Bits: Bridgeport Sound Tigers Open With Loss; More NHL Series Face Elimination

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers worked hard to match the Connecticut Whale's top line in Game 1 of their playoff series, only to see the Whale's other lines break a tight game open in the third period. Result: 3-0 loss, with the goalie pulled early for a sixth attacker but conceding no further damage.

John Persson was robbed of a goal (waived off, ref lost sight) that would've made it 1-0, but otherwise accounts make it sound a fair result.

Coverage: Post gamer, notebook and Soundin Off blog | Courant | Eyes on Isles | GS | Isles official | Some readers watched and added notes in last night's thread

In the NHL, the Blues pushed the Sharks to the brink with a narrow win, the Capitals held on to ensure their series with the Bruins would be a long one, the Panthers lost big (not Flyers big, but still big) to the Devils, and the Blackhawks went to OT for the fourth consecutive time and find themselves down 3-1 to Phoenix. Goodness, these playoffs are close.

More Things to Peruse

This NHL 13 cover thing sure is getting some mileage.

Now we know Keith reads Cosmo: John Tavares, New York Islanders - Hottest Hockey Players - Cosmopolitan

(Seriously though, if you enjoy OT comments here, you'll enjoy how everyone ran with the Cosmo theme in one of yesterday's threads. Just look for the green.)

So this was published back at the beginning of the season, but people were talking about it last night. Apparently the Atlantic was home to several poor visiting locker rooms, and Boston still is:

Fortunately, no epic headline-making violence last night. For once. (There was some fantastic clock controversy though.) Still, the conversation continues:

• Crossing the line: Fox on NHL Playoffs: Why players cross the line - sportsnet.ca
• Video: Headshots and the Role of Enforcers - YouTube
• Cost: Cost of a big hit | mc79hockey.com