If he is not fired, I will leave the Hershey Bears head coach, as he has a misunderstanding with his star player.
I’ll step down as head coach of the Hershey Bears if he is not fired because of a disagreement with a key player.
Results are what matter this time of year, but even after defeating the visiting Coachella Valley Firebirds 5-2 in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals last night, Nelson and his Hershey Bears players know they still need to improve.
There is one game remaining in the best-of-seven series.
The Firebirds, who have gone 6-0 in the postseason and defeated the Bears 16-5 in four games during the previous year’s Finals, will host the defending champion Bears for three games this week. Tonight is Game 3 (10 ET/7 PT, AHLTV).
Following Sunday’s game, the Bears promptly made their way to Harrisburg International Airport for a cross-country trip, arriving in Palm Springs at approximately 12:30 a.m. PDT. After two weeks of touring, the Firebirds returned to California this morning in order to prepare for Tuesday night’s show.
Nelson remarked of Game 2 that “we got away with one.” Here, let’s use a shovel to call it a spade. We deteriorated, perhaps as a result of their increased play. Although I’m pleased with the victory, if we want to continue the series, we need to improve greatly.
Throughout the first two games of the series, the Bears have only registered 40 shots on goal. In the second period of Game 2, they lasted 12:37 without scoring, but Jimmy Huntington’s goal broke a 1-1 tie after a strong forecheck caused a mistake behind the Coachella Valley goalie. From the end of the second quarter to almost the middle of the third, they were scoreless for a further thirteen minutes.
The Firebirds’ strong speed and transition game is posing a challenge for Hershey, as it has put the Bears through extended periods of play where they were unable to get pucks out of dangerous situations. Speaking about his team’s goal-less performance just 17 seconds into the third quarter, Nelson said that he has seen defensive-zone errors in the series that he has not seen from his players all season. He also changed the subject to the Bears ending Coachella Valley’s 6-on-4 opportunity late in the game.
However, there is no expectation that winning the Calder Cup will be simple, and the Bears have other advantages as well. Game 2 saw a solid showing by AHL goalkeeper of the year Hunter Shepard, who stopped 32 of 34 shots.
“We don’t win that game if Shep doesn’t play exceptionally well,” Nelson declared.
After missing three games due to a shot to the face during the Cleveland series, Pierrick Dubé has been producing outstanding work. After taking a hard trip into the end boards, Dubé scored a goal late in the second period that proved to be the game-winner, storming the Coachella Valley net with a rush.
Hardy Häman Aktell, who scored two goals and supported a depleted defense corps still without Lucas Johansen, Aaron Ness, and Vincent Iorio, was hailed by Nelson as the Bears’ greatest blueliner this postseason. Last night, Matt Strome, an all-purpose forward, returned to the starting lineup, replacing Garrett Roe, who was hurt.
In the Hershey dressing room, Nelson says things that are taken seriously. In light of this, the Bears may benefit from video and relaxation before Game 3. They also managed to lose to a top-tier Firebirds team while playing at a level that was undoubtedly below par.
“Remember the previous season,” stated Huntington. We played 48 hours later and won in seven. In my opinion, there wasn’t quite as much intensity throughout Game 2. Hey, we won the match, though. We only needed to prevail, and we did.
However, stated—or was it warned?— Nelson said of the Firebirds, “They’re a really good team.” They have talent. In their own building, they’ll be much more superior. We are aware of the risks we are taking. It couldn’t get much worse than it was [in Game 2], so I am confident that our squad will improve.
