Bears Look to Bounce Back in Game 2 and Even Series against Coachella Valley

The Hershey Bears have played a lot of hockey.  They know it. The Firebirds know it. We all know it.

But if you just happened to see them for the first time this year, the jump that Hershey came out with and the energy that they had for the first ten minutes of the game with Game 1 Friday night at Giant Center, they looked fresh as could be.

“The Bears came out hot the first ten minutes of the game,” said Firebirds head coach Dan Bylsma.  “They showed a lot of jam and a lot of energy to start the game.”

That jam that Bylsma referred to is needed even more in a critical Game 2.  The series opener was always going to be a tough one for Hershey, not only were they facing a fresh opponent, but they were coming off a rough series, physically and mentally against Cleveland.

“I’m not making any excuses but let’s face it, it was a pretty emotional series against Cleveland,” said the bench boss. “We looked mentally tired at times. Making mistakes, like puck decision mistakes, just not bearing down on passing or receiving. So we have to recharge the batteries”

“I think just going through this game will help us move forward,” Nelson added.

Nelson makes a excellent point. So many times when we talked about being exhausted, it relates to the physical side.  But make no mistake, the Conference Finals were maybe more mentally and emotionally taxing on this team than it was physically.

After the game, Hendrix Lapierre was confident that the Bears are ready to skate with a highly skilled team in Coachella.

“I think at that point of the year, the adrenaline just kicks in,” he said. “Obviously everyone’s pretty tired. It’s whoever wants it most,” Lappy said. “So yes, I’ve heard a couple guys say it’s easy to blame the schedule, blah, blah, blah. But if you’re tired, if you’re not ready for these moments, then when will you be? A day off between every game is plenty. We’re athletes. We train every day. We were ready for the challenge. The adrenaline kicks in, you just don’t think about being tired or your legs being heavy or whatever it is. So that what I think [about being tired].”

Hendrix added later  “If you don’t want it at this time of year, then you’re not built for this.”

He isn’t the only one that is confident after Game 1 either. 

“I think we beat ourselves at times,” said Hardy Haman Aktell. “We know we can play with these guys and we know we can beat them”

The series opener was filled with unlucky or lucky bounces depending on your view for both squads.   While Coachella controlled the pace and play for much of the game, whether it was adrenaline fueled or just skating with their hair on fire, Hershey showed a lot of grit and fight till the final whistle tallying one home to make it a 4-3 contest.

That goal and “give” shown by the team is a reason for optimism tonight in Game 2.

Follow ChocolateHockey.com on twitter @ChocHockey throughout the Calder Finals.

Chocolate Hockey’s coverage of Chasing the Cup is powered by PA Central FCU