TWO POINTS ARE TWO POINTS

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The Connecticut Whale should be happy they came away with the two points they got for the 5-3 win Sunday afternoon in Manchester when they faced the Monarchs at the Verizon Wireless Arena, because they certainly weren’t going to be getting any style points – if there was such a thing.

“It’s going to be a grind, with a short night and travel last night,”  Whale head coach Ken Gernander told Brian Ring afterwards. “But the guys stuck with  it, got a big goal by Casey [Wellman], and we were able to get our two points.”

SPOTLIGHT: STATE OF THE LEAGUE

BY: Bruce Berlet

The biggest news out of AHL president and CEO Dave Andrews’ State of the League Address during the All-Star Classic is video review of disputed goals is one step from becoming a reality.

Andrews said the AHL board of governors will vote on whether to adopt replay at its meeting in Chicago in May.

“It’s pretty hard to logically argue we shouldn’t have a system that gets it right more often than not or helps us get it right in those circumstances,” Andrews told the media in Atlantic City, N.J.

TRADING CARDS II COMING JAN. 27th

“TRADING CARD WEEKEND” AT WHALE HOME GAMES JANUARY 27 AND 28

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Includes Postgame Autograph Opportunity January 28 at XL Center

Whalers Sports & Entertainment announced today that Connecticut Whale fans can pick up some collectible goodies at Whale home games January 27 and January 28, which will be “Trading Card Weekend” at the XL Center.

SPOTLIGHT: KELSEY TESSIER

BY: Bruce Berlet

Kelsey Tessier prides himself in being a responsible two-way player with lots of grit and a penchant for doing little things such as finishing checks and getting up the opposition’s skin, a major reason he received the Seventh Player/Unsung Hero Award from the media as a rookie pro last season.

In his second pro go-around in Hartford, Tessier has again added a third major quality, mentor to two more of the smallest players on the Connecticut Whale. Just as he did with the Quebec Remparts, Tessier has been a kind of a guidance counselor to rookie forwards Ryan Bourque and Jonathan Audy-Marchessault, former teammates in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League who share an apartment in downtown Hartford a few floors from Tessier.

BRUINS SWALLOWED UP BY WHALE TOTAL TEAM EFFORT

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The Connecticut Whale played one of their most sound two way games of the season in shutting out the visiting Providence Bruins 3-0 in front of at the XL Center Saturday night.

Head Coach Ken Gernander talks frequently in his post-game press conferences about players stepping up when the opportunity arises. Saturday night, the lower body injury sustained by forward Mats Zuccarello in Friday night’s 5-3 loss to Hershey created that exact kind of opportunity for Chris McKelvie. The 6’1” 195-pounder from New Brighton, Minnesota seized the chance and was strong on both ends of the ice and scored what proved to be the game-winner 5:08 into the third period.

SPECIAL TEAMS LEAD TO SPECIAL WIN FOR WHALE OVER FALCONS

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In 1973, with the New York Mets mired in last place at the time, but still within striking distance in a very tight divisional race, the press asked, then Manager, Yogi Berra if the season was finished, he replied with the classic line, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

For the 2011-2012 Connecticut Whale, truer words have never been spoken.

Entering the third period trailing for the ninth time in twenty-two games, the Whale scored five, that’s right five, power play goals and came from behind in the third period for a win for the fifth time already this season and defeated the Springfield Falcons 6-3 in front of 3,523 at the MassMutual Center Saturday night.

ROUND ONE OF BATTLE OF THE BOURQUES GOES TO: RYAN AND THE WHALE

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BY: Bruce Berlet

The Bourque brothers, sons of Hall of Fame defenseman Ray Bourque, did their different things Tuesday night while playing against each other for the first time.

With their parents and a dozen friends from Boxford, Mass., looking on at the XL Center, Chris Bourque scored the game’s first goal, his team-leading 11^th for the Hershey Bears on a power play, and younger brother Ryan showed his speed and tenacity to provide some solid forechecking for the Connecticut Whale.

SPOTLIGHT: BATTLE OF THE BOURQUES

BY: Bruce Berlet

When Bruce Boudreau was fired as Washington Capitals coach on Monday, it didn’t affect the coaching staff of the Hershey Bears, the team’s AHL affiliate.

But the departure of the man promoted from Hershey to replace Glen Hanlon on Thanksgiving 2007 did have an effect on several Bears players who had played for him during his two-plus seasons in Chocolatetown, and faced off against the Connecticut Whale on Tuesday night.

WHALE REBOUND

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Say what you will about Connecticut Whale head coach Ken Gernander, but the guy knows how to motivate a team and he knows how to win.

For the fourth time in the last five games, the fifth year Wolf Pack/Whale Head Coach did what it took to turn a lackluster two-period performance into a highly motivated, intensely focused “team.” Gernander minus three of his best players, led his “team” to, once again, come from behind in dramatic fashion.

SPOTLIGHT: BORQUES

BY: Bruce Berlet

Ray Bourque, one of the greatest defensemen in hockey history, speaks as confidently as ever at age 50 while continuing to carry plenty of clout, especially when it comes to discussing his sons.

Chris Bourque, 25, a three-time Calder Cup winner with the Hershey Bears, is off to his best start as a pro, which comes as little surprise to his Hall of Fame father.