Random Notes for a Friday Afternoon (3-7-08)

The Detroit Red Wings have recalled Darren McCarty from Grand Rapids (AHL) where he had 5 goals and 5 assists in 13 games. McCary was pointless (literally and figuratively) in 32 games with the Calgary Flames in 06-07.

P.J. Atherton, defenseman, has been recalled to Manchester (AHL) from the Reading Royals (ECHL) where he led all ECHL defensemen with 13 goals. Funny... Atherton was a defensive defenseman on his U. Of Minnesota teams, where he played with Phil Kessel, Ryan Potulny, Alex Goligoski, Thomas Vanek and Keith Ballard among others.

Mark-Andre Cliche has two goals in period #1 as the Monarchs lead Hershey 2-1. Cliche is on a line with Matt Ryan and Brady Murray, and Murray has assisted on both tallies.

Silliness abounds as close to 250 people have clicked on "Erik Ersberg" in a poll asking who deserves to be the starting goaltender for the 2008-09 Los Angeles Kings. While Ersberg has played well in his first 3.5 NHL games, he's hardly done more than prove that his pads are not made of the same rubber (read: Flubber) that Jason LaBarbera's are. Ersberg claims that the NHL has been easier than the AHL to this point, as what happens on the ice appears more "logical." Having seen Ersberg play live for the Monarchs earlier this season, I can find some semblance of truth to that statement, as AHL players never seem to be where the puck is. Recently I watched four NHL games in six nights, and then went to an AHL game and was shocked at the level of play (and Hartford is a damn good AHL team...) I don't base my opinions on a single game, but this is an observation that has continually been reinforced year after year. I have been watching AHL games since 1983, and have seen at least one or two every year for the past 24 seasons.

Teams I cheer for have had some injuries recently that has me a bit sad. David Steckel, former King draft choice, and current Washington Capitals center has a broken finger and will miss a couple of weeks of action. While Steckel only has 12 points (5G, 7A) he has an excellent face off percentage (56.3%) that ranks him among the league's elite (Steckel currently ranks 6th among players who have taken the pre-requisite amount of draws to be included in the league leaders.) Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks forward, has suffered a severe laceration above the knee and underwent surgery today to repair tendons in his leg. He is expected to miss six weeks, which should put him out through the first round of the playoffs.

Making his NHL debut tonight: Theo Peckham, defenseman, Edmonton Oilers (3rd round, 2006) played with Wayne Simmonds, Bobby Ryan (recalled to Anaheim to replace Perry) and Trevor Lewis in Owen Sound. Peckham, who racked up over 600 PIM in his 3 years in the OHL has his first NHL penalty tonight (2 minutes for interference.)