Tuesday April 26, 2005 (Posted Tuesday 9:26 P.M. EST.)

 

Capital gains in Hershey

 

By Joe Shetrom, 7641 Sports

 

In one of the worst kept secrets in recent memory, the Hershey Bears formally announced a multi year agreement that will land the Washington Capitals affiliation in Hershey, beginning in the 2005/06 season. The announcement, which came to fruition following several weeks of speculation, was made official by Bears President/General Manager Doug Yingst and Capitals General Manager George McPhee in a press conference held Tuesday afternoon at the Hotel Hershey.

 

"We are thrilled to have the chance to partner with a NHL club like the Washington Capitals," said Yingst. "Hershey and Washington are a natural fit because of the young talent within the Capitals' organization and the geography of having our parent club just a short drive away."

 

McPhee, who was seen at several Bears home games this past season, quipped, "We are excited to announce our partnership with the historic Hershey Bears." "They are a great organization and a model franchise in the AHL. The Capitals look forward to a successful relationship that will benefit everyone involved."

 

Washington will be responsible for providing the players and coaching staff to Hershey, although a coaching staff won't be announced until a later date. That's according to Bears Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations, who also stated that negotiations between Hershey and Washington had been taking place since last month, when the Colorado Avalanche announced that they would not be renewing their affiliation with Hershey. Walton noted that although talks had been going on since that time, the deal itself came together rather quickly during the last few weeks.

 

The Avalanche also addressed their plans for next season, agreeing to a 1-year deal with the Lowell Lock Monsters on a split affiliation with the Carolina Hurricanes. The opportunity presented itself after the Calgary Flames announced that they will send their players to Omaha, Nebraska, starting next season. Before the Colorado/Lowell agreement was announced Tuesday afternoon, Walton stated that it would be unlikely Hershey would receive any Avalanche prospects, even if Colorado could not secure a sole AHL affiliate for next season. If the Avs were unable to land a single affiliation for the upcoming 2005/06 campaign, speculation arose that they may resort to parceling out players among several different AHL clubs.

 

Another area that will be addressed at a later time is an ECHL affiliate. Over the last few seasons, Hershey has had official and unofficial agreements with the Reading Royals. The Capitals, however, still have an affiliation with the South Carolina Stingrays, also of the ECHL. Less than 140 miles separate the MCI Center (home of the Capitals) and Giant Center, with Reading's Sovereign Center located just 50 miles away from Hershey.

 

The Capitals are no strangers to Hershey, having farmed out their minor leaguers to Chocolatetown from the 1977/78 through 1983/84 seasons. During those first two seasons, Washington shared the affiliation with the Buffalo Sabres; and in the final season, had a split agreement with the Boston Bruins. Although Hershey's first and final years of the previous affiliation with Washington resulted in not reaching the postseason, the Bears did capture the Calder Cup Championship in the 1979/80 campaign.

 

Since then, Washington has sent prospects to the Binghamton Whalers (84/85 - 87/88), Baltimore Skipjacks (88/89 - 92/93), and Portland Pirates (93/94 - 04/05). Just as Hershey won a Calder Cup Championship during their first season as an Avalanche affiliate in 1996/97, Portland captured the Calder Cup during their inaugural campaign as a Caps affiliate in 1993/94.

"We are very much looking forward to a prosperous working relationship," noted Yingst. Many Bears fans will agree with the sentiments, especially the way the last two seasons have ended … with no playoff appearances.

 

 

Washington Capitals General Manager George McPhee speaks to members of the media Tuesday afternoon at the Hotel Hershey. McPhee was in town to announce a multi-year affiliation agreement between the Capitals and Hershey Bears.

 

 

Thursday April 21, 2005 (Posted Thursday 10:25 P.M. EST.)

 

Bears 2004/05 Final Report Card

 

Forwards

NAME	GP	G	A	PTS	PIMS	GRADE	NOTES
Mike Amodeo	2	0	0	0	10	I	Backup muscle for Bonvie hit by injury bug
Chris Bala	58	9	5	14	17	C-	Concussion finished speedy PK'er
Greg Barber	24	1	2	3	8	C-	Offense came around … in UHL
Dennis Bonvie	76	4	14	18	357	B+	Vet knew his role, showed up every game
Carl Corazzini	52	10	13	23	6	B	Injuries slowed an otherwise productive year
Nicolas Corbeil	3	1	0	1	2	I	Might have an invite to Bears training camp
Mathieu Darche	79	29	25	54	49	B+	Brought in to score goals, just missed 30
Martin Hlinka	52	5	22	27	28	B	Grinder was a valuable 2-way player
Sergei Klyazmin	7	0	0	0	0	I	Went from AHL to CHL to ECHL in 04/05
Evgeny Lazarev	11	0	1	1	11	C	Brought size to checking line in short stay
Cail MacLean	14	0	0	0	4	C	Hard worker victim of veteran limitations
Carl Mallette	7	0	2	2	2	I	ECHL's 2nd-leading scorer could return
David Masse	46	12	8	20	23	C-	Slowed down considerably from hot start
Cody McCormick	40	5	6	11	68	C	Beset by lengthy injuries this season
Graig Mischler	4	0	0	0	4	I	December lineup filler led Reading in points
Josh Olson	23	1	2	3	4	D	Joel Prpic clone, without the offense
Eric Perrin	80	24	49	73	46	A	Picked up from where he left off in 03/04
Andre Savage	53	7	23	30	36	C-	Offense lagged in San Antonio as well
Frantisek Skladany	15	0	0	0	2	C-	Demotion to UHL helped rookie
Mike Souza	53	14	8	22	36	B-	Turned it up in last few months
Ryan Steeves	75	6	5	11	24	C+	Impressive rookie 4th liner
Marek Svatos	72	18	28	46	69	C-	Model of Inconsistency
Jeff Ulmer	80	22	29	51	47	A-	Tremendous free agent pick-up

GP= Games Played - G= Goals - A=Assists - Pts= Points - PIMs= Penalty Minutes

 

Defensemen

NAME	GP	G	A	PTS	PIMS	GRADE	NOTES
Dean Arsene	56	1	5	6	140	B+	Best defensive d-man on Bears
Adam Borzecki	1	0	0	0	2	I	Looked good in lone game
Johnny Boychuk	80	3	12	15	69	B	Top Bears rookie played like veteran
Ed Campbell	1	0	0	0	0	I	Finished year captaining Bridgeport
Brett Clark	67	7	37	44	54	B	Captain set personal highs in assists & pts
J-F David	2	0	0	0	0	I	Lineup filler from UHL
Jeff Finger	75	4	12	16	125	C+	Played with more grit and toughness
Trevor Johnson	3	0	0	0	4	I	Lineup filler now with Binghamton
Nick Naumenko	40	8	12	20	18	C+	December pickup brought big shot to PP
Jamie Rivers	50	7	13	20	46	B-	Steady veteran presence on blueline
Agris Saviels	47	0	5	5	41	D+	Somewhat improved during second half
Darrel Scoville	7	0	0	0	11	I	Didn't fare much better with PBruins
Tomas Slovak	1	0	0	0	2	I	Went back to Slovakia after UHL demotion
Mikko Viitanen	22	0	1	1	6	C-	Noticeable improvement from last season
Martin Wilde	57	2	2	4	59	B-	Size and smarts…rarely caught out of place

GP= Games Played - G= Goals - A=Assists - Pts= Points - PIMs= Penalty Minutes

 

Goaltenders

NAME	GP	W	L	GAA	SV%	GRADE	NOTES
Peter Budaj	59	29	25	2.65	.919	B+	Go to guy on many nights
Tom Lawson	27	10	14	2.84	.914	C+	Victim of Budaj's breakout year

GP= Games Played - W= Wins - L= Losses - GAA= Goals Against Average - Sv%= Save Percentage

 

Bears Final 2004/05 Statistical Leaders

 

 

Sunday April 17, 2005 at Bridgeport (Posted Sunday 76:41 P.M. EST.)

 

Bears end season, affiliation with shootout loss

 

The Hershey Bears, playing out the string after their playoff hopes were dashed last weekend, dropped a 3-2 shootout heartbreaker to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers before 5,993 fans Sunday afternoon at the Arena at Harbor Yard. The Bears, who pocketed scores just 29 seconds apart in the 3rd period, saw their lead quickly evaporate as Bridgeport (37-38-4-1, 79 points) struck for two goals before Jason Guerriero's tally in the ninth round of the shootout won it for the home team. Game 80 also signaled the final Hershey contest featuring Colorado Avalanche prospects, as the Bears and 'Lanche agreed last month to end their 9 season affiliation effective the end of the current campaign. For the 5th place Bears (39-37-2-2, 82 points), who dropped their sixth straight and fifth consecutive on the road, they also missed an opportunity at just their 11th, 40-win season in team history.

 

Need to Know: After 2 1/2 + periods of scoreless hockey, Hershey would finally break through first, with captain Brett Clark netting a power-play goal on a right circle shot at 14:33 of the 3rd. Before the man advantage score, Hershey had converted just 1 of their last 21 attempts.

 

On the ensuing faceoff, the visiting Bears would stake a 2-0 lead courtesy of Jeff Ulmer's 22nd of the season, taking a Ryan Steeves feed and beating Sound Tigers goaltender Wade Dubielewicz at 15:02.

Not to be outdone, Bridgeport would quickly mount a comeback, with Joe Tallari taking a Cole Jarrett pass and beating Bears goalie Peter Budaj at 15:19.

 

With Dubielewicz pulled in favor of an extra attacker, Rob Collins would score the equalizer for Bridgeport, coming from the backdoor to beat Budaj with 39.3 seconds left in regulation.

 

After both teams were unable to cross the goal line during the five minute overtime, a shootout round ensued for the East Division rivals who had each lost only one game this season in the shootout.

 

In the shootout, Marek Svatos and Ulmer, the first two shooters for Hershey, would find the back of the net before Collins and Justin Mapletoft would even the score at 2-2 for Bridgeport. Svatos would strike again for Hershey in the 6th round, as would Collins for Bridgeport. After Clark, Ulmer, and Mathieu Darche missed on the ensuing chances, Guerriero would cinch victory for the 'Tigers in the 9th round, beating Budaj and concluding the season for both teams.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (29-26-1), making his 59th appearance in net for Hershey, suffered the hard-luck loss in net for Hershey, turning aside 38 of 40 shots before stopping 5 of 9 in the shootout. Budaj, who made his fifth attempt at 30 wins, finished the campaign with a 6-2 record in shootouts … Dubielewicz (18-23-0) earned the victory in goal for Bridgeport, ending with 34 stops in regulation and OT before making another 6 saves in the shootout … Bears C Eric Perrin left the game late in the 1st period, and did not return … D Johnny Boychuk, Perrin, and Ulmer each played their 80th game of the season, the first Bears trio to do so since the 1992/93 campaign, when Tim Tookey, Corey Foster, and Bill D. Armstrong saw action in all 80 contests … Hershey successfully killed a 5 minute high-sticking major assessed to D Agris Saviels early in the 2nd period … Head Coach Paul Fixter finished his tenure with a career mark of 72-70-8-6 with the Bears. He missed a total of four games this season while tending to personal matters, leaving his assistant Paul Fixter to man the ship … for his last game at the helm, Fixter started Clark and Jamie Rivers on defense, with Carl Corazzini, Ryan Steeves, and Mike Souza at forward … Dean Arsene, who has spent time providing color commentary for the on-air broadcasts while nursing an ankle injury, was behind the Bears bench providing moral support … Hershey finished 7-2 in shootouts this season … Bridgeport bench boss Greg Cronin coached his final game, as he announced this past Tuesday that he's accepted the head coaching position at Northeastern University … former Bear Graham Belak (97/98) was the only Sound Tigers skater to not register a shot on goal in the game … Hershey last lost 6 straight during the 01/02 season, the final year played at Hershey Park Arena … the Bears last ended the regular season on the road during their Calder Cup-winning season of 96/97, when they dropped a 2-1 overtime loss in Lexington to the Kentucky Thoroughblades on 4/12/97 … even with the loss, Hershey won the season series 4-2-1-1.

 

Season ending notes: Bears RW Dennis Bonvie finished with 357 penalty minutes, second only to Steve Martinson's single-season, franchise-high 422 PIMs in 1985/86 … Clark ended the season with a pro career high in assists (38) and points (45) … Corazzini finished with 6 PIMs, the fewest penalty minutes for a Bears skater playing at least 50 games since the 1981/82 season, when Errol Rausse played 59 games, also spending just 6 minutes in the penalty box … the last 3 Hershey goaltenders to post 30 wins (J.F. Labbe in 96/97, Wendell Young in 87/88, and Ron Hextall in 85/86) each lead their respective Bears team to the Calder Cup Finals … the 82 points were the most accumulated in one season for a Bears squad that did not qualify for the postseason … the Bears used 40 different players during the 04/05 campaign, down from last season (45) and 02/03 (46) … as an Avalanche affiliate since the 1996/97 season, Hershey compiled a 337-280-69-34 regular season record.

 

 

Saturday April 16, 2005 at Binghamton (Posted Saturday 10:34 P.M. EST.)

 

Senators claim East Division with thrashing of Bears

 

Hoping to assist their arch-rival Philadelphia Phantoms with a win, the Hershey Bears instead received a 5-2 beating courtesy of the Binghamton Senators before a sellout crowd of 4,710 Saturday evening at the Broome County Arena in Binghamton, NY. Denis Hamel guided the Senators offense, netting the hat trick---and 4 points overall---as Binghamton rolled to their seventh consecutive win at home. The Bears (39-37-2-1, 81 points) have now lost five straight, while the Senators (47-21-5-7, 106 points), who will face Norfolk in the first round of the playoffs, wrapped up their first-ever division title with their sixth consecutive victory. Even though Philadelphia (103 points) has one game remaining, they will not be able to catch Binghamton in the standings, and will face Wilkes-Barre in the first round of postseason action.

 

Need to Know: After a scoreless 1st period, Binghamton would assume the game's first lead 3:42 into the 2nd period, with Hamel netting his team-leading 37th goal of the season. Hamel's tally, which came one second after a Dennis Bonvie obstruction hooking penalty ended, resulted from a third chance on Bears goaltender Tom Lawson.

 

With Andy Hedlund serving a cross-checking minor for Binghamton, Josh Langfeld would stake the Senators with a 2-0 lead at 12:26 of the 2nd, taking an Antoine Vermette feed and beating Lawson on a backhand attempt to the top-shelf of the Hershey net.

 

Not to be outdone, Hamel would pocket his second score of the contest just over 2 ½ minutes later, giving the home club a 3-0 advantage at 15:10. Following a Nicolas Corbeil boarding call for Hershey, the ensuing Sens power-play featured a bevy of shots on Lawson before Hamel collected the game-winner. Jason Spezza, who was named the 2004/05 AHL MVP on Friday, earned an assist on the score, extending his scoring streak to a league season-high 20 games.

 

Wasting little time into the game's 3rd stanza, Andy Hedlund's blast to the top left corner of the Bears goal would provide the Sens with a 4-0 lead just 52 ticks into the period. Hamel, who already had 2 goals in the contest, earned an assist on the marker for his third point of the night.

After the Bears thought there was an impending icing call, Hamel would pick up the puck, waltzing in all alone to beat Lawson at 4:33, completing the hat trick for the veteran.

 

Hershey would earn a measure of respect at the 9:29 mark, with Ryan Steeves nixing the shutout possibility with his 6th of the season on a rebound attempt that beat Senators goalie Ray Emery.

The Bears would cap the evening's scoring, with Mike Souza firing a shot past the right post of Emery with 34 seconds remaining in the game, making it a 5-2 contest. It was Souza's 14th goal of the season, and first since 3/25, when he chalked up a hat trick in Hershey's 6-1 win in Rochester.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Lawson (10-14-0), making his 27th appearance of the season, took the loss in goal for Hershey, turning aside 35 of 40 shots. Emery (28-18-5) earned the East Division-clinching victory for Binghamton, finishing with 37 saves … Binghamton, who leads the AHL with 276 goals this season, also fronts a league-high 24 short-handed goals in 04/05 … Spezza's 117 points are the most since the 1995/96 campaign, when the Carolina Monarchs' Brad Smyth registered 126 points en route to AHL MVP honors … Hamel's 39 goals this season rank 3rd in the AHL … Senators enforcer Brian McGrattan, who eclipsed Bonvie's single season penalty minute mark last week, earned his first assist of the 04/05 campaign on Hamel's third goal. McGrattan, who now has 551 PIMs this season, entered the game with 7 points (all goals) … Hershey's Jeff Ulmer earned his pro career-high 50th point of the season on Souza's late-3rd period score … Souza finished with a game-high 10 shots, which tied Mathieu Darche for the most in one game for Hershey this season … Binghamton, who entered Saturday's game with an AHL-best 20.1 % on the power-play, finished 1-4 on the man advantage … the Sens improved to 33-0-2-3 this season when leading after the 1st period, including an 18-0-1-1 mark at home … Hershey is currently mired in a 1-19 slump on the power-play … Bears C Marek Svatos, who missed Friday's game in Philadelphia with a reaggravated back injury, returned to the lineup … with Svatos returning, LW David Masse was reassigned to the Reading Royals (ECHL), who hosted Game 2 of their playoff series with the Toledo Storm on Saturday … Hershey last dropped 5 straight from 3/26 - 4/3/04 … Hershey & Binghamton split the season series, with each team taking 3 games.

 

Coming Up: The Bears conclude the 2004/05 season with a 4 PM matinee in Bridgeport, CT, taking on the Sound Tigers at 4 PM. Hershey holds a 4-2-1-0 lead in the season series against Bridgeport.

 

 

Friday April 15, 2005 at Philadelphia (Posted Friday 10:22 P.M. EST.)

 

Bears drop fourth straight with loss to Phantoms

 

With nothing left to play for but pride, and possibly the role of spoilers, the Hershey Bears dropped their fifth consecutive game in a 4-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phantoms Friday night at the Wachovia Spectrum. Four different goal scorers led the way on offense for the Phantoms (47-24-3-4, 101 points), while goaltender Antero Niittymaki earned his team record 32nd victory, as Philly inched closer to wrapping up 1st place in the East Division. Hershey (39-36-2-1, 81 points), who has now lost four straight games and five of six, dropped their third consecutive contest on the road.

 

Need to Know: After a near-scoreless 1st period was winding down, Jon Sim would give the Phantoms a 1-0 lead, sneaking the puck over the goal line in the midst of a scrum in front of the Hershey net at 19:36.

 

With Jeff Ulmer serving a slashing penalty for Hershey, Ben Stafford would net the game-winner for Philadelphia, swatting a puck in mid-air that hit Bears goaltender Peter Budaj before settling in the goal at 9:15 of the 2nd.

 

Philadelphia would assume a 3-0 lead at the 16:29 mark of the 2nd, with Freddy Meyer connecting on a blast from high in the slot.

 

Hershey would finally make its way onto the scoresheet just 19 seconds later, when newcomer Nicolas Corbeil picked up a rebound on a Nick Naumenko blast and beat Niittymaki at 16:48 of the 2nd.

 

After Hershey D Agris Saviels was whistled for cross-checking at 6:25 of the 3rd, Mark Murphy would give the Phantoms a 4-1 lead, picking up an R.J. Umberger rebound and beating Budaj at 8:00.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (29-25-1), still seeking his 30th victory of the season, suffered the loss for Hershey, turning aside 36 of 40 shots faced. Niittymaki (32-21-4), who improved to 6-2-1 against Hershey this season, earned the win in net for Philadelphia, ending with 21 saves … Bears D Johnny Boychuk and Phantoms D Wade Skolney fought at the 20:00 mark of the 3rd period … Phantoms D Joni Pitkanen finished with a game-high 3 points (all assists) … Corbeil, signed to a PTO on Thursday, made his 04/05 AHL debut after spending the majority of the season with the ECHL's Mississippi Sea Wolve, where he registered 39 points in 53 games … with C Marek Svatos scratched from the Hershey lineup, LW David Masse was recalled from the Reading Royals (ECHL) for the second time in the last week … LW Josh Olson picked up just his third point in a Bears uniform---an assist---on Corbeil's 2nd period score … Jeff Carter, signed to an ATO on Thursday, made his AHL regular season debut for the Phantoms, finishing with a game-high 9 shots. The Philadelphia Flyers' 2003 1st round pick (11th overall) recently completed his junior season with the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds (OHL), where he led the club in scoring for the third straight season … Philadelphia improved to 15-0-0-0 at home this season when leading after the 1st period … it was only the second time in their last 25 games that Hershey allowed 40 or more shots… the Bears also lost four straight in regulation from 1/15 - 1/23 … Hershey, who finished 0-6 on the power-play, has only converted one of their last sixteen man advantage chances … with the win, the Phantoms secured their fifth 100+ point season in their nine year history … the announced crowd was 7,924, but visual estimates ranged closer to the 4-5,000 range … Bears Head Coach Paul Fixter started the game with an unusual forward line of Eric Perrin, Ryan Steeves, and Dennis Bonvie … Philadelphia won the season series 9-2-0-1.

 

Coming Up: Hershey next heads to Binghamton, NY, where they'll take the ice for a 7 PM match-up against the Senators. The Bears own a 3-2 record versus the Sens this season, including a 3-2 shootout win in their last meeting on March 18th.

 

 

Monday April 11, 2005 (Posted Monday 10:37 P.M. EST.)

 

Current Bears Statistical Leaders (through 4-11-05)

 

Sunday April 10, 2005 vs. Wilkes-Barre (Posted Sunday 11:55 P.M. EST.)

 

It's déjà vu all over again

 

By Joe Shetrom, 7641 Sports

 

Funny thing about irony. In 2004, the Hershey Bears had their playoff hopes dashed on the last home game of the regular season with a one goal loss to the Philadelphia Phantoms. Sunday night, the Bears had their postseason dreams snuffed out with a one goal loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in their final home contest of the regular season. In another strange and ironic twist, Hershey, who also led 2-1 after two periods on Friday night in Wilkes-Barre, allowed two 3rd period scores as the Penguins (37-26-7-7, 88 points) punched their playoff card with a 3-2 victory in front of 7,568 fans at the Giant Center. Hershey (39-35-2-1, 81 points), who has now dropped three straight, will miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

 

Need to Know: For the second straight evening, Hershey would waste little time getting on the scoresheet first. The Bears, who needed only 18 seconds to net the game's first goal on Saturday, took only 15 seconds to pocket the first score on Sunday, with Eric Perrin earning credit for his 24th of the season. Perrin, who was awarded Team MVP (for the second straight season) in the annual Player Awards Night, threw a shot that hit off WBS defenseman Ryan Whitney and into the Penguins net.

 

Martin Hlinka, who has been a thorn in the side of WBS this season, almost staked Hershey to a 2-0 lead during a short-handed situation with just under two minutes remaining in the 1st period. After Whitney slipped to the ice near the Hershey blueline, Hlinka picked up the loose puck, driving to the Penguins net, where his low on the glove-side attempt would be stymied by goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.

 

With Agris Saviels serving a cross-checking penalty for Hershey, the Penguins would erase their goose egg at the 5:25 mark of the 2nd, with Shane Endicott tallying a power-play goal on a shot from the left circle faceoff dot.

 

After Hlinka was whistled for cross-checking at 6:14, Mathieu Darche would give the Bears an unexpected 2-1 lead at 7:07 of the 2nd, picking up a loose puck in the WBS zone, zooming ahead of the Pens' Colby Armstrong and Ross Lupaschuk and beating Fleury five-hole for his team-leading 29th goal of the season.

 

Kris Beech, who bagged the game-winner in Friday's win in Wilkes-Barre, would notch the game-tying goal at 5:11 of the 3rd, skating in from the right corner of the Hershey end and tucking the puck past the short-side of Bears goaltender Peter Budaj.

 

On an odd-man rush into the Hershey zone, Erik Christiansen would register the game-winner for the Penguins at the 14:25 mark of the 3rd, sending a left point shot to the Bears net that beat Budaj high on the glove side.

 

With Budaj pulled in favor of a sixth attacker during the final minute of regulation, the Bears would be unable to get another shot past Fleury, leaving Hershey fans to utter the tried and true line, "Maybe next year."

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (29-24-1), trying to hit the 30 win mark for the third night in a row, took the loss in goal for Hershey, ending with 32 saves on 35 shots. Fleury (25-18-4) earned his second win in three days versus Hershey, turning aside 28 of 30 shots … with 14 penalty minutes in the game, Bears RW Dennis Bonvie passed Garry Rissling and Archie Henderson to move into 2nd place on the Bears all-time, single season PIM list. Bonvie, who now has 347 PIMs this season, moved ahead of Rissling and Henderson, who each posted 337 during the 1978/79 campaign … both of Darche's short-handed goals this season have come at home against WBS … Bears C Marek Svatos saw his 6 game scoring streak come to an end … for the second straight night, Johnny Boychuk played at forward … it was the third consecutive game the Bears have lost after scoring the first goal, and their fourth straight defeat by one goal … former Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers Head Coach Rick Dudley attended the game … Hershey won the season series 6-4-0 … the Bears last missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons during the 83/84 & 84/85 campaigns.

 

Hershey Hardware: The following Bears took home awards during the annual Player Awards Night:

 

 

Wilkes-Barre's Michel Ouellet (top right), who has now gone 26 straight games without a goal, has this 1st period attempt stopped by Bears goalie Peter Budaj.

 

 

Wilkes-Barre's Colby Armstrong (#9) lays out Bears defenseman Jeff Finger with this 1st period hit in the Hershey corner.

 

 

Hershey's Martin Hlinka (#24) has this short-handed breakaway attempt stymied by Fleury with two minutes remaining in the 1st period.

 

 

Matt Murley's (right) wrap-around chance during early 2nd period action is stonewalled by Budaj.

 

 

Shane Endicott's power-play goal from the left circle faceoff dot ties the game at 1-1 with 14:35 left in the 2nd period.

 

 

Mathieu Darche's (center) short-handed breakaway attempt gets through the pads of Fleury, giving the Bears a 2-1 advantage at the 7:07 mark of the 2nd period.

 

 

Linesman Mike McDevitt (#13) watches as Wilkes-Barre's Drew Fata prepares to throw a right to Hershey's Mike Souza during their 2nd period fight.

 

 

Wilkes-Barre's Kris Beech (right) ties the game at 2-2, slipping this shot past the short side of Budaj with 14:49 left in the 3rd period.

 

 

Budaj looks to his left as Erik Christiansen's left point shot sails into the top of the Hershey net, giving the Penguins a 3-2 lead with 5:35 remaining in the 3rd period.

 

 

Saturday April 9, 2005 vs. Philadelphia (Posted Sunday 3:29 A.M. EST.)

 

Bears playoff hopes take another hit after 2-1 loss to Phantoms

 

By Joe Shetrom, 7641 Sports

 

Steve Miller once sang, "Time keeps on slipping..." After Saturday night's 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phantoms, the same can be said about the Hershey Bears, who missed a chance to close the gap with Wilkes-Barre to three points. The Penguins dropped a 5-2 decision in Binghamton, but can secure a spot in the postseason with a regulation win in Hershey on Sunday. For the Bears (39-34-2-1, 81 points), they dropped their fourth straight loss to Philadelphia (45-24-3-4, 97 points), and failed in their second attempt at 40 wins this season.

 

Need to Know: Hershey would waste little time getting on the scoreboard first, when Jamie Rivers' left point shot found its way past Phantoms goaltender Neil Little :18 into the 1st period. Rivers, stationed just inside the blueline, took a Marek Svatos pass from the left circle and fired his 7th goal past the former Bear.

 

With 90 seconds remaining in the opening frame, Bears netminder Peter Budaj would come up with the save of the game, stopping Philly's R.J. Umberger on a point-blank shot from in-between the circles. Moments before, Joni Pitkanen missed a golden opportunity at tying the contest for the Phantoms, failing to convert a left side shot on an open Hershey net.

 

After Hershey's Martin Hlinka was whistled for interference at 18:40 of the 1st, teammate Jeff Ulmer would pick up a Phantoms turnover, taking a short-handed breakaway to the Philly zone, where he was stonewalled with a pad save by Little.

 

Riley Cote would try to set the tone early in the 2nd period, dropping the gloves with Dennis Bonvie in the Hershey zone at the 1:47 mark. The result was mostly a wrestling exhibition, but Cote landed the best shot, an uppercut that caught the veteran enforcer.

 

30 seconds after the scrap, Mark Murphy would net the equalizer for the visitors in unlikely fashion, taking a Jon Sim pass and beating Budaj on a shot from the left circle at 2:27. Hershey's Ulmer, attempting to clear the puck from in-between the circles, broke his stick, resulting in the turnover to Sim, who fed the puck over to Murphy for the game-tying tally.

 

With Bonvie serving a double minor for roughing, Patrick Sharp would pocket the game-winner for Philly at 18:12 of the 2nd, taking a Dennis Seidenberg backhand pass and beating Budaj on an attempt from the right circle.

 

Tempers would come to a head as the 2nd period ended, as Jeff Finger and Murphy came to blows in the left corner of the Hershey zone. Finger earned the decisive win by peppering the Phantoms winger with numerous rights.

 

A valiant effort by the Bears in the 3rd period yielded zero goals, as Budaj was pulled during the game's final minute to no avail. With the exception of a Brett Clark shot from the point, Hershey was unable to set up any significant scoring chances on Little, resulting in their fourth straight loss to the Phantoms.

 

Misc. Game Notes: Budaj (29-23-1), in his second attempt at reaching 30 wins this season, suffered the loss in net for Hershey, turning aside 27 of 29 shots. Little (15-6-0) earned the victory for the Phantoms, shutting out his former team in the game's final 59:42 with 37 saves … It was also his 203rd career AHL win, moving ahead of former Bear J.F. Labbe for 9th place in the all-time ranks...while Mathieu Darche saw his ten game scoring streak come to an end, Svatos extended his point streak to six games … Hershey allowed a season low 2 shots on goal in a period, shutting down the Phantoms offense in the 3rd … Philadelphia has converted 10 of their last 36 power-play opportunities (27.7%) … D Agris Saviels was the only Bears skater to not register a shot on goal … RW Cody McCormick, who returned to the Hershey lineup on Friday after missing the seven previous games, was scratched … Bears LW David Masse, who had been assigned to the Reading Royals (ECHL) on March 14th, was recalled in time for Saturday's game … Hershey's last three losses have been decided by one goal … Philadelphia's 21 road victories this season are tied with Manchester for 1st in the Eastern Conference … the Phantoms lead the season series 8-2-0-1, with the final meeting taking place next Friday in Philadelphia.

 

Coming Up: Hershey concludes the home portion of the 04/05 schedule with a 5 PM Sunday meeting against Wilkes-Barre. The Bears dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker in Wilkes-Barre on Friday night, but look to improve to 7-3 versus the Penguins this season in the teams' final get-together of the 04/05 campaign.

 

 

Mathieu Darche (left) watches as Jamie Rivers' shot gets past Phantoms goalie Neil Little, giving the Bears a 1-0 lead just :18 into the 1st period.

 

 

Philadelphia's Josh Gratton (right) snaps his stick on this cross-check on Hershey's Mike Souza during 1st period action. No penalty was called by referee Bob Langdon.

 

 

Hershey's Jeff Ulmer (left) prepares to have this short-handed breakaway attempt stopped by Little late in the 1st period.

 

 

Dennis Bonvie (left) and Riley Cote grapple during their tussle 1:47 into the 2nd period. Each were assessed five minute fighting majors.

 

 

This shot by Mark Murphy eludes Bears goalie Peter Budaj, tying the game at 1-1 2:27 into the 2nd period. Ulmer (left), broke his stick attempting to clear the puck, resulting in a turnover to Jon Sim (bottom right).

 

 

Little makes one of his 37 saves during 2nd period action.

 

 

Philadelphia's Patrick Sharp (#9) pockets the game-winning goal on this power-play attempt with 1:48 remaining in the 2nd period.

 

 

Friday April 8, 2005 at Wilkes-Barre (Posted Saturday 2:24 A.M. EST.)

 

Pens exact revenge with late period heroics in 3-2 win over Bears

 

On Friday, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins' website was touting "Playoff tickets now on sale." After dropping their last seven games, and facing a 2-1 deficit after two plus periods