BEARS FALL IN A SHOOTOUT FRIDAY 4-3

January 30, 2009

BEARS TRIPPED UP BY PENS IN SHOOTOUT (AGAIN) By: John Walton The BEARS dominated much of the action Friday, badly outshooting the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in their own building but lost in a shootout 4-3 at Wachovia Arena. Quintin Laing got the scoring started for the BEARS Friday with a terrific second effort on a Steve Pinizzotto shot. Laing’s goal, his eighth of the season, came at 7:27 of the first to give HERSHEY a 1-0 lead. The Chocolate and White would fire 15 shots at Pens goaltender John Curry in the first period, and BEARS backstop Michal Neuvirth would face only six. The Penguins would tie the game in the second period when Tim Wallace scored his fifth of the season at 1:38, but Chris Bourque would put the BEARS in front for a second time with a short-handed goal. Jay Beagle provided the lone assist with the take away from the Penguin power play. The goal came at 7:31 of the second, and would ensure that HERSHEY took a lead into the third period. With a 35-20 shot lead heading into the third period, the BEARS led 2-1. As the BEARS built up a 3-1 lead on a Chris Bourque goal at 2:42, things looked good for the Chocolate and White, but it was not meant to be. Luca Caputi and Dustin Jeffery would score third period goals to tie the contest. In the shootout, the Penguins would win the game by scoring twice in five rounds. Despite the shootout loss, the BEARS maintain a nine-point lead over the second place Penguins in the East Division race. Notes: HERSHEY will close out the month of January with a home game Saturday against the Norfolk Admirals at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are still available at the GIANT Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911. The BEARS and Penguins will not meet again until March 14 at GIANT Center. Sean Collins, Patrick McNeill and Kip Brennan missed the game as healthy scratches. With an assist in the third period, Alexandre Giroux’s point streak was extended to 23 games, extending a franchise record. The crowd of 8,114 was the largest for a Penguins home game this season. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game 1. John Curry (Kept them in early, dominated late) 2. Chris Bourque (Two goals, including a short-handed tally) 3. Dustin Jeffrey (Forced overtime with a goal late in the third)