WORCESTER—Some ideas don’t work out as well as hoped, like re-numbering the exits on the Mass Pike.
Some work out as well, or even better, like the Railers’ idea of uniting brothers Drew and Anthony Callin on the same team.
This was not technically a reunion. The Callins had played together competitively once before this season, a game with Springfield last year. Although both had worn a Worcester uniform, their Railers careers did not overlap.
As Worcester faces a three-in-three weekend versus Trois-Rivieres at the DCU Center ,it is barely out of a playoff berth but definitely in contention as it rides a seven-game points streak.
It is fair to say that none of this would be happening without the Callin Brothers, who at this point in the season could be considered as co-MVPs.
They are brothers, not identical twins. Their performances are almost identical, however. Anthony Callin is tied with Anthony Repaci for the team scoring lead at 15-17-32. Drew Callin is third at 13-16-29. Combined, the Callins are 28-33-61 and plus-8.
While goaltending and defense have been critical parts of Worcester’s impressive turnaround since it opened the season in a skid, the Callins have led the recovery. The Railers began the year 1-7-1 in their first nine games and were outscored by 38-12.
Since then, Anthony is 14-16-30 and plus-12. Drew is 11-14-25 and also plus-12. For the season they have combined on 14 goals. Anthony has assisted on four by Drew. Drew has assisted on two by Anthony and they have both assists on eight goals.
The Callins helped the Railers recover from a brutal start. Neither has yet to play in a post-season game for Worcester. Both are aiming to change that.
The rink’s pink for breast cancer awareness
Saturday is Pink in the Rink night sponsored by UMass Memorial Health. It is an annual event that promotes breast cancer awareness. The teams will skate on pink ice and the Railers will wear pink jerseys that will be auctioned off for charity after the game.
It is also Valentine’s Day. The Railers have never played a home game on Valentine’s Day and just one overall. They played last Feb. 14 in Allen, Texas and won that game by 5-3.
Friday’s game is on the 13th. Worcester is 0-3-1 on that day through the years.
The next few days represent a chance for Worcester to make a move in the North Division standings. It has been doing well recently in 3 in 3 weekends. Starting with Nov. 21 the Railers have earned 24 of a possible 36 points in those games.
Teams above them in the standings have tough schedules ahead. Reading is playing three games at first-place Wheeling, which is 17-3-2 at home. Adirondack has three at Atlanta, which is 16-3-0 at home and Maine has three in Florida where the Everblades are 11-5-3.
“This close” to those records
Matt DeMelis is two games away from tying two team records. He has played in 84 straight games going back to last season. He has not been penalized in 52 consecutive games, also going back to last season. Barry Almeida holds the ironman record with 86 straight games played. Dylan Willick was not called for penalty in 54 games in a row.
Oddly, Willick’s streak ended with a fighting major.
Bill Ballou covered the Red Sox for the Worcester Telegram from 1997 through 2018. He has covered pro hockey in Worcester since 1994 and currently does a weekly column for the Worcester Red Sox. Ballou can be reached at vetgoalie@aol.com
