Friars To Entertain Defending National Champions

By Bob Phillips

PROVIDENCE— Anyone who thought The Big East wasn't an elite conference entering the 2016-17 season should be eating crow about now. Defending national champ Villanova has been ranked No. 1 for much of the season, and currently checks in at No. 4 in both major national polls (AP and USA Today/Coaches). Butler, Creighton and Xavier can also be found in the Top 25 in one (or both) polls. That's four teams in a 10-team conference - not exactly chopped liver.

Friar fans are in for a treat this week when Villanova comes to The Dunkin' Donuts Center on Wednesday night. Tickets are still available. For more information, click HERE.

And before you throw in the towel before the game even begins, consider this: The Friars, much in the same position last year (which is to say after-thoughts my many so-called "experts") shocked the college basketball universe with what many think was the upset of the season with a when the topped the Wildcats, 82-76—in Philadelphia, no less—just about a year ago to the date.

For the pregame notes leading up to this year's game, click HERE.

Love and Baseball… Only in Bridgeport!

“Love is the most important thing in the world… but baseball is pretty good, too!” –Yogi Berra

This Valentine’s Day, the Bluefish are offering a special promotion
that includes two Harbor Club tickets to Opening Day, a complimentary
parking pass, and a Bluefish 20th Anniversary T-Shirt.

By Bob Phillips

BRIDGEPORT – Pitchers and catchers are set to report to Spring Training camps in Florida and Arizona in a few short weeks, and that means Valentine’s Day can’t be far behind. Now, no one besides that late, great philosopher, Lawrence Peter Berra, would be likely to associate Valentine’s Day with baseball… but this season, the Bridgeport Bluefish are trying to change that. The Bluefish, charter members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, widely recognized as the   No. 1 independent circuit in professional baseball, are offering Southern Connecticut sports fans a deal they can’t refuse: roses and baseball—delivered by none other than BB himself.

In a quite the creative Valentine’s Day promotion, the ’Fish are offering to surprise and please one’s significant other with a special package that includes a bouquet of red roses plus two tickets to Opening Day, personally delivered to your SO’s home or office by BB the Bluefish, the team’s popular mascot, on Feb 14. In addition to all of the above, the special Valentine’s Day package also includes a complimentary parking pass, plus a special Bluefish 20th Anniversary T-Shirt.

The Bluefish will open the 2017 season deep in the heart of Texas with a seven-game set against the defending Atlantic League champion Sugar Land Skeeters, before returning to the cozy confines of The Ballpark at Harbor Yard where they will open a three-game homestand with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. First pitch for Opening Day will be at 4:20 p.m., and gates will open one hour earlier.

And the price for all this love and baseball you ask? Actually, not so bad, if I do say so myself. For a grand total of $49, the package includes:

*Two (2) Harbor Club tickets to Opening Day. (The Harbor Club is a private suite located on the second level of the stadium behind home plate.)

*One (1) complimentary parking pass for the game.

*One (1) Bluefish 20th Anniversary Commemorative T-Shirt.

* And a bouquet consisting of three (3) red roses courtesy of Rosa’s Florist of Bridgeport.

All orders must be placed before the end of business day (5 p.m.) on Monday, Feb. 13. To purchase a Valentine’s Day package, or for more information, call 203-210-BLUE or email tickets@bridgeportbluefish.com.

—With Staff Reports

Last-Minute Goal Gives Black Wolves First Win of Season

By Bob Phillips

Two Black Wolves scored hat-tricks, and New England earned its first
win of the 2017 season, 13-12, over Rochester.
(Photo by Bill Harper)

UNCASVILLE – Kevin Crowley completed a hat trick with 53 seconds remaining in regulation to give the New England Black Wolves   a 13-12 victory before a 7,074 fans at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday night. It was the first win of the 2017 season for the Black Wolves, who opened the season with three road losses.

Throughout the contest, the teams traded the lead—neither team held and advantage of more than two goals. Indeed, Buffalo trailed by two, 12-10, with less than five minutes left in the match, but the Bandits’ Craig England and David Brock each found the net late in the contest to tie the score. And that set the stage for Crowley’s heroics.

“He's an offensive force,” said New England head coach Glenn Clark. “You see what he does in shutting down transition and how he can play defense, He creates loose balls and turnovers. He's such a complete player and he can score big goals.”

In addition to his four goals, Crowley added four assists to his stat line. Sean Evans, the team’s leader, also had a hat-trick and also contributed five helpers. Ex-Bandits Jay Thorimbert (two goals, two assists) and Chad Culp, who won 20 of 29 faceoffs, assisted in the Black Wolves’ winning effort.

“I would have liked a little more of a cushion, but from a fan's perspective, what else do you want?” said Clark. “It’s good for the team; good for the product. This is what we expect. This is the NLL. It’s a razor's edge in terms of victories and losses.”

With the win, New England improves to 1-3, while Buffalo falls to 1-3. Next up for the Black Wolves will be the 2-2 Rochester Knighthawks on Friday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Mohegan Sun Arena box office. Rochester stopped New England, 15-8, in the season opener for both teams. Friday night’s game will start at 7:30 p.m.

—With Staff Reports

Sun Acquire Gray from Atlanta

By Bob Phillips

The Connecticut Sun have acquired former Pac-12 Player of the Year
Reshanda Gray in a trade with the Atlanta Dream.

UNCASVILLE – The Connecticut Sun, the state’s only major league franchise, announced on Thursday that Reshanda Gray has been acquired from the Atlanta Dream in exchange for Aneika Henry-Morello. Gray, a 6-2 forward/center out of the University of California, was the No. 16 overall pick in the 2015 draft by the Minnesota Lynx. She was named the Pac 12’s Player of the Year after averaging 17.4 points and 7.1 rebounds as a senior.

Traded to the Dream as part of a three-team deal highlighted by the Chicago Sky sending Sylvia Fowles to the Lynx, Gray has appeared in 55 WNBA games, averaging 3.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per contest. She had a career-high 22 points and 11 rebounds in a victory over the Dallas Wings last July 22, and closed the season with 14-point effort at Minnesota on Sept. 17.


“We are excited to add Reshanda to the Connecticut Sun family,” Sun head coach and general manager Curt Miller said. “She is a physical post player who consistently battles on the glass and can thrive in our up-tempo offensive system. She plays with a high motor while giving us another exciting, young player heading into the 2017 season."

A physical player in the paint, Gray is expected to help the Sun off the
offensive and defensive glass.

Henry was signed by the Sun as a free agent on Feb. 18, 2016. She played in 10 games last year for the Sun. A three-year pro out of Florida, the 6-4 center/forward averaged 1.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game in 10 games with the Sun last season in a reserve capacity. She blocked 110 shots in just two years at Florida, which ranks her No. 6 on the Seminoles’ all-time list in the category.

The Sun will open the 2017 season on May 13, hosting Atlanta at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 877-SUN-TIXX, via e-mail at tickets@connecticutsun.com, or by visiting www.connecticutsun.com.

—With Staff Reports

Sound Tigers Cap Perfect Weekend With 3-1 Win Over Rochester

Bridgeport’s Braken Kearns duels Rochester’s Evan Rodrigues
on a faceoff. Rodrigues assisted on the first goal of the
contest,  and Kearns picked up a helper on the game's last
goal  in  the Sound Tigers’ 3-1 victory on Sunday.
                                                                           (Photo by Bill Harper)

By Bob Phillips

BRIDGEPORT — Celebrating his 21st birthday in the best way imaginable, right wing Josh Ho Sang found the back of the net twice to lead the Bridgeport Sound Tigers to a 3-1 victory over the Rochester Americans before 3,367 fans at the Webster Bank Arena on Sunday afternoon. It was the first multi-goal game in Ho-Sang’s pro career.

Rochester fired the opening volley at the 15:06 mark of the first period. Tyson Strachon fired a shot at the Sound Tigers’ goal from the right half-boards. Hudson Fashing, standing in front of Bridgeport netminder Stephon Williams, redirected the rubber biscuit past Williams’ glove for his second goal of the season.

It didn’t take the Sound Tigers long to respond—35 seconds, to be precise. Kyle Burroughs fired a slap shot on Amerks’ goalie Linus Ullmark, who was screened on the play. Ullmark gave it his best shot, but ended up watching helplessly as the puck found its way between his pads and into the crease, where Ho-Sang tapped it past the fourth-year netminder to knot the score at 1-1. It was Ho-Sang’s first goal since Dec. 28, and he was serenaded to a chorus of “Happy Birthday” from the hardcore Sound Tiger fans residing center ice in section 105.

Bridgeport took the lead at the 7:33 mark of the second stanza, and once again, it was compliments of the birthday boy. Michael Dal Colle sent a pass up ice to Ho-Sang in the neutral zone. The rookie then took off down the left boards on a breakaway and fired one past Ullmark’s high glove side to give the Tigers a 2-1 advantage. The Sound Tigers sealed the deal with an empty-net goal by Steve Bernier—his 15th of the season—with just eight seconds remaining in the contest.

Overall, Rochester outshot Bridgeport 30-29. The Tigers were 0-for-2 on the power play, but a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. Bridgeport’s red-hot PK unit is now 27-for-29 over the past eight games. Williams, who improved to 6-12-0, stopped 29 shots to earn his second straight “W,” while Ullmark (16-14-1) stopped 26 shots in the Rochester net. The win capped a perfect 3-0 weekend that also included victories over the Springfield Thunderbirds and Toronto Marlies.

The Sound Tigers will continue their season-long, eight-game home stand on Wednesday with a 7 p.m. matchup against the Providence Bruins. Wednesday night games are traditionally a tough sell in the AHL, so to sweeten things up for the fans, there will be $1 hot dogs and $5 beers available at all first-floor concession stands. For those unable to attend, the game will be streamed live on  www.ahllive.com, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m.

Then, on Friday, the Hartford Wolf Pack will be in town to take on the Hartford Wolf Pack. First puck drops at 7:05. On Saturday, the Sound Tigers will entertain the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Saturday will be “Blockhead Night.” The first 2,500 fans through the turnstiles will receive a Sound Tigers OYO Figurine sponsored by Rockin Jump. The team will also be holding a toy block building contest with voting taking place on our social media accounts this week. The winners will receive a prize and be recognized during the game.

For additional details or to reserve seats for any of the  2016-17 giveaway and theme nights, please call the Sound Tigers’ front office at (203) 345-2300.

—with Staff Reports

THE SKINNY

Pack Scores Road Win Over P-Bruins

Marek Hrivik had a goal and two assists to help lead
the Hartford Wolf Pack to a 5-2 win over the Providence Bruins.
(courtesy Chris Rutsch/Hartford Wolf Pack)

By Bob Crawford

Providence – Chris Brown scored twice, and Marek Hrivik and Mat Bodie had a goal and two assists each, as the Hartford Wolf Pack broke a three-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over the Providence Bruins at before 5,980 fans the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in downtown Providence on Sunday.

Mackenzie Skapski got his first AHL win of the season in net for Hartford, making 33 saves, and Adam Tambellini also scored.  Peter Cehlarik had a goal and an assist for the Bruins, who were fresh off of a 9-1 win the night before at Lehigh Valley.

The Wolf Pack had a strong first period, getting goals 12 seconds apart from Tambellini and Brown and coming out of the frame with a 3-0 lead, and never looked back from there.

“They obviously had a really good game [Saturday] night, a lot of goals, but I thought we came out with a lot of jump tonight and pounced on them,” Brown said.

Tambellini opened the scoring on the game’s first power play at 7:25.  Taking a feed from Nicklas Jensen, Tambellini crept in from the left side and let go a shot that Bruin starting goaltender Anton Khudobin thought he stopped, but it trickled from his grasp and just over the goal line.

The Wolf Pack then got another one almost immediately after the center ice faceoff, as Brown made it 2-0 at 7:37.  Boo Nieves handed Brown a perfect pass at the right side of the goal mouth, and Brown easily tapped the puck into the net, with Khudobin caught helplessly at the other side.

Hrivik upped the lead to 3-0 at 12:16 with his tenth AHL goal of the season.  Hrivik received a pass out of the left-wing corner from Steven Fogarty and backhanded the puck from the right side of the slot, and it found its way just inside the opposite goal post.

Malcolm Subban replaced Khudobin in the Providence net for the start of the second period, in which the two teams would trade power-play goals.

Brown got his second of the game at 12:29, increasing the Hartford lead to 4-0, with Colton Hargrove off for slashing.  Hrivik and Brown broke up the slot on a 2-on-1, and Hrivik set Brown up for an easy finish from the right side.

Colby Cave ruined Skapski’s shutout bid at the 15:47 mark, though, after Fogarty was called for slashing at 14:40.  Cehlarik fired a shot from the right circle that was tipped by Cave, and Skapski nearly squeezed it between his pads, but it trickled behind him and just over the goal line.

Down 4-1 going into the third, the Bruins controlled play in the third period, outshooting the Wolf Pack 14-4, and cut the lead to two at 8:34.  Cehlarik scored his 18^th of the season from the left side of the slot on a rebound, after Skapski stopped a shot from the right point by Chris Casto.

That would be as close as the Bruins would get, however, and Bodie put the game out of reach with an empty-net goal at 17:31.  After the Bruins pulled Subban for an extra attacker, Hrivik worked the puck off the boards in the Wolf Pack end to Bodie, and he was able to loft it into the open goal from about the top of the circles in in his own zone.

The Wolf Pack’s next action is on home ice this Wednesday, January 25, with the Hershey Bears visiting the XL Center for a 7 p.m. faceoff.  That is another “Click It or Ticket Family Value Pack” game.  The Family Value Pack includes two tickets, two sodas and two hot dogs, all for just $40.

Tickets for all Wolf Pack 2016-17 home games are on sale now at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.

Sound Tigers Open “3-in-3” Weekend Tonight in Springfield

By Bob Phillips with staff reports

 

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers start a three-games-in-three-day stretch
tonight in Springfield before returning home on Saturday.

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the New York Islanders’ American Hockey League affiliate, are gearing up for an AHL trademark “3-in-3” weekend – three games in three days. Tonight, the Sound Tigers head up Interstate 91 to take on the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Florida Panthers’ top minor league affiliate, at the MassMutual Center. Bridgeport enters the game with a 19-15-1-1 record, while Springfield in 15-19-2-1.

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (19-15-1-1) partake in their second straight three-game series this weekend, beginning tonight with a 7:05 p.m. matchup against the Springfield Thunderbirds (15-15-5-2) at the MassMutual Center. Tonight’s game marks the seventh of 12 meetings between the two teams this season—and the fourth of six contests at the MassMutual Center. Bridgeport has logged points in four of the previous six meetings (3-2-0-1), including a 3-2 shootout loss in their last match-up earlier this month. Bracken Kearns scored both goals for the Tigers, and Jaroslav Halak made 30 saves in his first AHL game since 2008.

Tonight’s game will conclude a stretch of seven road games in 22 days—but the Sound Tigers have fared fairly well.  Bridgeport is undefeated in regulation in four straight road games dating back to Jan. 4 (2-0-1-1), the club’s longest unbeaten stretch this season. Overall, the Sound Tigers are 10-7-1-1 on the road this season.

The Thunderbirds are sixth in the Atlantic Division and 10th in the Eastern Conference. Mackenzie Weegar leads Springfield with nine goals. The T-Birds are 4-4-2-0 in their last 10 games. 

After the Springfield contest, the Sound Tigers head back to the cozy confines of the Webster Bank Arena where they will wrap up the weekend with two games in Bridgeport.  On Saturday, the Tigers will face the Toronto Marlies (15-19-2-1) in the first of a seven-game home stand. It will be the first-ever regular-season meeting between the Sound Tigers and the Marlies, the top affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, the two teams met in the first round of the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs, with the Marlies taking the series in three games. And Patriot fans should be delighted to know that first puck drops at 3 p.m. That gives a long lead-time until kickoff for the AFC Championship Game between New England and Pittsburgh. Kickoff is slated for 6:40 p.m.

Toronto, currently in last place in the Northern Division and 13th overall in the Eastern Conference standings, enters the weekend on a four-game winless streak (0-3-1). Brendan Leipsic leads the Marlies with 25 assists and 36 points this season. Former first-round pick Kasperi Kapanen paces Toronto in goals scored, finding the back of the net 16 times.

On Sunday, the Sound Tigers will host Rochester Americans in a 3 p.m. contest. Rochester currently ranks sixth in the Atlantic Division and 12th in the Eastern Conference. Forward Cole Schneider leads the team in scoring with 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists), which is ties him for third-place overall in the AHL. The Americans, the Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate, are in the midst of a 3-in-3 themselves, with all three games on the road. The Amerks will take on the Providence Bruins at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center on Friday night, then head to Hartford to play the Wolf Pack at the XL Center on Saturday night.

Sunday’s game will be a “Kids Free” game. All children 12-years old and younger can get in free when accompanied by an adult purchasing a full-price ticket at the Webster Bank Arena box office. In addition, the Sound Tigers will “Play It Forward” by joining forces with WEBE 108 and Splash Car Wash. All fans who bring a new or gently used sporting good for donation at the door will receive a free voucher to an upcoming Sound Tigers game.

The Tigers are coming off a 5-3 win against the Providence Bruins last Sunday at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Tanner Fritz scored twice and Stephon Williams made 32 saves, helping Bridgeport reach the 40-point mark this season. The Sound Tigers are fifth in the Atlantic Division, seven points behind the Hershey Bears for the final playoff spot.

Killer PK
Bridgeport’s penalty kill has allowed just one goal over its last five games, going 19-for-20 during that span. Included in that stretch is a 5-for-5 performance on Jan. 4 at Springfield and a 6-for-6 performance on Jan. 13 at Binghamton. Overall, the Sound Tigers penalty kill is 14th in the AHL at 82.3-percent.

Movin’ On Up!
Second-year goaltender Stephon Williams earned his fifth victory of the season on Sunday, which also moved him into sole possession of 10th place on the Sound Tigers’ all-time wins list. Williams has won 20 games in a Sound Tigers uniform, and is three wins behind Mike Morrison (2007-08). In addition, he currently ranks ninth on the team’s all-time games played list for netminders with 48 career appearances, one behind teammate Christopher Gibson.

Quick Hits

• All-Star defenseman Devon Toews is fourth among AHL rookies with 20 assists, and tied for 10th among league blue-liners with 24 points.
• Brent Thompson is five wins away from tying current Islander’s head coach Jack Capuano for first on the Sound Tigers’ all-time wins list for head coaches.
• Steve Bernier is sixth in the AHL in shooting percentage at 26 percent,
• The Sound Tigers lead the league with six shorthanded goals on the road.

Gabby Williams Named American POW for Second Time

UConn's Gabby Williams has been named the American Athletic
Conference Player of the Week for the second time this season.

                                                         (Photo by Ian  Bethune-True Blue UConn)

 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – For the second time this season, UConn junior forward Gabby Williams has been named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Week. Williams recorded back-to-back double-doubles as she helped No. 1 Huskies break their own NCAA record with their 91st straight win

Williams averaged 15.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 3.0 blocks and 4.0 steals per game in only 23-minutes per contest while shooting 54.5 percent from the field in a 2-0 week for the top-ranked Huskies. The Sparks, Nev., native started the week with an 11-point, 13-rebound game against No. 20/21 USF on Tuesday, and came within three assists of posting her first career triple-double. She followed that up with a 19-point, 10-rebound, six-assist, five-steal effort in the win at SMU on Saturday. With the pair of Double-D's, Williams now has five this season and 14 in her career.

Williams and the Huskies return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 17, when they visit Tulsa.Tipoff at Reynolds Coliseum is slated for 8 p.m. The game will be televised on SNY and streamed on ESPN3.

Colorado Stops Black Wolves in OT

The New England Black Wolves overcame a three-goal fourth-period
deficit, but lost to the Colorado Mammoth, 11-10, in OT on
Saturday night. (photo by Khoi Ton)

DENVER– Pat Saunders scored with 40 seconds remaining to force overtime but it was not enough as the New England Black Wolves fell to the Colorado Mammoth 11-10 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Saturday.

New England opened the scoring with a power play goal from Crowley 2:47 into the contest, and doubled their advantage to 2-0 on a Saunders goal just over a minute later. Colorado (1-1)  tied it up with two goals in 39 seconds but tJay Thorimbert picked up his first goal as a member of the Black Wolves with 1:12 left to give New England a 3-2 lead at the end of the first.

The second quarter was all Colorado as the Mammoth picked up five goals—four coming in a span of 2:01. Jeremy Noble got the run started at 3:45, and Eli McLaughlin and Christ Wardle also found the back of the net before Zack Greer scored 5:46 into the quarter. Callum Crawford wrapped up the Colorado scoring in the quarter on a power play goal with 2:23 remaining until intermission, giving Colorado a 7-3 advantage heading into the break.

The Mammoth wasted little time when play resumed, scoring just 26 seconds into the third quarter. Buchanan finally ended the run with his second goal of the season at 3:06 of the third, cutting the Colorado lead to 8-4. It was the first New England goal in a span of 19:18 dating back to the first quarter.

Buchanan picked up his second of the night six minutes later on the power play, and then assisted on a goal by Evans 58 seconds later as the Black Wolves cut the Mammoth advantage to two at 8-6. Crawford picked up his third goal of the night a minute later to put Colorado back up by three, 9-6.

Evans got the scoring started in the fourth, picking up his second 2:51 into the frame. Crowley cut the Mammoth advantage just one with 10:12 remaining in regulation, but Colorado answered just 23 seconds later, when Crawford scored his fourth goal of the night to put the Mammoth back up by two. New England outshot Colorado 15-7 in the fourth quarter, however, and Saunders capped the comeback with his goal in the last minute of regulation.

In overtime, Colorado goalie Dillon Ward made the last of his 36 saves on the first possession, and the Mammoth scored the winning goal just 51 seconds into the extra stanza when McLaughlin beat Evan Kirk with his second goal of the night. “It was a textbook pick-and-roll [with Zack Greer] that we got them on,” said the third-year forward. “I’m just happy I put that one away.”

Kevin Crowley led New England (0-2) with six points on three goals and three assists while Shawn Evans, Saunders and Kyle Buchanan each had two goals in the loss. Evans and Buchanan also chipped in three assists apiece. Crawford led Colorado with eight points (four goals, four assists) and Noble added five on two goals and three assists. Kirk had 41 saves for New England. Colorado has now won nine of its last 10 games vs.

The Black Wolves return to action on Friday when they travel to Duluth, Ga., to take on the Georgia Swarm. Game time is set for 7:35 p.m. The home opener will be on Jan. 28 when the Black Wolves entertain the Buffalo Bandits. Game time is slated for 7 p.m., and all fans attending will receive a free, limited edition “Raised By Black Wolves” T-Shirt, compliments of Coca-Cola. Tickets start at $15, and can be purchased by visiting blackwolves.com or calling 844-LAX-WOLF.

—Staff Reports

Sound Tigers Fall to Senators; Wolf Pack Top IceCaps

The Sound Tigers battled back from a two-goal deficit, but
ultimately dropped a 3-2 decision in OT to the Binghamton
Senators Friday. It was the last regular-season meeting
between  the two teams this season.
                                                          (Courtesy: SoundTigers.com)
 

Both of Connecticut’s American Hockey League teams were involved in overtime games on Friday night … and came away with a split decision. In Binghamton, NY, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers battled back from a two-goal third period deficit to tie the game, but ultimately fell to the Binghamton Senators, 3-2, in overtime before 3,051 fans at the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena.

Bridgeport (18-14-1-1) picked up a point with the OT loss and wrapped up a five-game road trip in which the Sound Tigers went 1-2-1-1, with the sole win coming last Saturday against the Hartford Wolf Pack at the XL Center. Friday’s game represented 19th one-goal contest for the Tigers this season, and they are 11-6-1-1 in those contests. The game also wrapped up the season series between the two teams, with the Sound Tigers holding a 3-0-1-0 advantage. Friday night’s win by Binghamton was the Sens’ first victory over the Sound Tigers since Jan. 17, 2014.

Following a scoreless opening frame, the Senators struck first with a shorthanded tally courtesy of Max McCormick at 8:35 of the second. With Ben Harpur in the box for cross-checking, Michael Kostka ripped a shot from the right circle that Halak turned back, but the rebound caromed to the slot where McCormick beat the netminder’s blocker. It was McCormick’s ninth goal of the season and just the second shorthanded goal the Sound Tigers have allowed.

Binghamton doubled its lead just 33 seconds into the third period on a goal from Phil Varone. Harpur carried the puck down the right wing before forcing a pass to the doorstep, where Varone nudged it past Halak’s right leg pad for his eighth tally of the season.

The Sound Tigers battled back to force overtime with a pair of goals from two veterans in the final 15 minutes. Steve Bernier made cut the Sens’ margin to 2-1 at the 5:23 mark when he slipped a redirection under Chris Driedger’s glove. Andrew Rowe created the attack at the right point, entering the zone 1-on-4, but delaying long enough for help to arrive. He forced a pass to Josh Winquist on the left wing where the third-year pro fed Bernier at the doorstep. It was Bernier’s 12th goal of the season.

Bracken Kearns tied the game on the power play with his team-leading 13th goal of the season at 16:48. With Kostka in the box for slashing, Kearns took a pass from Devon Toews in the right circle and drilled a one-timer over Driedger’s glove to knot the game at 2-2. Toews picked up his team-leading 19th helper on the play.

Jack Rodewald played hero just 1:29 into overtime when he nudged Varone’s centering feed across the goal line past Halak’s left leg. It was Rodewald’s 11th goal this season.

The Sound Tigers finished the contest 1-for-4 on the power play and 6-for-6 on the penalty kill. Driedger made 33 saves and improved to 8-5-2 this season. The shots were even, 35-35.

BOX SCORE

The Sound Tigers return to the Webster Bank Arena on Saturday night when they will host the Utica Comets. First puck drops at 7 p.m. Saturday night’s game is Military Appreciation Night which will honor the heroes of the United States military, both past and present. The first 1,500 fans through the turnstiles will receive a camouflage bomber hat, and the Sound Tigers will wear special edition uniforms during the game, which will be auctioned off to the public. In addition, all active duty personnel and veterans can receive a free ticket to the contest by showing a valid I.D. For additional details or to reserve seats for any of the 2016-17 giveaway and theme nights, call the Sound Tigers’ front office at (203) 345-2300. 

Pack Stop IceCaps

Meanwhile, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Chris Brown’s goal at 2:07 of overtime gave the Hartford Wolf Pack a 2-1 win over the St. John’s IceCaps before 3,746 fans at Mile One Centre Friday night, in the first of back-to-back games between the two teams in St. John’s. On the winning play, Brown, who had been denied on a chance moments earlier by IceCap goaltender Charlie Lindgren, re-gathered the puck, cut across the middle of the zone and down the slot, and fired a hard snap shot cleanly past Lindgren on the stick side.



Chris Brown’s goal at 2:07 of OT gave the Wolf Pack a 2-1 win
over the St. John’s IceCaps Friday night.

                                                                  (Photo by Cecil Johnson)

“It’s just, get pucks on net and hopefully they go in,” Brown said.  “The first one, I had a couple of rebounds and they just didn’t go in.  But [Mat Bodie] made a great read, setting a nice little pick for me, and I kind of walked down and just shot it.  And fortunately it went in.”
Nicklas Jensen tied the game for the Wolf Pack with a third-period power-play goal, after Bobby Farnham had scored for St. John’s in the second.  Magnus Hellberg made 29 saves for the win, and Lindgren stopped 25 shots in the IceCap net. The win was the Wolf Pack’s second straight on the road, after a 3-1 victory in Rochester on Wednesday night.

The Wolf Pack outshot the IceCaps 9-6 in a scoreless first period, but the best chance came on a St. John’s power play.  With Chris Summers in the penalty box for cross-checking, Max Friberg deflected a shot past Hellberg, but the puck clanked off the crossbar.

The IceCaps had a 19-6 shots on goal edge in the second session, a statistic that tied a Wolf Pack season high for most shots-against in a period, but only one of those 19 bids found its way past Hellberg. That was at 13:19, when Farnham, who was just sent down earlier in the day from a recall stint with the parent Montreal Canadiens, buried a breakaway.  Daniel Audette passed the puck off of the left-wing boards, and a Wolf Pack defender slowed it down, but it still got through to Farnham, who broke in and launched a perfect shot into the top shelf on Hellberg’s glove side.

The Wolf Pack finally solved Lindgren at 7:11 of the third, with Josiah Didier off for interference.  Jensen upped his team-leading goal total to 17, with his fourth in his last four games, as he was set up at the left side of the slot by a pass from the corner by Adam Tambellini, and ripped a shot that went through a Matt Carey screen and eluded Lindgren.

Lindgren held up the rest of the way through the third, with the Wolf Pack enjoying a 9-4 shots advantage, and Hellberg was forced to make a sharp save on Audette on the opening shift of overtime, before Brown got the last word. 

“It’s a good character win, it’s a good comeback,” Brown said.  “That’s a good team over there with a lot of talent, so it’s a good start to the weekend, and building off our last game.” 

The Wolf Pack and IceCaps tangle again Saturday night at Mile One Centre, with faceoff at 6:00 Eastern Time.  All of the action can be heard live on News Radio 1410 WPOP, and on-line at www.newsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio.  Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.

The Wolf Pack’s next home game is next Fri,, Jan. 20, vs. the Toronto Marlies at 7:15.  As at all Friday-night Wolf Pack home games, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period.  Also, the first 2,000 fans will receive a Wolf Pack 20th anniversary poster, compliments of Bud Light, as part of the Wolf Pack’s Hartford Hockey Heritage Weekend.

Tickets for all Wolf Pack 2016-17 home games are on sale now at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Season ticket information for the Wolf Pack’s 2016-17 AHL season can be found on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  To speak with a representative about all of the Wolf Pack’s ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451.

—Staff Reports

  

WCCT To Televise Black Wolves Opener

The Black Wolves open the season on Saturday against the Colorado
Mammoth in Denver. You can catch the game live on WCCT-TV at 9 p.m.

Uncasville—Connecticut lacrosse fans are in for a treat. Saturday’s National Lacrosse League game between the New England Black Wolves and host Colorado Mammoth will be broadcast live on WCCT-TV, home of the CW, beginning at 9 p.m. EST.

East Division Finalists in 2016, the Black Wolves return the core of their team this season, including former two-time NLL MVP Shawn Evans, 2016 Goaltender of the Year Evan Kirk and veteran stars Kevin Crowley, Kyle Buchanan, Pat Saunders and Kevin Buchanan. The team is led by 2016 NLL Coach of the Year Glenn Clark.

Following Saturday’s game at Colorado, the Black Wolves visit Duluth, GA, where they will take on the Georgia Swarm on Fri., Jan. 20, before heading to the Mohegan Sun Arena for their home opener against the Buffalo Bandits on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. Season tickets and mini plans are on sale now. Tickets start as low as $15 and can be purchased by visiting blackwolves.com or calling 844-LAX-WOLF.

WCCT-TV (formerly WTXX) was Connecticut’s first independent television station, and has been entertaining and informing viewers for more than 30 years. Today, WCCT is owned by Tribune Media and has become one of the top performing CW network affiliates in the United States. WCCT also delivers the best in off-network and first-run syndicated programming, hit movies and sports. The station is home to the Connecticut Lottery drawings and broadcasts major community events like The New Haven Saint Patrick’s Day Parade to viewers across the state.

Free T's

The Black Wolves are encouraging fans to “Black Out” Mohegan Sun Arena during the home opener.

All fans in attendance will receive a free, limited edition black T-shirt at the door. The shirt, which says “Raised By Black Wolves” on the front and features the 2017 home schedule on the back, is sponsored by Coca-Cola.

“We are happy to be a part of the energy and excitement around the 2017 Black Wolves season,” said Lisa Arnold, the Coca-Cola Company Marketing Manager for Mohegan Sun. “We love to participate in the fun, and The Coca-Cola Company is a very proud partner of Mohegan Sun.”

“We are excited to partner with Coke on opening night and offer lacrosse fans throughout New England this extremely cool T-shirt,” Black Wolves Vice President Amber Cox said. “We’ve got a lot of special elements planned to make the night memorable for everyone who attends, and certainly this giveaway is at the top of the list.”