Changeup

I never thought I’d be hanging on a Lake Erie score, but here I was, Dec. 14, waiting on that 4-1 final, not to be confused with this 4-1 final. They’re semi-momentous 4-1 finals. That win for the huge, hideous creature* gave Cleveland 20 points. Worcester won the bonus round to reach 21. The Sound Tigers have 19. They are 29th out of 29 (though Lowell’s and Cleveland’s points percentages are both lower).

What if they had popped one more past Andy Franck? What if Joey MacDonald didn’t come just a smidgen off his post on that second goal? What if Jeff Hoggan’s lead pass doesn’t leave four guys caught up-ice and the Bruins don’t score their third goal with 18.2 seconds left in the first period?

What if there weren’t so many what-ifs? Even if you play reasonably well, you aren’t allowed too many what-ifs against the best team in the league. Pelletier misses the scoresheet, and Providence wins, anyway.

BRIDGEPORT
F: Bentivoglio-Walter-Regier
Haskins-Colliton-Kinasewich
Tambellini (A)-Nielsen-Labelle
Haley/Brennan
D: Fata-Spiller (A)
Kohn-Rullier
Wotton (C)-Ford

PROVIDENCE
F: Pelletier-Krejci-Karsums
Hoggan (A)-Bitz-Trevelyan
Thompson (C)-Hendricks-Collins (A)
Tobin/Rabbit
D: Lashoff-Curry
Jon.Sigalet-Skinner
Hunwick-McQuaid

The highlights of a pregame chat with Capuano are in the gamer. The thing about MacDonald was that it didn’t seem so much like something he did or didn’t do, as much as they weren’t going to carry eight defenseman. It’s the old play-him-a-lot-down-there thing, work on the defensive end and the physical aspect. Some around this team have talked about getting a little more experienced on defense, and Ford gives them a big 27-year-old who has been around. A comment asked about Aaron Johnson… Wouldn’t be too surprised if he came here, but I haven’t heard anything about it.

Haley’s fight was vicious. Opened some eyes in the press box, for sure. Got the left free and went to work on the side of Skinner’s head.

Providence net was off for about 30 seconds late in the third. Fata skated right past it; I think he might even have had the puck. Even after Providence iced it, the officials didn’t notice.

Prescout. Justin Mapletoft has four short-handed goals and two short-handed assists.

Doesn’t seem to be on Pensacola’s Web site, but the ECHL transactions say that Monroe’s J.R. Bria signed with the Ice Pilots.

Say what you want about Mike Francesa, but give him this today in the first two minutes of his show: “I don’t even know who that 28 was, but he impressed me.” The Islanders’ No. 28? Tim Jackman.

*-Thank goodness they didn’t follow through on that silver-armband thing.

Michael Fornabaio