BEARS BLAST PENS 8-2 TO FINISH PRESEASON ACTION

October 4, 2008

GODFREY SCORES THREE AS BEARS ROUT THE PENS By: John Walton The final preseason tune-up for the BEARS turned into a rout at GIANT Center Saturday night, as HERSHEY blasted Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Saturday 8-2. HERSHEY jumped out to a 2-0 lead midway through the first period when Andrew Gordon and Patrick McNeill scored at the 10:27 and 11:51 mark respectively. With the shots near even for both sides, special teams proved to be the difference in the first 20 minutes. Bears fans far and wide have been anticipating what Graham Mink, Keith Aucoin and Alexandre Giroux would do on the same line on a power play. They certainly got a nice sneak preview Saturday night, as the trio hooked up for a pretty power play goal at 14:08 of the first. The goal hoisted the BEARS to a 3-0 lead after one. The second period featured more of the same with Giroux scoring his second of the game at 6:55 to give the BEARS a 4-0 lead. Josh Godfrey then turned the rest of the period into his personal highlight reel, scoring twice on two shots at from the blue line. Godfrey’s first goal came at 9:49 of the second, with his second tally coming at 19:58 just prior to the end of the period. Both slapshots got past Pens goaltender Adam Berkhoel, and HERSHEY led 6-0 after two. Godfrey finished off his hat trick in the third period with a goal just 1:22 in. Michael Dubuc scored his third of the preseason prior to that at the 27 second mark, and the BEARS took a lopsided 8-0 lead. The Penguins would score two before the end of the contest, with Mark Letestu and Reid Cashman finding the back of the net. The two teams meet Wednesday in the regular season opener. Face-off at Wachovia Arena is at 7:05 p.m. Notes: HERSHEY opens the regular season with a four-game road trip within the East Division, first at Wilkes-Barre Wednesday night. The trip then puts the BEARS in Norfolk against the Admirals October 10 and 11 before heading to Philadelphia on October 17. The 71st home opener in club history will be on Saturday, October 18 against the Syracuse Crunch at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the GIANT Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game 1. Josh Godfrey (Hat Trick for the defenseman, all from long range) 2. Alexandre Giroux (Four points, two goals) 3. Keith Aucoin (Three assists)