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Hershey Bears

Red-Hot Bears Keep Rolling

February 9, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


The Hershey Bears Hockey Club swept its weekend set of games to extend its point streak to 12 (9-0-2-1) and move within hundredths of percentage points from the top of the Atlantic Division.

Goaltender Dan Ellis continued his strong play against the Binghamton Senators at Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena on Friday, blanking the hosts for two more periods and allowing the offense to take control. Hershey matched an AHL season-high by scoring six times within the second period alone, and cruised to a 6-2 victory. Riley Barber, Jakub Vrana, Sean Collins, Carter Camper, Scott Gomez and Chandler Stephenson all scored in a span of 12:40 to put the game far out of reach. Nick Paul ended Ellis' road shutout streak over Binghamton at five periods plus 9:29 when a Conor Allen point shot deflected off his skate and into the net. Kyle Flanagan netted a shot with 6.2 seconds remaining in the game but it was far too late. The Senators also were not flagged for one penalty minute in the game - the first time the Bears had that happen to an opponent in nearly 26 years.

On Saturday, the Bears came home to host the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and looked to put an end to a struggle against their in-state rivals. Once again, the Hershey offense took control of this game, running out to a 4-0 lead before finishing with a 5-1 win. Justin Peters was called upon to make some difficult saves this time, and did a tremendous job in stopping 26 of 27 shots. The night was highlighted by a hat trick from rookie Travis Boyd, who scored twice on the power play and later deflected a shot from Erik Burgdoerfer past goaltender Jason LaBarbera at even strength. Vrana and Chris Bourque each ended the night with a goal and two assists, and for the second consecutive night, the Bears forced the starting goaltender out after two periods. Martin Ouellette came on and stopped all 16 shots faced in the third period, allowing the score to hold. Aaron Palushaj scored the only Lehigh Valley goal.

In the only game on the AHL slate on Super Sunday afternoon, the Senators came back with hopes of turning their fortune in front of a sellout GIANT Center crowd. But the visitors lost control of emotion, resulting in 11 Hershey power plays on the day. The Bears scored on four of them, and again routed the Sens by a final of 6-1. Barber led the way with two power play goals and an assist, while Gomez (1-2-3), Bourque (0-3-3) and Vrana (1-1-2) all posted multiple-point efforts. Chris Carlisle's first-period power play goal was the only strike of the night for Binghamton. Matt O'Connor went the distance in net for the Senators, stopping 24 of 30 shots. Ellis defeated the Sens once more for his 16th win of the season, needing only to make 17 saves this time.

HERSHEY BEARS NEWS AND NOTES

BOURQUE ON TOP: Chris Bourque posted seven points (1-6-7) in the Bears' three-game weekend sweep to reclaim the AHL points lead (21-30-51). He also ranks second in assists and third in goals. Bourque's 444 career points in Hershey (152 goals, 292 assists) rank ninth all-time. Clicking over a point-per- game average in his Bears tenure, his 438 career games with the Bears ranks 22nd all-time, just one behind legendary Hall-of-Famer Willie Marshall.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Rookie Jakub Vrana matched Chris Bourque's offense on the weekend with three goals and four assists, and was selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week. Vrana missed all of November, December and January due to injury, and has 13 points (5-8-13) in 12 games played.

FLYIN' RILEY: Rookie Riley Barber followed up his first pro hat trick on January 30 with six points on the weekend (3-3-6). He has moved into a tie for sixth in AHL rookie scoring (14-17-31) and ranks third on the Bears. He has seven goals in his last six games.

TRAVIS TURNS THE TRICK: Rookie Travis Boyd produced the Bears' second straight home-ice hat trick with the trifecta on Saturday vs. Lehigh Valley. He added an assist against Binghamton on both Friday and Sunday, extending his point streak to five games (4-3-7). Boyd has points in 14 of his last 16 games (8-9-17) and totals (13-20-33) to move into a tie for fourth among AHL rookies and second on the Bears.

CHANDLER'S BACK: After missing 13 games due to injury, Chandler Stephenson returned to the lineup on Friday and tallied a shorthanded goal in the Bears' win over Binghamton. He enters the new week with points in three straight games (1-2-3).

MARV-ELLIS: Goaltender Dan Ellis added two more wins on the weekend to improve to 16-6-4 on the season. He is 10-2-1 in his last 13 appearances.

BEARS BULLETS: Hershey now has the most points (63) in the Atlantic Division, is tied for the most home wins (17) in the AHL and has the most home points (39)...The Bears have played the most shootouts (eight) and are tied for the most overtime games played (15)...Hershey ended with four power play goals on Sunday, the most in a single game since the club's five on April 14, 2013 at Portland...The Bears last finished with four power play goals in one game on December 28, 2011 vs. W-B/Scranton...Hershey did not earn one power play chance on Friday at Binghamton, the first time that happened since March 9, 1990 at Utica...The Bears produced six power play goals over their last two games, equaling their total over their previous 11...Hershey has scored five or more goals in five straight games, and in six of its last seven, to move into third in the AHL in goals per game average (3.35)...The Bears are 20-0-0-0 when allowing two or fewer goals...GIANT Center welcomed 21,065 fans over the weekend, remaining in the AHL attendance lead (avg. 9,517).

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American Hockey League Stories from February 9, 2016


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