Soundin' Off

So Jamie reports that Anders Nilsson does make his North American debut today at Albany. Looks like Benn Olson in for Anton Klementyev. Two refs to work it, Francis Charron and Chris Cozzan. (Two linesmen, too. Shocker.)

We’re home, trying to wrap our heads around what the Giants are doing and waiting for playoff baseball (well, the NLCS, anyway). But we’ll be listening to Phil, whose feed is available at AHL Live‘s radio link (which right now is playing Journey; not bad). (Or you can pay for video. We’re not made of money.) As noted, today’s coverage is in the hands of the Times Union, but we’ll toss thoughts up here as they strike us. (And we’ll also work on that pronoun problem.)

If you didn’t see Haley-Hollweg last night, it was a good one between two tough you-know-whats.

Looks like a good week at BBC2′s Sounds of the Sixties. (Will listen tonight while, as is summertime-traditional, pounding in auto-racing agate.)

–Romano to start with Frischmon and Haley. Thought I saw that unit once or twice down the stretch last night. Donovan still paired with Reese.

–The box score is here. Reese wearing the extra ‘A’ in Colliton’s place. Game on.

–Phil says Marcinko and Romano swap places from last night’s lineup, and Wishart is paired with Olson. And quickly, DiBenedetto kicks it to himself and beats Kinkaid (one-handed?) for a 1-0 lead at 1:52. First pro point for Casey Cizikas on the assist.

–Bill Cain (@Bill_Cain_) says it took Albany 6:09 to put a shot on Nilsson.

–Chad Wiseman ties it off the draw on a four-on-four. Just three more to go today for him. 1-1.

–Fast period, obviously because I’m not there and not on deadline. 1-1 after one.

–And as the period ends, Matt Corrente and Ty Wishart fight. Wishart’s first as a Sound Tiger.

–Appears, from the box, that Bridgeport will be down two men (Olson and McNeely for roughing) to start the second.

–Ah, OK. The box had Bridgeport’s 14, McNeely, but it should’ve been Albany’s 14, Perkovich. Even up to start the second.

–DiBenedetto again on a rebound at 5:17. Sounds like Cizikas’ shot, so two assists for him.

–Both Phil and Jamie note that, as obvious from the plus/minus now, DiBenedetto is with Cizikas and Backman tonight. Assuming that means McNeely-Ullstrom-Wallace, but we’ll check. edit: Yes, apparently Jamie tweeted that in the pregame.

–Backman, who couldn’t find an open net earlier in the period, apparently prevents a good Albany chance at the other end. Back even, then.

–Gallant, who from several accounts had a nice camp and did a good job in limited time last night, draws a penalty with a bit over five minutes left in the second.

–Still 2-1 after two.

–Penalty shot at 4:10 of the third — Mike Sislo gets hooked from behind by Aaron Ness, then scores on the penalty shot. The 21st penalty shot against Bridgeport, and just the sixth goal. 2-2.

–And 22 seconds later, DiBenedetto scores on the rush. Hat trick. 3-2 Bridgeport. The 26th regular-season hat trick for a Sound Tiger. Assist added to Cizikas, so a three-point game for him.

–Backman takes a tripping penalty with 2:30 to go, but Bridgeport kills it off, and Backman gets the empty-netter to make it 4-2.

That does it: Bridgeport 4, Albany 2, final. First North American win for Anders Nilsson. First AHL head-coaching win for Brent Thompson; first pro coaching win for Eric Boguniecki.

More Tuesday (with the chat), unless events warrant.

Edit: Just noted on the box: Cizikas and Backman both finish plus-4. Incomplete list in my files but not many guys hit that number. Team record is plus-5. Benn Olson was plus-3, too.