Bridgeport certainly seems comfortable playing at the PPL Center this season. They won for a second time at the corner of 7th Street and Hamilton. It’s a nice thing for the last-place Sound Islanders. For the Hamilton Street Heroes though, a pattern has emerged. Read on for an explanation–and it’s not good news for Syracuse.
“Life’s not pretty, even though
I tried so hard to make it so
Mornings are such cold distress
How did I ever get into this mess”
–Snowblind – Styx, Lyrics by Dennis DeYoung and James Young
About Last Night
The Phantoms came out pretty hot, getting a couple nice chances early on. Then came the penalties–some legitimate and some questionable. It bogged the team down and ultimately the Penalty Kill–already not the strongest of units–buckled to the tune of two late-period power play goals. Again in the second, the team came out and made some nice plays to generate quality opportunities. The puck luck wasn’t there, and soon the desire wasn’t either. More penalties. The Phantoms ultimately made a late push after finally getting a power play of their own. Bonker scored the goal. But it was too little, too late. The team spent 25% of the game down a man.
Ultimately, the Phantoms didn’t seem to have the mental or physical fortitude to fend off the Islanders and the striped team all in one night. A seemingly obvious goal was taken away from them, as well, which didn’t help. Players who did not distinguish themselves include the Gaucher/Gendron line which was sloppy, Tomasino who seems like he might be still on the Wilkes-Barre payroll, and Hunter McDonald who seemed like he didn’t feel like playing hockey last night. Bjarnason in net was fine. He often got a good look at the puck because there were no defenders in the area.
A Pattern Emerges
Take a look at the records below, the sample sizes are starting to get to a place where we can make some observations. The first game of a week, or weekend, is usually a Wednesday or a Friday. The Phantoms are a combined 7-9 this season on Wednesdays and Fridays. With a new coach, we think perhaps they’re working on things during the week of practice, which they hope to implement in the games on the weekend. When they start the weekend they are a bit tentative, trying to make changes, and perhaps even thinking too much instead of playing loose and playing fast. Once they get to Saturday, 11-1-0-2. They play more naturally and they’re much more likely to win. Let’s test our theory tonight.
Players
D Artem Guryev has been recalled to the Phantoms from ECHL Reading
Lines Last Night versus Bridgeport:
43 Eklind 25 Pederson 20 Marody
23 Dorwart 26 Tomasino 90 Richard
72 Gendron 56 Gaucher 12 Kaplan
17 Wilson 22 Robertson 36 Boulton
19 McDonald 82 Guenette
37 Ginning 15 Kyrou
3 Grans 59 Bonk
64 Bjarnason (Backup: 1 Perets)
Injury Update: Murchison out indefinitely with a badly broken arm. Bump re-aggravated unknown injury and is now listed as “week-to-week.” Rizzo battling something; availability unknown.
Records and Standings
Record: 19-13-2-2
Standings: Fourth in the Atlantic
Home: 9-5-1-1
Away: 10-8-1-1
Recent: 6-3-1 in last 10
Overtime: 3-2
Shootout: 4-2
Friday: 4-6
Saturday: 11-1-0-2
Sunday: 2-3-1
[Sunday 3/3: 0-1-1]
Monday:.0-0-1
Wednesday: 3-3
October: 5-3-0-1
November: 5-3-1-1
December: 5-5-1
January: 3-2
White “Road” Jerseys: 8-4-1-1
Black with Orange “Alternate” Jerseys: 4-3-1-1
Orange “Home” Jerseys: 5-3
“Black-Out” Jerseys: 0-1
“Faux-Back” Keystone Black: 2-2
Post-Game Fan Event Game: 2-0
Syracuse Crunch
Old Friend Brendan Furry is on this team. Phantom disliker Ethan Samson is on this team as well. They are 20-14-2-1 and in second place in the AHL North. They play very few overtime games and even fewer shootouts. They have a very good power play, which does lose something as a road team. And, they have a middling penalty kill home or away. Lehigh Valley lost in Syracuse, 3-1, on Friday December 12.
GAME DAY!
It’s Air Products Night and Saturday Night Hockey Live! Snowblind or not, we expect to play. Charlotte is not involved in tonight’s game.
Game Time: 7:05PM (Gates 6PM, Members 5:45PM, Hockey 7:15PM)
Tickets: Widely available but selling fast. There are some deals on the secondary market if you look hard enough.
Parking: With the snow, advise use of a garage structure rather than a lot. Wear appropriate footwear to deal with the slushy mess that will be the sidewalks. Leave some extra time to park and walk.
Promotion: Donate Ramen Noodles for the Air Products food drive. Uncooked, preferably.
MEDIA KIT:
OFFICIALS:
Referees: Ben Betker (#42), Adam Tobias (#16) Linesperson: Richard Jondo (#55), John Rey (#16)
What To Watch
- Watch to see who is in net tonight. Do they send Bjarnason back-to-back or give Perets the game and Bjarny back on Monday for rematch in Bridgeport? Then again, perhaps Bjarnason gets a look in Philadelphia as Kolosov did not exactly distinguish himself this afternoon in the NHL. Not in a good way, anyway.
- Watch to see how the defenders shake out. The arrival of Guryev today suggests that it might be time for one or more blueliner to sit.
- See how the lines look compared with last night. We didn’t think they were that effective, but perhaps give it more time and some direction? We think perhaps McDonald could use a night off and Tomasino should head out there as a winger.
- Watch to see if those linespersons can get the puck down in a timely manner. I know it’s a developmental league, but those guys looked overmatched and confused last night trying to conduct a simple face-off. Rey #16 was one of them.
- Watch to see if the game is officiated a bit better. Phantoms were sloppy last night to be sure, and you need to earn your benefit of the doubt, but golly…
Up Next
Phantoms are off tomorrow, then play a matinee on MLK Day on Monday in Bridgeport for a rematch.
Next weekend we’re home for Charlotte (if they show up) on Friday and Hershey on Saturday.
See you at the arena,
@Kram207
Featured Image by Jack Mitroka; it has been cropped to fit the space.