STARS TAKE GAME 1 BY A 2-1 FINAL

June 3, 2010

HIBERNATING BEARS DROP GAME 1 BY 2-1 MARGIN Bouchard Nets Lone Goal for Bears By Jess Mikula Despite scoring the game’s first goal, the BEARS were dealt their first postseason loss on home ice in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Texas Stars Thursday night. The Chocolate and White trail the best-of-seven series one game to none, their first series deficit of the 2010 playoffs. Neither team struck in the opening 20 minutes of play. HERSHEY failed to generate quality chances in front of Texas netminder Matt Climie, as the Stars out-shot the BEARS by a 12-2 margin in the first. Francois Bouchard notched the inaugural goal of the 2010 Calder Cup Finals and his third of the postseason at 4:24, potting a feed from Mathieu Perreault and Patrick McNeill. Bouchard’s goal came on just the third shot of the game for the Chocolate and White and their first shot of the second period. Texas evened the score midway through the period, as Greg Rallo sent a snap shot high glove side past BEARS backstop Michal Neuvirth at 9:57 with the lone assist to Aaron Gagnon. The score was at a 1-1 deadlock through 40 minutes. The Stars claimed the lead early in the third period, capitalizing on a HERSHEY giveaway along the wall. Scott McCulloch collected the puck from Chris Bourque and Sean Collins and dodged a diving Karl Alzner to score the unassisted game winner at 2:10. HERSHEY went 0-for-2 on the man advantage and blanked Texas on each of its four power play opportunities. Neuvirth suffered his third loss of the playoffs in net, turning aside 25 of 27 shots. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game: 1. Scott McCulloch (game-winning goal) 2. Matt Climie (25 saves on 26 shots) 3. Michal Neuvirth (25 saves on 27 shots) Notes: HERSHEY endured its first home loss of the 2010 playoffs on Thursday night and just its second loss at Giant Center in its last 39 games. The BEARS will play host to the Stars for Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals at Giant Center on Saturday. Opening face-off is slated for 7:00 p.m., with a limited number of tickets remaining. Tickets can be purchased at the Giant Center box office or by calling (717) 534-3911.