Bears roll in Game 4, even series

HERSHEY, Pa. (caldercup.com) … Coming off a shutout loss the night before, Hershey erupted for four goals in a span of 3:41 in the first period and evened up the best-of-seven 2006 Calder Cup Finals with a 7-2 win over Milwaukee in Game 4 at a sold-out Giant Center on Sunday evening.

With the series square at 2-2, the teams go at it again in Hershey on Tuesday night.

Defenseman Jakub Cutta began the barrage 5:33 into the game, pinching in from the blue line and snapping a rebound home for his second goal of the postseason.

Kris Beech converted 38 seconds later, and a scrum ensued after Beech was taken down after the play. On the ensuing Bears power play, Joey Tenute, a 20-goal scorer in the regular season, potted his first of the playoffs at 8:02.

Colin Forbes’ goal at 9:14 chased Milwaukee goaltender Pekka Rinne (10-2), who allowed four goals on seven shots after shutting out Hershey in Game 3.

Darren Haydar and Scottie Upshall scored early in the second period to cut the deficit in half, but Beech’s second goal of the game later in the frame gave the Bears some breathing room, and Brooks Laich and Dave Steckel closed out the scoring in the third.

Tomas Fleischmann registered three assists, giving him a league-high 20 helpers for the postseason. Frederic Cassivi (14-5) held down the fort and finished with 28 saves, one day shy of his 31st birthday.

Brian Finley relieved Rinne and made 29 saves in his first action since Apr. 28, when he left Game 6 of the Admirals’ first-round series against Iowa with an injury.

Haydar’s goal for Milwaukee, his 17th in 19 playoff outings, extended his scoring streak to 14 games, two shy of the AHL playoff record.

Attendance at the Giant Center for Sunday’s contest was 10,721.

Game 1 – Fri., June 2 – MILWAUKEE 2, Hershey 1
Game 2 – Sat., June 3 – Hershey 6, MILWAUKEE 3
Game 3 – Sat., June 10 – Milwaukee 2, HERSHEY 0
Game 4 – Sun., June 11 – HERSHEY 7, Milwaukee 2
Game 5 – Tue., June 13 – at Hershey, 7:00 ET
Game 6 – Thu., June 15 – at Milwaukee, 8:00 ET
*Game 7 – Sat., June 17 – at Milwaukee, 8:00 ET