EIGHT IS GREAT: BEARS WIN EIGHTH STRAIGHT BY A 3-2 FINAL

January 1, 2010

The BEARS rallied to defeat the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Friday to open up 2010, winning 3-2 at Wachovia Arena. Mark Letestu scored the only goal of the first period, one-timing a shot past Braden Holtby on the power play at the 14:56 mark. The Penguins had numerous chances in front of Holtby in the first 20 minutes, with the rookie goaltender making many key stops to keep the game close after one. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton fired nine shots on goal in the first to HERSHEY’S seven. Chris Bourque and Andrew Joudrey scored second period goals to give HERSHEY the lead, which was followed by Bourque’s second goal of the game early in the third. Joe Vitale then brought the Penguins back within a goal midway through the third period at 8:48, but the Penguins could get no closer. The win was HERSHEY’S eighth in a row, and it snapped Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s four-game winning streak. BEARS Radio Network Three Stars of the game: 1. Chris Bourque (Two goals) 2. Braden Holtby (26 saves for his eighth win) 3. Joe Vitale (Scored late to make it close for WBS) Notes: HERSHEY returns home Saturday night to face Denis Hamel and the Binghamton Senators at Giant Center, with a 7:00 p.m. faceoff. The Chocolate and White will then face Adirondack Sunday at home to wrap a stretch of four games in six nights. Semyon Varlamov, down from Washington, is expected to start one of the home games along HERSHEYPARK Drive this weekend. Oskar Osala returned to the lineup Tickets are on sale at the Giant Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911.