Hershey edges Texas in OT, Takes a 3-2 Series Lead

I'm sorry I didn't keep track of the last 2 games of the AHL Calder Cup Championship. In addition to on-going issues with my grandmother. Our A/C Units were busted so I was away from our home for a couple of days while it was getting fixed. So my apologies to the fans of the American Hockey League and the Texas Stars.

In front of a season best 7,054 fans and giving the team and the city one last hope on home ice for the 2009-2010 season, the Stars were looking to take a 3-2 series lead with a shot of the Calder Cup.

Instead it was Hershey's Alexander Giroux who's had a huge Final come up big again with just 6 minutes left in the Game to win what was a great goaltenders duel between Matt Climie and Michal Neuvirth 2-1 to give the Bears the win and a 3 game sweep of the Stars at home in a series where the road team has won every game in this series.

Game 6 took place on Monday Night at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Austin American Statesman: www.statesman.com/sports/pro/stars-fall-to-hershey-in-overtime-trail-series-742970.html

Penn Live: http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2010/06/the_hershey_bears_regains_thei.html

Hershey Bears Website: www.hersheybears.com/news/detail.php?bp=index.php&id=3260

AHL Website: http://theahl.com/giroux-the-ot-hero-as-bears-take-game-5-p143003

From the Texas Stars Website: www.texasstarshockey.com

In Austin The Texas Stars were defeated by the Hershey Bears 2-1 in OT on Friday Night in front of a record breaking crowd of 7,054 fans at Cedar Park Center in Game 5 of the Calder Cup Finals. Hershey Left Wing Alexander Giroux scored the game winning goal with 6:32 in OT, leading the Bears to a 3-2 lead in the best-of-7 series.

Texas Goalie Matt Climie stopped 41 of 43 Hershey Shots. Forward Aaron Gagnon notched the only goal in Texas' fifth loss at home during the postseason. Bears winger Francois Bouchard scored the only goal in regulation for Hershey and goalie Michal Neuvirth made 35 saves in the win. Texas will travel to Hershey for Game 6 on Monday, June 14th at 6:00 PM CDT.

Texas opened the scoring with a power play goal at 8:03 of the first period. Defensemen Dan Jancevski ripped a slapshot from the left point, and forward Aaron Gagnon redirected the puck from the Hershey Crease past goalie Michal Neuvirth for the 1-0 Stars Lead. Defensemen Maxime Fortunus added an assist on Gagnon's 8th goal of the postseason.

The Bears tied the game at 1-1 at 11:12 of the 2nd period, just seconds after Texas killed off a power play. Right wing Francois Bouchard scored his fifth goal of the playoffs from the slot, beating Texas Goalie Matt Climie on the stickside. Winger Chris Bouchard set up Bouchard with a pass from the left wing circle. Neither team scored for the rest of regulation, forcing the extra session.

Hershey winger Alexander Giroux scored the game winning goal at 13:38 of OT, lifting the Bears to a 2-1 victory. Giroux found a rebound of the Texas net and slipped a shot past Climie for the win. Defensemen Karl Anzer and John Carlson assisted on the game winner.


Calder Cup Finals Update

Game 1: Texas Stars 2 Hershey Bears 1 (0-0, 1-1, 1-0)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007318

Game 2: Texas Stars 4 Hershey Bears 3 (1-1, 1-1, 2-1)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007319

Game 3: Hershey Bears 6 Texas Stars 3 (1-3, 2-0, 3-0)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007320

Game 4: Hershey Bears 4 Texas Stars 2 (1-1, 1-1, 2-0)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007321

Game 5: Hershey Bears 2 Texas Stars 1 (OT) (0-1, 1-0, 0-0, 1-0)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007322

Game 6, 6/14: Texas Stars VS. Hershey Bears 6:00 PM

Game 7, 6/16: Texas Stars VS. Hershey Bears 6:00 PM*

*If Necessary


Hershey Bears 2 Texas Stars 1 (OT) (0-1, 1-0, 0-0, 1-0)

0-1 TEX: Aaron Gagnon (PP) (Jancevski, Fortunus) 8:03 1st

1-1 HER: Francois Bouchard (Bourque, Aucoin) 11:12 2nd

2-1 HER: Alexander Giroux (Carlson, Alzner) 13:28 OT

Game Stats

SOG: HER 43 TEX 36

PP: HER 0/2 TEX 0/2

PIM: HER 4 Minutes on 2 Penalties TEX 4 Minutes on 2 Penalties

Goalies: HER Michal Neuvirth 35 SVS on 36 Shots TEX 41 SVS on 43 Shots

ATT: 7054

3rd Star: Aaron Gagnon (TEX)

2nd Star: Matt Climie (TEX)

1st Star: Alexander Giroux (HER)