A point. Hey, better than it was. Still a 10th straight loss (team record), 10 in a row without a win (two shy of the team record), 17th straight without a regulation win (team record). Remarkable. Actually, with the Phantoms embarking on the fateful power play in the final seconds, Kevin Poulin got tied up with the net and fell, and Adam Pelech just got a stick on a Zack Stortini try, and then another shot went wide. That’d be about the appropriate way for Bridgeport to lose 10 in a row in regulation, wouldn’t it? Something new every day. But it wasn’t to be.
Dustin Jeffrey arrived with a goal on a scramble just after a power play expired, ending a string of 192:39 of scoreless Bridgeport hockey, fourth longest in team history (he was only part of 50:56 of it).
Four power plays for the two teams in 12 minutes in the first period, three of them in a row for the Phantoms, which contributed to Bridgeport putting no shots on goal in the last 15 minutes or so of the first period, per Bob Rotruck. Then little in the way of penalties for a while. But still a high-stick on Kevin Czuczman with 26.1 seconds left; think it rode up accidentally as he and, was it, Jason Akeson battled in front. Akeson won it in overtime.
BRIDGEPORT
F: Persson-Jeffrey-Collberg
Zolnierczyk (A)-Quine-Langkow
Gillies-Sundstrom-Vaughan
Gallant-Sutter-McMillan
D: Ness (C)-Pulock
Pelech-Reinhart
Czuczman-Carkner (A)
G: Poulin
Simpson
Bridgeport was in white with the Phantoms in their orange thirds. Matt Carkner, then, did wear an ‘A’, as was semi-foretold Sunday when he was scratched.
So the debuts for Messrs. Louis and Stevenson wait. Still time to go find a Robert, boys.
Two goals and first star for one Micheal Haley tonight in Worcester. Bridgeport pays its final visit Saturday night. (Unfortunately I will not. Liveblog — or semiliveblog — then).
Sacred Heart won its playoff opener against Army; Trumbull’s Alex Vazzano made 20 saves in a 2-0 win. Game 2 is tomorrow night.
And Notre Dame and UMass played the longest game in college hockey history tonight: Cal Petersen made 87 saves for the Irish, also a record, but UMass won the game. (So you’re saying Robbie Russo could be a day away from being available? Well I guess so.)