Caps win first of the preseason, make cuts following
The Capitals started training camp with 65 players and 20 days to whittle down the roster to no more than 23. Washington returned 11 players back to their respective clubs on Thursday. They have also released goaltender Adam Morrison from his professional tryout with the team.
None of the cuts were surprising, though of the players sent home, Hershey should start getting excited about how 2016 draft picks Garrett Pilon and Beck Malenstyn played in their preseason games. Both return to their Canadian junior teams.
Washington now has a 53-man roster and another round of cuts is expected this weekend.
Here’s who has been cut from camp so far:
- F Kevin Elgestal
- F Garrett Pilon
- F Beck Malenstyn
- F Damien Riat
- F Kristian Marthinsen
- F Robbie Baillargeon
- F Jimmy DeVito
- F Mark Simpson
- F Tanner Jeannot
- F Brendan Semchuk
- D Dmitri Zaitsev
- G Adam Morrison
Names like Sigenthaler, Vrana, Bowey, and Hobbs had opportunities to impress. They did just that with their time on ice, or contributions to the score sheet. Vrana, with his first goal of the preseason, made the game 2-0 midway through the first period. This goal had to be a little surreal as the goal was assisted by Ovechkin and Kuznetsov! Bowey and Hobbs both had assists last night in the game on goals from Kuznetsov and Devante Smith-Pelly. The Caps would finish up the game with an empty net goal from Tom Wilson. Caps win 4-2 and move onto their home preseason opener Friday night a 7:30pm against the St. Louis Blues.
Just a reminder, Hershey Bears training camp opens up this coming Monday at the Giant Center in Hershey Pennsylvania. The Bears will play a home and home two game preseason schedule against the arch rival Wilke-barre Scranton penguins Friday September 29, and Saturday September 30th. The Saturday portion being the Bears home game at the Giant Center!
Matt Bachota “Perched on the ice” presented by “Perched on the MD sports blog”
