Patrick Williamstheahl.com writer
Spring weather, a golf outing and extra time to prepare for the Calder Cup playoffs for hockey players.
Hershey Bear calls it “Hell Week”.
That's because of the head coach Todd Nelson Take advantage of the time between the end of the regular season and the start of the Calder Cup playoffs as a mini-training camp for his players.
Thinking about skating. A lot of skating.
Regular season plans don’t always allow a lot of conditioning work, at least not meeting the standards Nelson wants. The condition is that Nelson recovered several times in the regular season. By finishing first place in the Atlantic division and getting first-round goodbye, the Bears won themselves a week of hard, demanding practice.
Nelson's approach has worked for the Bears twice, which are trying to be the first team since 1962 to win three consecutive Calder Cup titles. In 2023, Hershey has 12 days off and then opens the playoffs. Last year and this year, 10 days off. Bears host Lehigh Valley in the first game of the Atlantic Division Semi-final series tonight at Giants Center.
Many bears have experienced two championships this year. Mike Viccion and Matt Strom Cup locks overtime heroes. Hunter Shepard and Hendrix Lapierre Win the playoffs MVP award.
All of this makes for an experienced roster. But it's also a team that has gone through a lot of wear and tear, including the franchise 10 road trips last March. Staying elite is a key component of Nelson’s program, and who can argue with people with five Calder Cup titles, including three head coaches?
Three quarters soon appeared in the Hershey fan group last summer. It's not something Nelson and his players avoid, nor are they in the spotlight. They know very well that there is a chance to do what no team has done in 63 years. They also know that even leaving the Atlantic division will be a difficult task. Winning the third Calder Cup will require them to go every night in the playoffs like the past two years.
Defensive players Brad Hunter Free agents joined the Bears last summer and made it clear that he came to Hershey to win the championship in his 13th full season. Hunt reached the Stanley Cup final with the Vegas Golden Knights, though he didn't compete in any playoff games – he won the world championship gold medal with Canada. For veterans, the Calder Cup title is certainly a good addition, who played for the Oklahoma City Baron ten years ago.
“That's why we play,” Hunter said. “You dream of holding up the cup… For many of us, it's the Stanley Cup. It's going to be fun.”
Hunter played a lot of hockey in his career, including 288 games in the NHL. So, how does it feel when the playoffs arrive?
“I think everything is getting bigger, every goal is bigger, every blow is bigger, every battle is bigger. Everything means more, everybody wants the same thing.
“Hershey’s history makes this cup much bigger and we have a goal on the back. Everyone knows it. Everyone wants to win like we do.
There was also hunger among the returnees. Garrett Roe Announced that he will retire after this season. After 10 seasons in Europe, the Virginian returned home to the game last year. Last year, he received a Calder Cup ring, and another person who ended his 14-year career would be better.
Last spring, Roe found himself on Nelson's roster. But when he needed it most, he gave birth, and his 7th overtime goal against Cleveland reached the Bears final.
“The playoffs are another animal,” Roy said. “Things can be switched in one moment. You never know when you might hit the roster and the roster changes. Do what you want to do and then keep your chin high.”
Nelson had a neat goal for the days before tonight.
“Get these guys together and put them in the right mindset.” “As a group, they don't want to go home early. They want to play with this group as much as possible. This is where a lot of people shine, and that's the definition of the player.”
“It's a special group,” Hunter said. “Win two consecutive cups and a chance to win the third…we get along with each other. It's a big family.”
During the fifty years in the American Hockey League, Theahl.com writer Patrick Williams currently covers NHL.com and Flosports leagues and is a regular contributor to Siriusxm NHL New Network Radio. He won the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for his outstanding league coverage in 2016.
