PENS TIE SERIES AT TWO EACH WITH 6-3 WIN FRIDAY

May 8, 2009

PENS TIE SERIES AT TWO APIECE WITH 6-3 WIN IN GAME 4 By: John Walton Suddenly, the BEARS and Penguins are in a best-of-three East Division Final after Wilkes-Barre/Scranton posted a 6-3 win over HERSHEY in Game 4 on Friday night. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton controlled most of the first period Friday night, scoring three times to run away early. Nick Johnson scored from the slot against Michal Neuvirth at the 5:29 mark to get the Pens on the board at 1-0. Dustin Jeffrey then followed with his fifth goal of the postseason at 11:08 to post the Penguins to a 2-0 advantage. The final goal of the first was also scored by the home team, when J.M. Daoust picked up his fifth goal of the postseason at 17:20. Scoring three times on five shots to open the game, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton took a 3-0 lead to the dressing room after 20 minutes. Luca Caputi picked up his second goal of the playoffs at 11:37 of the second to run the Penguin lead out to 4-0 before the BEARS would finally break through. Former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton skater Grant McNeill, in his first postseason game in 2009, scored at 18:56 to make the score 4-1 after two. Steve Pinizzotto, playing at times on the top line with Alexandre Giroux and Keith Aucoin in Game 4, scored his second goal of the playoffs at 4:47 of the third to pull the BEARS within two at 4-2, but HERSHEY could get no closer. Mark Letestu scored a 15:21 of the third to make the score 5-2 prior to Keith Aucoin’s late goal at 17:55. With the BEARS trailing 5-3, Janne Pesonen scored an empty net goal to round out the scoring and make it a 6-3 final. Pesonen, returning to the lineup after an injury that sidelined him during the first round of the postseason, enjoyed a four point night on a goal and three assists. Notes: The BEARS will stay overnight in northeast PA and hold a pregame skate Saturday morning at Wachovia Arena. Game 5 of the best-of-seven series will be Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. The Capitals recalled center Jay Beagle Friday afternoon, and assigned Karl Alzner to HERSHEY. Janne Pesonen and Andy Wozniewski, both sidelined due to injury prior to Game 4, played for the first time in the series for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Capitals lost 5-3 Friday to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 of their Stanley Cup playoff series. Tickets for Sunday’s Game 6 between the Penguins and BEARS will be on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday morning at the GIANT Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game: 1. Janne Pesonen (Goal and three assists in his return to the lineup) 2. Dustin Jeffrey (Scored big first period goal) 3. Mark Letestu (Goal and two assists)