Last week I was playing roller hockey and our team went up 7-2 or something like that just after halftime.  As expected, we let our guard down and started goofing around too much only to see the other team come back and get 3 goals to make it 7-5.  Luckily we steadied out and finished off with an 8-5 win.

It would appear last night that the Bears fell into a similar situation.  Midway through the 2nd period the Bears found themselves up 3-0 after goals by Chris Bourque, Garrett Mitchell, and Jacob Micflikier. 

And then they apparently stopped playing their game.  I am sure they weren't goofing around like we were, but over the next 30 minutes they gave up 3 power play goals and eventually lost in overtime 4-3 against the Springfield Falcons.

Obviously the Falcons had a plan and stuck with it.  I didn't see the game or listen to it but based on the game sheet you can gather that the Falcons were likely running Braden Holtby throughout the game.  He ended up with 2 roughing calls in the 3rd period.  The tying goal came on the 2nd one.

Overall the Falcons took advantage of the Bears miscues.  Hershey gave them 5 power plays (all after they opened up a 3-0 lead) and Springfield took advantage.

Now its on to Glens Falls to face off against the Adirondack Phantoms. 

The Phantoms are coming off consecutive home losses (to Norfolk and Connecticut) and are finishing up a brief 3 game home stand against the Bears tonight.

The baby Flyers are 5-3-0-1 on the season and are currently sitting in 2nd place in the Northeast Division with 11 points. 

Tonight is the first of 4 meetings between the recent division rivals with the next game coming outside at Citizens Bank Park on January 6th.  It will be different not seeing the Phantoms so much each season now that the clubs are in different divisions.

So far this season the Phantoms boast a solid offensive team.  They have scored the same number of goals as Hershey, 33, albeit in one additional game.  33 goals puts the teams tied for second in the AHL, behind only Norfolk's 40 goals.

Denis Hamel leads the team in goals, 7, and points, 11.  2 other players, Eric Wellwood, and rookie Harry Zolnierczyk (how the hell do you pronounce that) are averaging over a point per game as well.  Braydon Schenn was averaging 2 points a game but has since been recalled to Philadelphia.

Unfortunately for the Phantoms they have also allowed 28 goals on the season.  And that is somewhat surprising considering they have Michael Leighton and Jason Bacashihua in net.  Leighton has seen the majority of the action, playing in 7 games compared to 3 for Cash, but both guys are solid veterans.  Leighton got the start last night so I wouldn't be surprised if Cash is in net tonight to face the Bears.

At the opposite end, Dany Sabourin, will get his 4th start of the season, looking to go 4-0 on the young season. 

The Bears will surely be looking to return to Hershey with a win tonight.  Hopefully they can make it 3 straight home losses for the Phantoms.

LET'S GO BEARS!!!!