December 5, 2009
TITANIC EFFORT FROM BOURQUE SINKS ADMIRALS
Three Point Night Bolsters Bears’ Offense
By Jess Mikula
Fueled by the return of left wing Chris Bourque, the BEARS rallied from behind twice and scored three unanswered goals to defeat the Norfolk Admirals by a 5-4 margin Saturday night. The win marks the first time this season that HERSHEY has won when trailing after the first period.
The BEARS and Admirals exchanged five goals between the two teams in the opening period. Norfolk found the board early with a backdoor tally from Mark Parrish 1:35 into play and then took a two-goal lead as Ty Wishart potted a wrister at 4:07. Bourque was welcomed back to Chocolatetown by a wave of teddy bears, as he netted the BEARS’ first goal of the game at 4:29, assisted by Sean Collins and Keith Aucoin. Jay Beagle evened the score at two goals apiece with a 4-on-4 backhand marker at 7:38. Andrew Gordon and Jason Bacashihua added the helpers. The visiting Admirals found the go-ahead goal with Adam Hall’s five-hole effort at 14:32. HERSHEY carried a one-goal deficit to the dressing room after one.
Parrish struck again for Norfolk at the 1:01 mark of the second period, chasing Bacashihua from the game. The BEARS responded with Kyle Wilson’s eighth goal of the year at 7:32. Patrick McNeill launched a shot from the blueline, and Wilson put a wildly bouncing puck past befuddled Norfolk netminder Riku Helenius. Collins tallied the secondary assist. Aucoin gave the Chocolate and White the equalizer with his ninth of the season, as he and Gordon broke into the Admirals’ zone in a 2-on-1 rush against Vladimir Mihalik at 10:54, with the secondary helper from Bourque. The score was knotted at four after 40 minutes of play.
Bourque scored what would eventually be the game winner to give HERSHEY its first lead of the night, burying a one timer from the right point at 10:29 of the third period. John Carlson and Boyd Kane added the assists on the power play goal, which came just five seconds into the man advantage. Michal Neuvirth held the Admirals scoreless through the remainder of regulation to secure the win.
Neuvirth earned the win in net, denying the Admirals on nine chances for his ninth victory in net this season. Bacashihua surrendered four goals on 11 shots before he was relieved by Neuvirth.
The HERSHEY power play went 1-for-2, while the penalty kill blanked Norfolk on both of its two opportunities to remain flawless on
Giant Center ice.
Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game:
1. Chris Bourque (two goals, including game winner, and assist)
2. Keith Aucoin (goal and assist)
3. Andrew Gordon (two assists)
Notes: The Capitals claimed Chris Bourque off waivers from Pittsburgh and assigned him to HERSHEY Saturday. A two-time Calder Cup winner with the BEARS, Bourque returns to the Washington organization after recording three assists in 20 games for the Penguins this season. With two assists Saturday night, Andrew Gordon carries a five-game point streak into Sunday’s action. Kyle Wilson shows points in four of his last five games. The Hartford Wolf Pack will visit
Giant Center Sunday evening for a 5:00 p.m. match-up. Tickets are available at the
Giant Center box office or by calling (717) 534-3911.
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