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Hershey Clashes



It's hardly sweet as chocolate: The coaches clash in Hershey


By PAUL BETIT , Portland Press Herald Writer

Copyright © 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

Tuesday, May 30, 2006


The atmosphere became heated Monday during an incident involving both coaches on the eve of the decisive game of the American Hockey League's Eastern Conference finals.

Hershey Coach Bruce Boudreau and Portland Coach Kevin Dineen got embroiled in a shouting match after Dineen showed up at the Bears' practice at the old Hersheypark Arena.

After Dineen took a seat in the stands, Boudreau stopped a drill, pulled his team off the ice and berated the Portland coach for coming to what he said was a closed practice.

"To be called out in front of a whole team and the local press put me in a bad position, and I responded like a 6-year-old," said Dineen.

"Unfortunately I felt the need to respond, and I used some inappropriate language."

According to a directive put out by the AHL before the playoffs, all practices are open to the public and the media.

But two weeks ago in Portland, on the day before Game 1, the teams agreed to hold closed practices for that one day. All of the other practices have been open.

Dineen doubted Monday's incident would have an impact on tonight's game.

"The game is too important for this to be any kind of factor," he said.

Boudreau was unavailable for comment.

After arriving in nearby Harrisburg, Pa., late Sunday night, Dustin Penner, Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf practiced with the Pirates for the first time following Anaheim's elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Dineen wasn't sure what impact they will have.

"I don't see this series coming down to personnel," he said. "It's all about character."

After falling behind 3-1 early in the best-of-seven series, Portland ralled to win Games 5 and 6 at the Cumberland County Civic Center to tie the series after six games.

Tonight's winner will play the Milwaukee Admirals in the Calder Cup finals that start Friday.

"It's not a personnel issue," Dineen said. "It's about getting excited to play one more game."

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 725-8795 or at:
pbetit@pressherald.com







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