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”

One of two new additions to the Whale this week had quite a good start to his Whale career. (Photo: Chris Rutsch/flickr)

After splitting their games last week, the Whale looked to get back on track with three home games this week. Looks like it worked as the Whale went three for three, earning all six points available to them.

Wednesday night was a crazy one as the Whale and Adirondack Phantoms combined for 11 goals and 30 penalty minutes in a game that needed over 64 minutes to complete.

» Continue reading “Whale Weekly: Homestand Just What Doctor Ordered”

Not a bad week for the Whale but not a good one either. (Photo: Doug Kerr/flickr)

Some nights during the past week, the Whale looked like a team that was ready to move into playoff contention in the Eastern conference standings. Other nights, they showed why they are where they currently are (12th place).

Over the past seven days, the boys had four games and managed to get four out of the possible eight points available.

Tuesday night was a good night for the boys as they headed to Portland for a game against the Pirates, a team they hadn’t beaten yet this season in three previous tries. Kelsey Tessier opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal at 13:57 of the first period. Blake Parlett, who apparently wasn’t suspended for his boarding penalty last weekend, got the lone assist.

» Continue reading “Whale Weekly: Mixed Bag Over Past Week”

This mans’ days with the Rangers are officially over. (Photo: CS Smith/flickr)

You know how we know the NHL season has official begun? The waiver wires are spitting out names by the dozen.

Yesterday, the Rangers placed Sean Collins, Michael Haley, Chad Kolarik, Kris Newbury, Logan Pyett, Brendon Segal, Mike Vernace, and Tommy Grant on waivers. Why, you might ask, did they put half of their AHL team on waivers? Because of a stupid little rule that said they had to.

All eight of those guys are actually on NHL contracts meaning at the start of the season, they need to be placed on waivers to be sent down to the AHL. Usually this happens in October and no one even notices. Unfortunately this year the season is starting in January meaning they technically need to be “sent” to the Whale in order to continue to play there after Friday. So basically this was a formality.

The good news is no one claimed them so the Whale roster will stay intact. The even better news is the new CBA abolished re-entry waivers which means any of these guys can still easily be called up at any time. (I’m not sure if they will have to go through waivers to be sent back down again, though.)

*UPDATE: It looks like one of those guys is leaving the Whale as according to the AHL transaction page, Brandon Segal has been recalled by the Rangers. No confirmation from either team but if he is indeed headed to NY, the recall is much deserved as he has been one of the best players for the Whale recently. (And before anyone worries what this means for the Rangers roster, they are shorthanded at forward to begin with. I wouldn’t read too much into it at the moment.)

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In other waiver news, Wade Redden was placed on waivers today in order to be bought out. After the Rangers stated that they planned to pay Redden to sit at home and the Canadiens decided to do the same thing with Scott Gomez, the NHL and NHLPA got together and worked out an agreement to allow teams to use one of their two compliance buyouts before the season begins. Originally those buyouts were only supposed to be used either this summer or next summer.

The new provision states that teams can only use one and the player it is to be used on has to be making more than $3 million a season as well as agree to the buyout. Honestly, I think the new edition to the rule should be called the “Fix Glen Sather Mistake” provision, especially since it’s only expected to be used on those two players.

To make a long story short, Redden will be bought out tomorrow after he clears waives and be allowed to sign with any team he wants. He will still get the remaining salary owed to him and the Rangers will be on the hook for his full cap for this season only. The cap isn’t an issue since the Rangers would’ve had to deal with that if he sat home so I’m glad he’s getting the chance to play.

And since I’m not sure if I’ve ever written it on here, here’s my take on Redden:

He never asked for any of this. Yes he signed the contract but if someone offered you that money, what would you do? The exact same thing he did. It didn’t work out here and for that I feel bad for him. It wasn’t that he was a horrible player. He just wasn’t a $6 million a year player. He has been amazing in Hartford the past two seasons so I really hope he gets another chance with another team and is able to end his career on a high note. I know I’ll be rooting for him.

Someone finally decided to burn their ex-team rather than allowing the Falcons to do it to the Whale. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Tonight was a big game for the Whale as they might have figured out the way to beat Springfield this season – keep their ex-teammates off the scoreboard. It only took five games for them to realize that would help.

Here’s a stat to keep in mind for tonight’s tilt against the Falcons – in four games this season, the Falcons have outscored the Whale 19-5. Yes you read that correctly and no I have no intention of mentioning how many points Jonathan Audy-Marchessault and Tim Erixon have in the series. (Just assume it’s a lot and you would be correct.) Now we can make that 21-9 in five games.

» Continue reading “Whale Win By Doubling Up Falcons”

Great game tonight for this man and Chris Kreider. Might we see them together in New York at some point? (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Hope all of my American readers had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday and didn’t get into any fist fights today while shopping. Placing blame on your fellow shoppers for not getting what you wanted is okay as shown by the NHL and NHLPA earlier today.

Speaking of the NHL, this recap was supposed to be about the Rangers beating the Bruins on the first nationally televised game of the season as part of the Thanksgiving Showdown. Instead, you get to read about the Whale beating the Sound Tigers. Not that that’s a bad thing but I’m sure everyone would’ve preferred the first option. Blame the NHL and NHLPA.

As for the Whale lineup, Andrew Yogan is still hurt and didn’t travel with the team to Bridgeport. No word on his injury or how long he will be out. Kris Newbury was back after missing one game, taking Shayne Wiebe back out of the lineup. On defense, lineup remained the same as last weekend with Jyri Niemi still hurt from the last time these two teams met. However, he was seen in pictures posted by the boys on Thanksgiving so that has to be a good sign.

» Continue reading “Kreider & Gilroy Each Score Two As Whale Beat Sound Tigers”

Somebody only played one shift tonight. Hopefully message was received. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Three players got their first goals of the season, one was a first pro goal while another was the first point this year for that player. And the CT Whale FINALLY got their first win.

Let’s start with some news. In goal tonight, the Whale had Jason Missiaen starting with Cam Talbot backing up. The guess is Talbot is close as Scott Stajcer was sent down to Greenville of the ECHL earlier this afternoon.

The Whale were without Chris Kreider who did receive a one game suspension for his hit in the Admirals game Friday night. (Side note: The hit wasn’t reviewed till Monday which is why he was able to play Saturday night. Surprised he didn’t have to fight to defend himself during that game.) You can see the hit at the 1:45 mark of this video:

» Continue reading “A Bunch Of Firsts For The Whale”

Not a good weekend for the boys… (Photo: James DiBianco/flickr)

After a loss to the Admirals last night, one would think the Whale would be out to get some revenge. Instead they got caught up in a penalty-filled mess that pushed their losing streak to four games.

To start, there were more lineup changes tonight as the Whale went with seven defensemen as D Jyri Niemi replaced LW Tommy Grant. Not sure if this was injury related or a roster move Ken Gernander thought was necessary. Scott Stajcer started in net with Jason Missiaen the backup.

» Continue reading “Penalty Parade Kills Whale Again”

IceCaps goalie Mark Dekanich probably made the difference in this game. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

…And sometimes they don’t.

Anyone worried that they don’t have Rangers hockey should just watch the Whale. Even though only four players on the current roster have played for the Rangers, the teams are mirror images of each other.

Today the Whale faced off against the St. John’s IceCaps. While the Whale had off yesterday, the IceCaps opened their season in Springfield where they lost 4-2. Both teams coming off losses but only one having to travel meant the Whale should have had the advantage. Should.

» Continue reading “Sometimes The Bounces Go Your Way…”

This photo was from last season but it was that kind of night last night. (Photo: James DiBianco)

Last night probably wasn’t the start Ken Gernander and his staff were hoping for. Seven minutes into the second period and the Whale were already down 3-0. It probably didn’t help that they gave the Devils a SEVEN MINUTE POWER PLAY.

Wait…how long?

You read that right…seven minutes.

» Continue reading “Whale Fall To Devils In Preseason Opener”