The Belleville Senators Look to Regroup After Hectic Start to Playoffs
The Belleville Senators have been non-stop for the past couple of weeks, finally securing a Calder Cup Playoff spot on Apr. 19, with just one game left in the regular season. Following that, they quickly shifted focus to a first-round series against Toronto, then straight into their division semifinal against Cleveland. A tense final week of the regular season followed by five playoff games in 10 nights has taken its toll on the team.
Head coach David Bell has decided to give the team a day off for a “reset day” after a tough 4-3 overtime loss to Cleveland. They will return for practice on Sunday before traveling 400 miles to Cleveland for Game 3 on Wednesday. Bell emphasized the importance of taking a break and coming back refreshed for the next game.
Sebastian Cossa Holds Strong in Intense Playoff Atmosphere
Grand Rapids Griffins goaltender Sebastian Cossa faced a challenging night at Van Andel Arena, with almost 9,000 fans cheering on the home team, Rockford. Cossa, just 21 years old, had to deal with a lot of pressure from the IceHogs’ aggressive offensive plays.
Despite Rockford rallying in the third period, Cossa and the Griffins managed to secure a 4-3 overtime victory. Cossa expressed his love for the intense playoff atmosphere and credited his mental strength for keeping him focused throughout the game.
Dylan McIlrath Leads Hershey Bears into Calder Cup Defense
Hershey Bears captain Dylan McIlrath admitted to feeling nervous before Game 1 of their Calder Cup title defense against Lehigh Valley. Despite having previous playoff experience, including lifting the Calder Cup twice, McIlrath still felt the pregame jitters.
McIlrath’s veteran presence and advice to his teammates helped set the tone for the game. With a 2-1 win in the opening match, the Bears are looking to make a strong statement in the playoffs once again.
Providence Bruins Dominate Hartford Wolf Pack in Game 2
Providence Bruins head coach Ryan Mougenel praised his team’s performance after a convincing 6-0 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack in Game 2 of their series. The Bruins capitalized on early goals to establish dominance and continued to press throughout the game.
Mougenel highlighted the importance of creating and maintaining momentum during games, a strategy that proved successful for the Bruins. With a strong start, they aim to carry that energy forward in the rest of the series.
