Poti Plays First Game with Hershey, Scores Goal
It didn't take long for Tom Poti to make an impact on the ice. Early Sunday morning, news came out that Poti was to be sent to Hershey for a conditioning assignment. In return, defenseman Cameron Schilling was recalled by the Capitals in time for the opening to Capitals training camp.
Being sidelined with a fractured pelvis for the past two years, it was time to see if Poti had collected rust on his skates. As covered before, Poti took on a seasons ending injury that most thought could end his time in Washington. To make matters worse, his injury went unnoticed for two months during a time when the Capitals were set to make a run deep into the playoffs (2010-11) as it was initially diagnosed as a groin injury. Per the Capitals, in 808 career NHL regular-season games, Poti has recorded 325 points (69 goals, 256 assists) and 586 penalty minutes.
The Hershey Bears were playing the Connecticut Whales (NY Rangers affiliate) in a matinee game in front of a crowd of 10452 at the Giant Center. The Bears had opened the first period up 3-0 with 2 power play goals. Late in the second period Hershey had yet another power play. Poti received a pass from Almeida to sneak it around the Whales goalie to open up a 4-0 lead. The Bears ended up with a shut out in a route of the Whales, 5-0.
Poti will be a player to watch as the conditioning continues in Hershey and as the defensive pairing on the 3rd and 4th line still are up in the air at this point. Early signs point to Poti picking up where he left off almost two years ago to the tee as he last suited up with the Capitals in early January 2011.
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