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Providence thoughts

Email|Link|Comments (5) Posted by Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff April 29, 2008 10:55 AM

Some late-arriving thoughts after taking in Providence's 7-1 thrashing of Portland in Game 2 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center:

1. Zach Hamill will need at least a year of AHL play. Hamill looks to have good vision, hockey sense, and playmaking ability. Would like to see him compete harder, however, and there's no better coach to teach him that intangible than Scott Gordon.

2. Liked what I saw from winger Jeff LoVecchio, the free agent signed out of Western Michigan (not Michigan State, thanks to reader Mike for the correction) -- decent wheels, hard-nosed, likes to compete. He projects to be a checking-line winger. Is playing with a broken wrist, which shows serious guts.

3. Strong game from Petteri Nokelainen, who's skating on the right wing. Played his game perfectly -- crashing the net, mixing it up, delivering hits. Could be a third-line winger in 2008-09.

4. Tuukka Rask should give Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez a strong push in training camp. Rask moved smoothly, was under control, didn't try to make big saves. If either of the veterans suffers an injury, Rask will be in Boston next season.

5. Disappointing crowd at the Dunk (3,360 attendance). P-Bruins deserve more support.

tags Jeff LoVecchio, Manny Fernandez, Petteri Nokelainen, Tim Thomas, Tuukka Rask, Zach Hamill

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5 comments so far...

Fluto - does Karsums project to be NHL material? He seems to perform pretty well in the A. Just curious if he has any real shot at making it to the show.

Posted by rockstareh April 29, 08 11:14 AM

I agree that the P-Bruins deserve more support. Why doesn't the Globe cover them more?!?!
I was trying to find out about their playoff series and see how they were doing and I could not find anything at Boston.com. How about a link from the B-Bruins page? Or even more blog updates from writers like you Fluto? The P-Bruins website and even the AHL page are very poor and aren't even a great source of info.
But I do like your work Fluto so keep it up.

Posted by jstand April 29, 08 11:40 AM

On Karsums: Character guy who plays hard and does the dirty work, but is considered a fringe NHLer who tops out as an energy-line wing. He'll be given a hard look in camp next season (year three of his entry-level deal).

On Providence: Will try and incorporate more AHL coverage into next year's stuff. But considering space, money, and general lack of interest (aside from the serious puckheads), it's a tough sell to cover those guys on a daily basis.

Posted by FS April 29, 08 01:11 PM

The crowd for the P-Bruins was disappointing (especially after attending Game 6 in Boston and teh crazy crowd there) I was at the Dunk for both Saturday and Sunday's games and it was pitiful for a 2nd round playoff game - especially given the fact that the tickets were buy 1 get 1 free! Folks - my lower loge center ice seats were $26 for 2 of them and parking is only $10 - that's a lot of entertainment for a small amount of cash!

Posted by Lisa April 29, 08 01:47 PM

I agree with jstand anout comment #2. Lisa, park at Providence Place Mall....usually only $5 for a game if you don't mind a climate controlled stroll from the mall & convention center.....Seeing a lot of road games, seems like they could do more "entertaining" things during the game...the infamous Chuck-a puck.....and the little blimp that hovers the rink in Worcester & Manchester in between periods. As far as ticket prices, the Pawsox are $10.00......maybe we can get a little closer to that number from $18 during the season and the $20 I paid day of the game on Saturday when I needed an extra ticket. You can't find any local team merchandise except at the games. What about Bob's, Modells, Sports Authority caring some hats, tees, & jersey's???? Just one guys opinion.

Posted by Ed from Pawtucket April 29, 08 06:42 PM