So we meet…again… (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

With their win against the Devils yesterday, the Rangers were guaranteed to finish no lower than seventh and could finish sixth depending on what the Senators did. Seeing who was in third, I assumed the Rangers would go from not sure if they would make the playoffs to finishing the season in sixth place. I was right. So what does this mean? The Rangers get to play the Washington Capitals for the fourth postseason in five years. (The only year they didn’t play each other the Rangers missed the playoffs.)

Of those four postseasons, the Rangers and Caps have met three times (inlcuding this year) in the first round. As I’m sure everyone knows, the Caps won the first two series in seven and five games. Last year, meeting in the second round, the Rangers finally defeated their foes in seven games. So expect the series to go for a while. I will probably change my mind after watching game 1 (which we still don’t know when is) but I’m taking the Rangers in six. Yes I know the Caps are playing well right now but I think the Rangers can beat them. I just hope we don’t have to go through game three and five of last years’ series again.

Speaking of the playoffs, with the Whale missing theirs, it was a given that a bunch of players would be recalled to practice in case the Rangers needed players during their playoff run. This years squad includes two goalies, two defensemen and six forwards as the Rangers announced this morning that Cam Talbot, Jason Missiaen, Stu Bickel, Dylan McIlrath, Ryan Bourque, Micheal Haley, Brandon Mashinter, J.T. Miller, Brandon Segal (whose wife just gave birth the couple’s first child, a girl), and Christian Thomas were recalled. Haley is expected to practice with the Rangers and travel to DC but the rest will practice on their own and only join the big boys if needed. Curious why Haley is actually being recalled. (Is there another injury? A replacement for someone else? Guess we’ll find out soon…)

Stu Bickel gets his first point since being sent to Whale. (Photo: Chris Rutsch/flickr)

The Connecticut Whale continue to battle their way into the playoff picture, with a solid chance at making a long post season run. Each game I see the Whale play they have looked stronger, faster, and more solid. Through a rough season of call up’s and injuries with the roster and in their partnership with the Rangers, the Whale have stood strong.

No matter who has gotten called up to the Rangers, they have maintained momentum, and whether they became game changers or not, they held their own, and at no time were they unsuccessful in their placement.

» Continue reading “Whale Fighting For Post Season”

Catch up on some great fan videos of these guys from this weekend! (Photo: Chris Rutsch/flickr)

Those who want to follow the Connecticut Whale know there are a few places that are go-to sites for all the most up-to-date information. (We like to believe we’re one of them but if we’re being honest, we get our info from those sites.)

For instance, if you are on twitter you probably follow @WhalePack who are one of, if not, the most pro-Hartford hockey fans we know. If you don’t, you are missing out on not only great commentary but great videos like the ones below from the Whale’s 6-1 win over Binghamton Sunday afternoon.

» Continue reading “Firsthand Videos From The Whale’s Win Sunday”

Christian Thomas putting work in against the Senators. (Photo: Chris Rutsch/flickr)

The Connecticut Whale played 3 games in 3 days this weekend at home, in what would be a significant push for the playoff picture. The first game of the weekend was against the Hershey Bears. This game would go into a 3-2 shoot out, and bring the Whale the first win of the weekend.

» Continue reading “Whale Play 3 In 3″

Great weekend for this man! (Photo: Chris Rutsch/flickr)

Whale goaltender Jason Missiaen comes up huge in the St. Patrick’s weekend, where the Whale played back to back games on Saturday and Sunday. Missiaen was given the go ahead nod after securing a win last week in Providence. It should not be over looked that Brandon Segal has not slowed down since his short lived stint with the New York Rangers in their first few games. Another player who has stepped up his game tremendously since being sent to Hartford, is Chris Kreider. Kreider was told to get to CT, and toughen up his game, and that’s exactly what he has been doing.

» Continue reading “Missiaen Accomplished.Whale Heating Up”

This doesn’t look pretty. Neither was this weekend for the Whale. (Photo: Chris Rutsch/flickr)

The Connecticut Whale lost 2 out of 3 on the road. The games were not pretty, but as far as March road games go, they could have done much worse. The first game was out in Binghamton, and the Whale were shutout 3-0. That game was not an easy win, as Binghamton scored two of their three goals later in the game. The Whale managed to keep them close, but the game got away from them.

» Continue reading “Whale Drop 2 Of 3 On Road”

The Connecticut Whale squared off against the Portland Pirates this week, and although it was a hard fought game, they could not find 2 points. The Whale did however come up with 1 point, as a late goal forced overtime, and eventually an even more dramatic than usual shoot out.

The first goal of the game came on a Portland power play when Brandon Gormley knocked one past Cam Talbot 20 seconds into the man advantage putting Portland up 1-0. Halfway through the period, Portland up on another power play, Chris Brown beat Cam Talbot like his name was Rihanna, putting Portland up 2-0.

Shortly after the second goal, Andrew Carroll and Boris Valabik went at it, dropping gloves, and woke up the sleeping Whale. Chris Kreider centered himself in front of the net and pushed a beauty from Logan Pyatt passed former Whale goalie Chad Johnson. At the end of the first, Sam Klassen took a high sticking penalty, and Portland’s Chris Conner hit the Pirates 3rd goal of the period with .9 seconds to go, putting the Pirates up 3-1. » Continue reading “Whale Find 1 Point & Kreider Is On Fire”

This weekend was an important one for the Connecticut Whale. The Rangers have sent Brandon Mashinter, Christian Thomas and Chris Kreider back to Connecticut. Mike Vernace and Benn Ferriero are both back from injuries. The Whale team, much like the parent club, the New York Rangers, are looking whole again. » Continue reading “Whale Win Both Against Bridgeport”

Photo: William Rogers

Okay, so the Connecticut Whale are officially in a slump. The Whale appear to be mirroring the parent club, the New York Rangers. There is a reason for that, the New York Rangers have had to stock up on recalls from Hartford. The New York Rangers have Chris Kreider, Brandon Mashinter, JT Miller, Christian Thomas, Matt Gilroy, and Steve Eminger. Now, these are not all players that one would only associate as Whale players, however a month ago nobody pictured them in the roles they have been placed in as of late.

With that being said, I still don’t believe that the call ups are the reason for the Whales sudden slump. Furthermore, I don’t necessarily blame the Rangers slump on that either. This is pro hockey, whether it is NHL or AHL, these leagues intertwine because at any given time, in theory, one should be successful in a call up or conditioning stint with their affiliate. These two teams in particular have the same calls, plays, and systems. I am not saying that any defensive player can be called up and become Dan Girardi, but what I am saying is that these losses are bigger than Rick Nash with the Rangers, and bigger than Brandon Mashinter with the Whale.

» Continue reading “Ranger Recalls Hurting Whale?”

Photo: William Rogers

The Whale came, saw, and conquered with a Sweep of St. Johns Ice Caps in Newfoundland. The CT Whale took off to our neighbors to the north just in time to avoid the blizzard that currently has the home state buried. The Whale had back to back games Saturday and Sunday facing off against the IceCaps in Mile 1 Centre. In Game one, the Whale toughed it out and played a full 60 minutes of defense, with some great offensive opportunities.

This first night resulted in the first win CT ever had against the Ice Caps. The impressive line of tough guy Michael Haley, opportunistic Christian Thomas, and forechecking maniac Kelsey Tessier combined for a total of 6 points. The first goal of the night was by Kelsey Tessier in the lines first shift after Thomas fed it from the corner and Tess beat Pasquale, making it 1-0 early. Less than 2 minutes later, on the same lines next shift, Thomas knocked a Caps puck handler off his feet, and Haley took control netting the games second goal. Ice Caps knocked one in a few minutes later, making it appear that the game was far from over. The line of Newbury, Mashinter, and Vernace scored after Newbs sent one down to Mash who deflected the puck to Vernace who got another goal past Pasquale making it 3-1. Throughout the rest of the period, and entire length of the 2nd period and just about all of the third, defense.

The Whale did what they have failed to do even with big leads, and that is secure the lead, stopping their opponent. In the third period, a variety of opportunities came, and went. Talbot was standing on his head stopping 37 of 38 shots (16 in the 3rd). The only other goal came at the end when the Ice Caps pulled Pasqaule and Thomas buried a high empty netter from the blue line. 2 points, Whale win, 4-1!

» Continue reading “Whale Sweep Ice Caps In Mile 1 Centre”