It has been a week for disappointing endings that may’ve been a little surprising but not shocking. One came Tuesday, when word came down that the Islanders had cut ties with Yannick Rathgeb. He came, in a way, as advertised. He got a little run of games when Parker Wotherspoon was out of the lineup, but after that, he didn’t play the last 10 games of the regular season, then went back to Switzerland as the playoffs got going to join the Swiss national team (but didn’t make the cut for Worlds). Good wishes wherever he winds up next.
Another came Wednesday with word that the Manchester Monarchs are no more. Bridgeport’s twin brother, the franchise that arrived with so much on- and off-ice success, that packed that building then slowly gave it all back, that won a championship on the way out the door, then tried the ECHL and couldn’t get the magic back.
Sic transit etc.
Over in Slovakia, the U.S. has recovered a bit at the World Championship.
Belatedly noted, RIP, Les Reed.
And RIP, Tim Conway and Sebe Gangemi. (Sebe Strong.)