"O" MY! OSALA SCORES THREE AS BEARS CRUSH PHANTOMS

November 15, 2008

OSALA SCORES THREE AS BEARS DOWN PHILLY By: John Walton HERSHEY’S explosive offense came back to life in the third period Saturday night as the BEARS pummeled the Philadelphia Phantoms 7-3 at GIANT Center. For the second time in as many nights, the BEARS scored first against the Phantoms. Oskar Osala scored on a rebound try against Philadelphia’s Jean-Sebastien Aubin for his 10th goal of the season. It proved to be the only marker of the first for either team as the BEARS led 1-0 after one. Philadelphia rallied with three goals in the second period to take a 3-2 lead into the third. Jonathan Matsumoto scored a pair of goals, including a penalty shot goal at 9:56. Sami Lepisto scored the only goal for the BEARS in the second, and the Phantoms took a 3-2 lead into the final 20 minutes. A narrow advantage for the Phantoms to start the third turned into the most impressive offensive period of the season for HERSHEY. Chris Bourque started the scoring with his sixth goal of the season at 7:04 to tie the game at 3-3, and that proved to be just the beginning. Osala scored his second at 9:31 to give the BEARS the lead for good at 4-3, and he gave the club some breathing room with his third goal of the night at 11:03. Keith Aucoin picked up his sixth goal of the season at 13:57 to continue the onslaught, and Quintin Laing rounded out the scoring with a power play marker at 16:33. The victory was HERSHEY’S 11th of the season, and pulled the team within one point of the first place Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the East Division race. Notes: The BEARS on Saturday recalled Josh Godfrey from South Carolina (ECHL). Godfrey is expected to play Sunday when the Binghamton Senators come to town. Tickets are on sale now for Sunday’s game at the GIANT Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911. Sean Collins, Dean Arsene and Jay Beagle all missed Saturday’s game due to injury. HERSHEY and Philadelphia will meet again next Friday night at the Wachovia Spectrum. One half of the season series between the two clubs will be complete following next Friday’s contest. The five goals scored in the third period were the most scored by the BEARS in any period this season. The goal for Aucoin was his first since October 25. The win Saturday was just the second for HERSHEY this season when trailing after two periods. The 23 shots in the third period was a season high. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game 1. Oskar Osala (First American Hockey League hat trick) 2. Francois Bouchard (Three assists, including a terrific play to set up Osala in the third) 3. Sami Lepisto (Goal and two assists)