Strawberry Fields
12x Calder Cup Champs
Another blown lead, another loss (shootout). Really no words.
Prospect Info: Hershey Bears/South Carolina Stingrays 2022-2023 Vol. 1
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Strawberry Fields
12x Calder Cup Champs
One thing I will say is I'd like to see Napravnik stay in the lineup. He has goals in four straight, I believe (I can't remember if he played Friday in Rochester or not). He scored what should've been the 3-1 game winner last night, got wide open in front of the net and put home a nice pass from Rybinski. And he wasn't even supposed to play last night, wasn't even listed on the lineup posted on the official Twitter account. He only drew in because McMichael got sick. I knew he was an older rookie but I didn't notice he's a year older than Frank even so I doubt he has an NHL future or anything, but why not ride the hot hand for a bit?
Also the powerplay wasn't complete shit for once. They scored twice in the second period after spending most of the first ten minutes up a man. They dominated overtime but Ersson played great and stole it for the Phantoms. Kind of alluding to what Swanson said the other day. Fucale had no chance on the tying goal (powerplay tip right in front of the net) but probably would've liked to have had at least one of the other two.
Lapierre and Iorio were scratched. They might've been healthy because Nelson said postgame they were trying to cycle fresh bodies in and out during a 3 in 3 (I will say, it's kind of dumb scheduling for them to play a home game the day after back to backs in upstate New York).
But same old song and dance. Two blown leads this weekend leading to shootout losses. It's a miracle they didn't do the same on Saturday. Blowing leads and losing in ot won't get you anything in the playoffs. It's been a trend for so long that it's not just gonna magically change. Unfortunately I just don't see a particularly long playoff run.
Also the powerplay wasn't complete shit for once. They scored twice in the second period after spending most of the first ten minutes up a man. They dominated overtime but Ersson played great and stole it for the Phantoms. Kind of alluding to what Swanson said the other day. Fucale had no chance on the tying goal (powerplay tip right in front of the net) but probably would've liked to have had at least one of the other two.
Lapierre and Iorio were scratched. They might've been healthy because Nelson said postgame they were trying to cycle fresh bodies in and out during a 3 in 3 (I will say, it's kind of dumb scheduling for them to play a home game the day after back to backs in upstate New York).
But same old song and dance. Two blown leads this weekend leading to shootout losses. It's a miracle they didn't do the same on Saturday. Blowing leads and losing in ot won't get you anything in the playoffs. It's been a trend for so long that it's not just gonna magically change. Unfortunately I just don't see a particularly long playoff run.
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You’ve been pretty negative on them for a spell now.
Playoffs are a different animal. They have a lot of good players (especially once the Caps season is over). We will see.
Playoffs are a different animal. They have a lot of good players (especially once the Caps season is over). We will see.
Strawberry Fields
12x Calder Cup Champs
Well, with all due respect, I've been watching them completely fail to finish games and choke away leads all year. As said by others in this thread, it's an issue that predates this season. Their goalies don't steal games and their skaters can't finish them. When they get leads, I don't trust that they'll hold them, and when they fall behind by a couple, I don't trust them to come back. I held out hope for a while that they would get their shit together in this regard but they haven't. I was hopeful that the influx of talent from Washington and recoveries from injuries throughout the season would correct some of this but it hasn't. Especially having been spoiled by teams 15 years ago that COULD finish out games and generally were always in it till the last second, you'll have to excuse my skepticism. If they constantly fail to get the job done now, and have failed to all season, you'll have to excuse my skepticism that they'll magically figure it out when it matters most.
No one will be happier to see them light up the playoffs than me. I was spoiled by elite teams when I was younger and now haven't seen a Cup win in 13 years. I want to see another Calder Cup badly and I want them to prove me wrong. But I'm just not hopeful based on what I've seen over the course of almost an entire season.
twabby
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- Mar 9, 2010
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Curious what posters in this thread thought of Spencer Carbery's time in Hershey now that he's reported to maybe be Washington's top coaching candidate for next season. What are some of his strengths and weaknesses as you see it? And what would you think of the Capitals hiring him?
Not sure what happens next year. Fucale & Shepard are both UFA. You'd think at least one of them will be back, but they've got options.
Stevenson has played well in SC from what I've heard / read and maybe has earned a shot. I can't imagine wasting Gibson's 1 year contract in SC, unless he blows it in camp or very early in the year. I also don't see leaving the net to two rookies.
Best guess says one of Fucale or Shepard comes back and shares the net with Gibson. Stevenson goes back to SC with spot starts in Hershey to see what he has. If you force me to pick, Fucale comes back because Shepard wants a shot to be a NHL back up, which won't happen in DC. Also, Zack has a young kid and guys with kids seem to like Hershey. Who knows though, maybe both leave and a "mentor" type is signed to be Hershey's number 1.
A month ago I'd have said Shepard gets re-signed, but Zack was the call up when Darcy went down recently. Also, maybe neither of them want to come back. Who knows.
Stevenson has played well in SC from what I've heard / read and maybe has earned a shot. I can't imagine wasting Gibson's 1 year contract in SC, unless he blows it in camp or very early in the year. I also don't see leaving the net to two rookies.
Best guess says one of Fucale or Shepard comes back and shares the net with Gibson. Stevenson goes back to SC with spot starts in Hershey to see what he has. If you force me to pick, Fucale comes back because Shepard wants a shot to be a NHL back up, which won't happen in DC. Also, Zack has a young kid and guys with kids seem to like Hershey. Who knows though, maybe both leave and a "mentor" type is signed to be Hershey's number 1.
A month ago I'd have said Shepard gets re-signed, but Zack was the call up when Darcy went down recently. Also, maybe neither of them want to come back. Who knows.
Stevenson for me is still the most intriguing though sounds like a bit of an up and down season. Any actual watchers can comment on where he needs work?
Strawberry Fields
12x Calder Cup Champs
Hershey holds on to win a school day game in Toronto, 3-1. By "holds on," I mean they had a two goal lead in the third and didn't blow it 
Lapierre with a goal and Anas with two. Shep with the win.
However, Frank left the game with a UBI. Hopefully nothing too serious.
Lapierre with a goal and Anas with two. Shep with the win.
However, Frank left the game with a UBI. Hopefully nothing too serious.
CapitalsCupReality
It’s Go Time!!
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yay for Lapi back in and contributing....
How's CMM looking? Not a ton of chatter here about him and his play. I look at his production and see he's on a 25g, high 50's pts pace for a full season.
Underwhelming, or not indicative of how good he's really looked? I've only been able to watch a handful of Bears games since he went down.
How's CMM looking? Not a ton of chatter here about him and his play. I look at his production and see he's on a 25g, high 50's pts pace for a full season.
Underwhelming, or not indicative of how good he's really looked? I've only been able to watch a handful of Bears games since he went down.
Stevenson has been outstanding in SC already and played just as well in Hershey if not better in his three starts(1.96 and a .924). I can't image the younger Gibson is going to bypass him and jump straight to Hershey. Gibson is likely going to fill Stevenson's spot in SC and split time with Bjorklund down there. Slim chance that both Fucale and Shep go. If they do I could see the three headed monster in Hershey where they sign an older vet for development help to play and mentor both Stevenson and Gibson. Some recent organizational examples where it was a success. Holtby/Grubauer/Sabourin, Holtby/Neuvirth/Bacashihua, Varlamov/Neuvirth/Machesney.
Strawberry Fields
12x Calder Cup Champs
He's on an eight game point streak right now (although I think it's literally only been a point a game in that stretch). I think he's looked good personally and has anchored the second line pretty much since he was sent down. He's also had his fair share of breakaways, he was definitely snake bitten on them early on though.
Providence executed it well this year with Kinkaid/Bussi/Keyser, then shipped off Kinkaid once it was obvious the younger guys could handle it on their own.
SherVaughn30
Registered User
I think Fucale will be let go and Shepard is re-signed. Bjorklund had a major injury and was out for a whole year, so even though he is young I'm not sure how his development will be going forward. Shepard might have an edge now because of experience at the pro level, but think Stevenson and Gibson will both pass him on the depth chart.
Strawberry Fields
12x Calder Cup Champs
Fucale has had his moments but his valleys have been much lower than Shepard's (and Copley before him). This is probably how I'd approach it too.
Strawberry Fields
12x Calder Cup Champs
Bears are up 4-0 in the third period in Cleveland. Tried watching the rare local broadcast of an away game (my AHL TV package only has home games) but the first two and a half periods had the video almost completely frozen with a technical difficulties message, then the video finally started in potato quality and the sound became muffled to match:
This is Fox's fault, not the Bears, but damn, they REALLY don't want me to see their good games this year
This is Fox's fault, not the Bears, but damn, they REALLY don't want me to see their good games this year
We spent most of the first period in the basement with a wicked storm and tornado warning. I believe something did touch down about three miles from where I am. Once we were able to watch, it was a good game. The Bears played well and did not let Cleveland back in it. Sheperd played very well. Only downside was we allowed a good number of odd man rushes against, but otherwise a good team win.
Strawberry Fields
12x Calder Cup Champs
Strawberry Fields
12x Calder Cup Champs
10 game point streak for McMichael now. Scored on a feed by Snively, who's been playing even better with his job threatened by Shane Gersich 
Strawberry Fields
12x Calder Cup Champs
Bears clinch a 1st round bye (and temporarily move up to 1st in the division) with a 3-0 win in Cleveland. Poor discipline but good game overall. Bears have given up two goals in three games on this roadtrip so far.
Cross posting from the prospects thread.
Strawberry Fields
12x Calder Cup Champs
Hope they give Persson and/or Trineyev a couple games down the stretch with the bye locked up (even if they're still chasing first).
Strawberry Fields
12x Calder Cup Champs
Bears win 3-2!
Lapi, Pilon, and Anas with the goals. Shep with the win.
Providence also wins so nothing gained on them.
Lapi, Pilon, and Anas with the goals. Shep with the win.
Providence also wins so nothing gained on them.
Strawberry Fields
12x Calder Cup Champs
Lapi hatty! (most of the hats had already been gathered by the time I got my phone off)
SecretaryofDefense5
Registered User
Would be nice if the Caps could stream the Hershey Bears playoffs games this year with the big boys out.
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