Photo: Hartford Wolf Pack
The Washington Capitals’ Hershey Bears advanced to the third round of the 2023 Calder Cup playoffs by eliminating the Charlotte Checkers in the semifinals on Thursday. The Bears now face the Hartford Wolf Pack in a best-of-five division finals. The New York Rangers of the AHL won the Eastern Conference Champion Providence Bruins in the other Division Semi-Final.
Washington Capitals first-round draft pick Hendrix Lapierre He was key in the Bears’ series victory over the Checkers, centering the Bears’ third line, which led all Bears lines in scoring.
Postseason total points by line/pair
Mike Vecchione (1) – Mike Sgarbosa (3) – Ethene Frank (1)
Joe Sinville (5) – Connor McMichael (2) – Garrett Bailon (4)
Alixi Protas (5) – Hendrix Lapierre (3) – Sam Anas (6)
Beck Mallenstein (2) – Riley Souter (2) – Mason Morelli (2)
Gabriel Carlson (1) – Dylan McElrath (2)
Bobby Nardella (0) – Aaron Ness (0)
Lucas Johansen (2) – Vinny Iorio (2)
“It’s been going relatively well so far. We expected a tight series against Charlotte and that’s what happened.” Lapierre told La Droit on Monday. “We got the first two games home in Carolina, which really helped. We didn’t play well in game three, and in game four as well, but we’ve got a really experienced group and found a way to win game 4.”
Lapierre expects a tougher Finals game, as Hartford is arguably the hottest team in the AHL at the moment.
“At Christmas they were last in our conference, and then they’re back on fire now. They’ve only lost twice in their last 10 games of the season, and then they’ve thrashed Springfield and Providence. It might be the hottest A club in the league now, so we have to be ready,” Lapierre said.
The Wolf Pack welcomed four players from the New York Rangers after its parent club was eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs. Forwards Johnny Brudzinski and Jake Lechichin and defender Libor Hajek returned for the win over Providence. Luis Domingo was also sent in and served as backup to Dylan Garand. Lechichin scored two goals and Brudzinski provided an assist in a 4-0 win in the fourth game.
Hartford may be on the heat, but Lapierre feels good about the Bears and plays his line, which includes Sam Anas and Aliaxi Protas.
Anas was the leading scorer in the MLS a few years ago, and Protas is a big guy with skills that It protects the disk very well. We had a good first round together, but we know we can still raise our game,” he said. Lapierre said.
Lapierre’s rookie season in the AHL was a real learning experience for him, and he’s the primary goal for first-year players. He’s had his share of ups and downs, health scrapes and even hat-tricks.
“It’s a much better junior league. Every night is a battle, you have to be at your best even if it’s Wednesday night against the worst team in the league. It’s a learning league, yes, but there are also a lot of good veterans and it’s very hard to collect points. When you’re not working so aggressively, I try to help the team in other ways.”
Lapierre also learned a valuable lesson in controlling his emotions. He received game misconduct and a one-game suspension for a cross-check in the regular season game against Charlotte.
Hendrix Lapierre, flattened a few minutes ago, destroys Checkers. Unfortunately, it’s a five-minute master game and Laby’s misbehavior. #HBH # the capper with a big hit pic.twitter.com/USdOt0lHQG
– Capitals Horizons (@jon_m_sorensen) April 12, 2023
“I’m trying to play difficult These days (in the playoffs) while remaining legal, but that wasn’t the case in reality. I was trying to make a spark and it didn’t work, I saw the number on the back and didn’t stop… I learned my lesson, I can guarantee it won’t happen to me again,” Lapierre added.
The learning experience came just three days after Lapierre experienced what is likely to be the highlight of his season, scoring his first professional hat-trick.
Hats off to Hendrix! Hendrix Lapierre completed the hat-trick in the second half with a good backhand kick. First career AHL hat-trick.#HBH # the capper pic.twitter.com/M7E6icfr0S
– Capitals Horizons (@jon_m_sorensen) April 9, 2023
Win or lose, Lapierre is not ready to take stock of his season because it is “far from over”. However, he thinks he has learned a lot so far.
“I would say that in terms of learning, this is the season I learned the most. I started really strong, and then got really hard Moments later. Then recently, there seems to have been a converts And it’s going really well. I’m happy, I know what I can do on the ice and when it doesn’t work it frustrates me a bit. But I’m well supported, we’ve got a good group of guys, it’s joking. “
Lapierre and the Bears kick off their third round series with the Wolf Pack Thursday night in Hershey. Puck Drop is set to 7 p.m.
Written by John Sorensen