Washington Capitals’ 2020 first-round pick, Hendrix Lapierre, had another banner day down in the minors.
Lapierre scored his second career hat trick in the Hershey Bears’ 4-2 victory over the Belleville Senators. And he did it with style.
The Aylmer, Quebec native tallied a natural hat trick — three consecutive goals — and scored at all three strengths: even strength, shorthanded, and the power play.
Goal 1
Lapierre’s first goal came on a fortunate bounce 7:24 into the first period. After taking a bump pass from Alex Limoges, Lapierre skated down the right and attempted a center passing to the slot on his backhand. The puck ricocheted off of a Belleville defenseman and past goaltender Mads Sogaard, giving the Bears an early 1-0 lead.
Goal 2
Lappy’s second of the night came 12:15 into the game came while the Bears were shorthanded. The French Canadian pivot was sprung by Henrik Rybinski in neutral ice after a clear. Lapierre raced towards the net on his own, skating between two defenseman and then firing the puck past Soggard. Lapierre’s second goal of the night also served as his second shorthanded goal of the season.
Lapierre’s pair of goals would be the only tallies of the first period, sending the Bears into the second with a 2-0 lead.
Hat trick goal
Lapierre wasted no time to complete his hat trick. He scored his third goal 2:52 into the second period on the Bears’ power play. A great passing sequence from Alex Limoges to Pierrick Dube found Lapierre in front of the net, where he buried the puck past Sogaard to complete his hat trick and give the Bears a 3-0 lead.
Lapierre pointed at Dube as he rushed to celebrate with him, crediting his previous junior hockey teammate for setting him up with the goal. While the Belleville fans did not throw their hats in celebration, Bears veteran Garrett Roe celebrated with Lapierre at the bench with head taps.
Lapierre’s last recorded hatty was on April 8th, 2023 against the Charlotte Checkers.
Since being sent down to Hershey in late January, Lapierre has registered six assists in eight games, but no goals before his huge afternoon game on Presidents’ Day.
While he has spent the majority of his season with Washington, Lapierre now has five goals and 17 points in 20 games with Hershey this season and two goals and seven assists in his 25 contests up with the Capitals.
