There was actually a big crew on the ice for Bridgeport this morning at Wonderland. Sebastian Aho, Jeff Kubiak and Mike Sislo, all reported upper body, all practiced this morning, all in full as far as we could tell from up top (though Sislo departed early). John Stevens also continued to practice. Brent Thompson called them all day-to-day; they were going to talk about timetables back at the arena.
Wouldn’t hurt to have any or all of them back, and they’re one step closer to having Matt Lorito, too: He cleared waivers at noon and was assigned afterward. Lorito has been around rehabbing his lower-body injury (his season ended last year on a reported knee injury, so we can draw some conclusions) and now is eligible to skate with the team. Would think it’d be a while before he’s fully ready to go.
Bridgeport sent Ryan Hitchcock back to Worcester. Kubiak (working on his 25th birthday), Sislo and Stevens were three of five guys in yellow practice jerseys; Steve Bernier (serving out his suspension tomorrow) and Josh Holmstrom were the other two.
This weekend’s games remain on as scheduled at the moment, Saturday at 7, Sunday at 3. Hershey’s game Saturday at Wilkes-Barre was moved up to 3 p.m. with the weather coming in. They’re supposed to be here for Sunday at 3 as well. The weather is more interesting than is fun this weekend. Providence, meanwhile, plays at home tonight — Prescout — which might make it tough to move up Bridgeport’s game Saturday (which is Star Wars Night and probably a good presale), although the Bruins postponed their Sunday game against Hartford a day, which might help, and… long story short, on as scheduled at the moment.
Tip of cap up top to Michael Dal Colle on his first goal in the NHL last night.
Nino Niederreiter rejoins Calvin de Haan in Carolina. That’s only one fewer 2012-13 Sound Tiger than the Islanders have. It got me wondering about the rest of them. Two in Berlin, and two in Krefeld. And, for one game in November, there were two in Tucson. Think of it as the game they didn’t get together in Atlantic City in January 2013.
Hershey has signed former Quinnipiac forward Jordan Samuels-Thomas and sent him to South Carolina (ECHL).
Yet another Hartford goalie swap.
A few trades affecting the AHL the last little while. Taylor Leier for Justin Bailey last night. And Luke Schenn to Utica the night before.