Streak Ends at the Alamo

Well the Bears went to Texas for the first time ever during the regular season and so far they don't like playing there.

San Antonio, which has won 5 in a row, shut out the Bears 3-0 behind a very impressive 41 save effort from goaltender Josh Tordjman. He was nothing short of spectacular last night.

The Bears were playing without the AHL's leading goal scorer and the AHL's third leading goal scorer in Alexandre Giroux and Oskar Osala. Those two players have accounted for almost 30% of Hershey's goals this season and with both of them on recall to Washington it showed a little bit.

No team can go through a season playing the way Hershey has been playing in the previous 11 games. And as the best team in the league you are going to get every other teams best games. Everyone wants to knock you off.

Hershey ran into a hot goaltender and a hot team last night in San Antonio and couldn't solve the problems. The ice didn't look very good and I am sure that affected the Bears offensively because they couldn't get clean passes and the puck was bouncing around. But that is the way it is sometimes and you have to be able to overcome it.

2 of San Antonio's goals came in the first 2 minutes of the 3rd period when the ice was new and good. Hershey just didn't show any urgency until after they were done 2 goals but it was too late. The Rampage played good enough in their own end and Tordjman played great in the third period to win last night.


My Three Stars of the Game:

1. Josh Tordjman - won the game for the Rampage by keeping the Hershey O off the scoresheet
2. Derek Nesbitt - not the game winner but his goal to make it 3-0 ended Hershey's chances
3. Chad Kolarik - he did have the game winner on a decent shot that Varly probably should have had

Grading the Performance:

• Offense - C - Not sure what really happened in this game to the offense. They got 41 shots but I would say 3/4 of them were easy saves for Tordjman. A lot of trouble getting set up in the zone and the ice definitely impacted some breakaways when the puck jumped over some sticks.
• Defense - B - I didn't think this unit played terrible. Actually I think they might have been the best unit on the ice. The first goal was a good shot and a questionable play by Varly, the second was on a deflection, and the third on the penalty kill. Not great but not a bad performance.
• Goaltending - C - Varly made 32 saves but gave up MANY rebounds. I think half the shots he stopped came back out as big rebounds but luckily the defense was there to clear the puck. Not a terrible game but not up to the standards that he has set for himself.
• Power Play - F - 6 opportunities but no goals. I can't remember a power play where the Bears got set up in the offensive zone.
• Penalty Kill - B - Unspectacular which is not a bad thing for a penalty kill. They seemed to be chasing a lot more than usual but killed off 4 of 5 chances.
• Overall - C - It wasn't a good game by the Bears and it showed. 3-0 is not how this team wants to play obviously. The absences of Giroux and Osala should make a difference but I don't think it should make THAT MUCH of one. Some other guys have to step up.

LET'S GO BEARS!!! REBOUND AGAINST HOUSTON!!!