After 3 straight games against division opponents to kick off the 09-10 season the Bears get a division break tonight as they host the Manchester Monarchs. Manchester missed the playoffs last season by 5 points and is looking to rebound. They lost their top 3 scorers from last season but have added a few players that could help them get to the postseason.
Manchester has yet to play a home game this season and has one more road game after tonight before they do. They have spent the past 2 nights in Norfolk as they split those games, winning Friday night and getting shut out last night.
Manchester is not what you would call on offensive juggernaut as they only have 8 goals in 3 games and have not converted on any of their 10 power play opportunities. But defensively they are stout. They have given up 6 goals in 3 games and only 1 of those are on the power play as they are 6th in the league as they kill 94.1% off the power plays.
Hershey comes into this game with confidence after handling two of their main challengers this season on the road. Friday the Bears took down the rival Penguins 3-1 and then last night they destroyed a team many consider to be much improved, Binghamton, 8-1 in New York.
Hopefully Hershey can come out firing and not have too much of a letdown after a couple of big wins. Both these teams are playing their 3rd in 3 nights but for Manchester this is the one they probably had circled of the 3 while the Bears were mainly focused on the first 2.
If Hershey wins they will start 4-0 for the 3rd time in 4 years...both the previous times resulted in trips to the Calder Cup Finals......just saying.
Hershey Bears
record ~ 3-0-0-0 6 points
standings ~ 1st in East Division
most recent game ~ 8-1 Win @ Binghamton, 10/10
last 5 games ~ 3-0-0-0
home record ~ 1-0-0-0
goals for ~ 14
goals against ~2
power play ~ 33.0% (2nd)
penalty kill ~ 100.0% (1st)
Manchester Monarchs
record ~ 2-1-0-0 4 points
standings ~ 3rd in Atlantic Division
most recent game ~ 2-0 Loss @ Norfolk, 10/10
last 5 games ~ 2-1-0-0
road record ~ 2-1-0-0
goals for ~ 8
goals against ~ 6
power play ~ 0.0% (28th)
penalty kill ~ 94.1% (6th)
last time teams met - First meeting this season, Hershey won both games last season.
Players to watch:
Hershey:
RW Andrew Gordon (10)- Team leader in goals and points (4 and 7) had a goal and 2 assists last night. All 4 goals have come on the power play.
LW Oskar Osala (36) - The big Fin has been somewhat quiet on the score sheet so far this season with no points in 3 games but his physical game seems to be better as he has been crashing the net and taking the body with regularity.
D Greg Amadio (32) - With both of Hershey's main fighters out with injuries to this point Ammo has stepped up and defended his teammates. Has also added 2 assists and a +3 rating.
Monarchs:
C Andrei Loktionov (18) - Rookie is leading the team in goals with 3 in 3 games. Last season in the OHL he totaled 24 goals and 42 assists.
C Oscar Moller (10) - Spent most of last season with the LA Kings he returns to Manchester to start the season and has 1 goal and 2 assists so far.
RW Scott Parse (23) - One of the top returning scorers from last season he has started off this year with 5 assists in 3 games.
LET'S GO BEARS!!!
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