HOLTBY SHINES AGAIN BUT BEARS FALL IN SHOOTOUT

February 19, 2012

BRIDGEPORT, Conn.  – Jon Landry scored on the final shot in the fifth round of the shootout, and Anders Nilsson turned aside all five HERSHEY BEARS shooters to help the Bridgeport Sound Tigers earn a 2-1 win on Sunday afternoon at Webster Bank Arena.

The two teams played a scoreless first period, with Bridgeport taking eight shots on net and the BEARS six.  HERSHEY killed off three Sound Tigers power plays in the opening frame.

The BEARS would jump on top while working on a two-man advantage, just after the halfway point of regulation.  After Wes Cunningham was sent to the box for interference, the Sound Tigers were guilty of having too many men on the ice.  On the ensuing power play, Kyle Greentree and Ryan Potulny worked to get the puck into the high slot for Chris Bourque, whose hard slap shot sailed past the glove of Nilsson at 11:56.

The BEARS killed off a penalty to Bourque shortly afterward, but almost immediately, Zach Miskovic was sent to the box allowing Bridgeport to tie the game.  Justin DiBenedetto fed the puck into the right corner for David Ullstrom, who walked out and stuffed a shot past Braden Holtby from a bad angle at 16:37.

Holtby again had to come up big for his team by stopping everything he saw in the third period, as the BEARS were outshot 12-3.  HERSHEY outshot Bridgeport 2-1 in overtime, but the shootout was needed.

Holtby and Nilsson each turned aside their first four opponents, with the Sound Tigers electing to allow the BEARS to take the first shot.  With the game on his stick, Landry beat Holtby with a low shot along the ice in the bottom of the fifth round, sealing the win.

Holtby drops to 19-11-2 on the season, making 37 saves in regulation and overtime in another solid effort.  Nilsson improves to 13-6-1 with 20 saves through 65 minutes and the shootout victory.

The BEARS finished the night 1-for-7 on the power play and 7-for-8 on the penalty kill.

The BEARS will continue their road trip on Wednesday, February 22 with a 7:05 PM faceoff against the Rochester Americans.  The team returns home to host the Norfolk Admirals on Saturday, February 25 with faceoff at 7:00 PM.  Individual tickets for this and all regular-season home games are on sale now by calling (717) 508-BEAR, or by visiting ticketmaster.com.

Game Recap:  http://theahl.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=1009419

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