Nothing good comes out of a Stanley Cup playoff elimination. But AHL affiliate Hershey does at least benefit from the loss to Montreal. The Bears – just one win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference finals – get both John Carlson and Karl Alzner back from the Caps. Both players were returned to Hershey today. Considering those two held their own in Game 7 against the Canadiens that’s a huge boost. Carlson hasn’t played for the Bears since the NHL Olympic break ended on March 3. Alzner had been with the team until the Caps needed his services in Game 7 on Wednesday night.
The Bears won the Calder Cup in 2006 under Bruce Boudreau, made a return trip in 2007 and lost in the finals, won the title again last spring and are up 3-0 on the Albany River Rats in a second-round series. Albany is the top affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. No word yet on if Carlson and Alzner will play tonight when the Bears try to end the series on the road. But if Hershey does finish off the River Rats it is more valuable development time for Carlson, 20, and Alzner, 21. Both players could be in the Washington lineup for good next season.
