So it’s a rainy Thursday. Hey it’s better than the alternative…and at least my car won’t be frozen to its parking space like on Tuesday morning. Anyway, moving on…last night’s Devils-Sound Tigers clash went from being a bad loss to the new worst team in the league (by 2 points over Adirondack and Syracuse) to one of the best endings in, well, 3 weeks since the last one. And it’s all thanks to one person: Chad Wiseman. Now where this scoring surge came from is anyone’s guess, but it came at the right time. But first let’s rewind to the first 50 minutes of the game, which saw Bridgeport dominate to the tune of a 4-1 lead with about 10 minutes to go in the 3rd period (one that was extended by about 4 minutes due to a glass issue that prematurely ended the 2nd period). Thanks to more penalty trouble by the Devils (5 power plays awarded to Bridgeport, thankfully nobody got 10 minute misconducts for arguing like on Sunday in Adirondack), Bridgeport was able to capitalize early on. Brett Motherwell gave the visitors a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, then Rhett Rakhshani tacked on a second goal early in the 2nd. David McIntyre scored to get the Devils on the board, then Jesse Joensuu and Robin Figren would add to the score and give the Sound Tigers what seemed to be a safe 3 goal cushion. Apparently they didn’t see the Worcester game tape, never count these Devils out. Wiseman scored his first with 9 and a half minutes left in the period to make it 4-2. OK it’s sort of a game again, no big deal. Fast forward to about 3 and a half minutes left in the 3rd, Wiseman strikes again to make it 4-3. Now we have a possible nailbiter in the works. Less than a minute later, it’s that man Wiseman again, nailing the hat trick and tying it at 4. We were thinking ok it’s probably going to overtime, the Devils have done well in the extra session, there’s hope. With 32 seconds left in the game, that went out the window as Wiseman got his 4th of the period and gave the Devils the 5-4 win. Only about 1500 in attendance, and I figured about half were left to see the victory. I saw quite a few people leave during the second period delay when they figured it was over. I’m sure they’re kicking themselves right now. So if you’re doing the math, Wiseman got all four goals in the 3rd period in a span of 9 minutes and 3 seconds. That has to be a record of some sort. Postgame my group and I ran into Mike McKenna (the winning goalie) in the parking garage, we told him he owes Wiseman big time, at least a beer if not a steak dinner. He may be seeing some extra playing time for a couple of games though…Jeff Frazee took a shot off a finger during morning skate and was sporting a splint last night. Jeff Lerg was up to play doorman for the evening, not sure if he’ll stay for the weekend or he’ll switch with Dave Caruso.
Speaking of the weekend…another busy 3 in 3 weekend, but luckily the Devils don’t have to travel far. Friday night they return to Adirondack to face the Phantoms…finally we will have the Battle of Sestito (at least according to PL3…we’ll take his word for it), hopefully Jamie Koharski won’t be around to call 10 minute misconducts every time someone opens their mouth. Saturday and Sunday features two home games, against Springfield (Saturday) and Syracuse (Sunday). Saturday is a 5 PM start, $12 tickets if you show up in green (it’s also dodge the amateur St. Patrick’s Day Parade drunks downtown day). Sunday is a bobblehead giveaway, another autograph session, and oh by the way it’s on TV (TWC Sports will be carrying it). Then an extended road trip so basketball tourneys can take over the arena. Syracuse, Norfolk, Wilkes-Barre and Hershey (2 games each in Syracuse/Norfolk) are the destinations.
Hard to believe the season ends a month from today already, where does the time go?
Thoughts Inside The Box 