BEARS BOUNCE BACK WITH 2-1 WIN IN GAME 2

May 17, 2009

BEARS EDGE BRUINS IN GAME 2 Hershey Evens Eastern Conference Finals Series with Win By Jess Mikula HERSHEY battled Providence through two scoreless periods before finding the net twice in the third period and defeating the Bruins by a 2-1 margin at Giant Center Sunday night. The best-of-seven series is now tied at one game apiece. Neither the BEARS nor the Bruins would find the back of the net in the first period. Both teams came out playing a physical, defensively minded game without allowing many offensive opportunities for the other team. Shots were 6-5 in favor of Providence, and the score remained knotted at 0-0 after 20 minutes. HERSHEY assembled a firing squad in front of Providence netminder Tuukka Rask in the second period, but the home team was unable to put one in the back of the net. The P-Bruins mustered just 10 shots on goal, as the BEARS barraged Rask with 21 shots. Michal Neuvirth kept the visitors off the board, and the game remained scoreless through two periods. Andrew Joudrey found the score sheet for the Chocolate and White Sunday night with his first goal of the postseason, as he tipped in a one timer from Tyler Sloan at 3:21 of the third period. Oskar Osala added the secondary assist for his third point of the series. Alexandre Giroux notched his sixth of the playoffs with a power play drive from the left circle at 6:01, assisted by Graham Mink and Chris Bourque. With a man advantage of their own late in the game, the Bruins capitalized with a 6-on-4 marker from Brad Marchand to spoil the shutout at 19:24. Michal Neuvirth earned his ninth win between the pipes Sunday night, stopping 25 of 26 shots. The BEARS out-shot the Bruins by a 39-26 margin and went 1-for-7 on the power play. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game: 1. Michal Neuvirth (25 saves on 26 shots) 2. Andrew Joudrey (first goal of the playoffs) 3. Alexandre Giroux (game-winning goal) Notes: The Bruins’ power play finished 1-for-2 in Game 2 and ranks second in the AHL during the playoffs at 24.5 percent (13-for-53). Oskar Osala has recorded three points in two games against Providence (2-1-3). Keith Aucoin was held off the score sheet after registering a point in three straight games (1-3-4) and five of his last six (2-4-6). HERSHEY has not lost consecutive home games since losing three straight from Feb. 8-14. The BEARS are 3-0 in Game 2 match-ups this postseason, while the Bruins fell to 2-1. The scene will shift to Rhode Island for Games 3, 4, and 5 at Dunkin Donuts Center on Friday, May 22; Sunday, May 24; and Monday, May 25. Puck drop for Games 1 and 2 is slated for 7:05 p.m., with Monday’s contest slated for a 4:05 p.m. start.