FROM THE CREASE with Bruce Berlet 

By Bruce Berlet

As the pressure mounts as the playoffs approach, players and teams can buckle or get stronger late in games.

The latter has been the Connecticut Whale’s MO the past few weeks.

Despite still having five players injured and two on recall to the New York Rangers, the Whale has won eight of 10 games, including three in a row, to seize the upper hand in their quest to return to the postseason after missing for the first time in the franchise’s 14-year history.

Strength and conditioning coach Jeremy Goodman can take some credit for having the players in such good shape this late into the season. And most players earn kudos for heading to the stationary bike or workout room after nearly every practice and game, led by goalie Dov Grumet-Morris, who has a 20-minute ritual after every start, and 34-year-old veteran defenseman Wade Redden, whose postgame stretching exercises would make most ache just watching him.

The attention to their bodies and detail on the ice helped the Whale (36-26-2-6) win three games in less than 48 hours this weekend to reach their high-water mark this season of 10 games over .500 and earn a well-deserved day off Monday. They moved four points ahead of Worcester (32-26-4-8) in the battle for the third and final guaranteed spot in the Atlantic Division playoff race and one point in front of Binghamton (36-27-3-4), which is fifth in the East Division in the fight for a possible crossover playoff berth.

With veterans such as Redden, Kris Newbury, Dale Weise, Brodie Dupont and John Mitchell logging loads of minutes at even strength and on the power play and penalty kill, the Whale has needed other sources of strength. The line of Francis Lemieux between Kelsey Tessier and Derek Couture – with Ryan Garlock sprinkled in at center at times – has stepped to the forefront. Couture scored his first AHL goal this season, Lemieux got the shootout winner Saturday, and Couture and Tessier assisted on defenseman Pavel Valentenko’s insurance goal on Sunday.

“They’re a pretty important part of things, and that’s the kind of contributions they’re going to have to make,” Whale coach Ken Gernander said of Tessier-Lemieux-Couture. “They’re an effective forechecking line, and they’re all fairly good, physical, grind ’em out type of forwards so hopefully over the course of a game or a weekend they take their toll on the opponent’s defense. And if they can kick in some offense, that’s critical, too.

“The staples or hallmarks for (Tessier) is to do all the little things with great courage and extra effort. If you’ve made that his identity, that’s great because that’s the kind of game he has to play to be effective. If anybody can play that type of game you can be effective. If you have the intelligence to read plays and recognize what little things need to be done to help the team be successful and you can do them with that courage and enthusiasm, I think anybody can have an impact and be effective.”

The defensive corps of Redden, Valentenko, Jared Nightingale, Tomas Kundratek, Stu Bickel and newcomer Blake Parlett continue to excel in front of Grumet-Morris, who got his first shutout with the Whale in a 1-0 victory at Manchester on Friday night, and Cam Talbot, who rebounded from a rare sub-par game to backstop a 3-1 win over Springfield on Sunday.

“Our third period has been the best the last 10 to 12 games,” Tessier said, “and we want to keep that going but make sure we’re ahead when we’re going into the third. It was three (games) in three (nights), so you have to grind it out. You can’t be too fancy. It’s a dump-and-chase game pretty much, and when you have the opportunity to bring it to the net, you have to. We didn’t have as many as we wanted in the first period, but we came back harder in the second and third and proved we can get a few more goals.”

Gernander pointed to a learning curve for playing better late in games, especially when you’ve started the season with 10 new players, including five rookies on defense.

“Every game has a different turning point or play,” Gernander said. “Sometimes it’s poor penalties in the third period, different things earlier in the season that were coming back to haunt us, so maybe we’ve got better in some of those areas. And I think our goaltending has been heating up lately, so if you get a key timely save in the third period that helps as well.”

Between the Manchester and Springfield wins, the Whale ground out a 4-3 shootout victory over Providence on Saturday night, with Evgeny Grachev’s shorthanded goal off a 1-on-3 with 3:26 left getting the team to overtime before Weise and Lemieux scored in the skills competition to enable Grumet-Morris to extend his AHL career-high winning streak to five games. The Whale has allowed fewer than three goals in 13 of 17 games since a team meeting after a 9-2 drubbing at Toronto on Feb. 9 that tied franchise records for goals allowed and margin of defeat.

“I think we’ve got a pretty good goalie tandem right now,” Talbot said after making 22 saves to improve to 11-5-2 with a 2.42 goals-against average, .917 save percentage and two shutouts in 18 games. “There are not too many games where we’re losing because of goaltending, that’s for sure. Then again, we haven’t lost that much at all lately. Any time you can keep the opposing team to one or two goals, you know our team is going to fire in at least three in their net. The guys have been playing great, and they came out in the third period and really kept the shots to the outside except on the power play, where they got a few inside. The guys did a good job of clogging up the middle and let me see all the shots.

“The team really has confidence knowing we can win every night whether we’re playing (AHL-leading) Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Bridgeport, Providence or Springfield. We know we can beat anyone in the league on any given night so it’s a matter of coming out and playing the way we know how. Guys are buying into the system in the offensive zone and defensive zone. We’ve been working the puck down low and getting the third man high, so we’ve been limiting the odd-man rushes. Anytime you can limit odd-man rushes, they have to dump it in and then we have the first guys back and they can get outlet passes and head right back up the ice. Every game this time of year is obviously a playoff game, so there aren’t going to be many scoring chances, and it’s going to be tight games from here on out.”

Newbury got the winner on Friday night and Weise the winner on Sunday, with Valentenko’s point-shot blast providing insurance against the Falcons.

“I think there’s enough desperation and urgency to get the two points night in and night out that it has probably enhanced our game a little bit,” Gernander said. “Our message between the second and third periods (Sunday) was that we were right where we need to be, so let’s make sure we finish the deal. We don’t want to sit back, you don’t try to protect leads, but you obviously don’t take unnecessary risks either. You manage your game to some extent, but that doesn’t mean sitting back and being passive.”

The Whale has won three in a row and is on a 4-1-0-1 run at home since the debacle in Toronto to get above .500 at the XL Center (16-14-2-2).

“I don’t think there’s any issue with having confidence at home,” Gernander said, “but you certainly do want to establish an identity, whether it be at home or on the road, that you’re going to be a hard team to play against. I go back to the importance of the two points and the wins right now have seemed to elevate our play whether it be on the road or at home.”

The stage was set for a rematch Wednesday night at the XL Center when the teams had to be separated after the final buzzer sounded as they were leaving their benches, the Whale to congratulate Talbot and salute the crowd as they do after every win at home. The scuffle was precipitated by Falcons tough guy Kyle Neuber jabbing at Newbury and Devin DiDiomete, the AHL leader in fighting majors (32) and penalty minutes (296). It wasn’t the first time this season the Whale had a run-in with Neuber. He hit All-Star right wing Jeremy Williams from behind in the Whale’s 3-2 victory on March 2, forcing the team leader in goals (29) to miss four games.

Whale assistant coach Pat Boller emphatically held Justin Soryal on the bench to keep the feisty left winger out of the fray.

“I think I’ve got a jersey burn on my neck,” Soryal said with a smile.

“I think that just added a little more motivation for Wednesday, and I think our team thrives on that,” Weise said. “We’re real team tough. We don’t any real super heavyweight. We stick together and stand up for each other. If they want to play games like that, we’re perfectly OK with a physical brand of hockey.

“Neuber got on his last shift and started running around, and guys like that are just finding their way out of the game. We’re not going to fall into stuff like that. We stand up for each other, but if guys want to run around like that, we’ve got guys who will hold them accountable.”

That extracurricular activity aside, the Whale is peaking at the right time with only 10 games left in the regular season and a playoff spot now in their sights.

“We’re not getting a lot of offensive chances, but that’s playoff hockey, winning games 2-1 and 3-2, and I think we’re comfortable playing that game,” Weise said. “We’re hard to play against, and we have some good offensive players who if you give them a little area, they’re going to find the back of the net. I like our team and our team unity. I think we’re really looking strong in the stretch.

“We’ve been playing playoff hockey the last month, and I think that’s a strength for us. You look at a team like Manchester, and they’ve been in cruise control since mid-December when they were in the playoffs. But it has made every game that much more important for us, and once we hop into the playoffs, where games really, really start to matter, I think our team is going to be perfect. We know how to play and what it takes to win playoff-like games.”

On the other end of the spectrum, the Falcons (30-36-2-3) are on a 0-10-1-0 slide since the loss of rugged wings Tom Sestito and former Hartford Wolf Pack captain Dane Byers via deals at the trade deadline. They were challenging for their first playoff berth since 2005 before the freefall dating to a 4-1 win over Portland on Feb. 27. Their only point since then came March 5 in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Whale, who are 5-1-1-1 and have won five in a row against their I-91 rival. The Falcons have been shut out twice and scored only four goals in their last five games.

The Falcons are led by rookie right wing Tomas Kubalik (21, 24), veteran centers Trevor Smith (18, 22) and Ben Guite (14, 25) and rookie left wing Maksim Mayorov (18, 13). Former Wolf Pack captain/center Greg Moore has one assist in 10 games since being part of the Sestito trade. Former Wolf Pack David LeNeveu (16-20-2, 2.97 goals-against average, .896 save percentage) and Gustaf Wesslau (12-16-1, 3.17, .897) are sharing the goaltending. LeNeveu was pulled after the second period Sunday because of fatigue from having played three games in less than 48 hours, including a trip to Binghamton, N.Y.

After the rematch with the Falcons, the first-year Charlotte Checkers, the Whale’s former ECHL affiliate, make their second Hartford appearance on Friday night and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers visit Saturday night to end the homestand. The Whale then plays successive games at Providence on Sunday and April 1.

WHALE TO HONOR HOWE FAMILY ON SATURDAY NIGHT

The Whale will host “Howe Family Night” when the Sound Tigers visit Saturday night. The No. 9 of “Mr. Hockey,” one of seven numbers in the XL Center rafters, will be lowered and then raised and re-retired as he and his sons, Mark and Marty, whom he played with for seven seasons in Houston and Hartford, look on. The matriarch of the family, Colleen Howe, who died in 2009, will be honored as a new banner saluting the Howes, hockey’s first family, will also be raised to the rafters.

There will be highlight film of the Howe shown on the video screen as area fans can salute the Howes for their contributions to hockey in general and the Hartford market in particular. The Howes’ signing did more than just help the Whalers on the ice. They joined the team in 1977 and midway through their first season, the Hartford Civic Center roof collapse on Jan. 18, 1978.

“The Howes put this city and this franchise on the map,” Whalers Sports and Entertainment chairman and CEO Howard Baldwin said. “I’m not saying they’re the only reason the Civic Center got rebuilt, but who knows what would have happened if they weren’t here. So I’m genuinely praying that people will show up in droves for them (Saturday night). I remember doing something in Des Moines, Iowa, and telling all the people, ‘Remember this day because you’re part of a city that’s honoring the Babe Ruth of hockey and the first family of hockey.’ How many people wouldn’t remember if they were at Fenway Park and see Ted Williams hit his last home run, and this is going to be one of those moments Saturday night.”

Before the game, fans can meet Gordie and get a personalized autographed book and photo by purchasing a copy of the colorful 185-page book “9. Nine. The Story of Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe.” The book sells for $70, and he will sign copies starting at 5:30 p.m. in the XL Center atrium. The first 2,000 fans will receive a free commemorative 36-page Gordie Howe tribute program full of color photos and stories, and there will be a video tribute to the Howes during a pregame ceremony.

Howe’s No. 9 is in the rafters with the Whalers’ No. 2 (Rick Ley), 5 (Ulf Samuelsson), 10 (Ron Francis), 11 (Kevin Dineen) and 19 (John McKenzie). Gernander’s No. 12 is the only number to be retired in the 14-year history of the AHL team.

“I think the next test of this market will be on Howe Family Night,” WSAE president and COO Howard Baldwin Jr. said. “People should come out and show Gordie the respect that he deserves. It’s one of the biggest nights of the season, and I agree with (Hartford Courant sports columnist) Jeff Jacobs that it’s the time when the tire meets the road. It’s a big game on our schedule, and we don’t have a lot of games left. I’d be very disappointed if we didn’t have 10,000 people.”

The Howes played together for the first time with the Houston Aeros in 1973 before coming to Hartford and signing with the World Hockey Association’s New England Whalers in 1977. Howe ended his legendary 32-year career in the Whalers’ first NHL season (1979-80), when he had 15 goals and 26 assists and was named a NHL All-Star for the 23^rd time while helping the Whalers make the playoffs at 52 years old.

Tickets for all Whale games are available at the XL Center box office, through Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and on-line at www.ctwhale.com. Tickets start at $7 at the XL Center ticket office on game day. Fans who did not attend the Whale’s outdoor game against Providence because of the frigid weather can redeem their tickets for one to “Howe Family Night” or another game of their choice. If fans want to redeem a ticket, they should contact Baldwin Jr. at hlb@whalerssports.com.

HOCKEY MINISTRIES NIGHT AT WHALE GAME

Hockey Ministries International Northeast is sponsoring 2011 Faith & Family Night at the game against Charlotte. Upper bowl seats are $10, and Scarlet Fade will perform a postgame concert.

To order tickets, contact AHL Chapel Coordinator Rick Mitera at 860-817-6440 or rmitera@hockeyministries.org. When someone buys a ticket through Hockey Ministries, they receive a $2 coupon for parking. For more information on Hockey Ministries, visit www.hockeyministriesnortheast.org.

FIRST TEE OF CONNECTICUT DAY ON APRIL 3

The Whale will host First Tee of Connecticut Day on April 3, when the Portland Pirates are at the XL Center at 3 p.m.

Level 200 tickets are $12, with the First Tee of Connecticut receiving $5 from each ticket sold. To purchase tickets and help local youngsters interested in improving their golf game and life skills, contact Nick Criscuolo at 860-728-3366 or ncriscuolo@whalerssports.com.

PALMIERI NAMED AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Syracuse Crunch right wing Kyle Palmieri was named Reebok/AHL Player of the Week on Monday after getting six goals and one assist in four games, including the first three game-winners of his pro career.

After being scoreless against Albany on Wednesday night, Palmieri scored the only goal in Syracuse’s 1-0 victory over Toronto on Friday. He then notched his second hat trick of the season, added an assist for his first four-point effort and registered a game-high nine shots in a 6-2 win over Charlotte. On Sunday, he scored twice in the third period as Syracuse beat Hershey, 5-2.

The Anaheim Ducks’ first-round pick (26th overall) in 2009 has a team-high 20 goals and 18 assists in 51 games and represented the Crunch in the AHL All-Star Classic. The 20-year-old native of Smithtown, N.Y., also has one goal in 10 games with the Ducks. He skated for the United States at the last two World Junior Championships, winning a gold medal in 2010 and a bronze in 2011.

The Whale nominated Grumet-Morris, who stopped 58 of 62 shots in regulation and overtime and seven of eight shots in the shootout against Providence as he improved to 9-3-1 with a 1.94 GAA, .925 save percentage and one shutout against Manchester. Other nominees included former Wolf Pack forwards Chad Wiseman (Albany) and Corey Locke (Binghamton) and South Windsor native Jon DiSalvatore (Houston).

CONGRATULATIONS, JARED DEMICHIEL

Congratulations to Avon native Jared DeMichiel on being named the Rochester Press-Radio Club’s PAXCHEX Male College Athlete of the Year for 2010 after leading the surprising Rochester Institute of Technology to the NCAA Frozen Four last year. He will be recognized at the organization’s awards dinner May 24, when the featured speaker will be former Detroit Lions quarterback Clay Matthews.

In his senior year at RIT, DeMichiel was 27-10-1 with a 2.09 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and six shutouts, capped by victories over top-seeded Denver University and the University of New Hampshire to give the school a record for wins in a season and its first berth in the Frozen Four before an 8-1 loss in the semifinals to Wisconsin, led by Rangers center Derek Stepan and defenseman Ryan McDonagh, who began the season with the Whale. Wisconsin lost 5-0 in the championship game to Boston College, led by right wing Chris Kreider, the Rangers’ top prospect after being a first-round pick (19^th overall) in 2009.

His stellar senior year earned DeMichiel an AHL contract with the Hershey Bears, but he started this season with the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays, where he was 14-10-0, 2.66, .913 with two shutouts in 26 games before being traded on March 11 to the Elmira Jackals for the rights to forward Brock McBride, who was with the Milwaukee Admirals. DeMichiel is 1-0-1, 3.37, .909 in two games with the Jackals, losing 3-2 to the Trenton Devils in a shootout despite making 49 saves. He’s also 2-1-0, 3.65, .873 in five games with the Bears.