Bears @ Phantoms Preview

Hershey Bears
record ~ 8-3-0-0 16 points
standings ~ 1st in East Division
most recent game ~ 4-3 SO Win @ Albany, 10/31
last 5 games ~ 3-2-0-0
road record ~ 5-1
goals for ~ 50
goals against ~ 39

Philadelphia Phantoms
record ~ 4-5-0-0 8 points
standings ~ 5th in East Division
most recent game ~ 5-2 Win @ Hershey 11/1
last 5 games ~ 3-2-0-0
home record ~ 1-2
goals for ~ 25
goals against ~ 26

last time teams met - Philly won 5-2 last night in Hershey.

Players to watch:

Hershey:

MAG Line - What has happened to the Mink/Aucoin/Giroux line? They have combined for 3 points in the last 3 games. And that was all on 1 goal against Albany. This line needs to pick up the play NOW.
D Bryan Helmer (20) - He seems to be a step behind everyone on the ice. I personally feel he is responsible for a goal in the Albany game and in the Philly game. He was on the ice for 4 of 5 Philly goals last night including all 3 power play goals.
C Mathieu Perrault (24) - Why was he scratched? Move him to wing and let him play. Take Darren Reid and put him on the bench. Joudrey played good but they need Perrault in there. He can create offense and the Bears need it now.

Philadelphia:

D Danny Syvret (25) - Former Bear Syvret had 2 assists last night to extend his team leading points to 10 points, 4 more than the next Phantom.
RW Claude Giroux (19) - Scored a goal last night against Hershey but also took 2 penalties that were bad penalties. He is a potential game changer though.
LW Boyd Kane (28) - He scored 3 goals in Hershey last night. The former Bears captain is a player of concern for the Bears.


News and Notes:

• Shaone Morrison was injured last night in the Capitals game and a call up is probably likely. No matter who they take it is not a good time but it will be interesting to see who they call up. Will it be Alzner or Lepisto or is Sloan the man again.
• Michal Neuvirth will be back in South Carolina early this week. Will the organization try to loan him out now? The goaltending in Washington and Hershey is BAD right now..can he help?
• Sloan didn't play very well last night either. He was on the ice with Helmer on 3 of those goals. We need more from him.
• I will have my take on what the Bears problems are and what they need to do to fix them after watching another game this evening. Check in tomorrow or Tuesday for that post.

COME ON BEARS!!!!