BEARS ARE THE BEST, DEFEAT SYRACUSE 6-1

April 3, 2010

BEARS CRUSH CRUNCH 6-1 Hershey Bests AHL Record for Most Regular Season Wins By Jess Mikula Five skaters combined for six goals Saturday night, as HERSHEY found its AHL record 58th win of the season in a 6-1 triumph over the Syracuse Crunch. With the victory, the BEARS secured the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy as the league’s points champion. HERSHEY struck first with Boyd Kane’s 24th of the season at 1:07. Patrick Wellar wristed a shot from the left circle, and Kane redirected the puck past Syracuse netminder Kevin Lalande, with a secondary assist from Keith Aucoin. Mathieu Perreault was awarded a penalty shot after being hooked by defenseman Jonathan Sigalet at 2:03, but Lalande made a glove save on Perreault’s attempt. Jay Beagle picked up his 15th goal of the year with a shorthanded marker at 12:30, backhanding a shot into the vacated net when Lalande had left to play the puck behind the cage. The BEARS outshot the Crunch by a 14-9 margin and led 2-0 after one. Alexandre Giroux opened the second period with his 45th of the year, a power play goal from Patrick McNeill and Aucoin at 2:58. Syracuse’s Evan McGrath spoiled the shutout for BEARS backstop Michal Neuvirth with the Crunch’s lone tally of the game at 8:56, assisted by Lalande. Beagle potted his second of the night, as Perreault dished a pass from behind the net at 10:04. Bryan Helmer added the secondary helper. Zach Miskovic launched a slap shot from the right point on a delayed penalty at 11:06, from Kane and Wellar. Miskovic’s fifth goal of the season chased Lalande from the net; Dan Taylor relieved him between the pipes. The Chocolate and White held a 5-1 advantage through 40 minutes of play. Karl Alzner rounded out scoring Saturday night, sending a one timer top shelf on Taylor at 14:18, fed by Miskovic and Perreault. Alzner’s 5-on-3 goal marked his third of the season. Neuvirth earned his 15th win in net this season with 16 saves, with the BEARS outshooting the Crunch 39-17. The HERSHEY power play converted twice on 11 chances, and the penalty kill blanked the Syracuse man advantage on each of its seven opportunities. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game: 1. Jay Beagle (two goals) 2. Zach Miskovic (one goal, one assist) 3. Patrick Wellar (two assists) Notes: Mathieu Perreault was reassigned to HERSHEY by the Washington Capitals. Saturday’s win marked the 33rd on home ice this season, tying the AHL record. The BEARS will close out the home portion of the regular season Sunday when the Norfolk Admirals come to call for a 6:00 p.m. puck drop. Tickets are still available at the Giant Center box office or by calling (717) 534-3911.