RAMPAGE FALL IN SHOOTOUT 3-2

February 7, 2009

BEARS LASSO TWO POINTS FROM SAN ANTONIO Bryan Helmer Scores First Goal of the Season in Shootout Win By Jess Mikula Despite a San Antonio comeback late in the game, HERSHEY managed to pull off a shootout victory Saturday night, defeating the Rampage by a score of 3-2. The BEARS got on the board first with Graham Mink’s 18th goal of the season at 6:21 of the first, assisted by Chris Bourque and Keith Aucoin. San Antonio evened the score with a power play tally late in the period, as David Spina went top shelf on a sprawling Daren Machesney at 19:40. The score was knotted at 1-1 after 20 minutes. Bryan Helmer recorded his first goal of the year, finding the back of the net on the man advantage at 10:19 of the second. Sami Lepisto and Andrew Gordon added the helpers. HERSHEY held a 2-1 lead after two. The Rampage tied the score at 2-2 late in the game. With goaltender Josh Tordjman to the bench, Viktor Tikhonov notched the equalizer at 19:12 to force overtime. Neither team scored through the overtime period, sending the game to the shootout. Kyle Wilson proved to be the hero for the home team Saturday night, beating Tordjman twice in the shootout to give the BEARS the victory. Daren Machesney earned his 14th win in net, his third in the shootout, turning aside 20 shots. The BEARS out-shot the Rampage 39-22 and went 1-for-4 on the power play. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game: 1. Kyle Wilson (scored twice in the shootout, including the game winner) 2. Josh Tordjman (stopped 36 of 39 shots for the Rampage) 3. Bryan Helmer (scored his first goal of the season) Notes: Alexandre Giroux was recalled by the Washington Capitals on Saturday. The BEARS will host the Portland Pirates Sunday at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at the GIANT Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911. Head coach Bob Woods said on his pregame radio show that goaltender Kris Mayotte will make his HERSHEY debut Sunday against the Pirates. Saturday's game began a three-game home stand, featuring the Pirates and the Hamilton Bulldogs. HERSHEY will hit the road next Friday to play Binghamton at Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, the first of four meetings in the southern tier this season between the two opponents.