Chocolate Fix 7/6/2011


Photo by Kyle Mace

Hmmmmm what do I have to share with you this week. I seem to recall there was something going on. Oh yeah… free agency!!! If you didn’t see Kyle’s recap of what happened with Hershey’s free agents, you should go take a look!

Tim Leone of the Patriot News had a bunch of posts about the comings and goings of players.

Hershey Bears Hockey Blog lends their take on free agency. [Day 1, Day 2, Day 3]

Dinger Family Zoo recaps the first couple days of free agency. [DFZ]

Also in the Patriot News Derek Meluzio take a look back at Semyon Varlamov now that he is no longer in the organization. [Pennlive]

Tyler Sloan’s contract was bought out by the Caps. [TSN]

Former Bear Kyle Wilson might be playing in the Verizon Center… as a Predator. [Predators]

And in non-draft day / free agent news…

Current Cap and former Bear Jeff Schultz took part in Independence Day celebrations in our Nation’s Capital. [RMNB]

A look at how Washington’s development camp helps Hershey. [PennLive, PennLive]

The AHL Board of Governors is meeting this week.  So far, we have new divisions and a new playoff format. [AHL]

And the realignment is a good thing for the Bears. [WashTimes]

Welcome back, Zach.

The Hershey Bears in conjunction with the Washington Capitals announced yesterday that defenseman Zach Miskovic has been signed to a one year contract.  Here’s the official announcement:

05/18/2011 –
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 18, 2011
CONTACT: John Walton-HERSHEY BEARS –

CAPITALS RE-SIGN DEFENSEMAN ZACH MISKOVIC TO A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT

RIVER FOREST, IL NATIVE TO RETURN FOR THIRD SEASON IN ORGANIZATION AFTER CAREER HIGH IN GOALS IN 2010-11

HERSHEY – The HERSHEY BEARS announced today in conjunction with the NHL’s Washington Capitals that defenseman Zach Miskovic has been signed to a contract for 2011-12. The announcement was made today by BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst.

Miskovic, 26, enjoyed a career-high seven goals and accumulated 16 points in 58 games this year for HERSHEY, his second pro season. A four-year letter-winner out of St. Lawrence University, Miskovic led all NCAA defensemen in goals during his senior season with the Saints. He originally signed with Washington in July of 2009, and has played in 11 career Calder Cup playoff games. His career-best seventh goal of the season came on February 6 vs. Manitoba.

The BEARS will open the 2011-12 season this October, with the AHL schedule of games due for release in early August. Season Ticket plans for 2011-12 are on sale now at (717) 508-BEAR.

I am glad to see him back.  I think that he has been developing nicely as a defenseman over the last 2 years.  He had a career high 7 goals last season.  That’s a good thing.  On the down side, his overall points dropped.  In 2009-2010 he was 5G 20A for 26 point.  For the 2010-2011 season he had 7G  9A totaling 16 points.  In each of those years he was also a solid +18 and +12 respectively.  For 2010-2011 only Brian Fahey, Sean Collins and Lawrence Nycholat were ahead of Miskovic in the +/- category.  Where I think Misky needs to work is in the playoffs.

Playoff Stats

Season Team GP G A PTS +/- PIM
2011 Calder Cup Playoffs Hershey Bears 5 0 0 0 -1 8
2010 Calder Cup Playoffs Hershey Bears 6 1 1 2 -2 0
total 11 1 1 2 -3 8

It looks bad, right?  Obviously the +/- rating for a defenseman in the playoffs needs to come up.  In 2010 he didn’t get into too many games.  The 2011 playoff race was cut short.  While neither are a great excuse, there is a positive hidden in these stats.  He didn’t play in too many game in the 2010 campaign, but he had 1G 1A for 2 points.  Still wondering how this is good?  In 2010 there were only 3 d-men on the team with a better point per game average.  Two of them played full time in the NHL this year.  I’m sure I didn’t need to tell you that those two are John Carlson and Karl Alzner.  The third was Patrick McNeill.  Pretty good company to be a part of in my opinion.  The 2011 playoffs weren’t quite as kind to Zach, but he was roughly in the middle of the pack for the D-corps.

Hopefully Zach will continue on his development track, have a few less injuries and maybe get a call up or two next season.  I am looking forward to seeing him back in the chocolate and white.  With this being his third year here, I have a feeling that he will be called upon to become a leader on the blueline.  I think that he has it in him as well as the potential to be a good quality defenseman.

Bears Score 4 Unanswered Goals to Beat Admirals, 5-4

The difference between tonight’s first period and last night’s first period could not be any bigger. Just about the only similarity was that they were still on the road and playing the Norfolk Admirals .

It started off fine. Dustin Tokarski went to chase a puck down from behind the net. Instead, the puck bounced off the back boards and out to Kyle Greentree who scored on the completely empty net.

From there, it went downhill. Norfolk didn’t allow this fluke goal to mess up their game. They responded with a 4-on-4 goal (Brian Fahey was in the box for cross-checking and Blair Jones joined him for diving). After that, Andrew Gordon was whistled for tripping and the Admirals only took eleven seconds on the power play to score.

With Sheldon Souray in the box, Norfolk scored a second power play that seemed to especially tick off Braden Holtby. After the goal, he turned and shoved the net towards the back wall. It’s hard to tell if it was just general frustration but some fans in attendance said that the net was already off it’s pegs. Holtby knew it and was angry that the goal counted. It took a while to get the net fixed but there Bears were still down two goals.

Before you could blink, the Admirals then scored an even strength goal with less than a minute left in the first period. The Bears were sent to the locker room with a lot of goals to discuss.

As rough as the first period was, the second period made up for just about all of it. Francois Bouchard continues to show the coaching staff that he doesn’t belong on the fourth line. He scored his second goal this weekend. Just about 30 seconds after that, Greentree got his second goal of the night on a gorgeous pass from Keith Aucoin. They both came roaring towards the net and Aucoin placed his pass perfectly so that Greentree could flip it past Tokarski.

With all the momentum in their favor, the Bears actually tied the game up before the second period was even half over. It was Patrick McNeill who got the goal when he skated just past the blue line and got a big shot past the Norfolk goaltender. Amazingly, it was a 4-4 game.

Norfolk really took a blow when Tokarski got injured. Gordon was in front of the net and accidentally hit Tokarski with his stick. Tokarski immediately fell to the ice and the skated to the bench during a stoppage in play. Jaroslav Janus took over.

Janus gave up his first goal towards the end of the second period. For Hershey fans, I can just describe as your typical “Andrew Gordon” goal. Another great play by Aucoin to Gordon who was in Janus’ face. After being down 4-1, suddenly the Bears were up 5-4.

Neither side scored during the third period, although there were some close calls. During the final moments when Norfolk had pulled Janus, they came very close to tying the game but Hershey escaped with another big win. Bears win 5-4.

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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.

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Penalties Prove Decisive in 3-2 SO Loss against Norfolk

Johan Harju scores the game-winner in the shootout against Schaefer. Photo by Kyle Mace

It was a big day for the special teams as the Hershey Bears took on the rival Norfolk Admirals.

Patrick McNeill scored during a first period power play. He was skating between the face-off circles when he stopped the puck with his foot. He kicked it in front of him and shot a sweet wrister past Dustin Tokarski.

During the second period, the Admirals countered with a power play goal of their own. They got Nolan Schaefer moving and he couldn’t cross the crease in time to stop a shot from Alex Berry. Tie game after two periods.

As it always seems to with these teams, it came down to a big third period. The Admirals took their first lead of the game almost halfway through the period while (you guessed it) on the power play. It was speedy play and a fast pass to the middle where James Wright tipped it past Schaefer.

But Kyle Greentree was ready to respond! Just a minute later, Greentree gave Hershey a second wind by scoring five-hole on Tokarski. And get this: it wasn’t on the power play!

I’m sure that after seven games in nine nights, overtime during the seventh game was not deserved. Nevertheless, the Bears found themselves in sudden death, fighting for that extra point. Sean Collins was whistled for a delay of game late in overtime and the Bears killed it off to move the game to the shootout.

The Admirals only scored once, but that was all they needed. Tokarski stopped all five Hershey skaters. Bears lose 3-2 (SO).

Tokarski is just unreal. We all keep waiting for him to show signs that he’s human but he’s the epitome of a “hot goalie” right now. Nevertheless, the Bears should be proud of the way they played tonight. It was a fantastic all-around effort and they definitely have a well-deserved rest coming up this week. See you Friday.

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Depleted Penguins defeat Injured Bears, 4-1

Nolan Schaefer had a rough night against the Penguins. Photo by Kyle Mace

It’s that time again: the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins came to town. While this game did not go the way we wanted it to go, it’s easy to imagine how fun a game would be with both teams at full strength.

I’ll admit that I began fearing the worst after the Penguins scored early in the first period. It took a little while for either team to get their first shot on goal, but the Penguins made their first shots efficient. They were able to get in Nolan Schaefer‘s face and covert a rebound shot.

Thankfully, the Bears were able to prevent a further deficit but they still never really got their offense going until very late in the first period. The Bears didn’t even register their first shot on goal until they had a power play halfway through the period.

The game finally started getting exciting during the second period. The Bears tied it up on the power play when Boyd Kane deflected a Brian Fahey shot. Immediately afterwards, the Bears were whistled for two penalties close together and had to kill off a 5-on-3 for almost a full two minutes. Led by Kane, Andrew Joudrey, and Sean Collins, the penalty kill unit did a fine job keeping it a tie game.

But Wilkes-Barre wouldn’t let Hershey take over and they regained the lead a few minutes later. Once again, they got in close to Schaefer and Geoff Walker scored on a nice assist from his teammate behind the net.

Even though they were behind, Hershey was definitely still in it. And they cranked it up for the third period. In the first half especially, they were getting some good shots off in attempts to tie it up.

Sadly, the game got away from them. Schaefer was screened and Joey Mormina scored to give the Penguins the insurance they need to control the game again. The Bears pulled the goalie for the final minute and a half but were unable to convert. To make things worse, the Penguins scored on the empty net. The Bears need to manage more than 16 shots on goal if they want to defeat these stronger teams. Bears lose 4-1.

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Bears Bounce Back With 2-1 Win Against Norfolk

Now that’s more like it!

The Bears did not have a lot of time to think about their loss to the Penguins on Sunday because they had to hit the road and take on the Norfolk Admirals tonight.

From the start, the Bears looked much more comfortable than they did on Sunday. They were moving their feet and getting shots in. Most importantly, Todd Ford was solid and confident in the crease. He stopped 29 of 30 shots in a fantastic outing. Good to see him bounce back after getting pulled on Sunday.

It was Sean Collins who gave Hershey the early lead. Dylan Yeo had the first shot of the play but the rebound came out to Collins who buried it past goaltender Mike Smith.

During the second period, the Admirals managed to tie it up. Mike Angelidis was right between the face-off circles when he sniped it in the top left corner past Ford. But with just 18 seconds left in the period, Keith Aucoin countered with a missile of his own. Beautiful goal that ended up being the game-winner. The third period saw no scoring change and the Bears won 2-1.

The best part of this? They did it with only five defensemen instead of the usual six. Josh Godfrey was called up before the game but his flight did not arrive in time to make the line-up. Instead, Joel Rechlicz got a spot as a thirteenth forward. Tonight’s win will serve as a much better game to reflect on during their next few days off. The line-up keeps changing, but the Bears will keep winning.

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Bears Pounded 7-1 by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins


Photo by AFC Media Photography.

It’s easy to make excuses when two very depleted teams meet up. Both the Hershey Bears and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins entered this game with a line-up missing some big names. Due to call-ups and injuries, they were very different teams than the ones that met earlier this season.

The Penguins were the better tonight, plain and simple. I don’t mean to downplay Hershey’s effort because the score is misleading. They may not have been outstanding, but they put up a good effort at first. The Penguins defense was fantastic and did not allow the Bears any opportunity to ease the pain of being severely outscored.

Tonight’s game will serve as a very brief learning experience. But, it’s probably in the team’s best interests to put it behind them and carry on. This game does not change anything about the season. It could admittedly have been a significant two points gained on the Penguins in the standings but there will be more chances. The injury bug is just not something you can prepare for.

I could recap every single goal but it would start getting a little too depressing. For Todd Ford, it was a night he hopes to forget. He allowed four goals on nine shots before he was yanked in favor of Jared DeMichiel.

It wasn’t completely a dark night though. In the third period, Brian Willsie finally broke Brad Thiessen’s shutout on a rebound shot. But that wouldn’t even be close to enough to provide a comeback. Penguins win 7-1.

And so, we power through. The Norfolk Admirals are up next on the schedule and provide another chance to show that Hershey is more than what they put up today.

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