February 27, 2009
The BEARS return home Saturday to face the Norfolk Admirals at 7:00 p.m. The game marks the final visit for Norfolk to GIANT Center in 2008-09.
HERSHEY again got off to a flying start Friday in Binghamton, scoring three first period goals, but Binghamton rallied from three different deficits to win in overtime 5-4 at Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. Goaltender Kris Mayotte was pulled from the game in the second period after allowing three goals on eight shots. Peter Regin finished off a hat trick for the Senators by scoring the game-winner in sudden death at the 3:13 mark. Kyle Wilson led the way on offense for the BEARS Friday, scoring two goals. Graham Mink and Alexandre Giroux each scored single goals. For Giroux, his goal was his league-leading 41st of the season, one away from his total with HERSHEY two years ago.
HERSHEY’S overtime loss coupled with wins for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Bridgeport Friday night tightened an already tight East Division race even further. The Penguins begin play tonight just three points behind the first place BEARS in the East, while the Sound Tigers sit just four points back. The Pens also possess two games in hand on the BEARS, and Bridgeport holds one in hand on the Chocolate and White. Friday’s game in Binghamton put HERSHEY at the three-quarter mark of the 2008-09 season. The BEARS have played 60 games and have just 20 remaining.
Norfolk watched a third period lead slip away Friday night as the Admirals fell to the Providence Bruins 3-2 at Norfolk Scope. Former BEARS head coach is in his first year as head coach in Norfolk. The Admirals begin play Saturday 16 points behind the fourth place Binghamton Senators for the final playoff spot in the East. Norfolk has just 22 games remaining.
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins travel to Bridgeport Saturday in a showdown between the second and third place teams in the East. Face-off at the Arena at Harbor Yard is at 7:00 p.m. The Binghamton Senators, who trail first place HERSHEY by ten points in the East with a game in hand, host the Rochester Americans at Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena at 7:05 p.m. Philadelphia hosts the first place Providence Bruins out of the Atlantic Division at the Wachovia Spectrum.
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 and Ed Coffey have the call of the action. Tickets are still available by calling or visiting the GIANT Center box office at (717) 534-3911.
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