BY: Bob Crawford
The Whale split their first two games of the season during the year’s opening weekend, first falling to the Adirondack Phantoms, 6-3, on Saturday night despite Kris Newbury’s first Whale hat trick. Connecticut rebounded with a solid 1-0 shootout win over last year’s regular season champions, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, on Sunday night. Chad Johnson earned a shutout with 41 saves and Jonathan Audy-Marchessault recorded the shootout game-winner in just his second career professional game.
This week:
The Whale will continue their season-opening three game road trip with a game against the Albany Devils Friday night at the Times-Union Center in Albany, NY (7:00 PM). Saturday will see the Whale return to Hartford for Connecticut’s home opener in a GEICO Connecticut Cup match with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (7:00). Saturday’s game with Bridgeport will mark the first-ever opening night under the Whale banner, and 5,000 fans will receive a free Whale magnetic schedule, sponsored by Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
Friday, October 14 at Albany Devils (Times-Union Center), 7:00 p.m.
· The Whale meet new Northeast Division rival Albany for the first time this year on Friday, in the first of four meetings between the teams this season.
· Rick Kowalsky is back behind the bench for the Devils’ top affiliate in 2011-12, and this year will mark his fourth straight season as a coach in the New Jersey system.
· Albany has retained two of their top three scorers from last year, as both team-leading scorer Matt Anderson (23-32-55 in 76 GP) and former Wolf Pack Chad Wiseman (16-28-44 in 48 GP) are back for another season in New York’s capital.
· The two teams met just twice last season, with both meetings coming during the month of October. The Devils beat the then Hartford Wolf Pack in both matchups, 3-2 in a shootout in Albany and 3-1 in Hartford.
· Radio – CT Whale “Rockin’ Hockey” live with Bob Crawford on “The Rock”, 106.9 WCCC-FM, and on-line at www.ctwhale.com.
Saturday, October 15 vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers (XL Center), 7:00 p.m.
· The Whale look to defend their GEICO Connecticut Cup title for the first time this year in Connecticut’s first home opener since last year’s rebranding of the franchise.
· 5,000 fans will receive a free magnetic schedule, courtesy of Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
· The XL Center atrium will rock with a “Whale Blue and Green” Fan Fest before the game. Fans can hear live music, test their shooting skills in the CT Whale Slap Shot Cage sponsored by Xfinity, frolic in a bounce house, and enjoy a Wii station.
· The Whale will meet the Sound Tigers ten times this season, as Bridgeport has joined Connecticut in the AHL’s Northeast Division.
· Former Wolf Pack defenseman Brent Thompson will be behind the bench for the Sound Tigers in his first year as an AHL head coach.
· The Whale took six of ten meetings from the Sound Tigers last season, posting a 6-3-0-1 record against their in-state rivals. Connecticut defeated Bridgeport, 3-2 in a shootout, in their first ever game as the Whale last November 27.
· Radio – CT Whale “Rockin’ Hockey” live with Bob Crawford on “The Rock”, 106.9 WCCC-FM, and on-line at www.ctwhale.com.
Recent Transactions:
Dale Weise – claimed off of waivers by the Vancouver Canucks October 4
Sean Avery – Assigned to the Whale by the NY Rangers October 5
Tim Erixon – Recalled by the NY Rangers from the Whale October 5
Stu Bickel – Assigned to the Whale by the NY Rangers October 6
T.J. Fast – Signed Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement with the Whale October 6
Jordan Owens – Signed Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement with the Whale October 6
Scott Tanski – Signed AHL contract with the Whale October 6
Brendan Bell – Assigned to the Whale by the NY Rangers October 8
Whale Tales:
Save on your tickets, and get the best seats, with a ticket plan for the Whale’s 2011-12 AHL campaign, which are on sale now. For information on season seats, mini plans and great group discounts, visit www.ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 728-3366 to talk with an account executive today.
The AHL’s Connecticut Whale is operated by Whalers Sports and Entertainment, a Hartford-based sports marketing and event firm founded by Howard Baldwin and Howard Baldwin, Jr.. The team is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers.
Since 1972, the CT Lottery has generated nearly $21.4 billion in sales and has transferred more than $7.2 billion to the state’s General Fund. Prizes have exceeded $12.3 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, visit ctlottery.org.
CATCH THE WHALE AT CTWHALE.COM
Related
Mitch Beck
Related posts
Top picks
ROAD WARRIORS LOST TO RABBITS; SWAMP RABBTS IMPRESSIVE IN DEFEAT
SOLAR BEARS TAKE SERIES LEAD WITH OVERTIME WIN Orlando puts Greenville on the brink despite Colton Young’s 3-point night, Bobby Russell’s pair of goals By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite a high-scoring affair, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits fell to the Orlando…
WOLF PACK TO PLAY BRUINS IN ATLANTIC SEMIS
WOLF PACK TO FACE PROVIDENCE BRUINS IN ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS Foes Faceoff For Second Straight Postseason HARTFORD, CT—For the second straight postseason, The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins will face off in the Atlantic Division Semifinals. This series will follow a 2-2-1 setup, with the…
GARAND AND WOLF PACK ELIMINATE CHECKERS IN 3
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack CHARLOTTE, NC – Dylan Garand made a playoff career-high 39 saves on Sunday afternoon to help the Hartford Wolf Pack complete their First Round series victory over the Charlotte Checkers. The Wolf Pack used a five-on-five, powerplay, and shorthanded…
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
WOLF PACK TO PLAY BRUINS IN ATLANTIC SEMIS
WOLF PACK TO FACE PROVIDENCE BRUINS IN ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS Foes Faceoff For Second Straight Postseason HARTFORD, CT—For the second straight postseason, The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins will face off in the Atlantic Division Semifinals. This series will follow a 2-2-1 setup, with the…
GARAND AND WOLF PACK ELIMINATE CHECKERS IN 3
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack CHARLOTTE, NC – Dylan Garand made a playoff career-high 39 saves on Sunday afternoon to help the Hartford Wolf Pack complete their First Round series victory over the Charlotte Checkers. The Wolf Pack used a five-on-five, powerplay, and shorthanded…
CALDER CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE RELEASED
By: Jason Chaimovich, American Hockey League SPRINGFIELD, MA – The AHL Playoff Games begin on Tuesday: OPENING SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS The American Hockey League has released the following schedules for the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs opening series, including the best-of-three First…
WOLF PACK DROP SEASON FINALE 4-2 TO BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack concluded their 2023-24 regular season on Sunday afternoon at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. A third-period tally from the home side proved the difference, as the Bruins took a 4-2 decision….
SWAMP RABBITS ANSWER BACK IN GAME 2
Eberle nets game-winner; three multi-point performers shine in win BY: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—Tanner Eberle broke a deadlock in a wild third period to headline the Greenville Swamp Rabbits’ Game 2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears by a 4-2 score on Monday…
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
SWAMP RABBITS SCHEDULE FOR SOUTH DIVISION SEMIFINALS
Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears begin a best-of-seven series this Sunday in Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced the full schedule for the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs…
ANDREW LORD NAMED ECHL COACH OF THE YEAR
Fourth-year bench boss becomes first in both franchise and Greenville hockey history to receive recognition By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—The ECHL announced today that Andrew Lord, Head Coach/General Manager of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, a proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los…