In A New York Minute...My BAP/OS'ers Race to the NHL

[derrickthomas58]

ROOKIE HAS HIGH PRAISE FOR GOALIE

Hartford - The Hartford Wolfpack have burst out of the AHL gate with an impressive 3-0 start, with the play of their 3 big rookies getting alot of the credit. However, one of those rookies thinks the spotlight should be shown elsewhere.

Center Derrick Thomas thinks Wolfpack goaltender Miika Wiikman is the read deal.

"He's been absolutely spectacular," says Thomas. "It's not hard to go 3-0 when your goalie rarely gives up a goal."

Thomas ended with a bold statement regarding his goaltender. "He's the best Finnish goaltender not playing in the NHL right now, for sure."

Thomas, Wiikman and the rest of the Wolfpack will look for their fourth straight win of the season tonight againts the Toronto Marlies. The Marlies are 2-0 and have a great new rookie of their own, Haden Franke, who recorded a hat trick in his AHL debut.

[bashbros30]

hey DT

Nice job so far.

is there gunna be more updates today???

possibly game 4 and 5 and the OS'ers update?

[derrickthomas58]

Quote: Originally Posted by bashbros30

hey DT Nice job so far. is there gunna be more updates today??? possibly game 4 and 5 and the OS'ers update?

That is my goal for this afternoon. It was my goal for this morning but I got busy...

[derrickthomas58]

"Thanks for the interview, Derrick."

Gil Griffin extended his hand. I reached over and shook it.

"No problem," I say with a smile. Gil seems ok. Alot better than that Les Nessman character at the Times. It's strange having to give interviews. Growing up in all those foster homes, nobody wanted your opinion. Now, suddenly, it matters.

"Hopefully Wiikman keeps playing the way he has been, although I think your remark about him being the best Finnish goaltender not in the NHL might make you some enemies when you play Providence and Grand Rapids."

"We'll see," I laugh. "Anyway, I better go prepare for tonight's game."

"Good luck."

I thank Gil and leave the room, when I smack straight into a familiar face. Haden Franke, of the Toronto Marlies. I played with Hayden on the Canadian Junior team. Guy has one of the best shot's I've ever seen...and one of the biggest egos.

"Hey Haden," I say.

"Hey Derrick, all set for the game tonight?"

"Yep"

"You guy's better be, cause we're here to win tonight. You catch my hat trick the other night? Yeah, I won't be here long, the Leafs'll be calling soon enough."

"Really."

"Yeah, you want an autograph?" Seemingly from nowhere, Haden pulls out a piece of paper and a pen. "Who do I make it out to?"


"Your mother, tell her last night I showed her who her daddy is, and that tonight it's your turn."

I turn and walk back to the dressing room.

[derrickthomas58]

MARLIES EDGE WOLFPACK 3-2 HARTFORD SUFFERS 1ST LOSS OF SEASON Hamilton - John Mitchell's first goal of the season with only 42 seconds remaining in regulation lifted the Marlies (3-0-0) over the Hartford Wolfpack, 3-2. Greg Moore continued to be hot with his 5th goal of the season.
SCORING SUMMARY 1ST PERIOD TOR - Brent Aubin (1) (Newbury, Perry) 6:24 HAR - Greg Moore (5) 13:29 PP 2ND PERIOD TOR - Phil Oreskovic (1) (Newbury, Heward) 1:02 HAR - James Aldridge (2) (Anisimov, Sanguinetti) 9:30 3RD PERIOD TOR - John Mitchell (1) (Hamilton, Heward) 19:18 GOALIES HAR - Miika Wiikman TOR - Justin Pogge	HARTFORD ROOKIE GAMEDAY STATS James Aldridge 1-0-1 +1 1 shot Patrick Cosgrove 0-0-0 +1 Derrick Thomas 0-0-0 3 shots 6 hits OSer's STATS Haden Franke 0-0-0 3 shots HARTFORD'S RECORD 3-1-0

[derrickthomas58]

Way to go me and Haden Franke...I build up the game, and neither of us does ANYTHING.


PS - Franke, I hope you don't mind that I kinda made you look like a bit of a heel there. Hopefully, nobody takes anything I do in this personally. It's just for the story is all. I promise I won't do anything too out of whack. I don't want everyone be buddy-buddy in this story. I want some rivalries, both created by playing against each other, and maybe some created by writing.

[derrickthomas58]

HARTFORD BITTEN BY SHARKS ROOKIE COSTS TEAM WITH PENALTY Worchester - With the score tied 1-1 late in a tight game, both Hartford and Worchester were looking for any chance to grab the lead. Derrick Thomas gave Worchester that chance. Thomas' penalty for interference against fellow rookie Steve Raczkowski in the final 7:00 helped Worchester earn the 2-1 win as Lukas Kaspar would cash in on the ensuing powerplay.
SCORING SUMMARY 1ST PERIOD WOR - Jamie McGinn (3) (Dasilva, Armstrong) 19:51 2ND PERIOD HAR - Greg Moore (6) (Dupont, Denisov) 8:47 PP 3RD PERIOD WOR - Lukas Kaspar (2) (Lemieux, Demers) 14:09 PP GOALIES HAR - Matt Zaba WOR - Thomas Greiss	HARTFORD ROOKIE GAMEDAY STATS James Aldridge 0-0-0 -1 Patrick Cosgrove 0-0-0 3 shots Derrick Thomas 0-0-0 5 shots OSer's STATS Steve Raczkowski 0-0-0 1 shot HARTFORD'S RECORD 3-2-0

[shinderhizzle84]

OUCH man, tough luck on that penalty!