The Bears are up in New York for the second time this week to play the Rochester Americans. This is the second and final meeting this season between the two oldest franchises in the AHL. Hershey came into the league in 1938 while the Amerks came in 1956. And by the way the next oldest team after these two is the Providence Bruins who came into the league in 1992. So it isn't even close.
Hershey has had some success in New York this season going 4-1 so far with 2 more games to come this month (both at Binghamton next week). Monday's 3-2 win at Syracuse was important for the Bears as they had just lost 4 straight before that for the first time since they started their Washington affiliation in 05-06.
Tonight the Bears visit one of the worst teams in the league in Rochester who have truly struggled this season to score goals. Their leading goal scorer only has 15 goals. 6 Bears have more than that. As a team the Amerks only have 124 goals which is good for lowest total in the league.
Their goaltending situation right now is pretty good though. I am not sure which guy will play tonight (every time I guess it seems I am wrong) but with either guy, Tyler Plante or Mike Brodeur, they should be okay. Brodeur has been very good all season with a record of 14-6-3 and a goals against at 2.21 and save percentage at .930. Plante has been even better in February with 7 games played (including 1 where he left after the first for allowing 2 goals) and a 2.02 gaa and a .935 save percentage.
If Hershey had either of those numbers in goal they would be in much better shape. Michal Neuvirth remains on recall with the Capitals and Simeon Varlamov remains sidelined with a leg injury. That leaves Daren Machesney and Kris Mayotte to carry the team this weekend.
Hershey should have the services of Jay Beagle and Karl Alzner however as both were reassigned earlier this week.
Hershey Bears
record ~ 36-16-0-4 76 points
standings ~ 1st in East Division
playoff positioning - 3 points ahead of 2nd place
most recent game ~ 3-2 Win @ Syracuse, 2/16
last 5 games ~ 1-4-0-0
road record ~ 17-8-0-2
goals for ~ 210
goals against ~165
power play ~ 17.9% (12th)
penalty kill ~ 80.3% (24th)
Rochester Americans
record ~ 20-31-0-5 45 points
standings ~ Last in North Division
playoff positioning ~ 18 points out of 4th
most recent game ~ 2-1 SO Loss vs Grand Rapids, 2/18
last 5 games ~ 2-2-0-1
home record ~ 10-14-0-3
goals for ~ 124
goals against ~ 183
power play ~ 11.6% (28th)
penalty kill ~ 80.1% (25th)
last time teams met - Hershey won 8-3 in Hershey on October 26.
Players to watch:
Hershey:
C Keith Aucoin (11)- He is as important to this teams offense as Alexandre Giroux is. He still leads the team and the AHL with 51 assists and 70 points.
LW Alexandre Giroux (12) - He is second on the team and in the league with 64 points and is still the league leader in goals with 38.
The Defense - They played better in the game against Syracuse but that was just the first step. They might have lost Patty McNeil to injury, McNeill was arguably one of the better d-men this season.
Amerks:
RW Michael Repik (26) - The team leader with 33 points and tied for second in goals with 13. He has been hot of late with 6 goals and 8 assists in his last 11 games.
C Janis Sprukts (5) - He leads the team with 15 goals and is second on the team with 31 points. He has 3 goals in his last 5 games.
LW Karl Stewart (19) - Tied for second on the team in goals with 13. He has 4 goals and 2 assists in February.
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