-The Syracuse Crunch have another AHL player of the Week on their hands. The AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning announced yesterday that forward Carter Verhaeghe has been awarded the recognition for his performance last week.
Verhaeghe posted back-to-back three-point games last week, giving him 10 points in his last three contests with Syracuse. On Friday night, Verhaeghe registered a goal and two assists to help the Crunch to a 4-0 victory over Utica. And on Saturday, he tallied another goal and picked up two more assists as Syracuse rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to defeat Cleveland, 6-3.
Verhaeghe is the third Syracuse player to win this award this season, the most in the league. Previously, Connor Ingram and Cal Foote were given the weekly honors. Cory Conacher was also the AHL Player of the Month for November.
With 10 points (5g, 5a) in the last three games, Verhaeghe reached 100 career points with the #SyrCrunch last night. He’s at 102 points (39g, 63a) in 101 career Crunch games over the last two seasons. He is the 33rd player to reach 100 points with the Crunch. https://t.co/x86V37hteD
— Lukas Favale (@LukasFavale) February 3, 2019
-Speaking of Conacher and Ingram, their jerseys from the AHL’s All-Star Skills competitions are up for bid from the league.
-Lightning rookie Mathieu Joseph helped lead the Guide The Thunder program yesterday. This sounds like an amazing program.
#TBLightning rookie @MathJoseph7 taking part in #GuideTheThunder program, where eighth and ninth graders get to learn the game and mentored academically. They did Q&A with Joseph, who will get on ice with them pic.twitter.com/76UJLp6dCo
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) February 4, 2019
Tying skates. Running drills. Scrimmaging. Paying it forward. 🙌
Had a heck of an evening with @mathjoseph7 and our #GuideTheThunder kids at @amaliearena! pic.twitter.com/6OltOZVk78
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 5, 2019
-Hockey Day in Tampa Bay is Sunday, February 10th! Are you ready?
The full-day event will celebrate everything that is hockey in Tampa Bay with both in-arena and outdoor activities. Fans can attend all the events both inside AMALIE Arena and outside for free, but a suggested donation of $10 is recommended, with all proceeds benefiting the Lightning sled hockey program and The Gold Shield Foundation.
-The Lightning Made Training Center is hosting a free Adult Ball Hockey Clinic this Thursday, February 7th.
DON’T WAIT! The Lightning Made Training Center is hosting a FREE Adult Ball Hockey Clinic this Thursday, February 7th! To register for this event go here> https://t.co/L6ziyi8me5. Also, don’t forget to sign up for our first Adult 2v2* ball hockey league>https://t.co/xfKoBCl4sl pic.twitter.com/F03q7iGVEi
— LightningMadeHockey (@LightningMade) February 4, 2019
-Do you have a sweetheart that loves the Lightning? Did you know Valentine’s Day is next week? It’s okay, don’t panic!
Valentine’s Day is coming up fast! Let me surprise your special someone with a dozen red roses, Bug plush doll(just as cute as me), @TBLightning valentine card and a $50 gift card from @AckermanJewels!!! >:) #ValentinesDay #LoveBug https://t.co/Yxuhe8jDsx pic.twitter.com/mmg1342jPp
— ThunderBug (@ThunderBugTBL) February 4, 2019
-The Lightning posted another “what’s in the box?” segment yesterday. It’s wonderful, especially if you need a pick-me-up today!
Sergy’s face at :15 is all you need on this Monday. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/rOvUjHHH9o
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 4, 2019
-Lightning forward Brayden Point is still not ready to go, but whatever is going on doesn’t seem too bad.
#Bolts asst. coach Derek Lalonde said Brayden Point remains day-to-day, unsure whether he’ll play Tues. vs. Vegas. Said staff didn’t learn Point couldn’t go at NYR until right before warmups. Might have played if it were playoffs but was held out for precautionary reasons.
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) February 4, 2019
-Yes, Seldo still works here! He checked in yesterday with his Lightning prospect report.
The big news item today is that Ryan Lohin is the U-Mass Lowell representative in Hobey Baker voting, so if you could click this link and flood the voting, it would be awesome.
-Seldo also works over at Pension Plan Puppets. He posted an article over there about the Toronto Maple Leafs’ prospect pool, too.
-The Orlando Solar Bears have returned home from their road trip. Tracey reported on the last leg of their time away yesterday.
-Do you know these pigs? I love these pigs. You should love these pigs, too.
Thunder & Bolt are following the 🍿 trail to the @FLStateFair where they will meet up with 💯 @tghcares patients this weekend for the Fair to treat them to an awesome day of rides, great food and fun activities. Thank you to the Fair for your generous donation! 🐷🐷⚡️ pic.twitter.com/qTjYZHXd9U
— Thunder Bolt Pigs 🐷🐷⚡️ (@ThunderBoltPigs) February 4, 2019
-The New Jersey Devils are hosting their first Mental Health Awareness night tonight.
The #NJDevils are hosting their first Mental Health Awareness night Tuesday.
It will have extra meaning for Kurtis Gabriel, who spent years taking his father’s suicide personally, but time and more mental health awareness has helped him a lot. https://t.co/LUhOHcNd05
— Corey Masisak (@cmasisak22) February 4, 2019
-The Washington Capitals have re-signed goaltender Pheonix Copley to a three-year, $3.3 million contract extension.
This season, the North Pole, Alaska, native has posted a record of 10-5-3 with a 2.98 goals against average and a .903 save percentage. The 6’4”, 200-pound goaltender has allowed two goals or fewer in 10 of his 19 appearances. Additionally, Copley went on a seven game unbeaten streak (6-0-1) from Nov. 24 through Jan. 9, the longest stretch by a Capitals goaltender this year.
-The Dallas Stars have posted their info for Hockey is For Everyone month.
Stars have announced dates/activities for Hockey is For Everyone month pic.twitter.com/4PZQacZrfu
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) February 4, 2019
-Speaking of, the league is going to celebrate HIFE month and Black History Month with special programming online, on social media, and on NHL Network.
-That dang trade deadline is sneaking up. Tom Hunter of Mile High Hockey dared to ask: What if the Colorado Avalanche decide to buy at the deadline?
The Avalanche are in the unenviable spot of playing bad hockey, but still being within striking distance of the playoffs. Over the next three weeks, Joe Sakic and his front office team are going to have to decide whether or not it’s a good idea to push for the playoffs this season or if they should take a step back in their build and wait until next year.
