Post Game: Hartford Wolfpack and Providence Bruins

I also listened to the Falcons, Sound Tigers game the night before, and was ready to recap, but long story short, Springfield seems to be getting better, but not better enough quickly. Bridgeport meanwhile is on a roll. Just my luck, everyone has to prove me wrong. Both games were the only one for that night, so they were able to get a lot of attention.

Hartford Wolfpack: 4 (OT)

Providence Buins: 3

The game was really tightly contested. Nobody maintained a lead very long, as each opponent seemed to Hulk out the moment they went down. It led to a span of very quick goals towards the end of the second. Three of the five goals scored in the second period coming within a span of 90 seconds in the final 3 minutes of play. The announcers couldn't even get through half of a goal scorers name before another one was scored. It was like the last five minutes everyone decided to pull their goalies and play with open nets. That was before a tough third with lots of chances for both sides stifled by great goalie play.

Bruins force another OT. McIntyre has been allowing more goals than his first loss, but he's been making the right plays when needed and seems to be playing better when the stakes are there. Unfortunately once the Providence Bruins get down to 3 on 3 they aren't as effective, and a dumb hooking penalty at the end gave the WolfPack a man advantage necessary to secure the winning goal. Hopefully though, the Providence Bruins can correct this, and managed longer than their first power play outing. 

Who also is playing well? Frank Vatrano, a kid from East Longmeadow who grew up watching the Bruins and Springfield Falcons, and after a stint in Umass Ahmerst was recruited to the very organization he grew up loving. He's young, has a quick release, was named AHL player of the week for the opening week, and already has scored six goals over his first three games, including the one that forced overtime in the matchup against the baby pens. If he keeps this up, he may not be in Providence for long. I would hope not since he still needs some time to develop, and could hone in on some defensive skills.

As for the Wolfpack, they also played a great game. Their goalie Helberg made crucial saves, 37 total shots were taken against him and he held strong. Does the power play still suck? Yeah, they didn't get a power play goal until over time, making them 1-10 for the season. Tambellinni, their center seemed determined to break the streak in the 4-3 gift from Providence, taking shot after shot until he finally snuck one by McIntyre. It was a hell of an individual effort that rewarded the Wolfpack with their first win. 

Providence faces the 3-0 Soundtigers (?!?) next at home this friday, with a rematch in Bridgeport Saturday and Hartford plays Utica at home Saturday in a matchup between the former Springfield Indians and the former Providence Reds. AHL original six like I keep talking about.

Tonight's games are late night western affairs, with a game between the Ontario Reign visiting the Manitoba Moose and the San Jose Sharks visiting the Stockton Heat. I will try to listen to one, maybe.

Good, Bad, Ugly: Opening Weeked

Good:
Providence Bruins, Rochester Americans, Bridgeport Soundtigers, Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins goaltending, Toronto Marlies

The most surprising of this is the Bridgeport Soundtigers. They come out swinging with 2-0 start, looking to prove me wrong I guess. Providence Bruins also had a pretty good start, 1-0-1 with an overtime loss. They had a strong first outing against a tough goalie and kept with it. Penguins goalie also was strong that first match, though they dropped their second game in their opening weekend back to back.  Finally, Rochester set up their opening weekend to their 60th season right with two wins, and Marlies won back to back against Manitoba.

Bad:
Manitoba Moose, Hartford Wolfpack, Lake Erie/Rochester game

Manitoba dropped both games against the Marlies, off to an 0-2 start. Hartford loses a game against St. John's that they should have managed. Perhaps its a step back for the Wolfpack? I already detailed why I thought the Rochester Lake Erie game was a mess...

Ugly: Springfield Falcons
I did a recap of this already, but none of that looked pretty. I hope they clean it up.

Post Game: Hershey Bears vs Springfield Falcons

That got ugly quick.

Eddie Shore would not be happy.

But first things first. It is clear that the Falcons bought into providing a better presentation this year. They have a new jumbotron that looks like it takes up half the ice. It is beautiful and all to often I found myself looking at it as the glass was rattling six inches away from my face. They are giving fans every reason they possible could to buy into this product, taking the jump and the leap that are light years superior to products of the past.

Well, in terms of presentation that is...

Massive new Jumbotron

Springfield had a good start to the game. Puck handling was a little sloppy all around, but it was comparable hockey, and it could have just been the condition of the ice. The first major problem was a blown 5-3 that the Falcons couldn't capitalize on. Neither team could capitalize on any of their 5-3 power plays. There were 3-4 of them so special situations defense was strong or offense was weak.

What was really weak was Springfield goal tending. In the first period, Springfield goalie Truetle looked way out of his league and definitely not ready for the start. Springfield has a new coach for the AHL this year, maybe he thought a new untested goalie might bring a spark to the new team? Whatever the reason, Truetle looked unready, posting a save percentage of .833 % on thirty shots, but a lot of soft goals with clear lanes and looks.

After one period the Falcons were already down 2-1, with a good goal on a 2 on 1 break away that gave me confidence about the Falcons maybe coming back and making it competitive, but then period 2 happened. I don't think the Falcons got a single puck on net. They got chippy and got dumb penalties. In that period they did manage to kill off one of the 5-3s but, ooh, ugly. Two more goals with no answer.

Falcons Celebrate their only goal

It didn't seem like the Falcons were communicating. They were banking pucks with nobody knowing where they were going. They tried to break through the blue line by passing into the areas of tightest coverage, or carry it over themselves when open guys could have had an easier time. The ice didn't help, a lot of slipping and falling but there was much to improve upon.

The Bears however proved why they were part of the class of the AHL. Their 5-3 defense was astounding. They played nice and tight, didn't chase and didn't let grant many opportunities. They were disruptive in the neutral zone. It's always hard determining credit or blame in a game this lop-sided. Maybe the Bears are just that good, or maybe the Falcons are just that bad this year, its hard to tell. Springfield might be in for a long year.

Recap: Opening Night Double Header

So, for opening night I kept my eye on two games adequately enough for full recaps. Lucky readers, its a two for the price of one, providing you guys insight into the operation of maybe teams. What a bargain!

So, let's start with the dumpster fire.

Rochester Americans: 6
Lake Erie Monsters: 3

.@zweigleshots intermission Hot Dog Race is back. Any guesses on tonight’s victor? Tweet them to us! pic.twitter.com/zdfHhT2mAJ

— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) October 9, 2015

Heading into this game, the biggest question on my mind was, "Who, pray, who was going to win the intermission Hot Dog Race?!?" My money was on Red Hot, with no bun to slow him down like White Hot, nor the tired stoner eyes seen on Beer Brat, and look that screams, "I'm ready to go!" Alas, I was wrong.

.@zweigleshots intermission Hot Dog Race is back. Any guesses on tonight’s victor? Tweet them to us! pic.twitter.com/zdfHhT2mAJ

— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) October 9, 2015

Curse you White Hot! Curse you!

If I had a second question, it would be if the Amerks could start off their historic season strong, and they got the win. Not just the win but the first goal of the season. The team celebrating their 60th anniversary in the league celebrating its 80th gets the first goal of the season? Only thing more poetic would be if it were the championship, but I'm not jumping on that bandwagon yet..

After the first period, Amerks had a commanding lead and were playing well, and then in the second period they forgot how to play and let the Monsters catch up. From there on out it was turnovers, dumb penalties, and generally sloppy play.  Rochester could be optimistic about the fact they had a hat trick in game 1, and their goalie has a save percentage of .921 for the first game, but if they want to improve I would have to hope they improve on the mistakes. Also, they might not be as lucky if they continue to allow 38 shots on goal, and not spend more time in the offensive zone, but a win is a win.  One where they started strong and ended strong at least. That said, it came at a cost as Center Phil Varone was either ejected or left with injury after committing and unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

If you're a Lake Erie fan however, I would be concerned about your goaltender. .783 save percentage against 23 shots. Really soft goals too. Lake Erie also made some bad mistakes. There were a lot of penalties. It was a lot of time in the offensive end, but not much to show for it.

I thought it was a sloppy game all around, but hey, mistakes balance out.

Now what I thought was the better game.

Wilkes-Barre-Scranton Penguins: 2 (OT)
Providence Bruins: 1

This isn't to say there was sloppy play, but it was compensated with two outstanding goalie performances. Each team had over 40 shots on goal. The baby pens were so close to a fantastic shut out when the Baby Bs tied it up with less than two minutes to go. Crucial timing, and then...

Bruins lost. Like immediately starting overtime.

Bruins as an NHL organization have this habit, one really good period, one really bad one and have a terrible power play.. The baby Bs were really strong in the first period, dominating, but let a goal slip by in the second, and couldn't capitalize on any of their power plays. While the Baby B's were more consistant, they definitely are built in Big Brother's mold, for better or worse. What is encouraging is that their goalie is off to a relatively good start and if that level of play continues, Zane McIntyre might end up jumping over Subban in regards to who the Bruins can deal for prospects.

The Baby Pens did get the win, despite the penalties and their goal tender also impressed, Matt Murray is entering his second season and has been a dominant goalie in the league since being pulled up. While I don't think either the goalies are in a race to replace either Rask or Andre-Flurry, both are setting their teams up for strong goal tending futures.

Plus there was a pretty good fight in this game. I said it when I did the Providence Bruins games to gun for preview, it was going to be a great game and I'm sure if you went you were not disappointed. I mean outside of the fact the home team lost.