It’s nine years since the Sound Tigers last took a lead in a playoff series (Marjamaki 2:11), and in a few minutes, it’ll be nine years since the events related herein. So I’ll ask again, for I guess the 10th time: If you don’t, please wear a seat belt. And I guess I’ll add, as if you haven’t heard, that concussions aren’t fun: Take care of yourself if you get one, and if you’re caring for or dealing with someone with one, we’re really thankful for your patience. Even when we don’t tell you so.
The Big Club plays Game 7 on Monday night, a game between two franchises that have played an “Epic” Game 7 already. Hartford and Providence didn’t get that far Sunday night, and the game wasn’t decisive, but Providence has put the Wolf Pack on the brink.
Seth Griffith’s goal at 2:00 of triple overtime gave the Bruins a 2-1 win over Hartford and a 2-1 series lead. They’d played 62 minutes of scoreless hockey since Alexander Khokhlachev’s goal late in the second before Griffith finished off the longest game in the AHL, seven years ago Friday.
The B’s, who did it with a shortened bench due to injury (though Casto came back), can finish it Tuesday at home.
Francis Wathier scored with three seconds left to keep Portland alive against Manchester. The Pirates had fallen behind on a Jordan Weal goal, a rebound of a Sean Backman shot, but tied it before the period was out. That series is off until Thursday. In Toronto, T.J. Brennan had three points, including the game-winner, to bring the Marlies back from a two-goal deficit to win 5-2 and take a 2-0 series lead on the Griffins. Grand Rapids has three in a row at home but will need to win them all.
In Switzerland, the United States won the Under-18 World Championship. That’s a gold medal for Tage Thompson, Brent’s older son, and Chad Krys, a defenseman from Ridgefield.
And Farmington’s Nick Bonino will play for the U.S. at the World Championship.