Giroux Brings Goals

Alexander Giroux returned to the Bears lineup for the first time since December 6th and it was quite a return. Giroux finished the night with a goal and 3 assists to spark the Bears in a 6-2 victory in Hartford.

The MAG line was reunited and accounted for 4 goals and 5 assists with Graham Mink scoring 2 goals and Keith Aucoin adding a goal and 2 assists.

The performance by Hershey was dominant but the score could have been worse. Twice the Bears had 5 minute major power plays and during both there was a 2 minute minor called on Hartford. Meaning the Bears had 4 total minutes of 5 on 3 and didn't score during any of it.

Hartford stopped playing hockey pretty early on and started playing a very physical and aggressive game that landed 3 ejections and 82 penalty minutes. All told the Bears had 7 power plays and scored on 1 of them.

Simeon Varlamov got the start in net and was sensational again. He allowed 2 goals on 34 shots and destroyed any real chance of a comeback by the Wolf Pack with save after save. Overall Varly is now 5th in save percentage and 2nd in goals against in the AHL.

I am serious when I say this....enjoy Varly this season because he will NOT be in Hershey next season.


My Three Stars of the Game:

1. Alexander Giroux - 1 goal and 3 PRIMARY assists. Incredible return.
2. Graham Mink - 2 goals for a solid night.
3. Steve Pinnizzotto - 1 goal and 1 assist and he was all over the ice making plays

Grading the Performance:

• Offense - A - 6 goals....5 of which were even strength gives this unit a good showing. Giroux sparked something in that line that had been missing and they erupted. Everyone seemed to be playing with more urgency and intensity after the previous night's debacle.
• Defense - B - Solid performance. Hartford got 2 goals which might not have gone in if the defense was playing perfect but it wasn't too big of a deal. Hartford also got 34 shots in on Varly and that number should be lowered by the defense. They have to get into more shooting lanes.
• Goaltending - B+ - If I remember it correctly I think he could have stopped the first goal but that is really nit picking a little. He was tremendous again.
• Power Play - F - Sorry but this unit is a disgrace right now. Something needs to change. All they do is pass the puck around by the blue line and take shots and hope for rebounds.
• Penalty Kill - C - They allowed 1 goal on 3 attempts which isn't very good. They weren't really called upon to be too big for most of the game as the offense had the game in hand.
• Overall - B - A good offensive performance but can it be sustained. If everyone expects Alexander to do this every night the team will be in trouble. Everyone needs to keep up the pace and intensity to avoid any letdowns.

LET'S GO BEARS!!!