov was recalled by Washington prior to the start of the postseason, made 27 saves to improve his playoff record to 12-4.
In his first full season as head coach, Bob Woods guided the Bears to a first-place finish in the East Division during the regular season with a record of 49-23-2-6 (106 points). Hershey defeated Philadelphia in the division semifinals (4-0) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the division finals (4-3) before ousting Providence (4-1) for the Eastern Conference championship. The Bears will face either Manitoba or Houston in the 2009 Calder Cup Finals; Manitoba takes a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 of that series later tonight.
Established in 1990, the AHL's Eastern Conference championship trophy honors Richard F. Canning, who served the AHL for more than 50 years during his career, including a term as league president from 1958-61. Mr. Canning is recognized as the author of the AHL's constitution, by-laws and regulations.
American Hockey League Stories from May 25, 2009
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- P-Bruins Fall To Bears 5-2 - Providence Bruins
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