Fun afternoon at the MSG Training Center, where we presented Live Stream and play-by-play of the Whale's 3-1 win over Adirondack here on BlueshirtsUnited.com. I had a blast, channeling my play-by-play roots---yes, yes, I know it was with the dreaded Islanders---and really enjoyed all the in-game Twitter interaction with the fans. For all those of you who watched, and participated via Twitter, thank you for your awesome support. And great work by Mike Bahrenburg---producing and handling the camera work---and Adam Skollar---handling the social media, and feeding me one great Tweeted question after another.
As for the game, here are a few quick thoughts:
- Great to see Chad Kolarik score the game-winner with 34 seconds to play. Exciting finish to an evenly-played game, and a great throw-himself-into-the-glass reaction by Kolarik. And good for Chad, coming back from his lost season of a year ago, now healthy and productive once again.
- Chris Kreider made his Whale pre-season debut and was solid. I know everyone wants him to be spectacular every time he out, but that's not realistic. Kreider is still learning. But the kid has a great attitude, and he works so hard. Ken Gernander deployed him at even strength and on the power play with Kris Newbury and Kolarik, and on the PK with Newbury, and Kreider was just plain solid, and even contributed an empty-net goal.
- Jason Missiaen was very sharp between the pipes for the Whale, beaten only by a Brayden Schenn power play shot. He was impressive playing his angles and in how he almost always was in perfect position to smother Phantom shots. This was a much better outing for the 6-foot-8 goalie than his pre-season debut Wednesday against Albany when he allowed three goals in just under 31 minutes.
- The kids playedf well again. Andrew Yogan went to the net to convert a rebound for the Whale's first goal in the second period; Kyle Jean showed tremendous effort and consistently was battling to create offensively; and JT Miller was solid---though he did miss a penalty shot late in the third period.
- Kelsey Tessier is one annoying pest, and a beast on the forecheck. No wonder why Whale fans love him.
- Mike Vernace and Sean Collins formed a real nice veteran top defensive pair.
- Blake Parlett took three minor penalties. Can't do that again.
- The Whale was 0-5 on the power play, including a failed two-man advantage, but an impressive 7-for-8 on the penalty kill, including a 5-on-3 kill.
The Whale close out their pre-season schedule Sunday afternoon, 2:00 at Trinity College in Hartford against Worcester. No Live Stream for that game, but I'll be Tweeting, interviewing, and reporting. See you then!
Jim Cerny
October 6, 2012
