October 16, 2009
HERSHEY begins a three-game road trip within the unfriendly confines of the East Division Friday night, taking on the Adirondack Phantoms in Glens Falls, NY. The game marks the first time that the Bears and Phantoms have faced one another outside of central PA or the Delaware Valley, as the Phantoms moved to upstate New York this past offseason.
The BEARS begin the day in first place in the East Division standings with a 3-1-0-0 record, tied with the Albany River Rats for the top spot and one point ahead of Binghamton. The Senators will host HERSHEY in the second game of the three-game trek on Saturday night.
Two roster moves dominated the off-ice headlines this week since the BEARS last played Sunday. Goaltender Braden Holtby has been assigned to South Carolina (ECHL), clearing the way for Michal Neuvirth to make his first start of the season Friday against the Phantoms. The Washington Capitals also announced Thursday that center Anton Gustafsson has been assigned to a team in Sweden and will return to Europe to play this season.
A bit of goaltending uncertainty does plague the Washington organization. Capitals goaltender Jose Theodore left Thursday’s game with back spasms, according to media reports. Washington plays Saturday at home against the Nashville Predators, and may need a backup backstop.
Friday’s game can be heard via the BEARS Radio Network (100.1 FM and www.Sportsjuice.com) beginning at 6:40 p.m. eastern. John Walton has the call of the action from the Glens Falls Civic Center.
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