BEARS HOST ADMIRALS SATURDAY AT GIANT CENTER

January 30, 2009

The BEARS look to gain two more points in the East Division race Saturday night, hosting the Norfolk Admirals at GIANT Center. Face-off is at 7:00 p.m. HERSHEY gained a point Friday night but fell to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 4-3 in a shootout at Wachovia Arena. Chris Bourque led the way, scoring two goals on special teams. Quintin Laing added a goal in the setback. HERSHEY led the game 3-1 in the third period, but the Penguins would rally from the deficit to force overtime and a shootout. The game marked the fourth time in six games that the BEARS went to a shootout. HERSHEY’S offense fired 49 shots on goal, including 20 in the second period. Goaltender Michal Neuvirth turned in another solid start, making 28 saves on 31 shots, but absorbed the shootout loss nonetheless. The Chocolate and White still lead the second place Penguins by nine points in the East Division race. Radek Smolanek scored three goals Friday night in Norfolk’s 4-1 win over the Albany River Rats at Norfolk Scope. Brandon Bochenski added a goal in victory for the Admirals, who begin the night in sixth place in the East Division, 11 points back of the Binghamton Senators for fourth place and 25 points behind the BEARS. The Admirals will have 33 games remaining after tonight’s game with HERSHEY. Around the East Division, Bridgeport returns home Saturday after a regulation loss in Hartford Friday night to face the Portland Pirates at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Binghamton returns home after a road game in Houston Friday to face the Springfield Falcons at Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena at 7:05 p.m., completing three games in as many nights. The Senators were in San Antonio Thursday. Albany is in Philadelphia to face the Phantoms at 7:05 p.m., while Wilkes-Barre/Scranton travels to Syracuse to play the Crunch at the War Memorial at ONCenter. Face-off is set in central New York for 7:30 p.m. Saturday’s game can be heard via the BEARS Radio Network (100.1 FM, 1490 AM, Sportsjuice.com, AHLLive.com) beginning with the pregame show at 6:40 p.m. John Walton has the call of the action from GIANT Center. Tickets are still available for Saturday’s game with Norfolk by calling or visiting the GIANT Center box office at (717) 534-3911.