SUNDAY FEATURE: Pilon/Pinho Hit 100 AHL Games Plateau

Just one year ago, Garrett Pilon, Shane Gersich, Beck Malenstyn, Joe Snively, Brian Pinho, and Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, Bobby Nardella, and Ilya Samsonov were listed as rookies on Hershey’s roster.

After appearing in 16 games with the Bears, Jonsson-Fjallby returned to his native Sweden and played in the Swedish Hockey League, making him eligible for rookie status again this year.

Snively joined the Bears after finishing up his fourth and final year at Yale, while Nardella finished his fourth year at Notre Dame and also joined the team late in the season. Nardella and Snively are both enjoying rather productive rookie seasons with Hershey this year.

Perhaps the most notable name on that original list, Samsonov, is currently on Washington’s roster, backing up Braden Holtby. He’s currently sporting a 9-2-1 record with a save percentage of .914 and a GAA of 2.39, leading his fellow NHL rookies in both categories.

With Gersich (89 AHL, 3 NHL games) and Malenstyn (95 AHL, 3 NHL games) sidelined with injuries, Pilon and Pinho became the first two “sophomores” to reach the 100-(regular season)game plateau.

Pinho was the first to hit the mark with a goal and an assist in Hershey’s 5-2 victory over Bridgeport December 14th at Giant Center, earning first star honors. “Yeah I mean it's exciting,” Pinho said after the game. “100 games in pro hockey is a lot and I’ve loved every second of it and I’m glad we got the win tonight.”

Pilon, on the other hand, was shocked to learn that he had played in his 100th regular season game Sunday against Springfield. “Oh, that was today?” Pilon asked. “I had no idea. Wow I should have had money up on the board.”

Pilon very nearly made it even more memorable with a chance at an empty net goal late in the game. “It would have been nice obviously to get a goal there, but he made a nice play and I’m just glad it didn’t hurt us in the end.”

While Pilon didn’t have a two-point performance on his 100th game like Pinho, both are very cognizant of the importance of continuing their winning ways.

Pinho said, “That (victory over Bridgeport) was huge for us (be)cause if a couple teams lose tonight then we can bounce back in and we’re in a playoff spot, so that was the goal.”

Pilon agreed, saying after last Sunday afternoon’s victory, “I think it (winning) builds a lot of confidence for our group, especially our younger guys because I think when you’re losing games, guys aren’t getting as much individual success as well, and I think when we’re winning games, there’s a lot more positivity around the place and it builds confidence for a lot of us, so I think winning games is a huge thing and we want to keep that going when we get back here after Christmas break.”

As the pair looked back on 100 games in just over a season and a quarter, they both acknowledged that there were many role models for them in their rookie seasons.

“I think last year was good,” said Pilon. “We had a lot of older guys I think that were good to read off of. I mean (Boyd, Walker, Barber) Sgarbossa too and Megna were also guys that you watch and you know, I think it was a pretty big blessing for a first year guy to have those guys on the team and watch them, how they handle themselves. It was good to have those guys.”

“For sure,” added Pinho. “I think it’s obviously tough your first year pro just adjusting to the game speed and the strength of all of the players. I feel a lot more comfortable this year and just trying to work my hardest and play my best every night.”

“Obviously the second year you always want guys to make a huge jump and I think there is a learning curve there where one year pro doesn’t mean doesn’t mean when you come in the next year you're all of a sudden going to dominate,” added Pilon. “Learning that and learning to keep it simple and do stuff like that usually leads to more success for yourself and the team and I think I’ve kind of been learning throughout this year.”

And in reality, it’s the basics and attention to detail that has paid dividends in Hershey’s nine-game win streak in the month of December

“I think we’re just more consistent,” Pinho stated. “Our starts have been a lot better. We’re playing faster and playing harder. We’re getting some goals. We were struggling to get goals. Obviously our goalies are great every night so that helps too.”

Besides the terrific play of the netminders and the PK unit, the forward lines are starting to mesh as well thanks to the patience of Spencer Carbery and his willingness to refrain from mixing up lines to get production.

“It’s time,” Pilon, who moved to the right wing from center, said of the on- ice chemistry he has quickly formed with linemates Joe Snively and Mike Sgarbossa. “I think we’re getting some more games with each other. I think even when we’re not getting points sometimes I think we’re still creating a decent amount and I think it’s just getting used to each other. Obviously those guys are both difference-makers and play-makers so you don’t have to do as much on your own. I feel like I can kind of let them do their thing and make plays. It’s a really nice line to be on.”

“I think everyone is starting to gel now too,” Pinho said. “We have a lot of new guys too so everyone is starting to get used to playing with everyone for the first time so everything is starting to click right now so it’s fun.”

And while they await the return of Gersich and Malenstyn, Pilon and Pinho, who both have almost matched their offensive production from a season ago, will just keep going out there night-in, night-out and trying to do all of the little things that help the team keep winning games.

“I think as a group everyone decided we all needed to play our game and play our best and the rest will take care of itself,” Pinho concluded.