Turn up the power: Springfield postgame

If it seems weird that Steve Bernier hasn’t scored a goal in seven games, it is: That’s Bernier’s longest drought as a Sound Tiger. It’s actually one shy of the longest in his AHL career, which is granted a pair of 33-game seasons in Bridgeport following 49 games in his rookie year and 36 scattered elsewhere.

As his eight-game streak in 2011-12 was interrupted by a broken thumb, so was this seven-game drought interrupted by illness, keeping him home from the Charlotte trip. Tonight, though, he was as involved as he’s been since. Getting stronger?

“I’m feeling great right now,” Bernier said. “I’m just not able to finish like I did at the beginning of the season. As long as I’m having scoring chances and physical out there, I know everything on the ice will come together. I know the goals will come.”

He had six shots in all tonight, four in the second, at least one on the third Bridgeport power play.

“I thought Bernier played a great game,” Brent Thompson said. “The second and third, he was physical. He was a leader in that aspect. In the first period, I think he missed a couple of hits, but in the second and third, he played as that power forward.”

In general, weird game. Bernier thought they were in control the whole way; the first felt a little more even than that, but they solidly outshot Springfield the rest of the way. (Would have to dig deeper on chances; both teams missed a few golden ones.)

“Give them credit. They came in and played a solid road game. For us, I didn’t think, obviously, we generated the offense we needed.”

The power-play units looked like they were put together yesterday. (Coincidentally, they were, though parts have been together awhile.) The penalty kill gave up one pass across the top of the circles. Most nights you can recover from that. This wasn’t one of them.

…….

Michael Dal Colle forced a bunch of turnovers, a couple/three on one shift about six minutes into the first period and a few others along the way.

“I thought DC made some really good puck plays,” Thompson said. “Obviously I’d like to see him shoot the puck more. If he sees an opportunity, get the puck to the net. Little things like that. One or two guys every night are crashing. DC, one shot on goal in the game isn’t enough. I’d like to see five. He played a solid, safe game, especially defensively.”

For Dal Colle’s part, “I thought I could’ve been a little more physical,” he said. “It’ll come. Positionally, I played well. We had some real good zone time. Like I said, we’ve got to find a way to score goals. You can’t get shut out and expect to win.”

(In fairness, Dal Colle was up for the double shutout against Toronto.)

Seriously, when they allowed 14 shots to Hershey seven years ago to set the team record that they broke tonight, Pat Bingham said their finding new ways to lose was “like ‘Groundhog Day’.” You can’t make it up.

The third time they’d given up 15 shots was Oct. 30, 2004: a 1-0 loss. The 14-shots game was a 3-2 loss. Got to give up more shots if you want to win, clearly. (In the livepuck era, at least: The first two 15s, both in the inaugural season, were wins, the first in overtime.)

Semi-history all around: 2,113 is the third-smallest weekend crowd in team history. A makeup date in January 2011 (from October, postponed by a rally appearance by President Obama) is the smallest at 2,014, and the second game of the 2015-16 season drew 2,108 on a Sunday. (Announced crowds, obviously, not drop counts.)

Charlotte lost. Springfield won. Hartford lost in overtime. Four points separate fourth and seventh. (From the last of those games, Mark Divver with a note on Michael Sheehan, due in Bridgeport tomorrow night.)

Prescout. The B-Sens had been winless in four, then came back to win tonight. Belleville in Binghamton presents ABSOLUTELY no challenges for my wires-crossed brain, none at all.

Worcester blew a two-goal third-period lead and lost in overtime to Adirondack. Goals for Matt Lane and Jeff Kubiak, and assists for Lane and Yanick Turcotte.

American Olympic captain Brian Gionta signed a PTO to play for Rochester tonight and scored a goal to put the Amerks ahead in the second period. (Didn’t stay that way.)

Jason Chaimovitch saw something.

Nice John Altavilla piece on Ken Gernander.

Great to see Travis Roy looking good on MSG last night. Always enjoyed talking with him when the Drurys and Fergusons used to have the benefit golf tournament at Race Brook.

Last night’s Jeopardy was a fun little game… except for this absolute five-clue debacle. Kudos to Alex Trebek for playing it up.

And RIP, Dennis Edwards (hat tip: Stan).

Michael Fornabaio