Down on the Farm, Bears Exterminate Rats

Amidst all the "woe is me" talk going around Washington in the last 24 hours, there is some happy news: the AHL's Hershey Bears advanced to the Eastern Conference finals with a 5-4 OT victory last night over the Albany River Rats. And, in a weird twist, they'll be waiting for a while because none of the other series are more than two games old.

Fortunately or unfortunately, many of the Bears' players will never see the light of the NHL (at least with the Caps). John Carlson and Karl Alzner will be on the red, white and blue next season and beyond -- with the former being a favorite for the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year.

Keith Aucoin, Jay Beagle and Mathieu Perreault, who have enjoyed small stints with the Caps, might get a shot -- with the latter having the best opportunity. And, of course, Braden Holtby and Michal Neuvirth will have a chance to make some noise at goalie, but still remain behind Semyon Varlamov.

Many probably argue that the Bears have a lot of "four-A" players: those who dominate in the AHL but can't stick in the NHL. And there's probably truth to that. But the best part for Caps fans is that there's a team in the organization -- one not that far away -- that truly is a perennial title contender.

And that's a big reason to smile.