Last day of winter, literally and in at least two ways figuratively (MLB tomorrow in Japan, and high school hockey final tonight)… though the Sound Tigers play on, so winter goes on with it here.
Brent Thompson said he didn’t have a decision on tomorrow’s lineup yet. And I don’t doubt him, if only because there were four guys dressed in the color that’s in. But things were a bit jumbled even from the other day (logically, as you’re likely getting some guys back in to the lineup; curiously, as one of the lines didn’t seem to have a centerman). See how they look against the Marlies, who are supposedly on the ice here in a bit. (Their bus was coming in as I was leaving Sunday night. I chose not to play chicken with it.)
Parker Wotherspoon practiced today, too, so all hands on deck for Bridgeport, 16 forwards, eight defensemen and the two goalies. Wotherspoon (nagging upper, we were told) said it’s coming along, feeling better every day. Thompson said Wotherspoon won’t be back in tomorrow but is possible for the weekend, depending how things go the next few days.
Elsewhere, Yale’s Joe Snively signed with Washington. Not sure if he’ll ATO with Hershey because of classes. I mean, come on, how hard could Yale classes be? (It was easier on Ryan Hitchcock last year, though not that much easier.)
The Rangers called up John Gilmour and Vinni Lettieri from Hartford.
And RIP, Birch Bayh and Dick Dale.