Kyle Wilson Leads the Way

Tuesday, March 20th 2007

The Norfolk Admirals became the first team to clinch a playoff spot this week, but the Hershey Bears find themselves in just as good of a position as they only trail the first place Admirals by two points heading into the final stage of the regular season. (Photo Courtesy of Just Sports Photography)

The Bears are coming off of a dominating 6-1 victory over the the Binghamton Senators on Sunday as Kyle Wilson led the way recording a hat trick and adding an assist to record four points on the evening. The career night gave Wilson 4 goals and 6 assists for 10 points in the last 3 games as the Oakville, Ontario native was named the AHL player of the week. Since being acquired on loan from the South Carolina Stingrays back on December 1st he has put up 21 goals and 22 assists for 43 points while posting a +16 defensive rating, securing an important role in the team’s upcoming playoff run.

Hershey also added some depth to their lineup this week as the team added recently signed Washington Capitals prospects Sean Collins and Steve Pinizzotto to PTOs for the remainder of the season. The 6′1″ 215 pound Collins, who was the captain of the Ohio State Buckeyes this season, is an offensive defenseman that led his team in points posting 9 goals and 19 assists in 37 games. Pinizzotto a right wing who also stands 6′1″, also led his team in points as he posted 13 goals and 31 assists in 31 games for the Rochester Institute of Technology.

The signings come at a good time as the Bears continue to play without their leading scorer Alexandre Giroux who remains with the Washington Capitals after being recalled on March 16th. Giroux has performed well as he recorded his first two career goals in the NHL this past week with tallies against Toronto and Tampa Bay. As a result of his good play he is now seeing time on the team’s first line with Alex Ovechkin and center Jiri Novotny.

Hershey has a favorable schedule this week as they play their next three contests at home beginning with a game against the Springfield Falcons who currently reside in last place in the Atlantic Division. They follow that up with back-to-back games against the Philadelphia Phantoms and Binghamton Senators this weekend.