Power outage: Utica postgame

When it comes down to it, kind of an even game in a lot of ways.

One even-strength goal each way. Shots on goal just about even. Even-strength attempts pretty close to even. Both goalies made some big ones.

The difference is an 0-for-8 vs. a 1-for-5. Talked kind of heavily in the gamer (and did some games-played math for the first time in a while, but given that game-winner, thought it was worth the addition), but it was a nice play by a couple of veterans. Tip your hat. But could Bridgeport have done more with its chances? You’re trying to get guys used to different situations, but at the same time some of those guys combined for a couple of power-play goals Friday and haven’t looked bad in other spots. Math sometimes goes against you and you don’t get the luck you need; they were a couple of inches away from good things. But still.

“We’ve got new guys playing different positions,” Pellerin said. “All of a sudden guys who didn’t have pressure on then before have pressure because they’re on the No. 1 unit. You have to perform.”

And they’re willing to make changes if it doesn’t work.

…..

Pregame meeting: Bridgeport talks about the third forward backing up their defensemen. Right off the draw: Matt Donovan picks off a cross-ice pass, takes it up the right with Broda and Halmo setting up in lanes and Sundstrom behind them. Eriksson makes the save. Cal O’Reilly puts it ahead to DeFazio, just ahead of Sundstrom: two-on-one. Jensen scores over Poulin’s blocker. Pellerin wasn’t happy about how that’d developed.

Fastest goal in the 56-game history of the Utica Comets. (Not as fast as Ken Gernander, 499 Harbor Yard games ago, though.)

So 10 points out of seventh/eighth, 17 behind Springfield. Since we’d mentioned it a time or two.

Elsewheres: Jack Hillen had a couple of points, his first in the AHL, as Tim Leone tweeted, since he was a Sound Tiger (and Mark Flood had a goal). Yann Danis had a shutout; Bruno Gervais had a goal (and so did Mike Matczak, ex-Yalie). Pekka Rinne goes back to the Show a winner. Mark Arcobello has like 700 points in nine AHL games (it’s 7-12-19, but who’s counting?).

Hung out to watch the You Can Play panel pregame; something in the paper in the next few days, likely.

No movement apparent postgame. Team’s off tomorrow, so more Tuesday unless warranted. At this time of year, things can be warranted quickly.

Michael Fornabaio