The Hamilton Street Heroes finally solved the 2022-23 Hershey Bears after going 0-7 against them to start the season. What I saw Wednesday night was just a little bit more.
More
A little bit more “moving the feet.”
The game sped up, a little bit more.
A little bit more urgency on the penalty kill.
A little bit more effort winning loose pucks.
A little bit more getting pucks to the net and following up.
A little bit more attention to detail by the netminder.
Hopefully, on a team where most of the scoring is coming from younger players, it’s a demonstration of how this team is going to have to play going forward to beat better teams and have any kind of chance in the playoffs should that come to fruition. It will be interesting to watch tonight’s tilt with the second-place Bruins to find out if this kind of game play becomes repeatable, and if the Wednesday contest acts as a sort of postitive-feedback and demonstration of what this team has to do going forward.
Roster
As predicted, there were some shake-ups in the lines and lineup out on the ice on Wednesday. Sources tell me Isaac Ratcliffe‘s most recent injury was causing a re-aggravation of a previous injury. He had been skating but it was good to see him out there taking full contact. I thought he played well in the game and moved fast.
Cooper Marody also returned to the lineup. I was pleased to see him make an immediate impact with three assists in the 5-2 Phantoms victory–and the first star. Although I haven’t had any specific information, I can only conclude that he’s been dealing with some kind of injury issue that’s kept him from getting regular playing time, and sometimes kept him from being effective out on the ice. I don’t think you bench a point-per-game guy; you just don’t. So it has to be injury. This team is different when Marody is out there and playing well.
I thought Ersson looked better Wednesday. Perhaps not better than he’s capable, because he’s really good. I think he had a dud last time out against the Bears, though.
On a downside, I thought the increased speed of the game made Bobby Brink‘s skating deficiencies show up a bit more. I’m not an expert, though, so watch for yourself and correct me if I’m wrong. He’s been to the NHL already, though, so he’s been exposed to faster play; he just has to adjust.
Captain Cal O’Reilly missed the Wednesday game with an illness. I’m not going to put too much into the team looking better without him, because I think he’s still really good. But, it may be good for everyone if he can get a game off here and there to stay fresh through the grind of the season and be able to lead with maximum power should we find ourselves in the Calder tournament.
Lines Wednesday
28 Lycksell – 51 Anisimov – 71 Foerster
17 Wilson – 91 Desnoyers – 25 Marody
20 Willman – 18 J Cates – 23 Brink
19 Ratcliffe – 15 Bellerive – 42 Hodgson
4 Zamula – 47 Belpedio
37 Ginning – 12 Attard
44 Connauton – 3 Karashik
30 Ersson (35 Nagle)
GAME DAY!
It’s Friday night Premier Member appreciation and dollar dogs. Check your email for some concession specials. They will have some drawings for prizes as well.
A Bear By Another Name: Enter the Bruins. The Boston affiliate is 25-9-7-2 and in second place in the division, just two points behind first-place Hershey. The Phantoms are 3-0-1 versus the alternate-brown-team this season, but several of those games have gone to overtime. D Connor Carrick is a familiar name from his time with Hershey and Binghamton. D Josiah Didier is a long-time Bruin, Checker and IceCap. The Bruin’s goalies have been very good. LW Jakub Lauko returns from Boston this week, while All Star Vinni Lettieri heads up to the National League. Finnish LW Joona Koppanen has been up and down with Boston as well, and is currently on this Providence roster.
Providence’ #14 Away Power Play will face off against the Phantoms #30 (but improving) Home Penalty Kill. When the Phantoms have the man-advantage, their #8 Home Power Play will battle the Bruins’ #12 Away Penalty Kill.
OFFICIALS
Referee Rob Hennessey (#87)
Referee Mathieu Menniti (#30)
Linesperson Jud Ritter (#34)
Linesperson Josh Cleary (#45)
MEDIA KIT
What To Watch
- Watch to see who starts in net. I’m expecting Sam Ersson again.
- Watch to see if Marody and Ratcliffe remain in the lineup. Like I said above, I thought they both played well.
- Watch to see if Brink remains in the lineup. If he does, watch his skating, positioning and drive.
- Watch to see the effort overall. Are they looking forward to playing Hershey again tomorrow? Are they looking forward to getting a break over the All Star Week? Or, are they powering through and finishing strong?
- Watch to see how the “Member Appreciation” festivities go tonight. I could do a whole blog series on how the different minor league baseball and hockey teams handle this. I will say that I think I like Season Ticket Appreciation more than the more general Fan Appreciation. I think.
Up Next
Headed to Hershey tomorrow then off for All Stars. Return to the ice in Hartford on Friday, Home for Bridgeport next Saturday night Super Bowl Eve.
See you at the arena,
@kram207