PENS RALLY TO DOWN BEARS SUNDAY 5-4

October 19, 2008

BEARS FALL FOR FIRST TIME THIS SEASON By: Jess Mikula HERSHEY played catch-up Sunday night, but to no avail, as the BEARS suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins by a score of 5-4. The BEARS fell behind early in the game, as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton netted two quick goals. Jean-Philippe Cote struck with his first goal of the season for the Penguins, firing a shot from the top of the left circle at 1:03. Connor James added a tally, his second of the year, just 28 seconds later. Graham Mink answered for the Chocolate and White, scoring his sixth of the season at 5:06, assisted by Karl Alzner and Keith Aucoin. Chris Bourque evened the score, finishing Kyle Wilson’s wraparound to put the puck past Wilkes-Barre net minder John Curry for his third goal of the season at 16:29. The score was deadlocked at two after 20 minutes of play. HERSHEY killed off an extended 5-on-3 to start the second period. Aucoin potted his fourth of the year to give the BEARS the go-ahead goal at 7:49 of the second period, just 11 seconds into a two man advantage. Bourque and Sami Lepisto added the helpers. Chris Minard fired back for the Baby Pens, notching his fourth of the year with a power play marker at 13:12. Curry left the Wilkes-Barre net with an injury midway through the period, with backup goaltender Adam Berkhoel stepping between the pipes. Ryan Stone reclaimed the lead for the visiting team with his third goal of the season at 18:52. The BEARS out-shot the Penguins 20-8 in the period but carried a one goal deficit to the locker room after two. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton scored again, as Minard picked up his second goal of the night at 16:46 of the third. With Daren Machesney to the bench, Alexandre Giroux netted his sixth of the year late in the game to pull the BEARS back within one, but the Baby Pens would hold off the home team for the win. Daren Machesney stopped 20 of 25 shots he faced. Notes: The BEARS are off until Saturday when the Binghamton Senators come to call at GIANT Center. Face-off for the third game of the current four-game home stand is 7:00 p.m. Rochester comes to town next Sunday at 5:00 p.m. to round out the current run along HERSHEYPARK Drive. Tickets for both games are on sale now at the GIANT Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911. Tyler Sloan was recalled after the game to the Washington Capitals. Sloan is expected to accompany the team on its trip to Calgary, Phoenix and Dallas. Chris Bourque was assigned by Washington early Sunday. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game 1. Alexandre Giroux 2. Graham Mink 3. Adam Berkhoel