Scott Mayfield’s absence from practice made some sense, what with an open roster spot up top, and indeed at 11 a.m. the Islanders announced they’ve called Mayfield up, putting Travis Hamonic on injured reserve.
That leaves Bridgeport with seven defensemen, though one has been out. Ryan Pulock practiced again, looked OK, but didn’t practice with the power play, which suggested he’ll get at least another day tomorrow. Brent Thompson wasn’t going to go that far just yet. “He’s still day to day,” he said. “We’ll talk to the medical staff. He may well (play), but I want to make sure he’s 100 percent.”
Tanner Fritz does appear to be 100 percent; they’ll see how he feels come tomorrow. He was again dressed as an extra with Colin Markison (Eric Boulton had a day off).
Maine in the house, meanwhile. The Black Bears face UConn tonight at 7. I haven’t found their associate head coach yet but will at some point.
I’ve also been getting nostalgic about Binghamton. More words than the pseudo-end of a 15-year rivalry probably deserves coming over the next couple of days.
Edit: AHL All-Star television information is out. Locally, NESN and MSG Plus will both carry both nights live. Isles broadcaster Brendan Burke will come back and slum it with us for a weekend.
Lindsay Kramer reports that North Branford’s Adam Erne, fresh off his stint in the NHL, is out for Syracuse with a foot injury.
The Rangers made another year in Hartford official.
Edit: Tip of cap to longtime USA Hockey executive director Dave Ogrean, who’s retiring in the summer.
Weird Stuff Is Everywhere: Our old buddy Corey the other night alerted me to Ryan Spooner’s earning a penalty for throwing his stick. (I reacted in the natural way, like a 2005 middle schooler.)
Then last night ex-Sound Tiger Anthony Greco was penalized in Springfield under the “throwing equipment” rule; took a look, and it looks more like technical interference, knocking a stick away from an Albany Devils player, though only the immediate aftermath made the video feed. In that same game, Springfield’s off-ice crew didn’t add the game-winning goal to the box score before finalizing it. The game was still listed as a tie at least four hours later, though someone — whom I assume we can call J. Chaimovitch… oh, that’s too obvious; Jason C. — has fixed it. Ah well.
Then in San Jose, the Sharks wound up playing down a defenseman most of the night: Mirco Mueller had to leave after San Jose left Paul Martin on the lineup card and Mueller off. (Solid tweet, though, SJS social media.)
My 16 seconds of fame https://t.co/YQ3GbS22Z4
— Blair Riley (@Briles25) January 12, 2017
And then, shades of Greco, Matthew Tkachuk found himself tangled up with Brent Burns’ stick… and skated off to the Calgary bench with it. Best interference minor ever.
And congrats to new Bridgeport Bluefish general manager Paul Herrmann.