Phantoms vs. Hershey Bears, 10-16-2009, Pregame and First Period

I tuned in a bit late, as I had some difficulty getting connected. However, so far the first period is scoreless with 3:23 remaining in the first period. Then, once I did get online, I spent the first few minutes battling with video feed that repeatedly froze and buffered.

In any event, not only is the period scoreless, it appears to be penalty-free as well. That surprised me, as the official in question has also had games where he has called every miniscule thing. (See: the Phantoms/Bears elimination game in Round 1 last spring. He reffed that game, as well.)

The first period is now over, and from what I could see of it once the video revived, tbe action was well-balanced and the goalies put on a nice show. The score is currently 0-0, and no infractions have been called yet. SOG are even at 6-6.

The scratches are Dingle, Kolanos, Bellamy, Lehtivuori, Stephenson. (So both veterans who recently were absent from the lineup due to births in their respective families have returned to the lineup.)

The starters were Jones, Bourdon, Kaspar, Kalinski, Beaulieu, Backlund.

HERE is the link to tonight's box score on the AHL site.

HERE is Tim McManus's blog entry, which is being updated during the game, from the Post-Star's site.