BEARS RALLY FOR WIN NUMBER 50 FRIDAY NIGHT.

March 12, 2010

A thrilling back-and-forth game Friday night landed in the win column for the Chocolate and White in Glens Falls, NY. HERSHEY rallied from two different one-goal deficits in the third period to win 5-4 in Adirondack against the Phantoms. The BEARS picked up two first period goals Friday, with Alexandre Giroux and Jay Beagle striking for the visiting Chocolate and White. Giroux’s goal in the first period was his 34th of the season, and Beagle picked up his 11th of the campaign. Adirondack, trailing 2-0 at one point, managed to pull within one before intermission with a power play goal from Marc-Andre Bourdon at 11:32. HERSHEY ended the period on a four-minute power play when Sean Curry picked up a double minor at 16:02, but the BEARS could not extend the lead with the advantage. Adirondack began the second period trailing by one, and ended the frame with a one-goal lead. Jonathan Kalinski tied the game with his eighth goal of the season at 5:04, and Jon Matsumoto pounced on a rebound at 17:40 to give the Phantoms a 3-2 lead after two. Into the third period, Bryan Helmer picked up 14 minutes in penalties at 4:07, giving Adirondack a four-minute power play. But Steve Pinizzotto scored a short-handed goal at 5:06 to tie the game at 3-3. Stefan Legein then scored a power play goal at 6:02 to again give the home team a one-goal lead at 4-3. Midway through the third, Giroux scored his second goal of the game and 35th of the season to tie the game at 4-4. Neither team would score the rest of regulation, and the game would move to overtime. In sudden death, it was perhaps the most rested player that came through in the clutch. Helmer scored the game-winner at 1:33, his sixth goal of the season. The win was HERSHEY’S sixth in a row, making a winner of Michal Neuvirth in goal. Adirondack goaltender Johan Backlund suffered the loss. BEARS Radio Network Three Stars of the game: 1. Bryan Helmer (OT game-winner) 2. Alexandre Giroux (Two goals) 3. Steve Pinizzotto (Goal and an assist) Notes: The BEARS continue a busy New England weekend Saturday night in Springfield against the Falcons at Mass Mutual Center. Face-off is at 7:00 p.m. The game marks the first time that defenseman Dean Arsene will play against his former club. Arsene won Calder Cups with HERSHEY in 2006 and 2009. The appearance for Neuvirth was his 19th this season at the AHL level. The BEARS return home to face Albany next Friday at Giant Center. Face-off is at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at the Giant Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911.