BEARS HOLD OFF RATS, WIN 5-2 FRIDAY

February 12, 2010

BEARS SNARE RATS Gordon Strikes Twice in 40th Win By Jess Mikula HERSHEY staved off an Albany come-from-behind effort to earn the club’s 40th win of the season Friday night, posting a 5-2 triumph over the River Rats. Alexandre Giroux put the BEARS on the board at 13:54 of the first period, sending a rebound from the left circle past fallen Rats netminder Mike Morrison. Andrew Gordon and Greg Amadio tallied the assists on Giroux’s 27th of the season. Gordon added his 23rd goal and 12th power play marker of the year in the closing seconds of the period, finishing a centering pass from Giroux and Mathieu Perreault at 19:57. HERSHEY outshot Albany 14-9 and carried a two-goal lead after one. Patrick Wellar dropped the gloves with Nicolas Blanchard at faceoff, earning a takedown on the Rats’ winger to open the second period. Perreault connected with Francois Bouchard on a late man advantage, with Bouchard sending his 12th goal of the year five-hole on Morrison at 17:30. Zach Miskovic recorded the secondary assist. Backstop Jason Bacashihua denied 12 Albany shots in the second period to keep the Rats scoreless through 40 minutes of play. The Rats would find a pair of goals in the third period to come within one of the BEARS. Jiri Tlusty potted the rebound of a Jamie McBain shot at 11:34, capitalizing on Albany’s seventh power play opportunity of the night. Chris Terry then rang a shot off the left post as Jerome Samson waited on the doorstep to bury the rebound at 12:50. Gordon found his second goal of the night, launching a one timer from Bryan Helmer and Andrew Joudrey past Morrison for a 4-on-4 strike at 14:32. Patrick McNeill added his sixth of the year in the waning moments of the game, as he finished a drive to the vacant Rats net, fed by Steve Pinizzotto and Keith Aucoin at 19:48. Bacashihua improved to 11-2-1 on the season and notched his fourth win in net over Albany this season, registering 35 saves on 37 shots. The HERSHEY power play converted twice in three chances, while the penalty kill denied the River Rats on six of seven opportunities. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game: 1. Andrew Gordon (two goals, one assist) 2. Jason Bacashihua (35 saves on 37 shots) 3. Alexandre Giroux (one goal, one assist) Notes: Karl Alzner, Chris Bourque and John Carlson were unavailable for Friday’s game, as they were all on recall to the Washington Capitals. The BEARS recalled left wing Michael Dubuc from the South Carolina Stingrays on Thursday. HERSHEY will travel to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for a 7:05 p.m. match-up Saturday night before hosting the Lowell Devils on Sunday. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m., with tickets still available at the Giant Center box office or by calling (717) 534-3911.