Remember those guys?: Wednesday notes

Yesterday’s healthy scratches took the optional today at Wonderland, along with Stephon Williams in one net, along with two guys in red: Travis St. Denis and, somewhat out of nowhere, Steve Bernier. Brent Thompson threw buckets of cold water on any idea that Bernier might even be close to returning, though, just got the go-ahead to skate. St. Denis, as noted yesterday after his warmups twirl, is closer. “The next few days’ll determine when he gets in the lineup,” Thompson said.

Practice for real tomorrow, then Yet Another Big Weekend. In the interim, though, a little scoreboard watching (EastWatch ’17): Hershey visits Allentown in the rematch of Sunday’s Phantoms win. Lehigh Valley gets captain Colin McDonald back tonight along with big defenseman Sam Morin, fresh off his NHL debut. A Phantoms regulation win would leave Hershey three points out with four to go, and Bridgeport with five. A Hershey regulation win would leave second and fifth separated, yet again, by three points. (With games remaining ranging from four to six.) SportsClubStats continues to believe in Bridgeport, simulating the Sound Tigers up as a near-lock to make the playoffs. It still feels high.

The AHL all-rookie team comes out at 3 as awards season kicks into gear.

The Big Club kept its playoff hopes alive.

Michael Fornabaio