-It might be surprising to some, but Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev has not scored a goal this season. In 34 games, Sergachev has come close several times, but has not yet put the puck behind a netminder. The coaching staff, however, isn’t worried.
“We judge in other ways (than goals),” assistant coach Derek Lalonde said. “It was his best game last night (Monday), analytically, chances for and against, he was involved offensively. He spent less time in his zone because he was doing good detail in the defensive zone.”
-The Lightning were in action again last night as they continued their West Coast road trip. As the team was in Vancouver, the game’s start time was at an East Coast-unfriendly 10 PM EST, so many in Lightning Land weren’t up to see the Lightning win. Fear not, we have all the details you need!
-Yesterday was Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman’s birthday! Geo took some time out of his day to celebrate what Hedman means to the organization and to the fans.
-Speaking of Hedman, check out this new segment from the Lightning:
You hear a lot about coaches and players watching film, poring over it to help address problems and strengthen what’s already working.
So we’re bringing you with us!
Tune in as @caleychelios sat down with Victor Hedman in our first edition of Film Room: pic.twitter.com/5CasQWbTqk
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) December 18, 2018
-Look! IT’S A GRAPH! No, wait, IT’S FOUR GRAPHS!
Divisional Point Paces through 12/17/2018 pic.twitter.com/xIk2WzpWyC
— Mike Gallimore (@mikegallimore) December 18, 2018
-Alan checked in with the Lightning’s prospects yesterday, briefly covering as many as he could from those on the Syracuse Crunch to those in the Q to those in the NCAA. He used two different approaches to breakdown how this group of organizational players is doing: NHL equivalencies and age.
Overall, the Lightning have a healthy if unconventional group of prospects. With only three players in the CHL, keeping tabs on players is harder. But the players in the NCAA are doing well and Semykin looks solid in the MHL. We’ll do our best to keep you updated on their progress over the rest of the season.
-Crunch players were out in the community yesterday, participating in a literacy initiative. Forwards Kevin Lynch and Mitchell Stephens read to a Kindergarten class, an event I’m sure the teacher appreciated having on her schedule right before holiday break!
We visited Cicero Elementary for a @NY529Direct Stick to Reading appearance this afternoon. 📕
Thank you to Mrs. Norris’s kindergarten class for having us! pic.twitter.com/BpsmEDGOso
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) December 18, 2018
-Before getting to go on their own holiday break, the Crunch plays three games this week: two away and one at home.
We take on three Atlantic Division teams this week starting on the road against Springfield and Lehigh Valley before returning home to host Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Weekly Release: https://t.co/MAL46eBwzf pic.twitter.com/09qxLFiGOv
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) December 18, 2018
-Fans local to Syracuse can bring nonperishable food items to their home game on Saturday, which will be donated to the Food Bank.
As part of our week of assists, we’ll be collecting nonperishable food items at Saturday’s game.
We’ll have collection bins in each lobby. All food collected will go to the @FoodBankofCNY. https://t.co/52cImBAjDa
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) December 18, 2018
-The Orlando Solar Bears had a busy day on the ECHL transaction wire. First, the team acquired Aidan Muir and future considerations from the Fort Wayne Komets in exchange for forward Brady Shaw. Then, Hunter Fejes, who just recently returned to the team, left again after signing a Professional Try-Out Agreement with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.
-The Chicago Blackhawks loaned defenseman Henri Jokiharju to the Finnish men’s national junior team for the IIHF World Junior Championship.
-The NHL’s holiday roster freeze is right around the corner. Pensburgh broke down what it means for teams and what it means specifically for the Penguins.
So, per the rules, players can come up from the AHL to NHL, but can’t be sent down.
-In news that was just whelming, Tom Sesisto is back in the American Hockey League. The Toronto Marlies have signed him to a professional tryout contract.
-Speaking of the AHL, the league’s free Facebook game this week will see the farm clubs of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals face off.
This week’s free @FacebookWatch Game of the Week will be on Friday between the @WBSPenguins and @TheHersheyBears at 7 ET! pic.twitter.com/0LdIDTNh36
— AHL (@TheAHL) December 18, 2018
-Former Crunch captain Erik Condra is showing off his leadership skills in the AHL again, this time as an alternate captain for the Texas Stars.
Ahead of a midweek matchup with Iowa, most of the Texas Stars roster hit the showers after morning skate to get on with their routine, except four: three youngsters, looking for an edge to cement their place in the lineup, and veteran Erik Condra.
“He does this a lot,” divulged Texas play-by-play voice Brian Tosti as he pointed to the 10th-year pro on the ice running tip drills. “Erik brings something invaluable in addition to his play on the ice.”
-I was completely shocked to learn that the NCAA is going to be playing a series of games between two women’s teams in Belfast, Ireland at the start of January. How cool! During the two-game series, Northeastern and Clarkson will be playing the first-ever NCAA women’s hockey games outside North America.
-You know, as far as lip syncs go, I’ve seen a better overall production, but…gotta admit, the Hamilton Bulldogs got a lot right here:
We really, really want to see you at our Retro Night Game on January 5th!
Bulldogs rookies take on the @spicegirls 👇 pic.twitter.com/VBCIquCOVJ
— Hamilton Bulldogs (@BulldogsOHL) December 18, 2018
-I have no idea what’s going on here, but looking at the Twitter replies, neither does anyone else, really. You might as well join us in our confusion.
It’s a calendar of the best photos from Melnyk’s South African safari. pic.twitter.com/1O3TRfUhba
— Jon Willing (@JonathanWilling) December 18, 2018
