There was a question like that, though not that one.
The response was that MacDonald would be more crisp, seeing pucks better after playing a couple of times this week, while Morrison had backed up the past couple of nights.
The question was a different one because, seriously, how surprising is it that he starts? Who’s got the contract for next year? Who’s been supposed to be the No. 1 guy? Who have they tossed in in the Show, allowing Al Trautwig to call him “Joe”? Who started the last time they played Hershey? Maybe Friday wasn’t great for him, but it’s not like Morrison’s Wednesday screamed for another start, either.
If he stops that third Hershey goal, it’s probably not even really a question. There wouldn’t be other questions, which lead to answers about positioning.
But he doesn’t. It gets through. Which may now, in eight days, be the word of the night.
BRIDGEPORT
F: Tambellini (A)-Walter-Bentivoglio
Comeau-Colliton-Okposo
Keith-Regier-Jackman (A)
MacArthur/Fretter
D: Fata-Ford
Kohn-Spiller
Fraser-Wotton (C)
HERSHEY
F: Giroux (A)-Morgan-Collymore
Bourque (A)-Wilson-Gordon
Beaudoin-Beagle-Pinizzotto
Flinn-Robitaille-(Bouchard-scratch)
D: Boumedienne-Lepisto
Sloan (A)-Hunt
Paiement-Syvret
Straight matchup, Sloan and Hunt vs. the Walter line. They did fine at even strength.
Springfield pretty much buried Binghamton; a Hershey win Sunday eliminates the Senators. Kyle Greentree scored in overtime, so Philly moved into a tie in points with the Pens. Norfolk did a little spoiling on Albany, with a big third period for Paul Szczechura, but the Rats are in anyway with the Bridgeport loss. Hershey can finish no higher than third; its magic number is six.
Other side, Providence clinched the division with its win and Hartford’s loss; the Wolf Pack and Portland meet in the first round.
Meanwhile, remember the 2006 playoffs? Good: Fill me in, ’cause I don’t. It has been a while, so like Michael Sharp, I’ve really enjoyed these Bears games.
Giroux is 1-for-2 against Bridgeport on penalty shots. Wade Dubielewicz stopped him, Feb. 22, 2006, when he was with Hartford. (That game is better remembered for what Sean Bergenheim did.) By the way, the Sound Tigers haven’t had a penalty shot since Feb. 6, 2006; opponents have had the last six.
The Stamkostakes is locked in: Tampa, L.A., Atlanta, St. Louis, Islanders. My buddy Eric the Bruins fan notes the comedy: No matter whether his team finishes seventh or eighth, they get their friends the Habs in Round 1. (Philly-Pittsburgh on Sunday takes care of the rest.) And the Caps are division champs, which got plenty of cheers here.
Here’s a bit from our buddy Rich Gregory up in Danbury about the new team up there. Color us, you know, skeptical, but good luck: any hockey has an infinitely better chance to be good hockey than no hockey.
And RIP, Charlton Heston.