We’ll continue to complain about the schedule in this space. All those Sundays to start the season. And, it took us all the way into the month of November for us to finally get a Friday night game at home. Now it’s the same opponent we played in the previous home game on Sunday. Did you know there are only four home games scheduled in November? Weird and dumb. We’ve got to get back to December before it really feels like a hockey season. We’ll tolerate it. It’s time to go, so let’s look at tonight’s game:
Updating The Narrative
You’ll recall our season prediction narrative, that this season would ebb and flow through times of extremely good and bad hockey based on how much the parent team would mess with the roster. So far, play has been uneven, and the roster moves have been rather normal. The Phantoms closed out October with last Sunday’s loss to Hartford to complete a 3-4 month. The team lost in overtime on Wednesday in Hershey to open up November–but at least they netted a couple goals in the game and grabbed a standings point. Right now they are sixth in the eight-team Atlantic Division of the AHL, good enough for the final playoff spot which may or may not include a home game or two.
It’s too early to say if the season narrative fits or not. We did see some roster moves this week (see below) so we’ll monitor how that impacts the play on the ice, remembering that every team goes through a certain amount of this. It was predicted that it would be perhaps excessive this season. That part hasn’t been proven out. Yet.
Roster Moves
You’ll recall that defensemen Emil Andrae and Mason Millman were added prior to the last home game, to replace veterans Victor Mete and Louie Belpedio who were called to the Flyers. Since then, Andrae was injured in Sunday’s game, and blueliner Will Zmolek was added from Reading. He’ll wear #4. As predicted in our last column, netminder Felix Sandstrom was sent by the Flyers on a conditioning loan; he would otherwise have to pass through waivers. He’ll be in #32. Goalie Parker Gahagen and Forward Matt Brown were sent to Reading. Gahagen quickly returned when goalie Cal Peterson was called to Philadelphia due to Carter Hart’s injury. Now, Victor Mete returns from Philadelphia and defenseman Darren Brady arrives from from Reading. Injuries and illnesses continue to plague the blue line. Brady will wear #21.
Lines Wednesday in Hershey
28 Lycksell – 9 Laczynski – 20 Marody
17 Wilson – 91 Desnoyers – 27 Tuomaala
16 Avon – 22 Gardner – 19 Allison
10 Polei – 15 Bellerive – 14 Wisdom
37 Ginning – 5 Samson
8 Millman – 2 Grans
4 Zmolek – 3 Karashik
32 Sandstrom (40 Petersen)
GAME DAY!
Expect some additional traffic and parking annoyance tonight as we depart from the Sunday afternoon nonsense to have a real Hockey Night for a change. Good seats are still available on both the primary and secondary markets, although the prices are significantly higher than they were for the recent Sunday games.
The crazy schedule has forced me to capitulate to the Parking Overlords in my ongoing battle. I believe I’m 1-4 on the season as I strive to outwit and evade them. I’m unlikely to win tonight; it’s going to be close. Overall parking and traffic have been a non-issue other than some opening night problems which were exacerbated by a concurrent event at the hotel.
The Wolf Pack return. It’s a team with some size and some guys who don’t mind chirping. There was a heavyweight bout on Sunday which was won by the Captain, Garrett Wilson (see cover photo). They are a good team with average special teams. It will take an effort tonight to get the victory.
Pregame: Restaurant Review – Sports and Social
The Hamilton Kitchen and Bar is now Sports and Social. Sports and Social is a sports bar chain of sorts which most commonly locates near stadiums or arenas. As expected, they have many screens including a video wall to watch sporting events. There are two bars and some arcade-type sports games to play. There’s a DJ stand, in case things aren’t raucous enough. Promotional photos show guests and staff smiling and having a good time in a sports bar setting. In my three visits, the staff has mostly been unhappy and uninterested. It’s loud. The food is sports bar food and largely unremarkable. It’s not cheap, and they add a “service fee” to each check, separate from tax and tip. It’s probably best for the 21-34 crowd. It’s fine, but it is what it is. They’ve been doing good business, though. It does make me think that the powers that be downtown need to start thinking about something different to do with what is now Chickie’s and Pete’s.
OFFICIALS
Referee Bobby Jo Love (#51)
Referee Mathieu Menniti (#30)
Linesperson Brandon Grillo (#79)
Linesperson Jud Ritter (#34)
MEDIA KIT
Post Game: Head to Chickie’s for the new raffle promotion. They’ll give away pucks, a stick, and a jersey. Will they have enough staff if you want to eat or drink? If we’re up to it, we’ll check it out for you.
Here’s What To Watch
- Sandstrom gets 5 games or two weeks on his conditioning loan. He played Wednesday night in Hershey and we expect him tonight. Watch for him to lead the team onto the ice for warm ups.
- Watch for some fights. Following the extended bout with Wilson last Sunday, several other players were trying to get Wilson to go again. He didn’t fall for it. Perhaps someone else will be involved this time, but watch for some fisticuffs tonight.
- Watch the defense. What do the pairs look like tonight? Who is getting to pucks and moving them up the ice? Who is standing around watching? There have been some injuries and illnesses impacting this group–watch to see how it looks out there tonight.
- Watch for Wade Allison. One off the most active, energetic, and wild players has been playing a different game this season. Is this the Flyers telling him to play calmer in order to minimize injuries? Perhaps. But it was part of what made him great–and so much fun to watch.
- Watch the power play. Who is currently playing on the units? Why aren’t they able to score more goals?
- The penalty kill has been about average. Watch to see if you think the changes in defensive personnel are limiting the units.
- Watch to see if this is one of the better crowds so far this season–perhaps as good as opening night.
- Watch for plenty of Stevie Nicks music and promotion, as she’ll be in town for a concert at the arena tomorrow.
Up Next
The team heads for Springfield. They’ll have a Saturday night tilt tomorrow, then an “education day” morning game on Wednesday. Next weekend will be a home/home with Hershey; our game will be Saturday night before they head to Chocolate town for Sunday afternoon.
See you at the arena,
@kram207
Be First to Comment