WHALE WEEKLY: April 26-May 1, 2011

Connecticut Whale

The Whale’s 13th Calder Cup playoff appearance in the franchise’s 14-year history ended Saturday, with a 6-4 loss to the Portland Pirates in Game Six of the two teams’ Atlantic Division Semi-final series.  The Whale led Saturday’s contest 2-0 after one period, but the division-champion Pirates then took control of the game with a four-goal second.  After losing the first two games of the series on the road, the Whale posted back-to-back home wins, both by 3-1 scores, Sunday and Tuesday.  Portland regained the advantage Thursday in Game Five, however, winning 5-4 at home to set up Saturday’s clincher.  John Mitchell and Chad Kolarik were the top goal-scorers in the series, with three apiece, and Mitchell (3-3-6) and Wade Redden (six assists) shared the Whale team points lead.

2011 Atlantic Division Semi-final:

(Portland wins series, four-games-to-two)

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.

Recent Transactions:

  • Mats Zuccarello – returned to Whale by the New York Rangers April 18.
  • Derek Couture – released by Whale from Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement April 25.
  • Tommy Grant – released by Whale from Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement April 25.
  • Carl Hagelin – released by Whale from Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement April 25.
  • Kale Kerbashian – released by Whale from Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement April 25.
  • Dylan McIlrath – released by Whale from Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement April 25.
  • Jason Missiaen – released by Whale from Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement April 25.
  • Blake Parlett – returned by Whale on loan to Greenville (ECHL) April 25.
  • Shayne Wiebe – released by Whale from Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement April 25.
  • Andrew Yogan – released by Whale from Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement April 25.

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.

CATCH THE WHALE AT WWW.CTWHALE.COM

By Mitch Beck

Mitch Beck was a standup comedian and radio personality for over 25 years. His passion for hockey started with Team USA in 1980 when they defeated the Soviets at Lake Placid. He is now working in the hockey industry full-time as a coach and administrator. Mitch has been reporting on the New York Rangers, and exclusively on the Hartford Wolf Pack / Connecticut Whale since 2005.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Exit mobile version
Skip to content