April 18, 2010
BEARS BLASTED BY BRIDGEPORT 4-1
Sound Tigers Force Game 5
By Jess Mikula
With a chance to sweep the best-of-seven series, the BEARS suffered their first loss of the playoffs by a 4-1 final Sunday. HERSHEY maintains a 3-1 lead in the series.
The BEARS endured an hour-long first period rife with penalty killing, as the Sound Tigers were awarded six power play opportunities in the opening stanza. Less than five minutes into the game, play was halted for 22 minutes courtesy of a Mark Wotton hit on Ashton Rome, showering the ice with the remains of a vaporized pane of glass. Sean Bentivoglio put Bridgeport on the score sheet in the waning moments of the man advantage at 15:07, assisted by Robin Figren and Mike Radja. HERSHEY carried a one-goal deficit to the dressing room at the close of one.
The Sound Tigers scored three times in the second period, finding two more power play goals. Andrew MacDonald fired a slap shot from the point for a 5-on-3 marker just 34 seconds into the period, from Trevor Smith and Dylan Reese. With a screen from Jeremy Reich, MacDonald struck for his second of the game at 12:03, assisted by Reese. Figren potted an even strength goal, launching a one timer from the high slot at 18:31. Dustin Kohn and Matt Martin notched the helpers. The BEARS mustered just nine shots on goal and trailed Bridgeport through 40 minutes of play.
Andrew Gordon found the only goal for the visiting team on Sunday, slipping his fourth of the postseason past Bridgeport netminder Mikko Koskinen at 6:55, with the lone assist from Keith Aucoin. With little more than three minutes remaining in regulation, a second pane of glass exploded, this time with help from Patrick Wellar and Martin. Once play resumed 15 minutes later, the Sound Tigers held off the BEARS for their first win of the series.
Braden Holtby suffered the loss in net with 24 saves on 28 shots. The HERSHEY power play was blanked on three opportunities, and the penalty kill denied Bridgeport six times on nine chances.
Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game:
1. Andrew MacDonald (two goals)
2. Andrew Gordon (only goal for HERSHEY)
3. Mikko Koskinen (first playoff win with 26 saves on 27 shots)
Notes: With the Game 4 loss in Bridgeport, HERSHEY leads the series three games to one. The teams will return to Chocolatetown for Game 5 Wednesday night, as the BEARS look to advance to the East Division Finals. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., with tickets available at the
Giant Center box office or by calling (717) 534-3911.
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