Our new normal is tough; feel like I’m walking into Wonderland blind sometimes, getting inconsistent time with them after 17 and a quarter years of being around them every day. But our first look at the Sound Tigers since last week included Tanner Fritz in Josh Ho-Sang’s old spot (they’re no longer wearing red, but gray; so much has changed) and a couple of four-man lines surrounding them. It is, as we’re fond of saying, a long way to Friday, but Devon Toews and Kyle Burroughs were reunited on defense, which could be good news.
Same cast otherwise. Two extra veterans; Brent Thompson said they might rotate in and out, some of them, which they did in earlier three-in-threes. With no extra non-veteran forwards for the moment, if it came to it, he said, he’s willing to play seven defensemen in a pinch. But that’s a long way away.
On Saturday in Wilkes-Barre, “we got great goaltending (from Jeremy Smith) that kept us in the game. We had two breakdowns in defensive coverage. I thought the penalty kill was great; the power play scored us a goal. We’ve got to generate five-on-five offense.” I’d wondered if the second-period penalties broke the rhythm; not overly, he said.
While we waited for Mitch Gillam news yesterday afternoon (he did skate here yesterday morning, we’re told), he walked in on the Railers’ holiday party. Worcester hosts Manchester on Wednesday. Taking a chance on this as the box.
Elsewhere, congrats on AHL shutout No. 1 to Eamon McAdam, working overtime, with a whopping… 10 saves? Hey, they count. The Marlies have picked up Steve Oleksy from the Anaheim organization, and after sending Jeff Glass to San Diego in that deal, they signed former Quinnipiac goalie Michael Garteig to an AHL contract, according to the transactions report. They sent Garteig right back to St. John’s, where he has been the Newfoundland Growlers’ starter of late.
Half the AHL was suspended today. Or six guys, whatever. No Bridgeport games were affected.
And Florida called up Anthony Greco.