BEARS BURN DEVILS 5-2 SUNDAY

February 14, 2010

BEARS BURN DEVILS 5-2 Hershey Notches 18th Straight Home Win By Jess Mikula After a slow start, the BEARS found five goals from five different skaters to down the Lowell Devils 5-2 before a sellout crowd at Giant Center. HERSHEY has now won 18 consecutive games on home ice, just one shy of the AHL record. The BEARS and Devils were evenly matched through much of the first period, as the teams trading scoring chances to no avail. HERSHEY struck late in the opening stanza, just after a 5-on-3 expired. Chris Bourque broke into the Lowell zone, thwarted three defenders and was taken down as he netted his 15th goal of the season from Mathieu Perreault at 19:10. The BEARS maintained a 15-9 shot advantage and 1-0 lead after 20 minutes. Lowell evened the score on the first shot of the second period, as Patrick Davis beat rookie backstop Braden Holtby at the 23 second mark, assisted by Rob Davison and Louis Robitaille. Grant McNeill gave the Chocolate and White the go-ahead goal late in the period, sending a one timer from Kyle Wilson top shelf on Devils netminder Jeff Frazee for his first of the year at 17:55. John Carlson added his fourth marker of the season just 28 seconds later, firing the puck high glove side on Frazee. Steve Pinizzotto and Bourque tallied the assists. HERSHEY carried a two-goal advantage after two. Patrick McNeill launched a slap shot from the blueline for his seventh marker of the season at 2:31, assisted by Carlson and Perreault. Francois Bouchard finished a blocked shot from the right circle to net his 13th of the year and effectively chase Frazee from the game at 7:30. Patrick McNeill and Bryan Helmer added the helpers. Lowell found the score sheet one last time, as Matt Cohen’s wrister from the point eluded a screened Holtby at 16:36. Holtby earned his 17th win in net this season, turning aside 32 of 34 shots. The HERSHEY power play struck once in seven chances, while the penalty kill blanked the Devils on all six of their opportunities. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game: 1. John Carlson (game-winning goal, one assist) 2. Patrick McNeill (one goal, one assist) 3. Braden Holtby (32 saves on 34 shots) Notes: Karl Alzner, John Carlson, Michal Neuvirth and Chris Bourque were all reassigned by Washington, as the Capitals entered the Olympic break. The BEARS will travel to Adirondack to face the Phantoms for a 7:30 p.m. start Friday night before a pair of home games Saturday and Sunday. The Lake Erie Monsters come to call for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop Saturday, and HERSHEY will host the Albany River Rats Sunday evening with opening faceoff slated for 5:00 p.m. Tickets for both home games are available at the Giant Center box office or by calling (717) 534-3911.