April 4, 2010
HOME SWEET HOME WIN RECORD
Bears Find 34th Win at
Giant Center in Home Finale
By Jess Mikula
Despite a third period rally from Norfolk, HERSHEY closed the home portion of the regular season with its league-best 34th home win and 59th win overall in a 3-2 decision Sunday night.
The BEARS defense held the Admirals without a shot until 8:22 into play, outshooting Norfolk 5-0 by that point. Mathieu Perreault put the Chocolate and White on the score sheet, as he and Jay Beagle skated into the Norfolk zone in a 2-on-2. Beagle’s shot bounced off the boards behind the net and eluded a flailing netminder in Dustin Tokarski at 11:00. Perreault tapped in the loose puck for his 16th goal of the season, assisted by Beagle and Sean Collins. The Admirals nearly found the equalizer in the final minute of the first period, Mitch Fadden breaking toward BEARS backstop Braden Holtby one-on-none. Holtby made the save to maintain the 1-0 lead through the opening 20 minutes.
Cody Eakin found the lone goal of the second period with his second of the season at 12:53. Patrick Wellar launched a slap shot from the high slot, and Eakin deflected the puck over Tokarski. Anton Gustafsson added the secondary helper for his first professional point. HERSHEY held a 23-15 advantage in shots and a two-goal advantage after two.
Alexandre Giroux opened the third period with his 46th of the season on a backhand dish from Perreault and Gustafsson at 4:45. Centerman Ryan Craig struck for the Admirals at 7:24, assisted by Dana Tyrell and Nick St. Pierre. Mitch Fadden brought Norfolk within one goal, as his shot trickled under Holtby’s leg pad at 8:16, from Matt Fornataro and Justin Keller. The BEARS staved off a late attack from the visiting Admirals to secure the team’s AHL record 59th win of the season and 34th on home ice.
Holtby turned aside 23 of 25 shots to earn his 24th win of the season in net. The Chocolate and White were blanked on five power play chances, and the penalty kill denied Norfolk on each of its three man advantages.
Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game:
1. Mathieu Perreault (one goal, one assist)
2. Cody Eakin (one goal)
3. Anton Gustafsson (two assists)
Notes: HERSHEY will embark on a three-game road trip to finish the regular season. The BEARS will face the Crunch in Syracuse for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop on Tuesday night before a pair of games against the Admirals at Norfolk Scope on Friday and Saturday night, with 7:15 p.m. starts both nights. The team will return home to open the Calder Cup playoffs on Wednesday, April 14, with opening faceoff slated for 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the
Giant Center box office or by calling (717) 534-3911.
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