Rochester returns to Hershey tonight

Last nights game surely left both the Bears and the Devils a little tired.  But Hershey has to be ready to go as the Rochester Americans make their second trip to Hershey tonight. 












The first time they were here they skated away with the win as Hershey celebrated their home opener.  Surely the Bears want a little payback for that.

Rochester comes into the game having lost 8 of their last 10.  They have scored more than 2 goals only twice in their last 12 games and they lost one of those games.  They have 20 goals in their last 12 games.  20.  That isn't too many.  Especially when you are allowing 38 in those games.

They don't really have a true goal scorer on the team but they have plenty of playmakers.  They have 4 players with 20+ assists but only 2 players with double digit goals.  So while they aren't a top heavy team they do get production from the entire roster.  30 different players have scored at least one goal for the Americans this season.

With Charlotte's loss last night the Bears are only 2 points away from tying the Checkers for 3rd place in the division.  The Checkers do not play tonight so if Hershey can get the W they will move into a tie for 3rd place.


A few more notes on the game tonight:

Hershey Bears
record ~ 24-14-1-2 51 points
standings ~ 4th in East Division
most recent game ~ 8-3 Win vs Albany, 1/21
last 5 games ~ 2-1-1-1
home record ~ 12-8-0-1
goals for ~ 140
goals against ~ 100
power play ~ 21.2% (5th)
penalty kill ~ 84.4% (9th)


Rochester Americans
record ~ 18-22-3-2 41 points
standings ~ Last in North Division
most recent game ~ 2-1 Win @ Syracuse, 1/21
last 5 games ~ 1-3-1-0
road record ~ 12-8-2-0
goals for ~ 124
goals against ~ 150
power play ~ 20.6% (7th)
penalty kill ~ 78.0% (28th)

last time teams met - Rochester spoiled Hershey's home opener back on October 16th with a 3-2 victory.  Hershey won in Rochester 4-3 the weekend prior to that and the teams haven't met since. 


Players to watch:

Hershey:

C Keith Aucoin (11) - He has recorded a point in 20 of his 24 games this season including 2 goals and 3 assists against the Americans back in October. 
RW Andrew Gordon (10) - Amazing pass last night on Fahey's goal.  He had a goal in each of the games against the Americans this season.
RW Francois Bouchard (22) - Definitely need him to play the rest of the season like he played last night.  Really seemed to want it more last night than he has all season.  Added a goal last night as well.

Americans:

LW Michael Duco (14) - Leads the team in goals with 13 but he has only scored one goal in 10 games this month.
RW Michael Repik (26) - Leads the team in points (36) and in assists (29).  His 29 assists rank 5th in the league.  He has 2 goals and 3 assists in 10 January games.
D Mike Kostka (28) - Second on the team in points (29) and assists (22).  He has 2 goals and 4 assists in his last 8 games.

LET'S GO BEARS!!!