Screen cap: AHL TV
The Hershey Bears downed the Bridgeport Islanders, 2-1 (OT), Saturday night at the Giant Center in Hershey. Sam Anas notched the overtime game-winner, Hendrix Lapierre scored his second career AHL goal and Hunter Shepard stopped 27 of 28 in the win. The Bears record improves to 7-2-2-0 on the season.
HERSHEY BEARS LINEUP
Hunter Shepard (1-0-2-0, .917 sv%, 2.61 GAA) got the start in goal for the Bears. Corey Schneider (5-1-0-0, .918 sv%, 2.46 GAA) got the start between the pipes for the Islanders. The forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:
Mason Morelli – Mike Vecchione – Sam Anas
Henrik Rybinski – Henrik Borgstrom – Garrett Pilon
Shane Gersich – Hendrix Lapierre – Ethan Frank
Kale Kessy – Riley Sutter – Julian Napravnik
Aaron Ness – Logan Day
Lucas Johansen – Dylan McIlrath
Jake Massie – Vinny Iorio
Scratches: Mike Sgarbossa (paternity leave), Gabriel Carlsson (non-Covid illness), Matthew Strome (lower body injury), Bobby Nardella.
Recalls/Re-assignments: Alex Alexeyev was recalled by the Capitals on Tuesday, November 8. Lucas Johansen was returned to Hershey on Wednesday, November 9.
FIRST PERIOD
The Bears were recipients of the game’s first power play and came close to scoring the game’s first goal. Sam Anas fired a shot that nearly beat Schneider, but the puck never made it’s way completely over the line.
Close. Still scoreless. #HBH pic.twitter.com/sV5aNaKgjT
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 13, 2022
Garrett Pilon continued to show the physical side of his game in the first period. There has been a noticeable uptick since his return from Washington.
Garrett Pilon taking names. #Peels #HBH pic.twitter.com/x0bBOtjw55
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 13, 2022
The period would ultimately go without a score. Hershey led in shots, 11-9 for the first period. The Bears were 0 for 1 on the power play while the Islanders did not have a man advantage in the first frame.
SECOND PERIOD
The Bears received the game’s second power play early in the middle frame after Vinny Iorio was knocked head-first into the boards. The Bears continue to show good puck movement among their top power play unit, but were ultimately unable to dent the twine.
Garrett Pilon was called for tripping midway through the first frame. Then Henry Rybinski was called for slashing, giving the Islanders a 5-on-3 power play for 1:08, but the Bears were able to kill both penalties.
The Bears’ Mason Morelli was called for cross-checking with 4:58 remaining in the middle frame, but the Islanders’ power play was nullified midway through due to an Islanders tripping call.
The Bears had a chance at 4-on-4 when the puck was stolen in the Islanders zone. Hendrix Lapierre took the puck up the left side and found Mason Morelli coming out of the box, but Morelli’s deflection hit the post.
Nice steal and chance for Hendrix Lapierre and Mason Morelli, but Morelli’s deflection catches iron. Still scoreless. #HBH pic.twitter.com/KhxiDIcdYn
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 13, 2022
The period concluded with the score tied, 0-0. The Islanders led in shots 8-7 in the middle frame, with the Bears leading 18-17 after two periods. Bridgeport was 0 for 4 and Hershey 0 for 3 on the power play after two periods.
THIRD PERIOD
The Islanders finally broke the seal on the scoring with a tally from Vincent Sevigny (2) at 3:34 of the final frame. Aatu Raty (4) and Simon Holmstrom (2) had the helpers.
Islanders strike first. #HBH pic.twitter.com/QdvDGu0FeZ
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 13, 2022
Hendrix Lapierre (2) tied the game moments later on a turnover in the Islanders’ zone. Shane Gersich (2) and Ethen Frank (2) had the helpers.
Hendrix Lapierre beats Cory Schneider and we are tied 1-1! #ALLCAPS #HBH pic.twitter.com/omOUq8jAYk
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 13, 2022
Regulation would end, tied 1-1, sending the game to overtime for the second consecutive night.
OVERTIME
The Bears were awarded a 4-on-3 power play two minutes into the extra frame, and Sam Anas would call game.
Sam Anas drops the hammer in OT! Bears win 2-1. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/LtGjW3j20v
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 13, 2022
The Bears conclude their three-game weekend homestand on Sunday when they host the Laval Rocket at Giant Center. Puck drop is set for 5PM.
Last season I commented on Vinny Iorio’s ability to get the puck out of the zone, and his inventiveness in using the boards. Not a great example, but a small example. Ill try to find more this season. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/ZCYVBvaZvS
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 13, 2022
SHAVINGS
- AHL box score
- Attendance: 9,048
- Bears led in shots, 32-28.
- Sam Anas led all Bears in shots with 6.
- Bridgeport was 0 for 5 and Hershey 1 for 4 on the power play.
- Hunter Shepard Stopped 27 of 28 shots for a .964 save percentage.
- Stars of the game: 1) Sam Anas, 2) Hunter Shepard and 3) Cory Schneider.
- This was Aaron Ness’ 600th AHL game.
Two overtimes of game play and still one game to go this weekend. Sigh. Wish McMichael and Snively were getting that experience.
It was an entertaining game, even without the scoring. Rare.
Tell me your opinion. Is it better for a younger player to be working out with NHL’ers on a daily basis, attending meetings with NHLers, scouting NHL players, etc. or playing in the AHL, where they dominated? I’m on the fence.
When my son was 9 (after his first year of Squirt AA) he got cut from birth year team and had to play down on a mixed team. I remember sitting down with coach who told me it would be better for his development to play with similar skill set and work being better than that group. It worked out and next year he moved up again. Then went to AAA for 5 years and now ACHA. So not an NHL path but the logic was right. So I tend to feel like it is better to play with similar skill set, be better and move up when ready. I think McMichael would benefit from that right now. Better to play for a bit. Release that pressure value a bit and build it back up. But just my opinion.
I generally agree. The main difference to me is the fact CMM has already played a full season in the NHL, did well, statistically (led team in xGF%).
Having said that, for some reason there has been a drop off in his play, beginning in training camp (before any roster decisions were made). That is strange to me.
https://novacapsfans.com/2022/10/24/assessing-connor-mcmichaels-discernible-dip-in-performance/
I think it is the coaching and atmosphere. You often see players change teams and suddenly blossom. Or a different coach come in and that awful team suddenly starts winning. Environment is hard to analyze but important.
Or he could be a Sammy and have other hon-hockey priorities and it’s showing up in his play.
Either way, if he does find success in the NHL, I do not believe it will be with the Caps.
Missed that article before… was probably traveling. Good layout of stats there. As you noted, something is just off. Maybe he is fueding with Lavi. Maybe he just has a lack of confidence. I think he had that a bit last year as well not scoring some goals he should have scored. Confidence is a HUGE deal to players, especially younger ones. That is the main reason I would send him down now and this is the last year he goes down without waivers. Get him 20 games there… or the whole season as players come back. But he needs minutes outside of the WSH bubble.
What I have read is that the spares do not practice with the team, but afterwards. So they do get some coaching, but it isn’t the same as the team gets. If they do get called to play (or sit on the bench) then they do practice with the team. But only then.
If this is all true, then they are not getting the value practice/coaching that you would think.
I am a big believer in doing. Michael Phelps didn’t get going until he got in competition. He said so. It took actual competition. I think that is the same in any sport.
Look, in moving to the AHL we’re not talking about going to the juniors. We’re talking about playing with and against men, many who have NHL experience. We’re talking about coaches who could be NHL coaches next year. That’s a big difference from the juniors.
Rays announcer asked Bear what the big difference was in coming to the Rays. He said that in the juniors, he was the oldest player. Now, in the Rays, he’s the youngest. Same for the AHL.
Lastly, in Hershey, you have coaches who will want to maximize their use of them. They are going to put them out there in the firing line and demand the best because they are expected to be stars. Lavi doesn’t trust them. Which mental attitude do you want your coach to have?
Sorry for the length, Jon, but you did ask!
Nope, not at all. I greatly appreciate an honest and cogent opinion. Are you going to game tonight?
Haven’t decided yet but probably not. I actually prefer watching on TV with replays and analysts, even if it is ESPN (yuch).
I’m with ya on that. 100%.
One other thought… and I know this is controversial with many. But i don’t think it is just Lavi not playing young guys. He favors Vets for sure… I believe that is part of his message to young players (as it is for most coaching a playoff team focused on winning), is to make it “hard for me to sit you”. Lavi has given youngsters a chance including Fever, Snively, Protas, Malenstyn while others have gotten spot opportunities. I’d argue CMM has plenty of opportunities to grab a spot and just hasn’t for one reason or another. I desperately want CMM to be a full time impact player for the Caps. We need a 3C next year. It’s there but both player and organization need to figure that out. not an easy conundrum for either side.
Jon Cooper agrees with you. Numerous times he has been asked if he will ‘give’ a position to a prospect and his reply is that he wants them to ‘step up and take it.’ Or as John Housman said of Smith Barney, “They make money the old fashioned way. They earn it.”
I agree with you DWG. If you can help the team win, Lavi will play you.
If he is SURE that you can help the team win, he will play you. When you teach someone, you have to hold back and resist the urge to do it yourself. You can do it faster, easier, better, yes, but then they don’t learn. Lavi suits up prospects but then loses confidence too quickly. I just don’t think he is a ‘developing’ coach. Some are, some aren’t, he isn’t.
I agree. Lavi is not a rebuild guy. He is a winning guy. He is more of a last mile coach… someone who can help get a team over the hump. I still think he is the right coach for us right now. If we do go into a “real” rebuild mode, we’ll need a new coach. Will be an interesting end to season/offseason to see what direction we go with players and coach.
Injuries might force some changes no matter how far we get this season. Still not sure about Backy, worried about Osh, questions on Willy.
Yep good games. Need to take the third tomorrow against The Rocket.
With NAK out for three games either Snively or McMike is going to get in. The 4LW spot is open for another 6 weeks until Beck is back. So even though (a) people don’t think CMM is built for 4th line and (b) Protas seems to have it locked down, why not give McMike an extended look at 4LW (start with 3 games and go from there – but commit to that). Move Protas to 3LW with Eller and Mantha which has been productive. If that doesn’t seem to shake it loose, and NAK and Oshie come back, then send him to Hershey. If it does work then NAK becomes expendable. And frankly, the way Pilon has been playing (physically), let him come up.
“people don’t think CMM is built for 4th line ” Hand raised. Square peg, round hole. I just don’t think that spot is going to build his confidence or Lavi’s trust in him. In fact, not being in a suitable spot may make it worse. I’d send McM down and bring Pilon up now. Only problem I see is that the team is in Tampa not DC. But we need to find a round peg and McM isn’t it.
Well, CMM in at 3LW so I was overruled. Haha. Man I hope he gets going tonight and can stay in the lineup! Let’s go Mike! Just do it!