The official report from the doctor was to come, but Brent Thompson said Mitch Vande Sompel “looks week to week.” So that’s helpful. The three defensemen who ran Bridgeport’s power play, Sebastian Aho and Vande Sompel at the top and Devon Toews from the half-wall, are all missing now for various lengths of time.
Today was an optional, so how they’ll line up — heck, after Wednesday’s third period, even how they’ll run at even strength — is to be seen. Transactions were possible up front and likely on defense. Scott Eansor is day-to-day. So at this point is Stephen Gionta. Worcester won last night — Chris Langkow goal in overtime from Matt Gaudreau — and the Railers and Royals managed not to take a penalty in 64 minutes. Props to Jeremy Tufts.
Edit, 5:05 p.m.: No defenseman yet, but Gaudreau comes back up from Worcester up front. Been a point-a-game guy down there.
Charlotte lost last night to Lehigh Valley, so up in percentages, down a tiebreaker, etc.
Mentioned yesterday that Bridgeport had only given up power-play goals on back-to-back penalties twice in two months… actually, forgot that going back to the last penalty of the Belleville game, that was goals on three consecutive power plays. First time that’s happened to Bridgeport in over a year, since it gave up four in a row to Hershey on Dec. 30, 2016. This little dip has dropped Bridgeport down to fourth in the league at 85.9. (Which kind of goes to show how hard it is to keep that percentage up. Bridgeport’s 2003-04 record of 90.66 percent doesn’t look super-unattainable, but Toronto’s leading the league right now at 89.6 and would have to kill the next 22 to get there. So, yeah, if you’re looking to set records, suggest you close the season on a 36-for-36.)
Pink in the Rink is Saturday. Joyce Bray demanded I wear pink. I may have to go find something.
The Rangers confirmed the rebuild. Sort of a remarkable press release and press conference. Lotta cash on waivers today, including Brendan Smith; they called up Neal Pionk from Hartford.
Tampa Bay called up North Branford’s Adam Erne; the Crunch pay their only visit here Sunday.
Jersey and Minnesota swing a deal that’ll affect Binghamton.
And Rich DePreta on Trinity Catholic, with 10 players on the roster, touching on a whole lot of what’s going on in high school hockey.