Ridin’ the Rails: Tuesday notes

In several places, the Islanders’ impending affiliation with Worcester (ECHL) has been reported for a while. Tonight, the Railers announced they’ll announce their affiliate Thursday night in a season-ticketholder event that’ll feature “a special appearance from one of the most popular players in Worcester pro hockey history.” That certainly sounds like Worcester IceCats 2001-02 AHL MVP Eric Boguniecki, no?

This’ll (well, still unconfirmed, so “this’d”?) be the closest affiliate Bridgeport has ever had and their first within reasonable driving distance in 11 years. Think it’s fair to say the first time in the current era that Bridgeport has had an affiliate close by. Teams like the Flyers use their affiliates to the fullest, sending players from Allentown to Reading for the day knowing they’re basically down the block if anything crazy happens.

There’ll be at least one Game 5: Chicago scored four in the third to beat Charlotte 5-1 and force a deciding game Wednesday night in Rosemont. Four other series resume Wednesday, too, with Hershey and Grand Rapids trying to move on.

On the verge of a chart: The Blackhawks fired Rockford coach Ted Dent after trading almost every IceHog. And Vancouver is reportedly set to promote Travis Green to the big club.

And RIP, Sasha Lakovic.

Michael Fornabaio