February 6, 2009
For the second to last time in the regular season history between the Turnpike rivals, the BEARS travel to Philadelphia Friday night to face the Phantoms at 7:05 p.m. The game kicks off three games in three nights for HERSHEY as the club opens the month of February.
The Phantoms announced this week that the team has been sold to the Brooks Brothers out of Pittsburgh. This came on the heels of an announcement that Philadelphia’s final regular season game at home on April 12 against Norfolk had been switched to March 4. The Phantoms will now play the final regular season game in Spectrum history against the BEARS on Friday, April 10. No determination has been made where the Philadelphia Flyers will place its affiliate for 2009-10.
The BEARS begin play in February on Friday with the best record in the AHL and a seven point lead over the second place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, but the news isn’t all good for the Chocolate and White on Friday. The Capitals learned after Thursday’s game with Los Angeles that backup goaltender Brent Johnson will miss six to eight weeks with hip surgery. Michal Neuvirth has backed up Jose Theodore the last two games. HERSHEY this week signed goaltender Kris Mayotte to a professional tryout contract.
Around the East Division Friday, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins will host the San Antonio Rampage at Wachovia Arena at 7:05 p.m., while Bridgeport visits Norfolk at 7:15 p.m. The Binghamton Senators are in Hamilton Friday to play the Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m. Albany is the only East Division club without a game on Friday.
Friday’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 6:45 p.m. John Walton has the call of the action from south Philadelphia. Tickets are still available for Saturday’s game with the San Antonio Rampage at GIANT Center by calling or visiting the GIANT Center box office at (717) 534-3911.
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