Giroux scores four as Bears top Sharks, 7-2


Sunday’s Boxscores

HERSHEY 7, WORCESTER 2
Alexandre Giroux continued his offensive assault since returning to Hershey from the parent Washington Capitals, as he scored four goals and added an assist on Sunday to lead the Bears to a 7-2 road win over Worcester at the DCU Center. It marked the third four-goal game by an AHL player this season.

Giroux now shows five goals and nine points in two games after rejoining the Bears on Saturday.

Keith Aucoin registered a four-point game (2-2-4) for the Bears, who netted four goals in the second period alone.

Rookie Steve Pinizzotto had the other Hershey goal, while Bryan Helmer and ex-Shark Graham Mink each chipped in two assists in the victory.

Bears goaltender Simeon Varlamov earned the win with 35 saves between the pipes. Hershey finished 3-1-0-0 on its four-game trip to New England and has won four of five overall.

Lukas Kaspar posted a goal and an assist for the Sharks, and Ryan Vesce also scored.


LOWELL 4, MANCHESTER 1
Jon DiSalvatore capped a hat trick by scoring into an empty net in the closing seconds as Lowell took a 4-1 win over visiting Manchester at Tsongas Arena.

DiSalvatore also scored on the power play in the first period and gave the Devils a 3-1 edge with an unassisted marker just 1:23 into the third.

Petr Vrana added a goal for the Devils, and rookie goaltender Jeff Frazee earned the victory with 32 saves on 33 shots.

Team captain Marty Murray netted the Monarchs’ lone goal on the afternoon.


PORTLAND 4, SPRINGFIELD 1
Trent Campbell netted a pair of goals as Portland took a 4-1 win over visiting Springfield at the Cumberland County Civic Center on Sunday.

Nathan Gerbe and Keith Johnson also scored for the Pirates, and Marc-Andre Gragnani chipped in two assists. Johnson’s goal was the first of his AHL career.

Portland goaltender Jhonas Enroth secured the win with 31 saves on 32 shots in net.

Defenseman Taylor Chorney lit the lamp for the Falcons, who are 1-8-1-0 in their last 10 games.


PROVIDENCE 3, HOUSTON 1
Providence scored a pair of first-period goals and went on to a 3-1 win over visiting Houston at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

Mikko Lehtonen and defenseman Johnny Boychuk netted goals in the opening period for the Bruins, and Brock Hooton added his first career AHL marker late in the second.

Rookie Brad Marchand contributed two assists, and goaltender Tuukka Rask turned aside 29 shots to pick up the victory.

Jesse Schultz scored for the Aeros, who were playing their eighth game in 10 nights.