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Whale Weekly

May 1, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release


The Whale (36-26-7-7, 86 points) prepare to face the regular season-champion Norfolk Admirals in their second-round playoff series, beginning Wednesday in Norfolk. Connecticut advanced to the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs for the first time in six years last Sunday night in Hartford, as they defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 4-3 in overtime, to sweep their first-round series. Cam Talbot won all three games in the series, shutting out the Sound Tigers in games one and two to become the first franchise goaltender to post back-to-back postseason shutouts, and the first AHL goaltender to start a postseason with consecutive shutouts since Michael Leighton for the Norfolk Admirals in 2004. Marek Hrivik led the Whale offense with a pair of goals in both Game Two and Game Three, while Casey Wellman netted the overtime series-clincher and added three assists in the series.

This week:

The Whale will open up their second-round playoff series against the first-seeded Norfolk Admirals on the road, beginning Wednesday, May 2 at the Norfolk Scope (7:15). Game Two will also be in Norfolk Friday, May 4, a 7:30 PM start. The series will shift to the XL Center for Game Three Sunday (7:00). Game Four will be played Monday, May 7 (7:00) in Hartford, with the series heading to Bridgeport's Webster Bank Arena, if needed, for Game Five Wednesday, May 9 (7:00). Game Six will be back at the Norfolk Scope, Friday, May 11 (7:30), and a decisive Game Seven would be played at Scope on Sunday, May 13 (5:00).

Game One Wed., May. 2 Norfolk Scope 7:15

Game Two Fri., May. 4 Norfolk Scope 7:30

Game Three Sun., May. 6 XL Center 7:00

Game Four Mon., May. 7 XL Center 7:00

Game Five (if necessary) Wed., May. 9 Webster Bank Arena 7:00

Game Six (if necessary) Fri., May. 11 Norfolk Scope 7:30

Game Seven (if necessary) Sun., May. 13 Norfolk Scope 5:00

Tickets for Games Three and Four at the XL Center are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Playoff ticket packages are also available that include tickets to all possible home playoff games. To speak to a Whale account executive about a playoff ticket package, call (860) 728-3366. More information is available at www.ctwhale.com.

Wednesday, May 2nd, Game One at Norfolk (Norfolk Scope), 7:15 p.m.

- This season marks the first trip to the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs for the Whale since the 2005-2006 postseason.

- The Admirals surged to first-overall in the AHL this season, winning a record 28 straight regular-season games to close out the year.

- The Admirals won their third division title in franchise history this season, finishing the year with a record of 55-18-1-2, good for a league-best 113 points. That total is the highest in the team's history.

- The two teams have never met in the Calder Cup playoffs in Norfolk's eleven seasons of AHL existence.

- The Admirals swept the Whale in the four-game season-series, although the Whale got one point in a 5-4 home shootout loss on Jan. 21.

- Radio - CT Whale "Rockin' Hockey", live with Bob Crawford on "The Rock" 106.9 WCCC-FM, and on-line at www.ctwhale.com.

Friday, May 4th, Game Two at Norfolk (Norfolk Scope), 7:30 p.m.

- League MVP Cory Conacher led the Admirals in scoring against the Whale this season, tallying five points (2-3-5), with Tyler Johnson and Mike Kostka netting two goals and two assists each.

- Scott Tanski scored twice and added an assist for the Whale, with Kelsey Tessier adding one goal and two assists versus Norfolk.

- Norfolk goaltender Jaroslav Janus won twice against the Whale this season, allowing just two goals, good for a 1.02 goals against average and a .962 save percentage.

- The Whale are 13-12 in their franchise postseason history in Game 2's, and 12-7 in Friday playoff games.

- Radio - CT Whale "Rockin' Hockey", live with Bob Crawford on "The Rock" 106.9 WCCC-FM, and on-line at www.ctwhale.com.

Sunday, May 6th, Game Three vs. Norfolk at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

- The Admirals were led by rookie and league MVP Cory Conacher, who tallied 80 points this season (39-41-80). Tyler Johnson finished second in team scoring to Conacher with 68 points (31-37-68).

- Norfolk defeated the Manchester Monarchs, three games to one, in their first-round playoff series. It was the first series win in eight years for the Admirals.

- Alexandre Picard torched the Monarchs with eight points against Manchester in four games (4-4-8). Trevor Smith had two goals and four assists in the series.

- Radio - CT Whale "Rockin' Hockey", live with Bob Crawford, Garry Swain and Mark Bailey on "The Rock" 106.9 WCCC-FM, and on-line at www.ctwhale.com.

Monday, May 7th, Game Four vs. Norfolk at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

- The Whale own an all-time playoff record of 37-31 in postseason home games, with an 8-12 record in game fours.

- Alex Killorn had the overtime series-clincher for the Admirals in the decisive Game Four of their first-round series, as Norfolk rallied from down 3-1 to win 4-3 in the extra session.

- Norfolk has won 15 straight road games and has 31 wins in its last 32 games overall.

- Radio - CT Whale "Rockin' Hockey", live with Bob Crawford, Garry Swain and Mark Bailey on "The Rock" 106.9 WCCC-FM, and on-line at www.ctwhale.com.

Recent Transactions:

Sam Noreau - released by the Whale from an Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement April 28

Shane McColgan - released by the Whale from an Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement April 28

Dylan McIlrath - reassigned by the New York Rangers to the Whale from Moose Jaw (WHL) April 30

"Whale TV", presented by Webster Bank:

- The following special "Whale TV" selections are available this week to Comcast Xfinity on Demand customers throughout New England, in the "Get Local" folder of Comcast's On Demand Service:

o "CT Whale: More than a Hockey Team" Feature (Whale Special Events folder) - an in-depth look at the Whale's far-reaching community relations program.

- Every week, CPTV Sports will air an edited re-broadcast of a Whale game, on "Whale TV Replay". CPTV Sports is available on Comcast cable channels 185, 187 and 744 and on the Cox Communications cable system channel 144.

o This Tuesday night at 7:00 PM, Whale TV Replay will feature an encore look at a tight battle between the Whale and their second-round opponents, the Norfolk Admirals, from January 21 at the XL Center.

Whale Tales:

Fans have been parking their "tails" at CT Whale games all season long, and receiving free parking at the Morgan Street Garage, with the Hartford Parking Authority's (HPA) unique Fan Loyalty Parking Program. Now, with the Whale in the Calder Cup Playoffs, HPA has announced that they will honor the free parking promotion even after the end of the season. With the CT Whale Loyalty Card, when Whale fans pay $4 for parking on any three weeknight evenings (Monday - Friday) after 5 pm at the Morgan Street Garage, they will get the 4th weeknight parking on a Whale game night for free. As part of the program the Hartford Parking Authority created a designated "Whale Tail" walking trail to and from the Morgan Street Garage to the XL Center.

Whale season seat-holders who reserve their full-season 2012-13 Whale tickets by May 1 will receive access for four people to the luxurious CT Whale Director's Suite at the XL Center, for one Whale 2012-13 home game. This allows the opportunity to watch the game alongside Whale executive personnel and special guests, and to enjoy all of the high-end amenities of the Director's Suite. Additionally, all Whale full-season 2012-13 subscribers who purchase by May 1 will receive a custom-made, high-quality season ticket-holder jersey fleece. The jersey fleece will be exclusive to Whale full-season ticket-holders, and will feature a "Season Ticket Holder 2012-13" patch that designates it as a unique item. For more information on purchasing Whale season tickets, call (860) 728-3366, visit the Season Ticket Holder table behind Section 101 at a Whale home game or log on to www.ctwhale.com.

College students can get discounted tickets to Whale weekday games with the Whale's "Ditch the Dorms" deal. For Monday through Friday home games, students who show a valid student ID at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center can get $2 off Upper Level tickets and $5 off Lower Level seats.

Save on your tickets, and get the best seats, with a ticket plan for the Whale's 2011-12 AHL campaign, which are on sale now. For information on season seats, mini plans and great group discounts, visit www.ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 728-3366 to talk with an account executive today.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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