BEARS BLAST TIGERS TO LEAD EAST SEMIS 3-0

April 17, 2010

BEARS TROUNCE SOUND TIGERS WITH 6-GOAL SECOND PERIOD Andrew Gordon Hat Trick Fuels Game 3 Win By Jess Mikula After a quiet start, the BEARS issued a six-goal assault in the second to bury the Bridgeport Sound Tigers by a score of 7-2. HERSHEY now holds a commanding 3-0 lead in the East Division Semi-Finals. Neither team scored in the opening 20 minutes, though the BEARS were doubled up on shots 10-5. HERSHEY killed three Bridgeport power plays, including a late two-man deficit, to keep the game scoreless through the first period. The BEARS erupted for six goals in the second period, including a hat trick from Andrew Gordon and a pair of markers from Alexandre Giroux, to establish a new franchise record for most goals in a single period of a Calder Cup Playoff game. Gordon found his first of the postseason at 5:19, fielding a pass from Mathieu Perreault and Karl Alzner as he crashed the net. He struck again 25 seconds later with a deflection at the right goal post, assisted by Keith Aucoin and Giroux. Giroux tallied his fourth goal of the playoffs, sending an unassisted backhander past a sprawling Scott Munroe at 10:34. Gordon finished his hat trick at 11:52, tipping a feed from Aucoin and Giroux on the man advantage. Steve Pinizzotto potted his first of the series to chase Munroe from the net, sending a pass from Perreault top shelf at 12:46. With an extended two-man advantage, Giroux buried a slap shot from the right circle at 18:12, with helpers from Chris Bourque and Perreault. HERSHEY carried a 6-0 lead to the dressing room after 40 minutes. Greg Mauldin dashed the shutout hopes of BEARS backstop Michal Neuvirth at 9:11 of the third period, notching a goal on the Sound Tigers’ 27th shot of the game, from Dustin Kohn and Jesse Joensuu. Kyle Wilson added insult to injury with a late power play strike for his first of the playoffs at 17:06. Karl Alzner and Francois Bouchard registered the assists. Bridgeport’s Jeremy Reich rounded out scoring, rifling a slap shot from the point at 17:56, assisted by Mark Flood and Joensuu. Neuvirth earned his second win of the postseason and second in as many nights, turning aside 32 of 34 shots faced. The Chocolate and White power play converted three times on four opportunities, while the penalty kill blanked Bridgeport on each of its four tries. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game: 1. Andrew Gordon (three goals) 2. Alexandre Giroux (two goals, two assists) 3. Mathieu Perreault (three assists) Notes: The six second-period goals by HERSHEY eclipse the franchise record for most goals in a single period of the Calder Cup Playoffs recorded on April 22, 1998 in Kentucky. The BEARS will look to sweep the best-of-seven series against the Sound Tigers with a win in Bridgeport Sunday afternoon. Opening faceoff is slated for 3:00 p.m.