Bears Balanced Chemistry Hungry for Post Season
Over three weeks ago you could say the Hershey Bears locker room was heavy after a defeat to Utica. Head coach Todd Nelson, who always seems to know what moves to make called a team meeting. At the time Nelly said he just wanted to “nip a few things in the bud” before this team got to the playoffs.
Some coaches may hesitate to do that to a team that is cruising on their way to a number one seed in the East, and the Atlantic Division title.
Not Nelson, he saw what needed to be done and he did it and man did his squad respond! It wasn’t just a one-game response either with a thrashing of Syracuse but it has continued as the Bears are 8-0-1 since the meeting. That record includes six games against playoff teams.
Speaking with Alex Limoges in the middle of this run, Limoges was asked about the timing of this meeting and how a first-place team responds after a slight nick in their shield.
His answer makes it clear that this team is locked as the playoffs are near.
“It was good what we took out from the meeting, like, we need to be desperate every night, you know, we want to win first place. We want to win a championship this year,” Limoges said.
He then added when things are going well and you need a resurgence so to speak, you don’t wait until it is “a last-ditch effort.”
Another one of the themes that Nelson touched on when he spoke of that March team meeting was team chemistry.
Hershey Bears Nation knows the chemistry on last year’s team sealed this cup. They also know every team is different. Heading into the final nine games at the time, and now the final five contests, this unit is locked in to what Nelson demands from his team come playoff time.
Riley Sutter knows what it takes and he is happy with the uptick in strength of schedule and where the team is at right now.
” I think playing all these good teams down the stretch, just kind of prepares for playoffs.”
Limoges concurs, “That’s exactly what we got to do. We need to attack. We need to metaphorically punch the other team in the face right off the start…every point means something to us.”
“Going into games is, playoff mentality. they’re all teams that are fighting and are good and, playoffs are a different game. So just trying to be more physical and try to take care of the puck more.”
A theme all year was how the new talented faces like Alex Limoges or Chase Priskie blends into the fold of the personality. The regular season record speaks for itself on how the chemistry played out but the playoffs will add stress to any bond.
“Every team is different. We’re going to find a different way to win this year with different pieces and different, people in the room,” said Limoges
“How are we going to bond to be a winning team in the playoffs? So, all the guys that were here last year know how to do it. you know, they are kind of coaching and pushing us along.”
“We know everybody that was here last year is a champion and they know how to win. And I think that’s the biggest takeaway, is there’s a lot to learn. It’s putting egos aside.”
“They won for a reason, and we want to win again,” Limoges said pointedly. Riley Suter sums up the veteran presence on this team short and sweet when asking about chasing records and back-to-back cups, for him and the locker room it’s simple.
“In our locker room, we’re just trying to get the job done every day.” Muted, and not a sexy answer, but downright effective. But the last time I checked, Hershey fans love grittiness and so does their bench boss.
DEN NOTES
● RECORDS IN SIGHT:
With five games remaining in the 2023-24 regular season, the Bears are still in a position
to challenge a handful of notable franchise and league records. Hershey needs six points out of
its remaining 10 available to best the franchise mark for overall points percentage (.769, 2009-
10), and seven points out of the remaining 10 to best the 1992-93 Binghamton Rangers’ league record for points percentage (.775). If the Bears get one more victory, they will match the 2022-23 Calgary Wranglers’ league record for the most wins in a 72-game season (51).
● KILPATRICK:
Hershey’s Magic Number for the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy for first place overall in
the league sits at three points, with the Bears holding a 10-point lead on second-place Coachella
Valley. The Firebirds take on the Ontario Reign at home on Wednesday; a loss of any kind
suffered by Coachella Valley will put the Bears in position to clinch the Kilpatrick Trophy with a
win on Friday.
● FRANKLY SPEAKING:
Ethen Frank enjoyed his third career hat trick on Saturday at Iowa to give him 28 goals on the season, good enough to vault into the team goal-scoring lead. As a rookie last season, Frank led the team with 30 goals in the regular season. Frank’s 28 goals this season are tied for fifth in the AHL; his 12 power-play goals are fifth, his eight game-winning goals are tied for third, his six first goals are tied for seventh, and his five insurance goals are tied for first. Hershey is 19-1-0-1 in games that Frank lights the lamp.
Photos: Hershey Bears / Tori Hartman
