Hershey uses no mercy to win Calder Cup Championship

There was no doubt Hershey's night to shine when Hershey out-shot the Stars 17-4 in the first period with John Carlson and Karl Alnzer scored in just over a minute and a half to make it a 2-0 lead and the Bears had a ton of momentum after winning 3 in a row in Austin to eventually lead 3-2 and go on to win 4-0 in Game 6 in Hershey, Pennsylvania to win the Calder Cup for the 2nd straight year and the 3rd in the last 5 seasons.

Other goal scorers for the Bears was defensemen Patrick McNeil who scored twice after scoring just once during the entire playoffs. One of the few highlights for Texas was Brent Krahn coming back to play for the first time since his injury. But with the score and the fact that Hershey was on their way to the Championship meant little as the Stars offense couldn't generate any offense on Bears goalie Michal Neuvirth all night long.

As much I hate to do this, congrats to the Hershey Bears on their 2nd straight Championship, they totally earned this one. From the 60 win regular season to Alexander Giroux & Chris Bourque combining for 54 points (Giroux 14G 13A), Chris Bourque (7G 20A).

Everything they did made you think that they were the favorites to win the Calder Cup and they did just that even after coming back from 0-2 down after the first two games.

Also the defense smothering Jamie Benn after scoring 24 points in the first 3 rounds, the Bears defense limited the Stars rookie to 2 assists in the Finals and made a huge difference in winning the championship.

This is an amazing org all the through. From the league leading 11th championship to averaging over 9500 fans a game during the regular season to the way they do everything. They may be an AHL Team, but trust me, they operate like an NHL Team in every possible way.

For the Texas Stars though, what an amazing year to build on to send a message to the American Hockey League that the Stars intend to be a real player in the league. Don't worry Austin Area Hockey Fans, they keep operating like they do and do an amazing job.

This year is just the beginning and you will get to celebrate hockey championships in the near future, keep it up, get more people to follow the team and the sport down in Central Texas. I'm looking forward to many great years for the Texas Stars and will be looking for another shot at the Calder Cup in the near future.

This is for the Texas Stars, continue the great work you did in the first season and make sure your fan base grows and start supporting people that will build rinks in the Austin area so that your area can become the next big hockey town in the Southwest like Dallas has been able to do.

Now with the end of hockey season now here Officially enjoy the off-season and be sure to check out the website for off season news and features from around the Southwest.

Austin American Statesman: www.statesman.com/sports/pro/texas-stars-luminous-in-defeat-747661.html

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

Hershey Bears Website: www.hersheybears.com/news/detail.php?bp=index.php&id=3268

AHL Website: http://theahl.com/bears-go-back-to-back-win-11th-calder-cup-p143011

From the Texas Stars Website: www.texasstarshockey.com

In Hershey, PA: The Texas Stars were defeated by the Hershey Bears 4-0 on Monday Night in front of 11,002 fans at the Giant Center in Game 6 of the Calder Cup Finals. Goalie Michal Neuvirth made 22 saves as the Bears beat the Stars 4-2 in the best-of-7 series.

Hershey Defensemen John Carlson, Karl Alzner and Patrick Mcneill each scored as the Bears won their 11th Calder Cup. Mcneill finished with two goals in the win. Texas goalie Brent Krahn stopped 32 saves in the defeat.

Hershey claimed a 2-0 lead by the end of the first period. The Bears opened the scoring with a power play goal at 12:29. Defensemen John Carlson found a rebound in the Texas Crease and snapped a shot past Texas Goalie Brent Krahn for his 2nd goal of the playoffs and a 1-0 lead.

The Bears took a 2-0 lead at 14:28 of the opening period with a goal by Karl Alzner. The Hershey defender picked up a rebound at the top of the left wing circle and blasted a snapshot past Krahn for his thrid goal of the postseason. Krahn made 15 first period saves.

In the 2nd period, the Bears expanded their lead to 3-0 off a rebound at 14:47. Hershey winger Alexander Giroux snapped a shot to Texas net from the right wing circle. Stars goalie Brent Krahn made their initial save and kicked the rebound off the crease. Hershey Defensemen Patrick Mcneill fired the rebound into the Texas net, scoring his second goal of the playoffs and giving the Bears a three goal lead.

In the third period, Patrick Mcneill scored his second goal of the night, a power play tally that made it 4-0 with 5:08 left in the third period.


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: Texas Stars 0 Hershey Bears 4 (0-2, 0-1, 0-1)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007323


Hershey Bears win Series and Championship 4-2


Final Texas Stars Scoring Leaders
Jamie Benn: 24 GP 26 PTS (14G 12A, +7)
Perttu Lindgren: 24 GP 17 PTS (7G 10A, +1)
Andrew Hutchinson: 21 GP 16 PTS (5G 11A, +9)

Final Texas Stars Goaltending
Brent Krahn: 11 GP 7-4 2.48 GAA .924 SV%
Matt Climie: 15 GP 7-6 2.71 GAA .916 SV%

Full Texas Stars Stats: http://theahl.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=skaters&subType=13&season_id=33&leagueId=4&lastActive=&singleSeason=&confId=0


Final Hershey Bears Scoring Leaders
Alexander Giroux: 21 GP 27 PTS (14G 13A, +2)
Chris Bourque: 21 GP 27 PTS (7G 20A, +7)
Keith Aucoin: 21 GP 25 PTS (2G 23A, +1)

Final Hershey Bears Goaltending
Michal Neuvirth: 18 GP 14-4 2.07 GAA .920 SV%
Braden Holtby: 3 GP 2-1 3.60 GAA .857 SV%

Full Hershey Bears Stats: http://theahl.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=skaters&subType=5&season_id=33&leagueId=4&lastActive=&singleSeason=&confId=0


Game 6 Boxscore

Texas Stars 0 Hershey Bears 4 (0-2, 0-1, 0-1)

0-1 HER: John Carlson (PP) (Gordon, Giroux) 12:29 1st

0-2 HER: Karl Alzner (Kane, Carlson) 14:23 1st

0-3 HER: Patrick Mcneill (Giroux, Beagle) 14:47 2nd

0-4 HER: Patrick Mcneill (Helmer, Perreault) 14:52 2nd

Game Stats

SOG: TEX 22 HER 36

PP: TEX 0/2 HER 2/4

PIM: TEX 8 Minutes on 4 Penalties HER 4 Minutes on 2 Penalties

Goalies: TEX Brent Krahn 32 SVS on 36 Shots HER Michal Neuvirth 22 SVS on 22 Shots

ATT: 11,002

3rd Star: Patrick Mcneill (HER)

2nd Star: John Carlson (HER)

1st Star: Michal Neuvirth (HER)