Saved-up further thoughts on the schedule:
–Who needs division games? Bridgeport will be done with Wilkes-Barre on March 1, with Norfolk on March 3, with Binghamton on March 6, and with Philadelphia on March 7. They’ll also be done with Hartford on March 14. Hershey and Albany at least finish in April, right before traditional rivals Springfield and Lowell come in for Games 79 and 80.
–Compact scheduling: Mentioned the 12 three-in-threes. There are another 15 straight-up back-to-back games. Here’s how those (and the 15 games in February) compare:
| Team | 3-in-3s | Back-to-backs | GP in Feb |
| ALB | 10 | 15 | 12 |
| BIN | 5 | 25 | 12 |
| BPT | 12 | 15 | 15 |
| CHI | 9 | 15 | 13 |
| GR | 10 | 17 | 13 |
| HAM | 9 | 16 | 12 |
| HFD | 8 | 18 | 13 |
| HER | 13 | 13 | 12 |
| HOU | 15 | 6 | 10 |
| IOW | 11 | 15 | 12 |
| LE | 10 | 14 | 15 |
| LOW | 8 | 15 | 12 |
| MCR | 9 | 15 | 13 |
| MTB | 5 | 26 | 14 |
| MIL | 8 | 15 | 12 |
| NOR | 12 | 13 | 12 |
| PEO | 8 | 17 | 13 |
| PHI | 10 | 14 | 11 |
| POR | 11 | 14 | 14 |
| PRO | 18 | 3 | 14 |
| QC | 10 | 17 | 11 |
| ROC | 14 | 10 | 14 |
| RCK | 8 | 20 | 13 |
| SA | 7 | 18 | 14 |
| SPR | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| SYR | 8 | 19 | 13 |
| TOR | 13 | 13 | 11 |
| WBS | 9 | 13 | 12 |
| WOR | 13 | 10 | 13 |
Like last year, this was compiled under duress, so this might not be perfect. I’m pretty sure it’s close, though. Double-checked some of those outlying numbers.
—
Well, I’m going to Williamsport. Though I heard someone slip and say “Williamsburg” today. As long as they meant this one and not this one, that would have made my life so much easier. (My reaction might have been different if I hadn’t been supposed to be on vacation at the end of this week.)
Anyway.
Portland may keep its captain as well as its coach, as Buffalo signed Tyler Bouck. (It is going to take a while for me to get a handle on this Buffalo-Portland marriage, probably the way it took a while to get that Lowell-Albany swap down. It took a few seconds to be reminded why Bouck-to-Buffalo mattered.)
Chris Elsberry on the Brakettes’ financial plight, which means an uncertain future. Their immediate future is more straightforward: win five games Sunday, or go home without a trophy.
Meanwhile, this is simply awesome.
To answer a comment, it’s way, way too early to know what’s going on travel-wise in November. I’ll push for things, but, well, somebody’s got to pay for them. And right now, unlike the 2002 Texas trip, that somebody probably can’t be my brother and me. We’ll see what happens. And I know I’m not going to Moncton, and not only because of precedent: A buddy of mine is getting married that week, and Camp ranks lower than Campoli. (Again, no relation.)
If Shelton National shows up in Summerside, though, all bets are off.
RIP, Bernie Mac. The Bernie Mac Show=underrated. Don’t watch it nearly enough.
And finally, thanks much to our photog Tracy Deer-Mirek for her guidance on Friday’s project. Tracy’s leaving us for Sacred Heart, so join me in wishing her well, eh?