Whale to Take on Bridgeport in First-round Calder Cup Playoff Series

HARTFORD, April 13, 2012:  Connecticut Whale general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today the schedule for the Whale’s first-round Calder Cup playoff series, which will match the Whale against their GEICO Connecticut Cup rivals the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the first-ever playoff meeting between the two Nutmeg-State teams.

CT WhaleThe Whale, who will finish sixth in the AHL’s Eastern Conference, will start the best-of-five series against the third-seeded Sound Tigers this Thursday, April 19 at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, with faceoff at 7:00 PM.  Game Two of the series will also be in Bridgeport, next Saturday, April 21 at 7:00, before the series switches to the XL Center in Hartford for Game Three next Sunday, April 22.  Faceoff for that contest will be 5:00.  A Game Four, if it is necessary, would be in Hartford Wednesday, April 25 at 7:00, and if the series went the full five games, a decisive Game Five would be Saturday, April 28 in Bridgeport at 7:00.

Connecticut Whale vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals (best of five):

Game One                      Thu., Apr. 19       Webster Bank Arena   7:00

Game Two                       Sat., Apr. 21       Webster Bank Arena   7:00

Game Three                    Sun., Apr. 22       XL Center                  5:00

Game Four (if necessary) Wed., Apr. 25      XL Center                  7:00

Game Five (if necessary)  Sat., Apr. 28       Webster Bank Arena   7:00

Tickets to Whale home games can be purchased 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.

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Report: Ellsbury Out 6-8 Weeks With Shoulder Dislocation

Jacoby Ellsbury #2 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after he was injured in a double play in the bottom of the fourth inning by Reid Brignac #15 of the Tampa Bay Rays the Tampa Bay Rays during the home opener on April 13, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.

The news isn’t so pretty for the Boston Red Sox even after their 12-2 home opening day win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

It appears that Jacoby Ellsbury, who was injured when Reid Brignac came down on him after he tried to break up a double play, will miss 6-8 weeks with a possible shoulder dislocation according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com. That same injury report was also confirmed by Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston.

The Red Sox are already thin in the outfield with Carl Crawford still out with an elbow strain.

It’s expected that Che-Hsuan Lin will be called up to replace Ellsbury in the outfield. Lin was a late scratch before Triple-A Pawtucket’s game against the Rochester Red Wings. It’s quite possible that Lin will have the best arm in the outfield judging by this throw he had last year.

Lin is off to a slow start with the PawSox as he is just 3-for-20 to start the season.

This is a big loss from the Red Sox as there were high expectations from him coming off of his almost MVP season of 2011. Now the Red Sox will have to play without him.

We can only hope that the injury isn’t serious after more tests are done and that he’s out the minimum time and not the maximum.

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Manchester Monarchs 5, Connecticut Whale 4 (SO)

By Brian Ring

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.

CT WhaleThe 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 26th 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 25th 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.

The back-and-forth struggle would continue into the third period, with Ray Kaunisto pushing a covered puck over the line to give Manchester a 4-3 lead at 3:18. Johnson appeared to have the puck smothered at the post, but Kaunisto pushed until the puck squeezed in.

The Whale would tie the game back up at four at 5:27, as Thomas ripped a shot from the point past Jones for his first professional goal, assisted by Newbury and Audy-Marchessault.

“It’s a weight off my back, getting that first one is always nice,” said Thomas. “But hopefully in the next game or next couple games I can get a couple more.”

That score would hold through the rest of regulation and an amazing 24th trip to overtime for the Whale, as the teams went to the shootout for the first time in the season series.

Audy-Marchessault would get the Whale out to a 1-0 lead, but Marc-Andre Cliché and Mullen would score for the Monarchs to win the shootout, 2-1, and the game, 5-4.

The Whale will be back in action Saturday, when they make their only visit of the season to the Syracuse Crunch (7:30).

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Manchester Monarchs 5 (SO) at Connecticut Whale 4
Friday, April 13, 2012 – XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Manchester 2 1 1 0 – 5
Connecticut 0 3 1 0 – 4

1st Period-1, Manchester, Muzzin 7 (Czarnik, Campbell), 5:36. 2, Manchester, Azevedo 26   7:48. Penalties-Kozun Mch (cross-checking), 11:32; Hickey Mch (holding the stick), 17:33.

2nd Period-3, Connecticut, Moses 1 (Wellman, Redden), 5:25. 4, Connecticut, Moses 2 (Valentenko, Wellman), 12:46. 5, Connecticut, Newbury 25 (Audy-Marchessault, Thomas), 15:35. 6, Manchester, Azevedo 27 (Hunter, Legein), 19:07 (PP). Penalties-Grant Ct (slashing), 5:45; Campbell Mch (slashing), 16:17; Tessier Ct (high-sticking), 18:23.

3rd Period-7, Manchester, Kaunisto 7 (Meckler, Muzzin), 3:18. 8, Connecticut, Thomas 1 (Newbury, Audy-Marchessault), 5:27. Penalties-Valentenko Ct (boarding), 15:52.

OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout – Manchester 2 (Azevedo NG, Vey NG, Cliche G, Mullen G), Connecticut 1 (Wellman NG, Newbury NG, Audy-Marchessault G, Thomas NG, Moses NG).
Shots on Goal-Manchester 6-11-18-3-1-39. Connecticut 17-10-6-2-0-35.
Power Play Opportunities-Manchester 1 / 3; Connecticut 0 / 3.
Goalies-Manchester, Jones 17-17-2 (35 shots-31 saves). Connecticut, Johnson 22-18-6 (38 shots-34 saves).
A-5,639
Referees-David Banfield (44).
Linesmen-Matt MacPherson (83), Luke Galvin (2).

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Alex Oriakhi Heading To Mizzou

Former UConn Huskies forward Alex Oriakhi has finally picked a school to transfer to. He’ll be heading to Columbia, MO to play for the Missouri Tigers, who will play their first season the SEC next year.

Here’s the release from Missouri:

Columbia, Mo. – The University of Missouri men’s basketball program has added a highly-regarded big man to help the Tigers for the 2012-13 season, as Alex Oriakhi, a 6-foot-9, 245-pound power forward, will attend Mizzou. Oriakhi will have one year of eligibility remaining after transferring from the University of Connecticut, where he helped lead the Huskies to the 2011 NCAA Championship as a sophomore. Oriakhi has signed a financial aid agreement to attend Mizzou, as announced by Mizzou Head Coach Frank Haith.

UConn center Alex Oriakhi puts up a shot in traffic during the Huskies' Big East tournament opener vs. DePauOriakhi, a native of Lowell, Mass., averaged 7.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in 109 games over the past three seasons at UCONN. He turned in career-best averages of 9.6 points and 8.7 rebounds during his sophomore season as the Huskies won the 2011 NCAA title, with Oriakhi playing a major role in the tournament run. He scored 11 points and added 11 rebounds and four blocked shots in the national title game against Butler. He also contributed eight points, 10 rebounds and a block in the national semi-final win over Kentucky. An outstanding shot-blocker, Oriakhi swatted 166 shots in his 109 games at UCONN.

The 2009 Gatorade High School Player of the Year in New Hampshire and a McDonald’s Prep All-American, Oriakhi will be reunited with current Tiger guard Phil Pressey. The two were teammates previously together for the Boston Amateur Basketball Club.

“We’re very excited to add a talented and proven player like Alex to our program,” said Haith. “Addressing our front court depth has been a major emphasis of ours for this next year, and when you add Alex to a group of newcomers including Stefan Jankovic, Ryan Rosburg and Tony Criswell, we are definitely heading the right direction. Alex is a very hard worker, he’s somebody who we expect to fit into our program’s culture right away. He will do whatever he’s asked to help the team, and he can impact a game any number of ways, whether it’s scoring, rebounding or defending,” Haith said.

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photo credit: Richard Messina – Hartford Courant

Video: 2012 Red Sox Opening Day Ceremony

In case you missed it or want to watch the opening ceremonies from the 2012 Boston Red Sox home opener, I’ve got you covered.

Enjoy!

Part 1:

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Part 2:

{flvremote}http://cdn.ianbethune.com/redsoxopeningday2012part2.flv{/flvremote}

Part 3:

{flvremote}http://cdn.ianbethune.com/redsoxopeningday2012part3.flv{/flvremote}

Watch this video on your smartphone

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Report: Michael Bradley To Transfer From UConn

UConn's Michael Bradley arrives with the team at the Reliant Stadium before UConn takes on Butler in the 2011 NCAA Final Four National Championship in Houston, Texas.

Lose three players, gain one player. And now it appears the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team will be losing another player.

According to Brendan Quinn of Nooga.com, redshirt freshman Michael Bradley will be leaving the program to transfer to another school.

Bradley sat out his first season in Storrs, earning a redshirt. He missed the entire 2011-12 season after fracturing his ankle in October.

Quinn states that Bradley could transfer somewhere closer to home and possibly receive a hardship waiver since his grandmother was recently diagnosed with cancer.

I have to be honest here. If this report turns out to be true, I’m shocked.

With Alex Oriakhi leaving the program and Andre Drummond heading to the NBA, Bradley was in line for a chance to become a part of the regular rotation for Jim Calhoun. Now, we are looking at Enosch Wolf being our center for the 2012-13.

Either way, best of luck to Bradley.

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Photo credit: Bettina Hansen – Hartford Courant

Salem, CT Native R.J. Evans Coming To UConn

While the UConn Huskies men’s basketball program may not be eligible for the 2013 NCAA Touranment at this time, it’s not stopping Connecticut native R.J. Evans from coming to Storrs, CT.

UConn's Jeremy Lamb drives to the basket against Holy Cross guard R.J. Evans at the XL Center Sunday afternoon. Evans played at Norwich Free Academy.The Salem, CT native announced on Friday that he will attend and play at UConn after graduating from Holy Cross this May. 

“It’s every Connecticut kid’s dream to play at UConn. It’s a dream come true. I’m grateful and thank God. It’s a great opportunity and I’m going to make the best of it.”

Evans did play four season for the Crusaders but he injured his knee his junior year and earned a medical redshirt. He will be able to play right away for Jim Calhoun’s depleted Huskies squad.

Evans led the Crusaders with 15 points in their 77-40 loss to UConn on December 18, 2011.

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photo credit: Brad Horrigan – Hartford Courant

Drummond Officially Heading To The NBA

Drummond is ready to hammer one home.

After reports came out yesterday that UConn Huskies freshman center Andre Drummond was going to jump ship and head to the NBA, he made the decision official on Friday.

Here’s the release from UConn:

STORRS, Conn. – University of Connecticut freshman Andre Drummond has announced that he will make himself available for the 2012 NBA Draft, foregoing his final three seasons of college eligibility.

“My family and I feel that this is the right time for me to take the next step in my basketball career,” Drummond said. “It has always been a goal of mine to compete against the world’s best players and that is one of the big factors for me in making this decision.

“Although I was only at UConn for one year, the experience I gained playing against the best competition at the college level greatly helped me prepare for what I will face as I pursue a career as a professional.”

Drummond (Middletown, Conn.), a 6-10 center, is expected to be a top five pick in the draft, which takes place on June 28 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

“Andre is a developing player with unlimited potential and his projected position in the draft is as good as almost any player I’ve ever had,” UConn coach Jim Calhoun said. “Very few players get such a tremendous opportunity, and he’s got to take advantage of it.”

Drummond, 18, did not decide to attend college until just before the first semester began, paid his own way, and therefore has been classified as a walk-on with the Huskies. He made quite an impact, however, playing in all 34 games, the last 30 as a starter, and averaging 28.4 minutes a contest.

Drummond averaged 10.0 points per game, while leading the team in rebounding at 7.6 per game, field goal percentage at .538, and blocked shots with 92. His 2.7 blocks per game ranked third in the BIG EAST Conference and 14th in the country. Drummond, who was selected to the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team, had 10 double-doubles during the season, a record for a UConn freshman under Calhoun.

“I really appreciate the time and effort that Coach Calhoun and the whole coaching staff at UConn put in to help me improve my game,” Drummond said. “I also want to thank our tremendous Husky fans and my teammates. I have developed strong relationships at UConn that will be part of my life forever.”

Sophomore Jeremy Lamb, who declared his availability for the NBA Draft earlier this week, and Drummond become the 14th and 15th UConn players under Calhoun to leave school early to enter the draft. Of the 13 before Lamb and Drummond, all but one was drafted in the first round and 10 were lottery picks.

“Andre came here because he wanted to play for the state school and he showed a great deal of loyalty to our program and to the state itself,” Calhoun said. “Andre and his family have been great people to deal with. Naturally, we’re sad to see him go, but we wish him nothing but great successes in the future.”

Drummond was considered one of the top prospects in the country while leading St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Conn., to the 2011 Prep National Championship.

“I truly enjoyed my whole college experience and I hope to return in the future to earn my degree,” Drummond said. “As a kid from Connecticut, playing basketball at UConn in front of hometown fans for me was a dream come true.”

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photo credit: John Woike – Hartford Courant