Calder Cup Playoffs

[JansenFan]

Well, the Hershey Bears are looking tough in the Eastern Conference Finals, with many players who played significant minutes with the Caps this season. They are the defending champs, so here is an update as they try to get into the finals for the second straight year.

STECKEL, POWER PLAY LEAD BEARS TO 7-2 WIN IN GAME 1
By John Walton

The BEARS romped to their most lopsided win of the 2007 Calder Cup Playoffs Saturday night, defeating the Manchester Monarchs 7-2 at GIANT Center in Game 1 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals. HERSHEY can take a 2-0 lead in the series Sunday with a game at GIANT Center at 6:00 p.m.

HERSHEY got off to a flying start in the first period, scoring three times against Monarchs goaltender Jason Labarbera in the first 9:12. Dave Steckel led off the game with his fifth goal of the playoffs at the 2:20 mark from Quintin Laing and Tim Wedderburn. The five-on-five goal gave the BEARS an early 1-0 lead. Scott Barney then took center stage with his team-leading seventh goal of the playoffs at 7:31 on the power play to give the BEARS a 2-0 advantage. On a Manchester man advantage less than two minutes later, HERSHEY would strike for a short-handed goal at 9:12 from Steckel and Tyler Sloan. The Monarchs would get one back before intermission when Matt Moulson scored on a turnover in front of Frederic Cassivi to cut the HERSHEY lead to 3-1. The BEARS fired 13 shots at Labarbera in the first, while Cassivi faced 10 chances from Manchester skaters.

The BEARS would score the only goal of the second period when Mike Green scored a power play goal from the slot at 10:45. HERSHEY took a 4-1 lead into the third period, with Manchester striking first in the final 20 minutes. Jeff Giuliano scored his third of the playoffs at 2:47 to cut the lead to 4-2, but the BEARS poured it on to finish it up. Chad Wiseman scored his first goal of the playoffs at 3:26 to restore the three-goal advantage at 5-2, with Kyle Wilson picking up two goals to put the icing on the cake. Wilson scored a power play marker at 10:43 to chase Labarbera from the game, and then scored an even strength goal at 14:21 against backup goaltender Barry Brust to round out the scoring. HERSHEY wins it going away 7-2 to take a one game to none lead in the best-of-seven series, with Game 2 Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. at GIANT Center.

Notes: Center Brad Ralph made his BEARS debut in the game. The centerman was officially signed this week after skating for Columbia (ECHL) in 2006-07. Dean Arsene made his 2007 playoff debut in the game, six weeks to the day after suffering a lower body injury that sidelined him for the first two rounds of the postseason. Former Monarchs Steckel and Barney played against their former team, while two other former Manchester players in Kip Brennan and Troy Milam watched from the stands. Game 2 of the series will be Sunday night at GIANT Center at 6:00 p.m., with tickets available at the GIANT Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911. The Hamilton Bulldogs and Chicago Wolves will resume the Western Conference Final Sunday as well, with Hamilton leading the best-of-seven series one game to none. The win was HERSHEY’S most lopsided playoff win since defeating the Milwaukee Admirals 7-2 in Game 4 of the 2006 Calder Cup Finals. Steckel now has three short-handed goals this playoff year.

GREEN SCORES TWICE, BEARS LEAD 2-0 IN SERIES
By John Walton

The BEARS put another crooked number on the board in the first period against Manchester en route to a 4-1 victory at GIANT Center Sunday night. The win puts HERSHEY just two wins short of clinching a berth in the 2007 Calder Cup Finals with the series moving to Manchester Wednesday night.

HERSHEY would again open the scoring early against Manchester backstop Jason Labarbera when Mike Green scored his fifth of the playoffs at 4:35. The assists were granted to Dean Arsene and Andrew Joudrey to give the BEARS a 1-0 lead. Five different minor penalties were called against HERSHEY, leading to three different five-one-three power plays for Manchester. It was on the two-man advantage that the Monarchs were able to break onto the scoreboard when Patrick O’Sullivan scored at 17:14 to tie the game at 1-1. The BEARS however would take the lead before intermission when Kyle Wilson scored at 19:29. Scott Barney threaded a pass low to Wilson who beat Labarbera late in the period. HERSHEY led the game 2-1 after 20 minutes.

The Monarchs picked up nine more shots in the second period, but could not score. HERSHEY picked up the lone goal in the middle stanza when Green potted his second of the game and sixth of the playoffs at 7:32 from Tyler Sloan. The BEARS carried a 3-1 lead into the third period despite only getting 16 shots on Labarbera through 40 minutes. Matt Hendricks rounded out the scoring with an empty net goal at 19:19. HERSHEY killed off 13 of 14 Manchester power plays in the game to take a two games to none lead in the series. Goaltender Frederic Cassivi won his 10th game of the playoffs against just two defeats in the 2007 postseason.

Notes: The two teams now head to New Hampshire for Game 3 of the series on Wednesday night at Verizon Wireless Arena. Face-off Wednesday is at 7:05 p.m., with the two teams hooking up for Game 4 of the series Saturday night at 7:35 p.m. Andrew Joudrey returned to the lineup Sunday after missing Game 1 of the series due to injury. Brad Ralph, who made his BEARS debut in Game 1 Saturday, was scratched. Deryk Engelland re-entered the lineup Sunday in place of Tim Wedderburn. Green now has points in four straight games.

BEARS IN SEARCH OF COMMANDING 3-0 LEAD WEDNESDAY

Already leading the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals two games to none, HERSHEY looks to move within a single win of the 2007 Calder Cup Finals Wednesday at Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH. Game time is at 7:05 p.m.

Back-to-back wins at GIANT Center this past weekend in Games 1 and 2 have put HERSHEY in the driver's seat in the best-of-seven series. The BEARS won 7-2 in Game 1, which was quickly followed up with a 4-1 win over the Monarchs in Game 2 on Sunday. Defenseman Mike Green was named the game's number one star Sunday, scoring two goals. Frederic Cassivi is now 10-2 this playoff year, and has not suffered a regulation defeat in the 2007 postseason.

The 2007 Western Conference Finals also resume Wednesday night with the Hamilton Bulldogs hosting the Chicago Wolves at Copps Coliseum. The Bulldogs can also move within a single victory of advancing to the Calder Cup Finals with a win Wednesday night after winning the first two games of the series in Chicago last Friday and Sunday. Game 4 of the West Final will be Friday, with Game 5 slated for Sunday north of the border.

The BEARS and Monarchs will play Game 3 on Wednesday night, and then not play again until Game 4 in Manchester on Saturday evening. If Manchester wins either Wednesday or Friday, a Game 5 will be played Sunday evening at 6:05 p.m. Game 6 and 7, if necessary, would be played at GIANT Center next Wednesday and Thursday, May 30 and 31. Tickets for HERSHEY'S next home playoff game are on sale at the GIANT Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911. Wednesday's game can be heard via all three BEARS Radio Network stations, including 100.1 FM WQIC in Lebanon, WLPA-AM 1490 in Lancaster and WHYL-AM 960 in Carlisle. John Walton has the call of the action from the Granite State beginning with the pregame show at 6:45 p.m. The game can also be heard worldwide via Pennlive.com and WHYLRadio.com, and can be seen through video provided by B2 Networks. The B2 feed can be reached through an icon on the homepage of HersheyBears.com.

For those of you who are interested, I'll try to keep updating this thread. I also may cover the finals should the Bears advance, time permitting.

[JansenFan]

ONE WIN AWAY FROM THE FINALS: BEARS WIN 4-1 AT MANCHESTER
By John Walton

More of the same against the Monarchs equaled another 4-1 victory for HERSHEY Wednesday night, advancing the BEARS within a single win of the 2007 Calder Cup Finals. Although the game was more even through the first two periods, the defending champs pulled away in the third period to take a three games to none lead in the series.

With neither team scoring in the first period, HERSHEY drew first blood when Kyle Wilson scored his seventh of the playoffs from Tomas Fleischmann and Mike Green at 4:44 of the second. Fleischmann then found the back of the net himself with a top right corner shot at 17:26 from Wilson to give the BEARS a 2-0 lead. HERSHEY backstop Frederic Cassivi stopped 25 shots through two periods to keep Manchester at bay.

The BEARS would tack on an insurance goal in the third period at the 11:40 mark when Green scored his seventh of the playoffs. The goal from Wilson and Fleischmann gave HERSHEY a 3-0 lead. Manchester would score late in the third period on the power play when Peter Harrold scored on a rebound against Cassivi at 16:24. The BEARS would round out the scoring just over a minute later when Chad Wiseman scored an unassisted marker, banking a shot off the right goal post and behind Monarchs goaltender Jason Labarbera. HERSHEY is just one win away from advancing to the Calder Cup Finals for the second consecutive season with Game 4 coming up on Saturday night at Verizon Wireless Arena.

Notes: Kip Brennan made his series debut in the game after missing the first two games against Manchester at GIANT Center. Tim Wedderburn also re-entered the lineup, with Dean Arsene and Louis Robitaille out of Game 3. Former BEARS forward Graham Mink attended the game. The two teams will now wait until Saturday night for Game 4 of the series at Verizon Wireless Arena. Face-off Saturday night is at 7:35 p.m. Tickets for HERSHEY’S next home playoff game are on sale at the GIANT Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911. With his second period assist, Green now has points in five straight games, and has goals in three in a row. Brennan received a gross misconduct at 19:40 of the third period for an altercation with a fan. HERSHEY has outscored the Monarchs 15-4 in the first three games of the current series. Cassivi is now 27-7 in playoff games the last two years.

[BossHog]

They're on fire!

Cassivi's been phenomenal, and Green really looks like this will be his last stint in Hershey before becoming a mainstay on the Caps.

[JansenFan]

Cassivi didn't have much luck with the big boys, but as far as AHL goalies are concerned, they don't get much better.

C'mon, 27-7 in two years worth of playoff games? There's a reason the Bears won last year's cup and are on pace to repeat.

[BossHog]

Cassivi didn't have much luck with the big boys, but as far as AHL goalies are concerned, they don't get much better.

C'mon, 27-7 in two years worth of playoff games? There's a reason the Bears won last year's cup and are on pace to repeat.

There probably isn't all that much between Brent Johnson and Cassivi either... a little NHL confidence maybe...

And the real kicker?

Michael Neuvirth has been so dominant in the Candian Junior hockey playoffs, that it's near impossible to see him NOT making the Bears next year. He's likely too young to make the move to the Caps just yet... but I can't see him coming back to junior. He plays on a junior team (Plymouth Whalers) that has another top goaltending prospect, and I doubt he'll go back to Plymouth to share time with him.

That means that Neuvirth is going to likely have to be moved to the Bears and share time with Cassivi as he matures.

Other than one bad game in the Memorial Cup, Plymouth can thank Washington's first pick in the draft last year (4th overall), for a much longer playoff run than they deserved. He was lights out.

So what a conundrum. Kozig's a stud and one of the most under-rated goalies in the NHL... he has the job until he says he's done IMO...Johnson's an excellent backup but maybe not much more... Cassivi has proven that you can't play any better in the A... and Neuvirth is on the way...

If I was George McPhee (which obviously I'm not), I'd actually try to get something for Brent Johnson in a trade... move Cassivi to the Caps bench, and let Neuvirth get the lion's share of time in Hershey. While it may not be ideal at first, I don't see any other way to develop the talent they have in a meaningful manner. not that they have to rush Neuvirth, but Olie's not going to play forever and it would be nice to see Neuvirth ready to take the reigns when Olie's done.

[JansenFan]

This re-building for the Caps has been painful at times, but man have they really packed their farm system with talent.

Hopefully in a couple of years, it will start to pay dividends with the big boys.

[BossHog]

This re-building for the Caps has been painful at times, but man have they really packed their farm system with talent.

Hopefully in a couple of years, it will start to pay dividends with the big boys.

Unfortunately... there isn't always a correlation between 'good in the AHL' and making it in the bigs. Often confidence is the only difference and it never comes unless you actually play in the NHL.

That isn't to say that there's no correlation... some kids just need a little seasoning, a little bit of maturing and a little bit of experience. Hopefully this invaluable experience gained will be what puts guys like Flash and Green over the proverbial hump and allows them to contribute to the Caps on a full-time basis, as early as next season.

[Irn-Bru]

I liked what I saw of Green last year.

[JansenFan]

He's got pretty good puck-handling skills for a defensemen. It will be interesting to see what happens when he, as BH mentioned, gets the confidence to be more aggresive at the top level.

[BossHog]

The Caps blue line isn't exactly chock full of talent at the moment, so he's got as good a chance in Washington as anywhere.

I'm actually looking t Jeff Schultz but for totally different reasons. The dude is huge and would have been better suited to the 'old NHL' but he has a lot of potential as well. The guy looks seven feet tall on skates and should be able to handle himself physically even though he's only 21 years old. (he's actually 6'6", but that's huge for a hockey player and there would likely only be a handful of guys in the whole league that are bigger). He needs to develop more of a mean streak, put on another 15 or 20 pounds, and pattern his game after a guy like Chris Pronger.

The Caps picked up Pothier to be the puck-handling defenseman... and I see Green in much the same light. But do you need two of them? Especially when you're going to put Semin on the point on the power play anyway and make him the 'puck-handling defenseman.'

They need someone back there putting the fear of god into opposing wingers as well. Schultz has the potential to be that guy.

But having a defense corps that includes 21-year old Jeff schultz, 22-year old Mike Green, 24-year old Steve Eminger, 24-year old Milan Jurcina and 25-year old Shaone Morrison is an AWFULLY young, inexperienced group.

[JansenFan]

The good thing is that they are all quickly becoming experienced because of the total, utter lack of experience in front of them.

I agree with Shultz. He's the Kevin Hatcher-type guy they need. Big and nasty.

They've also got a kid named Sasha Pokulok that's 6'5 220 down in Mrytle Beach, and Joe Finley who is 6-7, 229. He'll be a Junior next season at the University of North Dakota, and he's got the potential to be pretty good. He needs to put on a little weight to be effective at that height, but man, he can be a monster.

[BossHog]

The good thing is that they are all quickly becoming experienced because of the total, utter lack of experience in front of them.

I agree with Shultz. He's the Kevin Hatcher-type guy they need. Big and nasty.

They've also got a kid named Sasha Pokulok that's 6'5 220 down in Mrytle Beach, and Joe Finley who is 6-7, 229. He'll be a Junior next season at the University of North Dakota, and he's got the potential to be pretty good. He needs to put on a little weight to be effective at that height, but man, he can be a monster.

I think the unfortunate thing is that there just isn't as much room for the big, nasty defenseman anymore. I think every team could still use one, but any more and you could find yourslf a little slow in the new NHL. Zdenko Chara is still one of the vERY best blue-liners though, so size and nastiness can certainly still be a very valuable asset in the NHL.

I thik Patrick McNeil might be the Caps best defensive prospect, but he's still playing junior hockey so he'll be a few years yet. I only got to see him play six or seven times this year, but he played well every time.

[JansenFan]

HOW SWEEP IT IS! BEARS HEADING TO CALDER CUP FINALS AFTER 3-1 WIN SATURDAY NIGHT
By John Walton

The BEARS are going back to the Calder Cup Finals for the 20th time in team history after a 3-1 win in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals Saturday night in Manchester. The win rounded out perhaps the most dominating series HERSHEY has had in seven series wins over the last two playoff seasons.

HERSHEY again scored first in the game, the fourth straight game that HERSHEY scored first in the series. Matt Hendricks picked up his seventh goal of the playoffs at the 13:09 mark from Troy Milam and Alexandre Giroux Milam picked up the primary assist with a pass from the left post to the far side. The BEARS picked up 11 shots in the first period to Manchester’s nine, and took a 1-0 lead to the dressing room.

Milam was again the focus for HERSHEY’S second goal, when Scott Barney scored at 5:03 of the second. The goal, originally credited to Milam, was tipped by Barney after Troy’s shot from the left point. Cassivi would shut the door the rest of the way in the second period as the BEARS took a 2-0 lead into the final period.

Manchester would close within a goal at the 12:09 mark of the third period when Matt Ryan picked up his third goal of the playoffs, but that’s as close as the Monarchs would come. Hendricks would pick up the empty net goal at 19:25 to round out the scoring from Quintin Laing and Andy Hedlund, and the BEARS advance to the 2007 Calder Cup Finals with a 3-1 win at Verizon Wireless Arena. HERSHEY never trailed in the series, outscoring the Monarchs 18-5.

Notes: Hall-of-Fame defenseman Ray Bourque attended the game and provided color commentary on the BEARS Radio Network during the second period Saturday night. Forward Pete Vandermeer made his 2007 playoff debut in the game, skating in place of the suspended Kip Brennan. Defenseman Troy Milam played in the game Saturday for the first time since Game 2 of the East Division Semi-Finals April 19 vs. Albany. Kyle Wilson is second in the AHL in rookie scoring to Providence’s David Krejci. Tickets are on sale now for the first two Calder Cup Final games at GIANT Center on Friday, June 1 and Saturday June 2. Tickets are available by calling the GIANT Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911. HERSHEY advances to the Calder Cup Finals for the 20th time in team history, and for the second year in a row. The BEARS will also be looking for the team’s American Hockey League record 10th Calder Cup Title.

[JansenFan]

Hershey Bears to Open Calder Cup Finals on Friday, June 1

Capitals prospects chase second straight AHL title



ARLINGTON, Va. – The Hershey Bears, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Washington Capitals, will face the Hamilton Bulldogs in the Calder Cup finals beginning on Friday, June 1, at the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pa. The Bears are seeking to become the AHL’s first team to win back-to-back Calder Cups since 1990-91.



AHL Calder Cup Finals Schedule

Fri., June 1 Game 1: Hamilton at Hershey Hershey, Pa. 7 p.m.

Sat., June 2 Game 2: Hamilton at Hershey Hershey, Pa. 7 p.m.

Mon., June 4 Game 3: Hershey at Hamilton Hamilton, Ont. 7:30 p.m.

Wed., June 6 Game 4: Hershey at Hamilton Hamilton, Ont. 7:30 p.m.

*Thurs., June 7 Game 5: Hershey at Hamilton Hamilton, Ont. 7:30 p.m.

*Tue., June 12 Game 6: Hamilton at Hershey Hershey, Pa. 7 p.m.

*Fri., June 15 Game 7: Hamilton at Hershey Hershey, Pa. 7 p.m.

* If necessary



Sixteen Capitals prospects have seen action for Hershey in its playoff run, which included a four-game sweep of the Manchester Monarchs to claim the Richard F. Canning Trophy as the Eastern Conference champions. Hershey, which earned the MacGregor Kilpatrick Trophy for posting the AHL’s best record during the regular season, is 12-2 in the playoffs.



Seven current Bears saw action in Washington this season, led by defenseman Mike Green, who played 70 games for the Capitals. Green leads all AHL defensemen with seven goals in the postseason and ranks second with 13 points in 14 games. Left wing Tomas Fleischmann, who played 29 games for the Capitals, shares the Hershey team lead with 17 points (four goals, 13 assists), including 11 points in his last six games.



Capitals fans can follow the Calder Cup playoff action at WashingtonCaps.com or CalderCup.com and can listen to live audio of the Bears’ games at HersheyBears.com. Streaming video of the games is also available via B2 Network at HersheyBears.com. Tickets for Games 1 and 2 of the Calder Cup finals are available by calling the GIANT Center box office at 717-534-3911.



Media notes: The Bears practice at 10:30 a.m. each of the next three days in Hershey. Wednesday’s practice is at the Hersheypark Arena, while Thursday’s practice and Friday’s morning skate will take place at the GIANT Center … Games 3 and 4 will be broadcast by Harrisburg, Pa., ABC affiliate WHTM-TV27. Game 5, if necessary, would be carried on digital cable in central Pennsylvania.

[JansenFan]

XM SATELLITE RADIO TO AIR GAMES FROM 2007 CALDER CUP FINAL


SPRINGFIELD, Mass. . The American Hockey League announced today that XM Satellite Radio and XM Canada will be carrying Games 1, 5, 6 and 7 of the 2007 Calder Cup Final on their all-hockey Home Ice channel 204.

XM, which has previously carried the 2006 and 2007 AHL All-Star Games and the 2006 Calder Cup Final as well as regular-season AHL action, will begin its coverage of the league championship series between the Hershey Bears and the Hamilton Bulldogs on Friday night with Game 1 from the Giant Center in Hershey, Pa.

2007 Calder Cup Final games on XM (all times Eastern):

Friday, June 1 --
Hamilton at Hershey,
7:00 (Game 1)

Thursday, June 7 --
Hershey at Hamilton, 7:30
(Game 5, if nec.)

Tuesday, June 12 --
Hamilton at Hershey, 7:00
(Game 6, if nec.)

Friday, June 15 --
Hamilton at Hershey, 7:00
(Game 7, if nec.)

The BEARS Radio Network will provide the feed for all four games, with John Walton calling the action. Grady Whittenburg, voice of the Binghamton Senators, will join John for Game 1 of the series, with ABC-27 Sports Director Gregg Mace joining Walton on the call in Game 5 should the game be necessary.

XM Canada is the exclusive Canadian licensee of XM Satellite Radio, the United States' leading satellite radio service with more than 7.6 million subscribers. XM's Home Ice all-hockey talk channel (channel 204) provides XM subscribers with groundbreaking hockey talk, and XM is home to live play-by-play coverage of more than 1,000 National Hockey League games each season as the exclusive satellite radio broadcaster of NHL games starting in 2007-08.

In operation since 1936, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 83 percent of today's NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and this season marks the sixth consecutive year in which more than 6 million fans have attended AHL games across North America.

[JansenFan]

Busy weekend for the Bears, as the series is tied at one game a piece...

DOGS STUN BEARS 4-0 IN GAME 1, 4-0
By John Walton

The BEARS fell flat for the first time this playoff year, dropping Game 1 of the Calder Cup Finals 4-0 at GIANT Center Friday night. Goaltending, the key to HERSHEY’S success the last two playoff years, was the key for Hamilton Friday.

After the two teams were scoreless in the first 20 minutes of the game, Hamilton got the scoring started by virtue of the man advantage. Matt D’Agostini picked up his third goal of the postseason on the power play at 1:21 of the second. Mikhail Grabovski then scored his third of the playoffs at 3:54 up one man to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead. Hamilton then made it 3-0 at even strength at 11:35 when Corey Locke scored an unassisted goal. The marker was Locke’s ninth of the postseason, and the BEARS trailed 3-0 after two periods.

Into the third period, the BEARS managed 20 shots against Hamilton goaltender Carey Price but couldn’t score. The Bulldogs scored a third power play goal with Locke chipping one in at 13:27 to round out the scoring. The shutout for Price was the first time this season that HERSHEY was blanked in a game.

Notes: A limited number of tickets remain for Game 2 of the series Saturday night at GIANT Center. Tickets are available at the GIANT Center box office or by calling (717) 534-3911. Dean Arsene played just his third playoff game of 2007 Friday, with Troy Milam scratched from the lineup. Louis Robitaille re-entered the lineup in place of Pete Vandermeer in the contest. The game was broadcast nationwide on XM Satellite Radio’s Home Ice channel 204. XM will also carry Games 5, 6 and 7 of the series if needed. Games 3, 4 and 5 will be carried in central Pennsylvania by WHTM-TV (abc-27) from Hamilton. Air-time on radio for the games from Canada will be 7:10 p.m., with TV time slated for 7:30 p.m. HERSHEY is now 6-2 at home in the 2007 Calder Cup Playoffs. The loss was also the first in regulation for the BEARS in 15 games this playoff year. The game was delayed nearly 30 minutes due to a power failure caused by a severe thunderstorm in the area.

ALL EVEN AT ONE AFTER THE BEARS WIN GAME 2 BY A 4-2 FINAL
By John Walton

Down one game after a home loss, the BEARS rebounded well to defeat the Hamilton Bulldogs 4-2 at GIANT Center Saturday night. The series now moves to Ontario for Game 3 on Monday night with the Finals tied at one game apiece.

Hamilton again opened the scoring in the first period with a Zach Stortini goal at 5:39 of the first to lift the Bulldogs into a 1-0 lead. Unlike Game 1, HERSHEY this time had the response. Scott Barney scored his team leading ninth goal of the playoffs at 10:27 on the power play from Kyle Wilson to tie the game at 1-1. The BEARS enjoyed most of the momentum late in the period, outshooting the ‘Dogs 15-8 at the end of 20 minutes, all tied at 1-1.

The Bulldogs would again grab a lead in the second when Kyle Chipchura tipped in a Dan Jancevski shot at 7:21 of the second to take a 2-1 lead, but the BEARS would not be denied in the middle frame. Jakub Klepis tied the game with a highlight reel tip off a Tomas Fleischmann pass out of the corner at 8:03 to tie the game, and Barney would then give HERSHEY its first lead of the series later in the period. Barney tipped a Chad Wiseman shot short side past Carey Price into the back of the net at 13:16 to give the BEARS a 3-2 advantage. HERSHEY fired 12 more shots at the Hamilton net in the second, compared to just seven for the Bulldogs.

Into the third period, the Bulldogs got just seven shots in the final frame, and HERSHEY picked up the lone goal. Chris Bourque scored at 8:53 of the third from Matt Hendricks to round out the scoring as the BEARS evened the Calder Cup Finals at one game apiece. Goaltender Frederic Cassivi made 20 saves to win his 13th game of the 2007 postseason. The BEARS finished the game with 40 shots to Hamilton’s 22.

Notes: The series now moves to Canada for Game 3 on Monday night in Hamilton. Following a day off in the series on Tuesday, HERSHEY will square off with the Bulldogs in Game 4 on Wednesday night. All start times for games in Hamilton will be 7:30 p.m. WHTM-TV will televise all three games of the series at Copps Coliseum, with abc-27 carrying the game live Monday and Wednesday night. Game 5 will be on WHTM’S digital cable channel 246 on Thursday. The assist for Louis Robitaille on Bourque’s third period goal was his first point of the 2007 postseason. Barney now leads the team in goals with 10 this playoff year. HERSHEY dropped Game 1 of the 1997 Finals to Hamilton at HERSHEYPARK before winning the next four to claim the Calder Cup at Copps Coliseum. Cassivi is now 29-8 in the playoffs the last two seasons.

[BossHog]

I don't think I can go tonight, but I'll probably go on Wednesday.

It's only about an hour and a half up the road for me.

[JansenFan]

Maybe you'll run into Jesse Lumsden.

[BossHog]

Maybe you'll run into Jesse Lumsden.

Then I hope I have a head of steam and that he's standing still.

Yeah... I could definitely see him being there considering that he and Joey Tenute are good buddies and Tenute is coming back to his hometown for the series.

[JansenFan]

Precisely why I mentioned it.

[JansenFan]

Game 3 goes to Hamilton...

BEARS FALL FLAT IN SECOND PERIOD, LOSE 5-2 AT HAMILTON
By John Walton

Game 3 of the Calder Cup Finals moved north of the border, and the Bulldogs defensemen broke out the big sticks in a 5-2 win at Copps Coliseum Monday night. The victory gave Hamilton a two games to one lead in the 2007 Calder Cup Finals.

Hamilton didn’t take long to find the back of the net, scoring on the power play just 1:20 in. Danny Groulx scored on a center point shot to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. Through most of the rest of the period, the BEARS had numerous power play chances but could not find the back of the goal until the final seconds of period one. Jakub Klepis took a Tomas Fleischmann pass and broke through the left circle to score short side against Carey Price. The goal at 19:49 tied the game and took HERSHEY to the dressing room all tied at 1-1.

The Bulldogs broke the game wide open in the second period, scoring four times to take a 5-1 lead after 40 minutes. Andre Benoit scored his second of the playoffs at 1:19 to start the scoring barrage, with Ryan O’Byrne chiming in with his second of the postseason at 7:58. Dan Jancevski then scored his third from Zack Stortini at 12:28. Groulx then potted his second of the game at 19:18 on the power play. All five goals through two periods for Hamilton were scored by defenseman, and the ‘Dogs took a big lead into the final period.

While the ‘Dogs were done on the scoreboard, the BEARS would chip in one more to round out the scoring. Klepis scored his second of the game on a pass from Fleischmann at 11:21 to round it out. Hamilton takes a two games to one lead in the best-of-seven Calder Cup Finals, with Wednesday’s Game 4 up next.

Notes: Wednesday’s Game 4 will be televised again by WHTM-TV in central Pennsylvania beginning at 7:30 p.m. The two teams take a day to rest on Tuesday before resuming the series. Game 5 will be Thursday night at 7:30 before the series potentially returns to central PA next Tuesday night