Always nice to hear the old anthem, no matter which vice president they’re playing it for. “Firm, united let us be, rallying ’round our liberty.”
Injury news on both fronts: Junior Lessard has a fracture that will keep him out for a while. (Welcome to town. Here’s your seat.) On the other hand, Jeremy Colliton practiced with the team today for the first time since he was hurt Jan. 3, the last time Bridgeport went to Albany. “It’s coming,” he said. “We’ll see how it goes. It was a good practice.”
He’s hoping to play sometime this weekend; he’ll go on the trip, at least, and he has been skating on his own since last Monday. But he’s realistic enough to point out that, with the break coming up, it won’t pay to push it.
“I don’t think he’ll play Wednesday,” Jack Capuano said, “but you never know with him. He asked if he could (practice) today.”
They can use him, obviously. “Jeremy brings you leadership,” Capuano said. “He brings you phenomenal penalty killing. … We were using him in front on the power play, and the power play hasn’t been as good since he’s been out — but it gives other guys a chance.”
Iggulden-Walter-Joensuu was together again. Marcinko was with Smith and Bentivoglio, and the Sixsmith-Haskins-Nikiforov line was together. Capuano wasn’t married to the combinations, though he has gone back to that 37-9-6 unit a few times in the past few weeks.
Peter Mannino was in one net. Where will he be tomorrow night? Stay tuned. Pascal Leclaire is essentially done for the year, so Dubie’s not going anywhere.
Kurtis McLean was in town but not in practice. Jonathan Bombulie had some good words for (and from) McLean, but he also pointed out a death from New Year’s Eve: “Slap Shot” actor Brad Sullivan. That, one might say, is a very deep cut. RIP.