Abuse: Providence postgame

Obviously we’re not down there to hear just how Tommy Cross verbally abused the officials at the end of regulation. Stuff escalated rapidly, though. (Huh.) Most importantly, Bridgeport was on a power play to start overtime. Two minutes of four-on-three.

Three missed shots and a save later… they got another power play. (Less “huh.”)

And one fan and a save later… it was on to the bonus round, where they dropped the first 1-0 SOL in team history, a mere 10 games after the first 1-0 SOW in team history.

They’ve created scoring chances these last couple of games at times. They put 40 on net Tuesday. They had 29 tonight. They’ve missed on a few other good chances of late. I wondered, as often comes up at a moment like this, if it’s a good feeling that the chances are coming, or if it’s a bad feeling that they’re not capitalizing on them.

Travis St. Denis’ and Casey Bailey’s thoughts are mostly in the paper. For their coach, “it’s more (about) their mental psyche. I feel confident we’re going to get goals,” Brent Thompson said. “It’s a matter of finishing. It’s going to happen.”

First time they’ve been shut out in back-to-back games in over two years. Last even-strength goals were the comeback at Hartford last Wednesday morning.

Another chance Sunday.

……

Josh Ho-Sang said he felt good after 65 minutes. “Happy to be back,” he said, “and to get my legs back.” Thompson called it a step in the right direction. “There were flashes, I thought, as the game wore on, picking the pace up. There are a couple of little details we’re going to need to clean up.”

Andre Benoit looked rusty at times; no shock, considering it’s been almost six weeks. “It was nice to play again. Not the result you look for, obviously,” he said. “I think we play a style where it’s hard-working, simple. You know where guys will be. It was easy to get into the flow.”

Both St. Denis and Bailey mentioned how much fun these games are. “Every time we play them, it’s a playoff-style-atmosphere game,” St. Denis said.

Alan noted tonight was Stephen Gionta’s 400th AHL game.

Hartford comes in Sunday. It was off tonight while Bridgeport played, but it’ll be in Allentown tomorrow while Bridgeport rests. The Rangers called for Brandon Halverson today (Alexandar Georgiev, himself replacing the injured Ondrej Pavelec, is sick) and sent Vinni Lettieri back to clear room.

Hershey just scored again. Lehigh just scored again (Danick Martel is back, so naturally, two goals). Rochester, for the love of all holy, just scored again. (And hat tip to Dave Rogan for the fun tidbit on that last one, though they evidently took one away from him.) (It’s also “holy cro” as we style it, but it’s all good.) It’s been a long time since 12, Part I and Part II.

Bridgeport alumni in the video room gettin’ it done again, apparently. Sound Tigers with back-to-back shutout losses; Big Club with back-to-back shutout wins.

Worcester got a win in Orlando tonight in the middle game of a three-game set. Eamon McAdam got himself a game misconduct after being pulled after four goals last night, then got a two-game suspension for good measure, so he’s done for the series, so to speak.

Story on Sam Ftorek’s return to playing with Norfolk.

Much-needed win for the U.S. Olympic team over Slovakia last night local time, with a couple of goals from Ryan Donato and an assist on the game-winner from Mark Arcobello. USA-Russia Saturday morning at 7, and an American win in regulation clinches first place in the pool.

And RIP, Steve Harris and Jan Maxwell.

Michael Fornabaio