October 10, 2008
GIROUX, MINK, OSALA PACE BEARS TO 5-3 WIN FRIDAY
By: John Walton
The BEARS traveled to Norfolk Friday and emerged with a 5-3 win at Norfolk Scope. The win kept HERSHEY all alone in first place in the East Division standings with two games remaining on the current four-game road trip.
Oskar Osala got the scoring started at even strength Friday night with a shot from the slot against Norfolk goaltender Karri Ramo. Tyler Sloan and Mathieu Perreault assisted on the tally at 9:52 of the first, and it turned out to be the only goal of the period. HERSHEY was 0-3 on the power play in the first 20 minutes, and fired 12 shots on net to Norfolk’s nine.
The Admirals began the second period scoring with a goal from Wyatt Smith on the power play at 2:32, and Norfolk had the equalizer a short time later. Brandon Bochenski scored off a bad bounce in front of Machesney to give the Ads a lead at 8:32 of the second. HERSHEY’S quick strike scoring ability then kicked in into gear, scoring three times late to take a 4-2 lead into intermission. Graham Mink scored his fourth goal of the young season at 14:31 on a low backhand shot against Ramo before Andrew Gordon scored his second of the year at 16:57. Alexandre Giroux then picked up his second in as many games with a tally at 19:01. The BEARS held a lopsided 28-13 shot advantage after two, and led the game 4-2.
The Admirals closed to within a goal in the third period when Paul Szczechura redirected a Jay Rosehill shot into the back of the net at 9:43 of the third, but Chris Bourque sealed the deal with an empty net goal at 18:44. The BEARS are 2-0-0-0, and in first place in the East Division heading into Saturday’s action in Norfolk. Daren Machesney won his second straight game, making 19 saves.
Notes: The second game of the two-game weekend set between the two teams will be Saturday night at 7:15 p.m. Simeon Varlamov is expected to make his first AHL start at Norfolk Scope Saturday. Tickets remain for HERSHEY’S October 18 home opener against the Syracuse Crunch by visiting the GIANT Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911. The BEARS continue to carry 29 players on the active roster, with Patrick McNeill, Sean Collins, Steve Pinizzotto, Michael Dubuc, Darren Reid, Maxime Lacroix, Grant McNeill and Greg Amadio all scratched Friday. Reid is the only injury scratch, he’s listed as day-to-day. Saturday’s game will be heard only on WLPA-AM 1490 and Sportsjuice.com due to a scheduling conflict for WQIC.
Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game
1. Alexandre Giroux (Goal and assist in winning effort)
2. Graham Mink (Now the AHL goal scoring leader with four)
3. Oskar Osala (First AHL goal was also first goal of the game)