HOME SWEET HOME ICE: BEARS OWN AHL RECORD WITH 5-3 WIN

February 21, 2010

HOME SWEET HOME ICE: BEARS OWN AHL RECORD WITH 5-3 WIN Hershey Wins 20th Straight at Home By Jess Mikula Thanks to a pair of third period goals from Francois Bouchard, the BEARS downed the Albany River Rats by a 5-3 score Sunday night. The victory marked the 20th consecutive win on Giant Center ice, eclipsing an AHL record held by the 1996-97 Philadelphia Phantoms. HERSHEY capitalized on its first power play of the game, as Andrew Gordon was posted at the top of the crease to finish a pass from Keith Aucoin and Alexandre Giroux at 5:52. Gordon’s 26th goal of the season, his 13th on the man advantage, came just 13 seconds into the power play. The BEARS fired 19 shots at Albany netminder Justin Peters in the first and led the River Rats 1-0 after one. The BEARS and Rats traded goals in the second period. Chris Bourque found his 16th of the year with a top shelf power play marker 15 seconds into the period, assisted by Giroux and John Carlson. In the waning seconds of an extended Albany 5-on-3, Bryan Rodney put the River Rats on the board, launching a slap shot from the right circle at 3:50. Jay Harrison and Jamie McBain added the assists. HERSHEY answered, as Rodney deflected a cross-ice pass from Oskar Osala through the five hole of Peters at 6:15. Osala’s 15th goal of the season was assisted by Andrew Joudrey and Greg Amadio. Jerome Samson responded for the Rats, slipping a wrister inside the left post at 7:51, from Stefan Chaput and Zach Boychuk. Samson struck again for the visitors from Boychuk at 13:01, effectively chasing BEARS backstop Braden Holtby from the game. Jason Bacashihua relieved Holtby between the pipes and faced two shots in the second period. The score was at a 3-3 deadlock after 40 minutes. Just as a power play expired, Karl Alzner fired a shot from the point and Bouchard potted the rebound for his 15th of the season at 11:24 of the third period. Bryan Helmer tallied the secondary helper to notch his 386th career assist and tie an AHL record for assists by a defenseman. Bouchard added an insurance marker from Alzner and Bacashihua at 17:53. Holtby surrendered three goals on 14 shots. Bacashihua earned his 13th win in net, blanking the River Rats on 11 shots. The BEARS converted twice in eight man advantage chances and denied Albany on five of six power plays. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game: 1. Francois Bouchard (two goals) 2. Andrew Gordon (one goal) 3. Karl Alzner (two assists) Notes: Zach Miskovic and Grant McNeill were healthy scratches for Sunday’s game. The BEARS will embark on a two-game road trip, taking on Lake Erie for a 10:45 a.m. puck drop on Wednesday before facing the Marlies in Toronto 7:00 p.m. Thursday. The Chocolate and White return home for a Saturday tilt against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Opening faceoff is slated for 7:00 p.m., with tickets available at the Giant Center box office or by calling (717) 534-3911.