Catching Up With the Affiliates

Posted by Dave Nichols | Tuesday, May 19, 2009 | , , | 0 comments »

HERSHEY: The Bears beat the Providence Bruins 2-1 on Sunday to draw the best-of-seven AHL Eastern Conference finals even at one game apiece.

Andrew Joudrey and Alexandre Giroux scored for the Bears, and Michal Neuvirth earned first-star honors, making 25 saves on 26 shots.

Hershey out shot Providence 39-26 and went 1-for-7 on the power play.

The series continues this weekend, with Games Three through Five in Providence. Game Three is Friday at 7:05, Game Four is Sunday at 7:05 and Game Five is Monday at 4:05 pm.

SOUTH CAROLINA: The Stingrays defeated the Cincinnati Cyclones to become the American Conference champions of the ECHL. They will face the Alaska Aces, champions of the National Conference, in the Kelly Cup finals.

The best-of-seven series starts Friday in Alaska at 11:15 pm ET. Game Two is Saturday at 11:15 pm ET. The Series comes to North Charleston, SC for Games Three through Five May 27, 29 and 30--if needed.

Alaska feature three of the league's top four scorers, Josh Soares (9-13-22 in 14 games), Colin Hemingway (7-15-22) and Alexandre Imbeault (5-12-17). South Carolina has a balanced attack, with five players in the top 20 league scorers.