Bears Make April Fools of Admirals with 6-3 Victory

Andrew Gordon celebrates Sheldon Souray’s goal against the Norfolk Admirals.

It’s officially April. We all know that means it’s almost time for playoffs, but first we have to wrap up the final five games of the season. And it would be pretty nice for the Bears to lock up second place in the East Division.

Step one? Take down the Norfolk Admirals.

As far as first periods go, tonight’s was a pretty nice one. Well, except for the whole two 5-on-3s. It seemed as if the Bears were only capable of being penalized in pairs. Nevertheless, the penalty kill unit did it’s job and held off the Norfolk power play. Despite the penalties and Norfolk leading in shots, the Bears were the ones leading after twenty minutes.

The first goal came from Andrew Gordon. Right after killing the first power play, Gordon had a pretty shot with no one between him and goaltender Dustin Tokarski. Francois Bouchard followed that with a goal of his own. Perhaps not appreciating his recent demotion to the fourth line, he took his assist from Andrew Kozek and didn’t miss. Dmitry Orlov also got an assist on that goal.

The second twenty minutes started off just as nice. Sheldon Souray, who returned to the line-up for the first time since getting injured back in mid-March, was making his presence known all night. Early in the second period, he demonstrated his NHL talent as he danced around a Norfolk defender and unleashed the a big shot on Tokarski. 3-0 Bears.

Braden Holtby was called on to make a save on a penalty shot. He was ready but perhaps shooter Stefano Giliati wasn’t as his shot appeared to miss the goal. After that, it take Hershey long to get goal #4. After closing in on the Norfolk crease, Mathieu Perreault‘s shot deflected off on Norfolk’s Radko Gudas and past an unsuspecting Tokarski.

Finally fed up, the Admirals responded with a goal of their own. Holtby might have been screened but nevertheless, his shutout bid was gone. For Norfolk, the ninth time was a charm. With Andrew Carroll in the box and the Admirals on their ninth power play, they finally figured out how to work the man advantage and got another goal back to make it 4-2 after two periods.

The third period saw a Hershey power play early on. For once, it was the Bears with the 5-on-3 power play. It took a couple of shots but Keith Aucoin finally put one away to increase Hershey’s lead. Bouchard appeared to score again but it was waved off because of a penalty to the Bears. It wouldn’t be just one penalty, it would be two. Yes, another 5-on-3. No sweat, Hershey killed it. Again.

However, Souray was sent to the box late in the period and Norfolk did score then. Steve Pinizzotto made sure that it didn’t matter though and topped off the game with an empty net goal.

I would like to give a standing ovation to our penalty kill unit. To face thirteen penalties and only allow two goals is phenomenal. I don’t think I need to tell you that this would have been an entirely different game if they hadn’t played so well. Thanks to them, Bears win 6-3.

In the long run, this game could prove important in helping Hershey mentally. They have had issues battling the Admirals, especially with Tokarski in goal. Tonight they proved that they are capable of big games. I can’t imagine Norfolk will make it an easy game when these teams battle again tomorrow.

Tonight’s Notes

• The good news is that Johann Kroll is healthy again. The bad news for Kroll is that so is most of the Hershey blue line. As a result, he was returned to the South Carolina Stingrays this morning.
• Sean Collins was mysteriously absent from Norfolk tonight. It hasn’t been announced officially yet but it’s very likely that that he is headed to Washington with all the injuries to the Caps defense.
• Phil Oreskovic (That’s right. Remember him?) finally returned to the line-up after being cleared to play. He hasn’t played a game since December 10th when he got a lower body injury against the Charlotte Checkers. He underwent surgery and was finally healthy enough to play tonight. Welcome back!
• We will always have a soft spot for Bryan Helmer so we’re thrilled to see him win the Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award, awarded to the player who “best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey.” It’s amazing to think of the season he has had when he didn’t even have a team at the beginning of the season.
• Tonight’s win was Mark French‘s 104th coaching win. According to Tim Leone, he is now tied with Gary Inness for eighth place in all-time coaching wins for Hershey.

Lines and Pairings:

Kane – Aucoin – Gordon
Greentree – Perreault – Willsie
Carroll – Joudrey – Pinizzotto
Kozek – Lacroix – Bouchard

McNeill – Fahey
Souray – Orlov
Yeo – Oreskovic

Actual three stars of the game:

1. Sheldon Souray (HER)
2. Keith Aucoin (HER)
3. Troy Milam (NOR)

Sweetest Hockey On Earth’s three stars of the game:

1. Aucoin: goal and assist
2. Souray: goal, big game after returning from injury
3. Gordon: goal and assist