LA Kings goaltending prospect J.F. Berube spoke exclusively with MayorsManor following the Manchester Monarchs four-game sweep in the AHL’s Eastern Conference Final…
On the game overall:
“I think we just played a strong road game. We put pressure on them the whole game and we were more disciplined than the past couple games. We didn’t take too many penalties. The one we took, we kept the chances pretty low. I think I had maybe two shots on the penalty kill. That’s huge, guys block shots and we just played out typical game.”
On how he felt:
“It’s good to have just one goal, but what’s important is the win. That’s all I care about and that’s what the guys care about too. We got the win and now we’re getting ready for next round.”
On how it feels to sweep Hartford:
“I don’t think anyone was expecting it. We were going one game at a time and we just wanted to get four wins no matter how many games it would take us. We knew we would get the job done because we’re a really strong team. I think we had better skill guys than they did. Now we just have to enjoy it for now and get ready for next round.”
On having a few days rest before the next round:
“Yeah, it’s big. I think we saw it with the Wilkes-Barre series when we had a long break too. It’s important at this point in the season, playoffs, it’s late in the year and bodies are a little banged up, guys are getting a little more tired. So it’s huge that we got it done in four games, I think that’s going to work to our advantage in the future.”
On what it’s been like taking a longer road to AHL success:
“I think sometimes its good to sit back and look where you came from and all the obstacles I had to go through. Everything happens for a reason and that’s why I’m here now I think. I was surrounded by a lot of good people: coaches, my family, and friends. Everyone kind of knew I had something special in me and they just kept pushing me, my teammates too. It all brought me here, where I am now, the person that I am and the goaltender that I am. It’s fun to sit back and look at it, but at the same time I still have a lot of room to improve. I can work on my game and get better. There’s another step that can be taken, so I’m working to get there.”
On who has the best playoff beard:
“Me, no Doubt. Definitely not Kempe; I don’t even think he has pubes yet. Who else? I’m surprised [by this], but I would say Vinny [LoVerde] is pretty thick too. By the end of the Final, we will only see his eyes I think. He’s a hairy man. I would say me and Vinny are the leaders.”
Hyfsad tjing tjing idag på 9an #💸👡 pic.twitter.com/9vTMpOODqH
— Adrian Kempe (@adriankempe) May 27, 2015
On Kempe’s flip-flops with a suit fashion statement:
“I’m a good guy, I brought two pairs of shoes and I gave him a pair, I felt bad for him. I don’t know if it was a Sweden thing or whatever. I was walking back to the hotel with him and I looked down and I went ‘Oh my God! What is he doing?’ Good thing we don’t have to go outside and walk around.”
On if Kempe was chirped for wearing that:
“I don’t think so, I think he was trying to hide a little bit. He was walking along the walls and trying to hide.”
MORE GAME 4 COVERAGE:
Video Highlights, Full Analysis, and Line Combos from Monarchs ECF Sweep
Adrian Kempe Post-Sweep Quotes
Coach Stothers on Monarchs ECF Sweep, Advancing to Calder Cup
Monarchs Captain on What Team Has Done, Plans to Do
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Dear John and Andy.
Please pony up for a pair of Slippers at the local pro shop and have them screw in a pair of skate blades on them.
Get the team clown to sneak in and swap our Adrian’s skates for the ice-slippers.
A once in a lifetime opportunity.