AHL Hershey Bears

Monsters Jam Past Bears

Published on November 26, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


HERSHEY, Pa. - The Lake Erie Monsters erased a 3-1 deficit with three third-period goals, including the game-winner in the final 20 seconds of play, to get past the HERSHEY BEARS by a 5-4 score on Saturday night at Giant Center. Keith Aucoin had four assists, Chris Bourque posted three helpers, and Graham Mink recorded two goals in the losing effort.

The BEARS jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Mink's fifth of the season, as he tipped an Aucoin pass from the goal line behind Monsters netminder Trevor Cann at 4:56. Boyd Kane then slipped a backhander along the ice and inside the right post at 13:00, extending the hosts' lead.

Lake Erie got on the board at 16:03, when Luke Walker fired the rebound of David Liffiton's center point shot past Dany Sabourin. The BEARS then regained their two-goal edge just 49 seconds later, as Patrick McNeill unloaded a perfect low slap shot from the left point that eluded Cann. Aucoin and Bourque helped set up McNeill's second goal of the season.

The Monsters began their comeback at 16:13, scoring a power play goal off the stick of Evan Brophey. The Monsters center took the hard rebound off the end boards from Tyson Barrie's point shot, and with Sabourin out of position whipped the puck into a nearly empty net, cutting the BEARS' lead to 3-2. It would be the only goal scored in the middle frame.

The visitors tied the score when Hugh Jessiman wound up from the right half wall and ripped a slap shot under Sabourin's glove at 5:56 of the third. The go-ahead goal came at 9:33, as Justin Mercier scored on another rebound opportunity. It was the Monsters' second power play goal of the night.

With Sabourin on the bench for an extra attacker, the BEARS brought life back to the building as hard work from Aucoin got the puck in front for another deflection by Mink at 19:07, tying the score 4-4.

After the BEARS were whistled for icing following the ensuing faceoff, the Monsters kept the puck in the HERSHEY end. Brad Malone was able to jam the puck underneath Sabourin with only 20 seconds left in regulation, sending Lake Erie to victory.

The two teams combined for 76 penalty minutes in the contest. The BEARS finished the night 1-for-7 on the power play and 3-for-5 on the penalty kill.

Sabourin falls to 4-4-1 with the loss, making 25 saves on 30 shots. Cann improves to 4-7-0 with 26 saves.

The loss drops HERSHEY to 9-5-3-2 on the season and into third place in the East Division.

HERSHEY will hit the road for a 7:00 PM faceoff against the Connecticut Whale on Tuesday, November 29. The team returns home next Saturday, December 2 to face the Portland Pirates at 7:00 PM. Individual tickets for this and all regular-season home games are on sale now by calling (717) 508-BEAR, or by visiting ticketmaster.com.

HERSHEY BEARS season ticket plans are also on sale now by calling (717) 508-BEAR, with many different flexible plans still available. Season ticket plans start as low as $160.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 26, 2011


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