WHALE WEEKLY: April 18-24, 2011

The Whale began their 13^th trip to the postseason in 14 seasons on Thursday, as they headed to Portland to take on the Atlantic Division-champion Pirates. The Pirates defeated the Whale, 3-2, in Game One, and then also posted a 3-2 victory over the Whale in Game Two on Saturday, this time in overtime. The series switched to the XL Center on Sunday, and the Whale cut their series deficit to one game, defeating the Pirates, 3-1 in Game Three. Connecticut will look to even their first-round series with the Pirates at home on Tuesday, before the series switches back to Portland for Game Five on Thursday. If a Game Six is necessary, that will be Saturday at the XL Center, and if the series goes the full seven games, the deciding Game Seven would be next Monday, April 25 in Portland   Tickets for Game Four on sale now at the XL Center ticket office and all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets may also be charged by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.CTwhale.com.

Playoff ticket packages are also available that include tickets to all possible home playoff games, plus rollover options and incentives for next year’s season tickets.  To speak to a Whale account executive about a playoff ticket package, call (860) 728-3366.  More information is available at www.ctwhale.com.

Tuesday, April 19^th, Game Four vs. Portland at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

· After dropping the first two games of the series in Portland, the Whale responded with a 3-1 home win on Sunday.

· Derek Whitmore (2-1-3) and Mark Voakes (1-2-3) have both notched three points so far for the Pirates, while David Leggio has won two of his three starts in net for Portland.

· John Mitchell (2-1-3) and Wade Redden (0-3-3) have tallied three points each in the series’ first three games against the Pirates. Dov Grumet-Morris made 29 saves in Sunday’s game to earn the First Star.

· Tommy Grant’s goal for the Whale in Game Three marked his first professional goal.

· Sunday’s win snapped a six-game losing-streak in the playoffs for the Whale franchise, dating back to the 2009 playoffs when Hartford was defeated by Worcester in six games.

· Radio – live with Bob Crawford in HD on WTIC’s 96.5 HD 3 and on-line at www.CTwhale.com and www.wtic.com.

Thursday, April 21^st, Game Five at Portland (Cumberland County Civic Center), 7:00 p.m.

· The Whale have held the Pirates to two goals in 20 power-play attempts this series, and went a perfect eight-for-eight on the penalty-kill in Sunday’s win.

· Connecticut has gone two-for-twelve on the power-play, and Mitchell’s goal came with the extra-man on Sunday.

· Mark Mancari and Dennis Persson have both returned from their call-ups with the parent Buffalo Sabres, Mancari led the Pirates with 64 points during the regular season (32-32-64).

· Each game has seen the winning team score three goals, and the Pirates have outshot the Whale in two of three games this series. Portland has outshot the Whale, 25-9, in their last two third periods.

· After losing the first two games of this current series, the Whale franchise has dropped seven consecutive road playoff games.

· Radio – live with Bob Crawford in HD on WTIC’s 96.5 HD 3 and on-line at www.CTwhale.com and www.wtic.com.

Saturday, April 23^rd, Game Six vs. Portland at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m. (if necessary)

· The Whale/Wolf Pack are 11-6 in franchise playoff history with a chance to end a series, and 12-11 when facing elimination.

· Radio – live with Bob Crawford in HD on WTIC’s 96.5 HD 2 and on-line at www.CTwhale.comand www.wtic.com.

Monday, April 25^th, Game Seven at Portland (Cumberland County Civic Center), 7:00 p.m. (if necessary)

· The Whale/Wolf Pack are 3-2 all-time in playoff Game Sevens, and 5-3 in winner-take-all games.

· Radio – live with Bob Crawford in HD on WTIC’s 96.5 HD 3 and on-line at www.CTwhale.comand www.wtic.com.

Recent Transactions:

Mats Zuccarello – Reassigned by the New York Rangers  April 18.

Carl Hagelin – Signed to an Amateur Tryout Agreement by the Whale April 13.

Whale Tales:

Individual tickets for Whale home playoff action are available at the XL Center ticket office and all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets may also be charged by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.CTwhale.com.

Playoff ticket packages are also available that include tickets to all possible Whale home playoff games, plus rollover options and incentives for next year’s season tickets.  To speak to a Whale account executive about a playoff ticket package, call (860) 728-3366.  More information is available at www.ctwhale.com.

For information on Whale ticket packages, group sales and VIP packages, call (860) 728-3366

The merchandise stands at the XL Center are carrying a full selection of Whale items, including hats, t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, pucks, mini-sticks and even plush toy whales.  Whale merchandise is also available at the Whale Pro Shop, which is located at 45 Pratt St. in downtown Hartford and is open 10 AM to 4 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and two hours before every home game.  Fans preferring to shop on the web can check out the Whale selection on-line atwww.ctwhaleshop.com.

Season tickets for the 2011-12 Whale season are available now, with a special early bird discount.  Call (860) 728-3366 for information on that, as well as all Whale ticket packages, group sales and VIP packages.

Once again this season, the Whale are partnering with WTIC Radio to air Whale hockey action.  All of the Whale’s playoff games will air on 96.5 WTIC-FM’s HD 2 channel and will be streamed on-line atwww.wtic.com.

The AHL’s Connecticut Whale is operated by Whalers Sports and Entertainment, a Hartford-based sports marketing and event firm founded by Howard Baldwin.  The team is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers.

Since 1972, the CT Lottery has generated more than $19.3 billion in sales and has transferred nearly $6.7 billion to the state’s General Fund.  Prizes have exceeded more than $11.1 billion.  Purchasers must be 18 years or older.  If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-346-6238.  For more information about the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, call (860) 713-2000, or visit the CT Lottery web site at ctlottery.org.

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