AHL Hershey Bears

Perrin makes NHL debut, Bears continue five-game trip Friday

Published on March 29, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


Last Week: The BEARS lost Friday at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 4-2. Kris Beech scored two goals for the Penguins to be named the game's number one star. Sheldon Keefe accounted for the HERSHEY offense by scoring both goals. Eric Perrin picked up two assists in the contest. Saturday night was the only home game of the week for the BEARS as they were shutout by the Manchester Monarchs 3-0 at GIANT Center. Former University of Minnesota goaltender Adam Hauser earned the shutout for the Monarchs, making 33 saves. On Sunday, the BEARS traveled to Albany to face the River Rats and lost 4-2. Shane Willis scored his 25th goal of the season in the first period, while Dennis Bonvie scored his fifth goal of the year in the second period. It was the third goal for Bonvie since his trade to HERSHEY on January 23rd. The BEARS are in sixth place entering April with a 30-32-8-4 record, two points behind the Binghamton Senators for the fifth and final playoff spot in the East Division.

Notables: Eric Perrin, HERSHEY'S leading scorer, was recalled to Tampa Bay on Saturday morning and made his NHL debut Saturday night in a 4-1 victory over the Washington Capitals. Perrin logged nearly ten minutes of ice time in his first ever National Hockey League game. Dennis Bonvie was recalled to the Colorado Avalanche for the first time on Saturday and played against the Detroit Red Wings Saturday afternoon in a 2-0 loss. HERSHEY'S penalty minute leader was reassigned after the game to the BEARS and met the team in Albany on Sunday. The final television game of the season on ABC-27 will be Saturday, April 10th when the BEARS host the Norfolk Admirals at GIANT Center. John Walton and Gregg Mace will call the action beginning at 7:00 p.m. HERSHEY has dropped seven consecutive road games entering play this week dating back to February 15th in Bridgeport when the BEARS won the game at the Arena at Harbor Yard 1-0. Four of the final six games of the season for HERSHEY will come against teams ahead of them in the East Division standings, including two games with Philadelphia, one game with Norfolk and the game this Saturday at Bridgeport. Sunday's game in Springfield will be the first time the BEARS will play against the Falcons at the Springfield Civic Center since October 20th, 2001.

Colorado Update: The Avalanche enter the week winless in six straight games after dropping back-to-back games against the Detroit Red Wings Thursday and Saturday. Colorado is currently the 3rd seed in the Western Conference and would play the Calgary Flames if the season ended today. This is the final week of the regular season for Tony Granato's team. The Avs play at home tonight against the Los Angeles Kings at Pepsi Center before traveling to Minnesota to face the Wild on Wednesday night at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The final two games of the year come Friday night at Columbus against the Blue Jackets and Sunday back in Denver against the Nashville Predators. The Northwest Division standings remain close, with Vancouver just one point back and Calgary four back with a week to go. The Avalanche are looking to clinch a record tenth consecutive division title.

Tampa Bay Update: The President's Trophy is still very much within reach for Tampa Bay. The award, which is given to the NHL team with the best overall point total, can be the prize if the Bolts can beat out the Detroit Red Wings this week on the scoreboard. Both teams have 103 points to lead the NHL with one week to go. The Lightning play the final three games of the season at home this week, as they also try and nail down the top seed overall in the Eastern Conference. Tampa leads the Boston Bruins by four points and the Philadelphia Flyers by five for the top slot in the East. The Bolts host Ottawa tomorrow night at the St. Pete Times Forum before Florida comes to call on Thursday. The final regular season game for Tampa Bay in 2003-04 is Saturday night when the Atlanta Thrashers visit at 7:00 p.m. Martin St. Louis leads the NHL in scoring with 89 points. He would be the first former NCAA college hockey player to lead the league in scoring should he still occupy the top spot this Sunday.

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.

Practice Schedule (Subject to Change):

Monday, March 29: Off Day

Tuesday, March 30: Practice at HERSHEYPARK Arena 10:00 a.m. Off Ice conditioning after

Wednesday, March 31: Practice at HERSHEYPARK Arena 10:00 a.m. Off Ice conditioning after

Thursday, April 1: Practice at HERSHEYPARK Arena 10:00 a.m.

Friday, April 2: Pre-game skate 10:00 a.m., Game at Philadelphia 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, April 3: Road game at Bridgeport 7:05 p.m. Bus to Springfield after game

Sunday, April 4: Road game at Springfield 4:05 p.m.

The week ahead:

Friday, April 2: BEARS at Philadelphia Phantoms 7:05 PM Game #75, Road Game #37 Radio: 92.7 WSJW PRE-GAME 6:45 PM

Saturday, April 3: BEARS at Bridgeport Sound Tigers 7:05 PM Game #76, Road Game #38 Radio: 92.7 WSJW PRE-GAME 6:45 PM

Sunday, April 4: BEARS at Springfield Falcons 4:05 PM Game #77, Road Game #39 Radio: 92.7 WSJW PRE-GAME 3:45 PM

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

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American Hockey League Stories from March 29, 2004


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