Another hidden gem?

Just who is Marek Hrivik, and have the Rangers (via the Whale) found another steal? Let’s get the basics out of the way. Hrivik is a Slovakian winger (the Rangers seem to have had some recent success with that part of the world, no?) and stands at 6’1 and weights around 190lbs. Hrivik went undrafted but was a highly productive player in the QMJHL for Moncton.

In three full years the winger scored 26, 38 and 29 goals respectively and over that three year period was a point per game player. Perhaps tellingly, just like he’s now doing for the Whale, Hrivik has always seemed to excel come playoff time as his 26 points in 29 junior playoff games suggest.

It’s not a surprise that he’s commanding the interest of the Rangers. While his introduction to pro-hockey was modest (1 goal in 8 regular season games after joining the Whale) Hrivik earned rave reviews for his play and has now backed that up in the playoffs as the Slovak has exploded in to a dynamic force for the Whale. With 5 goals and 8 points in 7 games Hrivik is leading the Whale as they too look for a deep playoff run to coincide with the parent Rangers.

Read more »

Connecticut roars back, evens series

Connecticut Whale 4, Norfolk Admirals 1

By Brian Ring

Hartford, CT, May 7, 2012 – The Connecticut Whale defeated the Norfolk Admirals, 4-1, Monday night in Hartford to even their Eastern Conference Semifinal series at two games apiece. Game Five will be played Wednesday night at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport (7:00 PM).

Scott Tanski recorded the game-winning goal and Kris Newbury supplied a goal and an assist in front of Cam Talbot’s 19 saves, as the Whale took Game Four at home.

Richard Panik notched the only goal of the game for Norfolk.

“I thought our team defense was real good tonight,” said Whale head coach Ken Gernander. “Obviously, [Talbot] had a bounce-back and was very good for us.”

“It was a big game for us to square the series and I thought we played very well tonight.”

Jonathan Audy-Marchessault gave the Whale the first lead of the game late in the first period, wristing a shot through the legs of Norfolk goaltender Dustin Tokarski (21 saves) with under a minute to play in the opening frame. The goal was Audy-Marchessault’s third of the postseason, with assists going to linemates Kris Newbury and Andre Deveaux.

The Whale extended their lead to 2-0 3:56 into the second period when Scott Tanski wheeled through the Admirals’ zone, turning and firing a shot past Tokarski from the left circle. Tanski’s goal was his first of the playoffs in just his second game, with the lone assist going to Kelsey Tessier.

Richard Panik cut the Whale lead to 2-1 with Norfolk’s only goal of the game, his first of the playoffs, 7:42 into the third period. Panik took a crafty pass from Alex Killorn before heading down the left wing boards and firing a shot over Talbot on the stick side.

Casey Wellman would get that goal back with just 3:12 left in the third, finishing a great two-on-one opportunity with defenseman Pavel Valentenko. Valentenko passed to Wellman at the last moment, and Wellman beat Tokarski with a one-timer that the Norfolk goaltender had no chance on. The goal was Wellman’s third of the series, and fourth of the postseason. Marek Hrivik recorded the secondary assist.

Newbury would cap the scoring for the Whale with an empty-net goal that made it 4-1 with 2:09 remaining.

The win evened the second-round series at two games apiece.

The Whale and Admirals will resume their series Wednesday night, when the teams head to the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport for a crucial Game Five (7:00, “The Rock” 106.9 WCCC-FM, www.ctwhale.com, live video streaming at www.ahllive.com).  Game Five tickets are available at the Webster Bank Arena box office, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Playoff ticket packages are also available that include tickets to all possible home playoff games.  To speak to a Whale account executive about a playoff ticket package, call (860) 728-3366.  More information is available at www.ctwhale.com.

Read more »

Norfolk edges Connecticut, takes 2-1 series lead

Norfolk Admirals 4, Connecticut Whale 3

By Brian Ring

Hartford, CT, May 6, 2012 – The Connecticut Whale were defeated by the Norfolk Admirals, 4-3, Sunday night in Game Three of their second-round playoff series at the XL Center. Mike Angelidis had the game-winning goal for Norfolk, which has now won two straight against the Whale in the series. Casey Wellman scored twice for the Whale.

The Whale trail the Admirals in their best-of-seven series, two games to one, with Game Four coming up Monday night in Hartford at 7:00 PM.

“I thought we had a good start, I thought we showed good resolve at the end of the game, and we had a few mistakes in the second period that were pretty costly,” said Whale head coach Ken Gernander. “We’ve got this one put behind us, time to focus on tomorrow night’s game and come out flying tomorrow night.”

The Whale struck first, as Wellman blocked a pass by Norfolk’s J.P. Cote an blasted a shot from the right-wing side past Norfolk goaltender Dustin Tokarski (19 saves) for the 1-0 advantage 5:20 into the opening frame. The goal came unassisted on the Whale’s first power-play opportunity of the game.

Ondrej Palat would tie the game for the Admirals just 2:41 later, as Norfolk broke up a Whale power-play chance. Palat emerged from the Connecticut end with the puck and went in on a shorthanded breakaway, deking out Whale goaltender Cam Talbot (26 saves) with a move to the backhand for the equalizer.

Connecticut would take the lead again with 2:38 left in the first period, enabling them to make it a 2-1 game after one period. Andre Deveaux managed to push a loose puck past Tokarski after winger Marek Hrivik muscled the puck to the front of the Norfolk cage. The goal was Deveaux’s second in as many games.

The Admirals would tie the game back up at two with six seconds remaining on a second-period power-play, as Alex Killorn snapped one from the right circle past Talbot. Killorn’s third of the postseason was assisted by Mike Kostka and Alexandre Picard at 11:31.

Norfolk took a 3-2 lead just 45 seconds later, as Trevor Smith sent his third goal of the playoffs past Talbot to give the Admirals their first lead of the game. Smith’s goal was a deflection of a shot by Mark Barberio, and was also assisted by AHL MVP and Rookie of the Year Cory Conacher.

Angelidis extended the Admirals’ lead to 4-2 with 2:20 left in the second period, as he converted a pass from Michel Ouellet past the outstretched leg of Talbot. Radko Gudas also assisted on the score, Angelidis’ first point of the playoffs and the eventual game-winner.

Wellman would get the Whale to within one with his second goal of the night 1:06 into the third, as Connecticut scored their second power-play tally of the game. Wellman’s slapshot from just inside the Norfolk blue line beat Tokarski, with assists going to Kris Newbury and Tim Erixon.

The Whale, however, could not even the score despite several close chances during a last-minute scrum in the Admirals end, and find themselves down for the first time in the series.

The series resumes Monday night at 7:00 p.m., as the Whale host the Admirals in Game Four of their second-round series at the XL Center (“The Rock” 106.9 WCCC-FM, www.ctwhale.com, live video streaming at www.ahllive.com).  Game Five is this Wednesday, May 9, a Whale home game that will be played at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT at 7:00.  Tickets for Game Four are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, and Game Five tickets are available at the Webster Bank Arena box office.  Tickets for both Games Four and Five can be purchased on-line at www.ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Playoff ticket packages are also available that include tickets to all possible home playoff games.  To speak to a Whale account executive about a playoff ticket package, call (860) 728-3366.  More information is available at www.ctwhale.com.

Read more »

Norfolk dominates Connecticut, head to Hartford tied at one

Norfolk Admirals 4, Connecticut Whale 1

Norfolk, VA, May 4, 2012 – Mike Kostka and Tyler Johnson had a goal and an assist each, and Dustin Tokarski made 27 saves, as the Norfolk Admirals defeated the Connecticut Whale, 4-1, Friday night at Scope Arena in Game Two of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series.

The best-of-seven series is now even at one game apiece.

Penalties hurt the Whale in their first postseason loss in five games, as Norfolk was 2/11 on the power play.  The Whale were 1/7 on the man advantage, as Andre Deveaux scored the only Connecticut goal of the game on a second-period power play.  Cam Talbot absorbed his first playoff loss in the Whale goal, despite making 36 saves.

The Whale generated numerous chances in the first period but could not beat Tokarski, and the Admirals would bury a pair of opportunities at the other end.

Alex Killorn gave Norfolk the game’s first lead at the 3:00 mark, after a good forecheck by defenseman Keith Aulie worked the puck loose.  Pierre-Cedric Labrie centered to Killorn, who snapped the puck past Talbot.

After furious Whale power-play pressure was fought off by Tokarski, Kostka scored a second Admiral goal at 17:44.  Alexandre Picard, who had served three minor penalties in the period, threaded a pass from the right-wing side across the slot to the defenseman Kostka, whose low shot beat Talbot.

The two teams then traded power-play goals in the second frame, starting at 9:02 when Deveaux, a 20-goals-scorer in the regular season got his first of the playoffs off of a goalmouth scramble.  A Deveaux pass went off of Marek Hrivik’s skate and into the goal crease.  Kelsey Tessier, who was going hard towards the goal, was knocked down into the net, and Deveaux found the loose puck and poked it in.

Norfolk replied on a five-on-three, however, after Kris Newbury took a cross-checking penalty at the 15-minute mark with Wade Redden already in the box for roughing.  Johnson had a pass from the left side of the goalmouth blocked, but the puck went off of a Whale defender right back to Johnson, and his shot just eluded a diving Talbot for a 3-1 Norfolk advantage.

The Admiral man advantage unit struck again at 4:41 of the third period to create the final margin, after a tripping call against Newbury at 3:40.

The best-of-seven series now switches to the XL Center in Hartford for Games Three and Four, which will be this Sunday, May 6 and Monday, May 7, with faceoff at 7:00 both nights (“The Rock” 106.9 WCCC-FM, www.ctwhale.com, live video streaming at www.ahllive.com).  Tickets for Games Three and Four are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Playoff ticket packages are also available that include tickets to all possible home playoff games.  To speak to a Whale account executive about a playoff ticket package, call (860) 728-3366.  More information is available at www.ctwhale.com.

Read more »

Thuresson wins it for Connecticut in OT; Whale take 1-0 series lead

Connecticut Whale 3, Norfolk Admirals 2 (OT)

Norfolk, VA, May 2, 2012 – Andreas Thuresson’s goal at 2:53 of overtime gave the Connecticut Whale a 3-2 win over the Norfolk Admirals Wednesday night at Scope Arena, in Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinal series between the two teams.

The victory kept the Whale perfect in the postseason, as Connecticut now sports a 4-0 record in 2012 playoff games.

Thuresson’s winner, his first career pro playoff OT goal, was a long slapshot from the left-wing side that Admiral goaltender Dustin Tokarski stopped with his stick.  The puck went off of the stick and up in the air, though, and found its way over Tokarski’s left shoulder before trickling over the goal line.

“Owie (Jordan Owens) was driving good to the net,” Thuresson said about the game-winning play, “and I just shot it through his legs and through the defenseman’s legs, hopefully for a rebound for him or for Bourqueie (Ryan Bourque) driving the net, and it ended up going in.  That’s what happens in playoffs.”

The overtime win was the second straight for the Whale, who completed a three-game, first-round sweep of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers with a 4-3 extra-time victory April 22 at the XL Center.

Cam Talbot kept his personal playoff record perfect with 31 saves for the Whale, and Jonathan Audy-Marchessault and Marek Hrivik also scored for Connecticut.  Norfolk got goals from Ondrej Palat and Pierre-Cedric Labrie, and Tokarski made 26 saves.

The series got off to an entertaining start in the first period, which featured four goals and numerous physical battles.

Norfolk’s Palat started the scoring at 5:43, with his first career North American pro postseason goal.  A shot by Brandon Segal was partially blocked, but got through to Talbot, who inadvertently kicked it right to Palat, allowing him easily to bury it from the left side of the slot.

The Whale then responded with two goals in 12 seconds, starting with the second of the postseason for Audy-Marchessault at 8:18.  Tim Erixon kept the puck in the offensive zone near the left-wing boards and threaded a pass to an unguarded Audy-Marchessault to the right of Tokarski.  Tokarski stopped Audy-Marchessault’s first bid, but the Whale rookie was able to lift his own rebound into the net.

The Whale then took their first lead on the very next shift, with Casey Wellman finding Hrivik all alone in front of Tokarski, with a pass from the right boards.  Hrivik put home his fifth goal of the postseason, and fifth in the last three games, and rookie J.T. Miller nabbed his first pro point with the secondary assist.

The two goals in 12 seconds was one second short of the franchise record for two fastest playoff goals.

Norfolk was able to draw back even, though, with 3:04 left in the period, as Labrie netted his second of the playoffs.  Labrie’s pass went off of teammate Alex Killorn’s skate right back to Labrie, and he beat Talbot with a high shot.

After that four-goal period, the second frame was scoreless, despite Norfolk having three power plays and the Whale four, including a two-man advantage of 1:03.

The best chance of the period for either team came with Erixon serving a holding minor and only 1.6 seconds left.  The puck came to the left-handed-shooting Killorn along the goal line to Talbot’s left and Killorn snapped a hard, low shot on net.  Not only did Talbot stop the shot with his left skate, but also was able to hold the puck underneath his boot to stop the play.

The Whale, outshot 24-15 through the first two periods, had a 12-9 advantage in that department in the third frame, but could not victimize Tokarski prior to Thuresson’s overtime strike.

Game Two of the best-of-seven series is Friday night at Scope (7:30 PM faceoff, “The Rock” 106.9 WCCC-FM, www.ctwhale.com, live video streaming at www.ahllive.com).  The series then switches to the XL Center in Hartford for Games Three and Four, which will be this Sunday, May 6 and Monday, May 7, with faceoff at 7:00 both nights.

Tickets for Games Three and Four at the XL Center are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Playoff ticket packages are also available that include tickets to all possible home playoff games.  To speak to a Whale account executive about a playoff ticket package, call (860) 728-3366.  More information is available at www.ctwhale.com.

The Tavern Downtown, at 100 Allyn St. in Hartford, will host a special viewing party for Friday’s Game Two.  The ahllive feed will be shown on at least one TV at The Tavern Downtown, which will offer Happy Hour specials of $1 off draft and bottled beers, $2 off mixed well drinks, $2 off house wines, $1 off shots, and $4 Whaler Ales, which include the customer keeping the glass. Appetizers will be out for Happy Hour from 5-7 PM, and there will be $2 sliders starting at 7 PM. There will also be raffles and handouts.

Read more »

Wellman’s winner sends Connecticut to second round

Connecticut Whale 4, Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3 (OT)

By Brian Ring

Hartford, CT, April 22, 2012 – The Connecticut Whale defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 4-3 in overtime, Sunday night at the XL Center to sweep their first-round playoff series, three games to none.

Marek Hrivik had two goals for the Whale and Casey Wellman tallied the overtime game-winner to give Connecticut their first postseason series win since 2006.

“Everybody is contributing and pulling their weight and that’s what it takes, and that’s why it’s been such a good feeling tonight,” said Whale head coach Ken Gernander.

The Whale took the first lead of the game on Hrivik’s third goal in the last two games, as he scored at the 6:11 mark of the first period on the power-play. Hrivik took a pass from Wellman and skated to the bottom of the circle before firing a shot through Sound Tigers goaltender Kevin Poulin (50 saves). Mike Vernace picked up the secondary assist on the goal.

The Sound Tigers would end Cam Talbot’s (44 saves) playoff shutout streak at 139 minutes and 44 seconds, as Justin DiBenedetto tied the game on the power-play with 16 seconds remaining in the first period. David Ullstrom slid the puck across the top of the crease to an open DiBenedetto, who tallied the first playoff goal for Bridgeport. Calvin de Haan also assisted on the goal.

Neither team would be able to push anything across in the second period, as Talbot and Poulin dueled throughout the frame. The Whale outshot the Sound Tigers, 22-10, in the second, with Poulin making an exceptional save on Kris Newbury to keep the game tied at one.

Talbot also contributed a quality save on Casey Cizikas, who broke in on the Whale goaltender alone on a shorthanded breakaway.

The third period would prove to be a change of pace from the quiet second frame.

Ryan Bourque would strike for the Whale 5:32 into the third, converting on a model give-and-go with Kelsey Tessier in front of Poulin. Tessier drew the attention of Poulin and fed Bourque at the last moment, allowing the Bridgeport goaltender no chance to make a stop. Andreas Thuresson collected the secondary assist on the play.

Ullstrom would tie the game for Bridgeport with 9:28 left in the third, burying a rebound chance over the left pad of Talbot. DiBenedetto and Matt Donovan notched the assists on the equalizer.

Hrivik would strike again with his second goal of the night, and fourth of the series, just 46 seconds later, blasting a slapshot past Poulin to put the Whale up 3-2. Hrivik came in on a two-on-one with Andre Deveaux, but opted for the shot, which beat Poulin to his glove side.

“There’s still lots of work ahead of me,” said Hrivik. “I couldn’t find a passing lane through [to Deveaux] so I just shot it and it just went in.

“It’s a great opportunity for me and I’m thankful for this.”

The back-and-forth struggle would continue, as Rhett Rakhshani tallied his first goal of the playoffs with 3:21 remaining to tie the game at four and send Game Three into overtime.

Tony Romano would break the stick of Whale defenseman Wade Redden with a slash 14:40 into the extra session, setting up a key power-play chance for Connecticut.

With just five seconds left in the man-advantage, Redden fed Wellman coming in to Poulin’s left, and Wellman fired the winning shot over the Sound Tigers’ goaltender for the series-clinching tally. Thuresson netted his second assist of the game on the play.

The Whale will now await their opponent for the Eastern Conference Semifinals series, dates and times to be announced.

Read more »

Talbot shuts out Bridgeport again; Whale on verge of advancing

Connecticut Whale 3, Bridgeport Sound Tigers 0

By Brian Ring

Bridgeport, CT, April 21, 2012 – The Connecticut Whale defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 3-0, Saturday night in the second game of their best-of-five Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series at the Webster Bank Arena.

The Whale bumped their lead to two games to none over Bridgeport, who face elimination in Game Three slated for Sunday in Hartford (5:00 PM).

Cam Talbot was excellent in goal for the second straight game, becoming the first goaltender in franchise history to notch back-to-back shutouts in the postseason with a 41-save performance. Talbot has stopped 83 straight shots to begin the playoffs, and is the first AHL goaltender to begin a playoff season with back-to-back shutouts since Michael Leighton, then of the Norfolk Admirals in 2004.

Marek Hrivik scored his first two postseason goals of his pro career for the Whale, and Casey Wellman added two assists to lead the Connecticut attack.

“For the most part we’ve been very patient and eliminated those unforced errors,” said Whale head coach Ken Gernander. “We make them earn it. We did a good job eliminating second and third opportunities and Cam did a good job on the initial saves.”

The Whale turned the momentum of the game right away, killing off an early five-on-three Bridgeport power-play just minutes into the first period. The penalty kill, combined with the play of Talbot, helped to stifle the Sound Tigers, who were held without a goal in five man-advantage attempts on the night.

Jonathan Audy-Marchessault put the Whale up 1-0 just 5:32 into the first period, as he picked off a pass from Sound Tigers defenseman Jon Landry. Audy-Marchessault skated in and shot on goaltender Kevin Poulin (27 saves), who made the initial save, but could not stop the rookie forward’s rebound attempt. Audy-Marchessault’s first goal of his pro playoff career came unassisted.

Talbot continued his strong play in goal, building on Thursday’s 42-save shutout in Game One with 13 first period saves, to remain perfect through four periods of play.

Hrivik would extend the lead to 2-0 6:44 into the second period, converting a pass from Wellman in the slot.

The Sound Tigers outshot the Whale, 28-20, through two periods, but Talbot continued to dazzle Bridgeport with 70 straight saves through five periods in the series.

Hrivik buried his second goal of the night with 5:45 left in the game on the power-play, skating in on Poulin down the left-hand boards and firing a shot over his stick side. Wellman picked up his second assist of the game on the goal.

Talbot would hold the lead the rest of the way, continuing to stone the Sound Tigers.

“I’m just trying to give us a chance to win every night and the guys are coming through with some big goals,” said Talbot. “The biggest thing is we’re getting balanced scoring from every single line.”

The Whale and Sound Tigers will resume their playoff series Sunday night at the XL Center for Game Three, with Bridgeport on the brink of elimination (5:00).  Tickets for Sunday’s game are available at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000, and on line at www.ctwhale.com.  Upper-level tickets for first-round home games are only $5 each.

Read more »

CT takes 1-0 lead on Talbot’s 42 save shutout

Connecticut Whale 3, Bridgeport Sound Tigers 0

By Brian Ring

Bridgeport, CT, April 19, 2012 – The Connecticut Whale defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 3-0, in the first game of their best-of-five Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series Thursday night at the Webster Bank Arena.

Cam Talbot recorded 42 saves in a stellar shutout performance, the most saves in franchise history in a postseason shutout, and Kelsey Tessier supplied the game-winning goal and an assist as the Whale won for the first time in Bridgeport this season.

“That’s playoff hockey, it’s going to be close-checking,” said Whale head coach Ken Gernander. “We have to be patient and keep with the game plan.

“I loved the third period.  I thought they elevated the intensity, everything got elevated in the third.”

Game Two of the series will be Saturday night at the Webster Bank Arena (7:00 PM).

The Whale were in trouble early and often to begin the first period, affording the Sound Tigers two power-play opportunities within the first half of the frame, and three total in the period. Talbot was excellent for the Whale in the opening period, turning aside a number of up-close chances, including a great sprawling save on a Justin DiBenedetto opportunity.

Bridgeport’s Kevin Poulin (33 saves) was equally good, with each goaltender stopping ten first period shots.

The scoreless standoff would continue through the second period, as both Talbot and Poulin continued to keep any offense off the scoreboard. Both clubs would have close calls in the second, with a shorthanded odd-man rush involving Jonathan Audy-Marchessault and Kris Newbury being narrowly broken up, and an apparent Sound Tigers goal being waved off by the referee at the other end of the ice.

The Sound Tigers outshot the Whale, 15-13, in the second period.

Connecticut would finally break the game open with a statement three-goal third period, started by the line of Tessier, Jordan Owens and Ryan Bourque.

Tessier would break the deadlock just 1:03 into the third, scoring on a breakaway to put the Whale ahead 1-0. Tim Erixon would split the Bridgeport defense with a great outlet pass, feeding Tessier. Erixon’s defense partner Jared Nightingale also assisted on the goal, which would prove the eventual game-winner.

“Awesome saucer pass right on my tape, I just had to put it in there,” said Tessier.

That line would score again at the 9:48 mark, as Owens backhanded a rebound past a sprawled Poulin for the 2-0 advantage. Poulin had stopped Bourque’s initial bid, but left an open opportunity for Owens.

Bourque would strike with a goal of his own with 6:42 remaining in the third period, putting home a rebound of Tessier’s shot. Pavel Valentenko grabbed the secondary assist on the score, a play that was very nearly an outstanding save Poulin.

Talbot would protect the lead the rest of the way, denying the Sound Tigers the chance to chip into the Whale lead with 17 third-period saves.

The Whale will look to up their series lead over the Sound Tigers in Game Two Saturday night in Bridgeport (7:00 PM). The series will shift to the XL Center Sunday night for Game Three (5:00 PM).

Read more »

Connecticut falls to Syracuse (SO) in season finale

Syracuse Crunch 2, Connecticut Whale 1 (SO)

Syracuse, NY, April 14, 2012 – Syracuse Crunch goaltender Iiro Tarkki narrowly outdueled his Connecticut Whale counterpart, Cam Talbot, Saturday night at the Onondaga County War Memorial at Oncenter, in the Whale’s last game of the regular season, a 2-1 Crunch shootout win.

Tarkki stopped 44 Whale shots in regulation and overtime, and then went four-for-four in the shootout.  Talbot stopped 37 out of 38 shots in regulation and overtime, but was beaten on two out of three shootout bids.

The game was meaningless in the standings for Connecticut, which was already locked into sixth place in the Eastern Conference, but it was vital to the Crunch, who entered the game one point out of the last playoff spot in the East.

Riley Holzapfel scored a first-period goal for the Crunch and also scored in the shootout, and Jonathan Audy-Marchessault had a second-period power-play tally for the Whale.

“I thought our guys put in a real good effort,” Whale head coach Ken Gernander said.  “That’s got to be among one of our season highs as far as shots on goal, and I think it came in large part due to how hard we worked tonight.” Read more »

Whale Lose In Shootout, Thomas Gets First Pro Goal

Manchester Monarchs 5, Connecticut Whale 4 (SO)

 Hartford, CT, April 13, 2012 - The Whale were defeated by the Manchester Monarchs, 5-4 in a shootout, Friday night at the XL Center before a crowd of 5,639 in the Whale’s last regular-season home outing. Justin Azevedo scored twice for the Monarchs and Patrick Mullen netted the shootout winner to defeat the Whale in a see-saw battle.

The Whale were beneficiaries of the first pro points from Steve Moses, who scored twice for the Whale, and Christian Thomas, who scored once and added an assist.

“We got some good scoring,” said Whale head coach Ken Gernander. “We probably should tighten it up a bit defensively but we got a point out of it.”

Despite the Whale carrying the offensive flow early in the game, the Monarchs would score twice before the opening period was half over.

Jake Muzzin would score first in unconventional fashion, his shot hitting off the end boards with the ricochet hitting off of the back of goaltender Chad Johnson’s (34 saves) legs and into the net. Robert Czarnik and Andrew Campbell were credited with the assists on the goal at 5:36.

The Monarchs would make it 2-0 7:48 into the frame, as Azevedo stole the puck in the Whale zone, and beat Johnson high to the glove side as he was left all alone in the slot. The goal was Azevedo’s 26^th of the season, coming unassisted.

The Whale finished the first period outshooting the Monarchs, 17-6, but were held scoreless during a pair of power-play opportunities, keeping them off the scoreboard.

Moses would strike for the Whale 5:25 into the second period, cutting the Manchester lead to 2-1 with his first professional goal and point against Manchester goaltender Martin Jones (31 saves). Moses finished off a rebound from Casey Wellman, with Wade Redden recording the secondary assist.

Moses would bring Connecticut even 12:46 into the period, tipping a Pavel Valentenko slapshot from the blue line off his pants and past Jones for his second goal of the night.  Wellman set up the play, passing to Valentenko at the point from below the left circle for his second point of the game.

The Whale would take a short-lived 3-2 lead with 4:25 to play in the second, as Kris Newbury’s shot beat a screened Jones for his 25^th goal of the season, assisted by Jonathan Audy-Marchessault and Thomas. The point was the first of Thomas’ pro career in his fourth game with the Whale.

Manchester, however, would answer right back as Azevedo sent the game into the third period tied with his second goal of the night at 19:07.

Azevedo’s shot managed to sneak through Johnson, bouncing off his left skate and in. Longtime franchise foe Trent Hunter and Stefan Legein assisted on the power-play tally.

Read more »