BEARS ROLL OVER AMERKS SATURDAY 6-2

December 12, 2009

AUCOIN 3, ROCHESTER 2 Hat Trick Paces Bears Past Amerks By Jess Mikula Keith Aucoin potted three goals and added an assist Saturday night, as HERSHEY dealt a 6-2 blow to the Rochester Americans. Aucoin’s three-goal effort marked his second hat trick of the season. Rochester struck first with a goal from Andrew Sweetland on the Americans’ first shot of the game at 1:20. The BEARS answered with four goals. Andrew Gordon notched his 15th of the season for the equalizer, deflecting a screamer from John Carlson 14 seconds into the man advantage. Aucoin added the secondary assist. Aucoin scored twice to put HERSHEY ahead, firing a wrister from the left circle at 10:43, assisted by Steve Pinizzotto and Carlson. With a delayed penalty to Rochester, Aucoin found the back of the net again for his 11th goal of the year at 13:27. Jay Beagle rounded out first period scoring, as he finished Bryan Helmer’s shot from the right point for his fourth of the season at 16:29. The BEARS carried a convincing three-goal lead to the dressing room after 20 minutes. After surrendering four goals on 12 shots in the first period, Rochester netminder Alexander Salak was relieved by Chris Beckford-Tseu at the start of the second period. Beckford-Tseu did not fare much better, yielding a goal on the first shot he faced. With an Amerks penalty looming, Boyd Kane struck with his 11th of the season at 2:34, assisted by Andrew Joudrey and Sean Collins. Sweetland responded with his second goal of the night, a top shelf marker at 7:46. HERSHEY maintained a 5-2 advantage after two. Aucoin capped off a three-goal night midway through the third period. Alexandre Giroux and Helmer fed Aucoin a pass for a breakaway out of the penalty box at 11:23. BEARS backstop Braden Holtby earned his third win in net this season, turning aside 34 of 36 Rochester shots. The HERSHEY power play was 1-for-2, and the penalty kill was 5-for-5. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game: 1. Keith Aucoin (three goals, one assist) 2. John Carlson (two assists) 3. Braden Holtby (34 saves on 36 shots) Notes: Michal Neuvirth drew the start in net for Washington Saturday in the Capitals’ Hockey Night in Canada tilt with the Toronto Marlies. Saturday night marked the first of the BEARS’ three straight games against the Rochester Americans. HERSHEY will trek to Rochester Friday, December 18, before hosting the Amerks at Giant Center again next Saturday night. Face-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. Friday and 7:00 p.m. Saturday. Tickets for Saturday’s contest are available at the Giant Center box office or by calling (717) 534-3911.