BEARS FINISH 2009-10 WITH 60 WINS, LOSS IN NORFOLK

April 10, 2010

HERSHEY concluded the 2009-10 regular season Saturday with a 5-2 setback against the Norfolk Admirals in southeastern Virginia. The BEARS finish the campaign with the most wins in a single season in AHL history as the Calder Cup playoffs open Wednesday night. Francois Bouchard opened the scoring with his 21st goal of the season Saturday at 8:43 of the first period, but Norfolk would respond with two straight lamp-lighters to take a 2-1 advantage. Matt Fornataro scored his 11th of the year at 13:11 of the first, and Paul Szczechura picked up his eighth of the year at 2:36 of the second. The game did feature one of the biggest goals of the season for HERSHEY, as Alexandre Giroux scored his 50th goal of the season at 15:43 of the second period. Giroux now has scored 110 goals over the last two regular seasons, far and away the most by any player in the AHL in that span. On Saturday, however, it would be the only other goal the BEARS would score. Norfolk scored three unanswered to post the win, including two third period tallies from Juraj Simek and an empty net goal from Adam Hall. The win was bittersweet for Norfolk, as Bridgeport and Lowell each posted wins out of town to eliminate the Admirals from making the 2010 Calder Cup playoffs. Goaltender Jason Bacashihua took the loss, making 24 saves in just his third regulation loss of the season. BEARS Radio Network Three Stars of the game: 1. Juraj Simek (Two third period goals) 2. Alexandre Giroux (Goal number 50 to finish) 3. Ryan Craig (Former Bear with two assists) Notes: Even though the BEARS have completed the 2009-10 regular season, there is still hockey to be played Sunday that impacts the Chocolate and White. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Bridgeport and Lowell all play Sunday on the final day of the season, and all could still face HERSHEY in the East Division Semi-Finals starting Wednesday. Bridgeport and Lowell, both out of the Atlantic Division, can cross over and play the BEARS if the fifth place team between the two finishes with more points that third place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Playoff dates and times will be posted here at HersheyBears.com as soon as the opponent is known Sunday night. Tickets for Game 1 on Wednesday and Game 2 on Friday are on sale at the Giant Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911.