AHL Hershey Bears

Wolf pack coming to town Wednesday, only five home games remain

March 15, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


Last Week: The BEARS opened play last week with a homecoming for Phil Sauve Saturday night at GIANT Center. Sauve made 37 saves in a 2-0 shutout victory over the Norfolk Admirals in his first appearance of 2003-04 in a HERSHEY uniform. Newcomer and Pottstown resident Chris Bala scored his first goal in his BEARS debut for the game-winner, while Sheldon Keefe added an empty-net goal to seal the win. The win was the third straight at home for HERSHEY dating back to February 28th. Sunday, the BEARS held two different two-goal leads, but fell to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 5-4 at GIANT Center. Sheldon Keefe and Shane Willis scored in the first period, while Dennis Bonvie scored his first goal in a HERSHEY uniform late in the first to stake the BEARS to a 3-1 lead. Wilkes-Barre would score three straight goals in the second period before Toby Petersen scored the game-winner in the third period. HERSHEY begins the week in fifth place in the East Division, one point behind the Penguins and Norfolk Admirals for third place, but only one point ahead of Binghamton for sixth.

Notables: Shane Willis has points in seven straight games entering play this week, a BEARS season high. Willis was HERSHEY'S nominee for Sher-Wood AHL Player of the week honors, scoring one goal and adding two assists last weekend. The BEARS have killed off nine straight opponent power plays in the last three games, and have also stopped 19 of the last 20 man advantages afforded their opposition. HERSHEY will wear special St. Patrick's Day jerseys on Wednesday when the Hartford Wolfpack visit GIANT Center at 7:30 p.m. The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game Wednesday night. The BEARS have a .500 record or better against every East Division team except Philadelphia this season. Eric Perrin has 14 points in eight games against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season. Perrin leads the AHL in scoring with four weeks to play in the regular season. The former University of Vermont Catamount has 71 points to lead the circuit, while Manchester's Pavel Rosa is second with 70. Cleveland's Miroslav Zalesak has 69 points as play begins this week. Brett Clark's 11 goals entering play this week is a new career high. His previous career best was nine goals in 1999-2000, when he was a member of the Orlando Solar Bears (IHL). Defenseman Brian Fahey made his HERSHEY debut Saturday night against the Norfolk Admirals. Fahey had been playing for the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (ECHL) when he was acquired by the BEARS from the St. Louis Blues. The BEARS drew 17,858 fans in two games this past weekend at GIANT Center. The club through 35 home games is averaging 7,425 fans per contest.

Colorado Update: The Avalanche won at Phoenix on Sunday 4-1 behind the goaltending of newcomer Tommy Salo. Salo was acquired at the Tuesday NHL trade deadline from the Edmonton Oilers. Steve Moore is out for the season after a vicious hit by Vancouver's Todd Bertuzzi last Monday night at GM Place. Bertuzzi was suspended for rest of the regular season and playoffs by the National Hockey League because of the incident. The Avalanche begin the week in first place in the Northwest division standings, six points ahead of the second place Canucks. Colorado travels to Montreal for a game at the Bell Centre tomorrow against the Canadiens in the first game in a three-game, all-Canada road trip. The Avs will play at Ottawa Thursday against the Senators before heading to Air Canada Centre Saturday to face the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Tampa Bay Update: Tampa clinched the Southeast division title last week, and also set a new franchise mark for most points in a season. The Bolts have 95 points as the week begins, which is tops in all the National Hockey League. Martin St. Louis leads the NHL in scoring with 85 points as the week begins. The Lightning are at home to begin the week's schedule with a agame against the New York Islanders Tuesday night at the St. Pete Times Forum. Tampa will then host the Buffalo Sabres Thursday night before traveling to Boston to face the Bruins on Saturday afternoon at the Fleet Center. John Tortorella's club will also play Sunday afternoon at Nassau Coliseum against the Islanders.

Upcoming promotions: On Wednesday, March 17th, the BEARS will host the Hartford Wolfpack for St. Patrick's Day. The team will wear special St. Patrick's Day jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game. March 21st is Brett Clark Bobblehead night at GIANT Center when the BEARS host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. A free bobblehead doll of Clark will be given away to the first 5,000 fans in attendance thanks to your local Dodge Dealers. Kunzler Ham Shoot night is set for Saturday, March 27th when the BEARS host the Manchester Monarchs at 7:00 p.m. All fans will have a chance after the game to come onto the ice and shoot for a free ham, courtesy of Kunzler.

Practice Schedule (Subject to Change):

Monday, March 15: Practice at GIANT Center 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, March 16: Practice at GIANT Center 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, March 17: Pre-game skate at 10:00 p.m., Game vs. Hartford 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 18: Practice at Twin Ponds 10:00 a.m., Off Ice conditioning after

Friday, March 19: Practice at Twin Ponds 10:00 a.m.

Saturday, March 20: Off Day

Sunday, March 21: Home game vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 5:00 p.m.

The week ahead:

Wednesday, March 17: Hartford Wolfpack at BEARS 7:30 PM Game #70, Home Game #36 Radio: 92.7 WSJW PRE-GAME 6:40 PM

Sunday, March 21: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at BEARS 5:00 PM Game #71, Home Game #37 Radio: 92.7 WSJW PRE-GAME 4:40 PM

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

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American Hockey League Stories from March 15, 2004


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