Everything Jimmy Huntington what he can do is amazing when he is asked about zain Pierrick Dube.
The fact that Dube is playing even now is a testament to his resilience, to say nothing of modern dentists. The 23-year-old lost “five or six” teeth during Hershey's Eastern Conference Finals clash with Cleveland. After undergoing oral surgery and missing three games, he returned to the lineup for Game 7, scoring a big second-period goal in a 3-2 overtime victory that sent the Bears to the Calder Cup Finals.
“Coming back from that injury, it was pretty crazy,” Huntington said of the 5-foot-9, 172-pound Dubé. “We saw him at the table, it was like, 'Oh my God, how could that be?'”
But it was.
Dube continues to put his body on the line for the Bears even after the injury. He provided the game-winning goal in Game 2, driving hard to the net, taking a cross-slot feed from Huntington, and directing it past the Firebirds' goalie. Chris Driedger before falling heavily on the end boards. But Dube quickly emerged, mobbed by his teammates, before charging towards the Hershey bench for more celebrations.
After scoring one goal in his first eight playoff games, Dube's production has started to come in, including the OT winner in Game 2 against Cleveland in the previous round. After getting 28 goals from Dube during the regular season, the Bears need all the attacking power he can give against a strong team like the Firebirds.
“[Dubé is] a warrior,” Huntington added, “and he's going to do whatever it takes to win a trophy here. We are there. We are here. Why don't you win?”
Both teams made changes in Game 2 following injuries in the first game of the series.
Two-time Calder Cup winner Andrew Poturalski he was out Sunday after exiting midway through Game 1. Shane Wright took his place in line Max McCormick again Kole Lindwhile Lleyton Road made his Calder Cup Playoff debut.
Roed, a Hobey Baker Award nominee this season with Bemidji State University, signed as a free agent with the Seattle Kraken on Mar. 27 after recording 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) in 38 NCAA games. The 21-year-old also played in five regular season contests with the Firebirds, scoring a goal and an assist. his father, Peterplayed two seasons with the AHL's Kentucky Thoroughblades, including a playoff series against Hershey during the 2000 postseason.
For the Bears, forward Garrett Roewho won the overtime series in Game 7 against Cleveland, was also injured during Game 1 and missed Sunday's contest. Matt Strome replaced Roe.
― with files from Patrick Williams
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