HERSHEY, PA — Nearly a year ago, a then 21-year-old Hendrix Lapierre scored the biggest goal of his rookie season in the AHL, tying Game 7 of the 2023 Calder Cup Finals 2-2 to keep the Hershey Bears’ season alive.
The clutch goal from the Capitals’ 2020 first-round pick sent the game to overtime, where Bears’ alternate captain Mike Vecchione played the role of hero to give Hershey the franchise’s 12th championship and eliminating the Coachella Valley Firebirds in thrilling fashion.
Now, a year older and 91 games wiser (36 in the AHL and 55 in the NHL), Lapierre earned a goal in his second straight Calder Cup Finals game, scoring on the same opponent 359 days later to pull the Bears within one (4-3) with 1:56 remaining in the game. Hershey was on a power play and Hunter Shepard was pulled for extra skater.
Lapierre had a muted celebration after scoring and immediately glanced up at the jumbotron to see how much time was left to tie. The Bears ultimately could not find the back of the net a second time and fell behind to Coachella Valley 1-0 to open the series.
“I don’t consider two games a streak,” Lapierre quipped.
After serving as the team’s third-line center a year prior, the Gatineau, Quebec native is expected to produce night in, night out and be The Guy as the Bears’ first-line center and one of the main cogs on the first power-play unit.
“I’m different player than I was last year, different person,” Lapierre said. “Last year I didn’t know what to expect when we got [to] Coachella. I had no idea, first time out west. It was different. I had a different role. I was working hard and trying my best, but just putting my toe in the water and seeing what this was all about.
“And then this year I know exactly what it’s like. We lost tonight, but I don’t feel a sense of panic in myself or anyone just because I think last year we’ve been through it. I feel different, but at the same time it’s hockey. And I enjoy it as much last year. This run has been a lot of fun, so we’re trying to finish it off the right way.”
Two days after winning an emotionally and physically exhausting Game 7 in overtime against the Cleveland Monsters to become Eastern Conference champions, the Bears had to take on a Firebirds team at Giant Center that had six days of rest and had been in Hershey for the better part of a week. Both coaches thought the Firebirds’ time to rest played a factor Friday night.
“I think it was good for us,” Firebirds head coach Dan Blysma said. “A little bit of a long time but it was a chance to get here, not worry about the travel, not worry about getting acclimated to a different time zone.”
“I’m not making any excuses but let’s face it: it was a pretty emotional series against Cleveland,” Bears head coach Todd Nelson added. “We looked mentally tired at times. Making mistakes, like puck decision mistakes, just not bearing down on passing or receiving.”
But Lapierre was not having any of it postgame.
“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,” Lapierre said. “So yes, I’ve heard a couple guys say it’s easy to win with 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. You just don’t think about being tired or your legs being heavy or whatever it is.
“We’ve been playing since October,” he added. “If you don’t want it at this time of year, then you’re not built for this.”
Lapierre’s maturation and confidence, especially in the backend of the season, has been noticeable as he’s had success at the NHL level and played in all situations in Hershey — even the penalty kill — this year. He’s grown into his frame and commands respect. He’s articulate, smart, and serious, but also humble. The prospect understands his strengths and seemingly has never taken a minute living out his hockey dream for granted, which is part of what makes him so special.
Through 15 playoff games, Lapierre now leads all AHL players in scoring with 17 points (5g, 12a) after notching his sixth multi-point night of the playoffs. The pivot also recorded his league-leading 12th assist on Joe Snively’s first period goal in Game 1.
The Bears’ first line with Lapierre centering Joe Snively and Ethen Frank has been the AHL’s best in the playoffs. Snively (14) and Frank (13) sit third and fourth in AHL playoff points while Frank sits tied for second in goals (9) with Firebirds’ forward John Hayden.
“We’ll be just fine,” he said.
Hendrix Lapierre’s Calder Cup Finals goal in Game 1 (Photos)
