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AHL Hershey Bears

Highest Output of Year Helps Bears Blast Phantoms

March 23, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Chris Bourque and Nathan Walker led the Hershey Bears' offensive attack while Dan Ellis stopped all 21 shots he faced, helping the Hershey Bears to an 8-0 blitzing of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Wednesday night at PPL Center.

The Bears came out flying in the opening period, as the visitors skated out to a 3-0 lead at the time the game was 12 minutes old. Bourque got things started at 6:19, taking a patented center-point slapper that sailed past starter Martin Ouellette on the first power play of the game. It was Bourque's ninth tally on the man advantage and 27th goal of the campaign.

Bourque then set up Mike Moore on a beautiful passing play inside the right circle. Moore tricked the Phantoms' defense by walking uncontested into the slot, and then slipped a low shot across the grain and in at 9:44.

Speed was the common factor in Hershey's third goal. Walker and Ryan Bourque took off three-on-two, and Dustin Gazley flew to the net front to backhand Bourque's feed behind Ouellette at 12:00, ending the starter's game. Connor Knapp came on in relief and held the fort for the rest of the period.

Knapp was excellent in the first half of the middle frame, making his best save on an Aaron Ness cross-crease pass that found Walker alone for a one-timer. Knapp lunged out with his left pad to make the stop.

But the Bears proved too much. Travis Boyd gave the Bears a 4-0 edge on a strong play from the left side. With Phantoms defenseman Robert Hagg covering him, he reached behind him and somehow let loose a hard wrist shot that beat Knapp to the far side at 15:11.

Jonas Siegenthaler would later pick up his first AHL assist in his AHL debut when he fed the puck down low for Zach Sill. From behind the net, Sill fed a cutting Erik Burgdoerfer, who ripped a shot over Knapp's shoulder at 17:00 for a 5-0 lead.

Just 19 seconds later, Walker would make it 6-0, lifting a Ryan Bourque pass behind Knapp.

Then with 1:01 remaining in the frame, Chris Bourque took off down the left wing after collecting a Madison Bowey headman pass. He teed off from the left circle and blew a slapper past Knapp for a 7-0 advantage and his third point of the night.

Jakub Vrana would wrap up the scoring by sneaking a shot short-side on Knapp after stealing the puck down low, notching his 11th of the season at 4:51 of the third period.

Ellis' fourth shutout of the season improved his record to 23-9-4. Ouellette made three saves on six shots and took the loss, falling to 0-3-0. Knapp stopped 22 of 27 shots in 48 minutes of relief and earned no decision.

The Bears will travel to upstate New York to face the Utica Comets on Friday, March 25. Face-off from the Memorial Auditorium is set for 7:00 PM. Fans may catch the broadcast beginning at 6:20 PM on the Bears Radio Network of affiliates WQIC-FM 100.1, WTKT-AM 1460, WOYK-AM 1350, via the iHeartRadio App (Fox Sports 1460 Harrisburg), and online at FoxSports1460.com. Fans may watch the game for a small fee at AHLLive.com.

Hershey returns home to face the Albany Devils on Saturday, March 26 at 7:00 PM. Fans are invited to arrive early for a special pre-game ceremony to honor retiring Hershey Bears President/General Manager Doug Yingst.  The first 5,000 fans will receive a commemorative bobblehead figurine featuring Yingst. All fans are invited to ice level after the game for the annual Dietz & Watson Ham Shoot.

Individual tickets are available at the GIANT Center box office, by calling (717) 508-BEAR or online at TicketMaster.com.

NOTES: Every Bears player ended up with a plus-minus rating of plus-one or higher...The eight-goal outburst was Hershey's highest of the regular season, after scoring six goals on six different occasions...Chris Bourque's assist tonight gave him 305 helpers in his Hershey career, tying Hershey's legendary Ralph Keller...He also became the first player to exceed 70 points this season to maintain the league scoring lead (28-43-71)...The Bears scratched C Carter Camper, LW Paul Carey, G Mark Dekanich, D Christian Djoos, RW Kevin Elgestal, RW Caleb Herbert and D Tyler Lewington...The Phantoms scratched G Jason LaBarbera, D Maxim Lamarche, RW Michael Parks, D Logan Pyett, LW Jay Rosehill, LW Dalton Smith and D Reece Wilcox.

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