With its low self-esteem and high urban blight, Hartford is the ultimate underdog city. Sad City Hartford documents the joys, sorrows and eccentricities of New England's Rising Star.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

The Weekly Whale


It's been a rough start to 2012 for the Whale who have yet to make a check mark in the W column in the New Year. On Monday the Whale started the New Year by losing a shootout to the Portland Pirates. On Friday the road struggles continued as the Whale fell to the defending Calder Cup champion Binghamton Senators on the road.



Saturday the Whale returned the friendly confines XL Center to face the Springfield Falcons. The game would be a tale of two goalies. Springfield goalie Mark Dekanich did his best to keep the Falcons in the game and only surrendered one goal early despite an onslaught on shots by the Whale. Whale goalie Chad Johnson then allowed two quick goals and Springfield went up 2-1.

It appeared that the home success of the Whale would continue as Hartford barraged the Springfield net with shots and pulled ahead 4-2 in the third. Springfield closed the gap to 4-3 and then stunned the crowd after tying the game with the goalie pulled and 35 seconds left to play. In overtime Dekanich made an  amazing save on a wraparound attempt to preserve the tie and send the game to a shootout. Springfield then won 2-1 in a shootout to send the XL Center fans home disappointed for the first time in awhile.

The Whale still hold a five point lead in the division as they go on a January road trip. The next home game isn't until January 20.

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