Photo: Dinur Blum/flickr

Earlier today, it became official – starting next season the Rangers AHL team will no longer be called the Connecticut Whale but will instead revert back to being the Hartford Wolfpack.

I know today’s announcement regarding the name change came with mixed reviews but I’m not sure I understand why. Yes, I realize that Connecticut fans love and miss their Whalers. But this team never was that and maybe it’s me, but I wouldn’t want another team pretending to be my team. (That would be like the Wild saying they are the North Stars or the current Winnipeg Jets saying they are the original ones. They aren’t and fans of the original teams don’t treat them as such.)

» Continue reading “Welcome Back Hartford Wolfpack!”

Brandon Mashinter scored the goal that got the Whale their only point of the weekend. (Photo: Chris Rutsch/flickr)

The Whale entered the home stretch to the playoffs this weekend with their last 3-in-3 of the regular season, all games coming on the road. On Friday morning, they had a playoff spot. By Sunday night, they were clinging so tightly to it as this was definitely a weekend the boys would like to forget.

Friday night the Whale were in Manchester for a match-up with the Monarchs. The game started well as Chris Kreider scored a beautiful power play goal late in the first period with assists to Benn Ferriero and Kris Newbury. Unfortunately that would be all the Whale could muster as the Monarchs scored three unanswered goals (Weal, Pearson and an empty-netter to Kozun) over the last forty minutes to take the 3-1 victory.

» Continue reading “Not A Good Weekend For The Whale”

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″

Welcome back Arron Asham! I know you aren’t a bad player, but it’s bad when you are the one igniting the team and it isn’t by fighting… (Photo: Melissa Andus)

All night I listened as the Rangers outhit and outshot the Capitals through the final 40 minutes of the game. That’s great. They didn’t outscore them and not only gave away a valuable extra point, they gave a team that is chasing them two. This season, they just can’t keep doing that.

For those who haven’t heard, the Rangers roster changed slightly since the boys last game. Jeff Halpern is now in Montreal, Stu Bickel is in Connecticut (where he had 6 shots on goal during the Whale’s win earlier today and played in all situations including the power play) and Kris Newbury is with the big club.

As for the lineup, Arron Asham came off of IR to return for the first time in over a month (last game was 2/19 vs. Montreal) and J.T. Miller missed his first game since being called up due to his left wrist injury (and possibly the fact that he told the media what the injury was; just kidding).

» Continue reading “Rangers Only Gain One Point In Tough Game With Caps”

I have absolutely nothing to say about this man, nor will I speculate on his future with the team (Photo: clyde/ flickr)

Hey, remember the last week ahead where I said the Panthers game could be an easy victory? Or the recap of the Penguins game where I mentioned Halpern a whole bunch of times and said he was getting good opportunities on the team? Well, that obviously turned out well! The Rangers lost to the Panthers, Halpern was put on waivers and went to Montreal. This week, I am going to stick to the facts and just the facts, lest I say something that angers the hockey gods and thus curse the team. I am only going to say positive, neutral, and nice things today. Maybe that will work!

Just the facts, ma’am:

» Continue reading “The Week Ahead: Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes”

We won’t be seeing the guy on the left in that jersey anymore. May not see the one on the right either. (Photo: Melissa Andus)

For a day off, today was a busy day in Ranger world.

First, we said goodbye to Jeff Halpern as he was claimed by the Montreal Canadiens. I said he would be claimed by someone but expected him to go earlier than that. (Waiver claims go by reverse standings meaning the Panthers had first grab and the Canadiens were toward the bottom of the list.)

I hope I’m wrong about this but I think the Rangers will regret letting him go. He wasn’t anything spectacular but for a fourth line center who killed penalties, he was solid. Case in point – he was never scratched and would regularly be moved up in the lineup if Torts felt a spark was needed. Guess we’ll see. In the meantime, I actually hope we get no power plays next Saturday night as the Habs now have Prust and Halpern.

» Continue reading “Waivers, Recalls, Injuries + More”

You should smile Captain. You had a good game tonight. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough. (Photo: Melissa Andus)

At this time last year, I had nothing against the Ottawa Senators. I didn’t love them but I didn’t hate them. It’s amazing what a playoff series can do because now my hatred for them is as strong as my hatred for teams from the state of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately the Rangers didn’t play this game with the same passion I would have. That said, they did manage a point which is more than I thought they would get.

One lineup change as Arron Asham has a mystery injury (no word if it’s the same mystery injury Nash has) and wasn’t able to go tonight. In his place, Stu Bickel at forward. I was hoping this meant Chris Neil’s face would meet Bickel’s fists. Shockingly, there were no fights in the game which disappointed me. Even more surprising – Bickel played 6:11 and got two shifts in the third period. Might’ve been his first shifts in the third period all season. (I kid…he played a lot in the first game against Pittsburgh so I’m sure he had some ice time in the third during that one.)

» Continue reading “Rangers’ Ryans Score As Boys Steal Point In Ottawa”

From left to right: Lundqvist, Girardi, Bickel, Asham, Miller & Biron. (Photo: Melissa Andus)

A lot of people say they were born and raised to be a fan of a team. I can absolutely say that as my dad has had season tickets for over 40 years and I promise all of you, I am not near 40 yet

The best part in my mind about having seasons tickets? Sure you get to go to all games but I get more excited about the subscriber events, such as the one last night held at the Beacon Theater. (Side note: There were two, one for long time subscribers and one for families/kids. I was at the first one.) There is always some memorable moment or quote that comes out of these events. Colton Orr asking to be put on the power play, Dan Girardi telling Marcus Naslund he doesn’t have an island, Ryan McDonagh telling Marian Gaborik he used to pay to go to games and watch him…I could go on and on. Last night was no different.

» Continue reading “Lots Of Laughs At Rangers Annual Season Subscriber Event”