I've been working on some longer bits (and some actual paying "work"), so here are quick hits for last night's games.

Except for the controversial ending for Bridgeport in Hershey, last night was awesome: Every NHL team I thought would lose their first-round series won Game 1. That's hockey, baby. And I got to watch some of it on my friend's 100-something-inch HD projection.

Baby Islanders: From the sounds of it, the Sound Tigers did everything right. And then with 58 seconds the refs did everything wrong on what most say was a high-stick goal by Hershey to tie it. Said Dylan Reese:

"I can't believe, out of three refs, not one was gutsy enough to call it."

Ouch. Michael Fornabaio's game story is thorough, teeming with quotes. Andrew MacDonald scored, as did Trevor Smith. The game blog has free-form quotes and sounds from the controversial events. Couple of views from the other side, at the Patriot News here and here.

Meanwhile, on the big-league circuit, upsets galore:

• Ilya Bryzgalov made 38 saves to stop the Wings 3-2. [Five for Howling] Coyotes came to play [AZ Republic] Red Wings lament: [Winging It | Freep | Typical columnist sore-loser potshots]
  
• The Senators took advantage of Marc-Andre Fleury to silence the Igloo most of the night. Brian Elliott looked like he might give it all back, but the Sens survived, which is huge: In the playoffs, when the better goalie has a bad game, you best make sure you get a "W" out of it. [Pensburgh coverage | Silver Seven]
  
• San Jose ... oh my. In the final minute, defeat. [Mile High Hockey | Denver Post] [Fear the Fin | San Jose Merc]
  
• The Flyers beat the Devils 2-1, no sweat for Brian Boucher. [In Lou We Trust | Broad Street Hockey | Philly Daily News]

As a neutral (yeah right), I generally root for underdogs, but almost always root for long series. Last night I got my wish in spades. You?