BEARS DECLAW SOUND TIGERS 9-2

February 27, 2010

BEARS DECLAW SOUND TIGERS 9-2 Perreault Scores Four in 21st Straight Home Win By Jess Mikula The BEARS accosted the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in a 9-2 smattering Saturday night, fueled by five separate four-point efforts. The victory marked the 21st consecutive win on home ice and the ninth sellout of the season. Perreault opened scoring, finishing the rebound of a shot from Chris Bourque and Steve Pinizzotto for his 11th of the season at 1:44. After a turnover at the Bridgeport blueline, Matt Martin beat rookie goaltender Braden Holtby for an unassisted shorthanded tally at 4:00. HERSHEY answered midway through the period, as Keith Aucoin tipped a pass from Andrew Gordon and Alexandre Giroux for his 29th goal of the year at 10:52. Gordon found his 27th goal of the season at 14:39, potting a drive from Giroux and Aucoin just inside the right post. Perreault found his second of the night, redirecting Bourque’s slap shot from the point at 16:21, with a secondary assist to Pinizzotto. Giroux rounded out first period scoring with his 30th of the year at 19:50, a power play marker from Bourque and Aucoin. The Chocolate and White led by a 5-1 margin after 20 minutes. Scott Munroe relieved Nathan Lawson between the pipes to start the second period but fared no better against the red-hot BEARS offense. Perreault was awarded a penalty shot after he was hooked down at 6:20. He deked Munroe to net his third goal of the night. Tyler Sloan and Pinizzotto set up Perreault’s fourth goal of the contest, feeding a pass from behind the Sound Tigers’ net at 9:54. Bourque tallied his 18th of the season, firing a wrister from the high slot past Munroe at 13:08, with assists from Pinizzotto and John Carlson. Gordon notched his second of the night, burying the puck from the right circle after Giroux shot just wide of the cage at 16:44. Aucoin added the secondary assist. Jeremy Reich found a goal for Bridgeport late in the period, as a bouncing puck eluded Holtby at 19:58. HERSHEY carried a commanding 9-2 advantage after two. Neither team scored in the final period. The BEARS recorded a staggering 50 shots on net in the tilt and allowed just 24 to the visiting Tigers. Holtby earned his 18th win in net this season, turning aside 22 of 24 shots. The HERSHEY power play converted once in five chances, and the penalty kill denied Bridgeport on its lone opportunity. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game: 1. Mathieu Perreault (four goals) 2. Steve Pinizzotto (four assists) 3. Chris Bourque (one goal, three assists) Notes: Tyler Sloan and Quintin Laing were assigned to HERSHEY by the Washington Capitals on conditioning stints. Sean Collins, Francois Bouchard, Grant McNeill and Patrick Wellar were all healthy scratches for Saturday’s game. The BEARS will face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Mohegan Sun Arena Sunday afternoon, with a 1:05 p.m. puck drop. HERSHEY will then travel to Bridgeport to face the Sound Tigers on Tuesday night for a 7:00 p.m. start. The Chocolate and White return home for a 7:00 p.m. match-up against the Penguins next Saturday before the Adirondack Phantoms come to call on Sunday for a 5:00 p.m. tilt. Tickets for both games are available at the Giant Center box office or by calling (717) 534-3911.