BEARS TIE AHL WINS RECORD WITH VICTORY AT SYRACUSE

March 31, 2010

The BEARS pulled into a tie with the 1992-93 Binghamton Rangers Wednesday night, tying a 17-year old AHL record for the most wins in a single season. HERSHEY defeated Syracuse 5-2 at the War Memorial at OnCenter to improve 57-14-0-3. Alexandre Giroux wasted no time in putting HERSHEY in front Wednesday, scoring just 30 seconds into the game. Giroux’s 43rd goal of the season came from Keith Aucoin, and the BEARS took a 1-0 lead. Midway through the first, rookie Cody Eakin scored his first pro goal at 9:49 to put the Chocolate and White in front 2-0. Early in the second period, Giroux struck for his second of the game and 44th of the season at 11:46. The goal was another bit of history, as Aucoin collected his 100th point of the season on the lamp-lighter. Aucoin’s previous high in a season had been 99 points with Albany in 2006-07. A new career-best for Aucoin and another goal for Giroux made the score 3-0 in favor of the visitors. Syracuse would pose a rally with a late second period goal from Chad Kolarik and an early third period strike from Jordan Lavallee-Smotherman to pull within one. But Boyd Kane would pick up his 23rd of the season midway through the third and Steve Pinizzotto put home an empty net goal late to round out the scoring. HERSHEY pulled even with the Binghamton Rangers with win number 57 of the season, and now has six games to set a new AHL standard. Goaltender Jason Bacashihua won his 17th game of the year against just two regulation defeats. BEARS Radio Network Three Stars of the game: 1. Alexandre Giroux (Two goals, his 43rd and 44th) 2. Keith Aucoin (Career high 100 points, two assists) 3. Cody Eakin (First pro goal in first period) Notes: The BEARS will look to establish a new AHL record for wins in a single season Friday in Rochester against the Americans. Faceoff is at 7:05 at Blue Cross Arena. Mark French said on the pregame show Wednesday that goaltender Braden Holtby will draw the start against the Amerks, with Michal Neuvirth expected to return Saturday at Giant Center against Syracuse. The BEARS welcome the Crunch to town Saturday at 7:00 p.m., and the Norfolk Admirals Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the Giant Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911.