HERSHEY TAKES GAME ONE IN THRILLING FASHION

April 14, 2010

BEARS DECLAW SOUND TIGERS IN OT Hershey Captures Game One in Come From Behind Fashion By Jess Mikula Despite falling victim to two separate two-goal deficits, HERSHEY rallied to stun the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in a 4-3 overtime thriller Wednesday night. The BEARS lead the series one game to none. Bridgeport jumped out to a two-goal lead with a pair of first period tallies. Trevor Smith converted on a turnover in the HERSHEY zone, as rookie backstop Braden Holtby bobbled the shot over his shoulder and into the net at 5:40. Matt Martin struck on a feed from Sean Bentivoglio and Andrew MacDonald at 15:14. The BEARS were outshot by a 9-3 margin and outscored 2-0 after one. Alexandre Giroux cut the two-goal deficit in half, his slap shot from the point banking into the back of the net off the goal post and the outstretched leg of Bridgeport netminder Scott Munroe at 5:33. Keith Aucoin and Greg Amadio added the assists on Giroux’s first of the postseason. The Sound Tigers regained a two-goal advantage in the waning seconds of the second period. A backhand from MacDonald eluded Holtby at the 19:59 mark, with assists from Dylan Reese and Jeremy Reich. HERSHEY again trailed by two heading to the dressing room after 40 minutes. The Chocolate and White staged a comeback with two third period goals to bring the game to a 3-3 deadlock. Francois Bouchard tipped a screamer from Patrick Wellar past Munroe for his first goal of the playoffs at 14:14, with a secondary helper from Kyle Wilson. With Holtby to the bench for the extra attacker, Mathieu Perreault swatted the puck in at 18:52. Giroux and Chris Bourque assisted on Perreault’s first goal of the playoffs, an equalizer which would force overtime. Andrew Joudrey proved to be the hero in sudden-death overtime, as he found the deciding goal on a deflection of Wellar’s shot from the high slot at 4:08. Steve Pinizzotto picked up the secondary helper on the game winner. Holtby turned aside 21 of 24 shots to earn his first win of the postseason in net. HERSHEY was blanked on eight power play opportunities and denied Bridgeport on each of its six man advantages. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game: 1. Andrew Joudrey (OT game winner) 2. Patrick Wellar (two assists) 3. Alexandre Giroux (one goal, one assist) Notes: HERSHEY now leads the best-of-seven series against Bridgeport one game to none. The BEARS will host the Sound Tigers in Game 2 of the East Division Semi-Finals on Friday with a 7:00 p.m. puck drop. Tickets are available at the Giant Center box office or by calling (717) 534-3911.