Chirps from Center Ice

In my opinion the most complete 50 minutes of play the Pens have played all year in a 4-3 Wilkes-Barre win. But wait you say, aren’t there 60 minutes in a hockey game? Yes. The Pens were up 4-1 with about 10 minutes left to play in the third when the Admirals came storming back on two power play goals to make it at least interesting tonight in Wilkes-Barre Township.

John Curry vs. Dustin Tokarski tonight. Joe Vitale did not take warmups.

First period: Keven Veilleux and Tim Marks continued their hate-fest and fought about three minutes in. Decision BeastMode. WBS was controlling play, spending about two good minutes in the offensive zone below the dots. Brett Sterling did everything but score a goal in this game and the game before vs. Hershey. You have to think when he finally does score he will just fill up the nets. Finally Nick Johnson and Geoff Walker came in on a 2 on 1 and Johnson finished it off to open the scoring at 12:01. About 7 minutes later, Bryan Lerg scored on a ridiculous backhanded shot. The first would end 2-0 Pens, with them lead in 14-5 in shots.

Second period: Tim Wallace would be whistled for holding and James Wright would score at 11:24 of the 2nd. Right after that Keven Veilleux took a knee-to-knee hit which put him out of the game. He had to be helped off of the ice. He didn’t put any weight on his right leg when he went off either. Radko Gudas was the culprit on the hit and Geoff Walker fought him. Since Walker apparently wasn’t tied down with the fight strap he was given a game misconduct. No one would score and the period would end 2-1 Penguins with the shots on goal tallying 21-12 WBS.

To this point I felt it was the most complete game of the season for WBS. Finally it would appear the Pens would defeat someone relevant.

Third period: Veilleux did not return. I know where the orthopedic doctor for the team sits across from me and he was absent shortly after the hit. Bombulie said in his postgamer that Keven was icing the area above his knee versus the knee itself. He called it a “good sign.” We’d see two goals waved off this period. The first would come for Norfolk as Curry would be interfered with. As soon as the teams went even strength Ryan Craig would score, then later Steve Wagner would rip a shot that Bryan Lerg would deflect on the power play for a Mike Vernace hold. It looked like the rout would be on. Paul Szczechura would sit for high sticking and Tim Wallace would sc—no he didn’t, that was also waved off by referee Nick Krebsbach, saying it never went in. The goal judge turned the light on but after consultation it was ruled the puck never went in.

In hindsight if we lose this game, that moment is the turning point as Norfolk would score twice on two separate power plays. Robert Bortuzzo cross check would result in a Troy Milam goal and then Bortuzzo would interfere and Matt Fornataro would score to make it 4-3. Norfolk would pull Tokarski late but WBS would hold on for the win.

Bryan Lerg is playing out of his mind right now. 5 goals in 4 games. Someone who literally goes unseen most nights is tearing it up. Brett Sterling is way overdue. When he starts scoring again this team will be unstoppable. Norfolk 3 for 6 on PP. That has to change. We cannot win a playoff series if we continue to allow that.

Some news: Norfolk defenseman Ty Wishart was traded to the New York Islanders tonight in exchange for Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro. As a result, Cedrick Desjardins was sent back to Norfolk. Jordan Staal made his return back to the Pittsburgh lineup and Chris Conner was scratched tonight. Every man on the Pittsburgh roster would need to clear waivers if put there, so we will see. An over healthy Pittsburgh is always a good thing to have.

Around the Division: Binghamton beat Charlotte 3-0. Bingo played last night at home, bussed to Philly last night and flew to Charlotte this morning. Great win for them and even better for us as 2-3 in the division don’t make up any ground. Break up the Adirondack Phantoms, 2-1 winners over the Albany Devils. Syracuse defeated Rochester 4-1. The Crunch are on a rare winning streak.

Standings: WBS is 8 points up now, with 52 points to Norfolk’s 44. Charlotte has 42 points in third. Hershey is in fourth with 41 points. Bingo is in fifth with 36, Syracuse in sixth with 30, Albany in seventh with 28 and Adirondack in last with 20.

Tomorrow: Bingo and Charlotte have a rematch. Norfolk plays Hershey. Would love to see the 8 point lead preserved and no one else really get closer. Charlotte can tie Norfolk with a win and an Admirals loss. Norfolk can get to 6 points to us again with a win. Hershey can get to 9 points to us with a win. I’m keeping my eyes on both games tomorrow afternoon on AHL Live.

Bombulie already said he’s not going to update unless something huge happens between now and the Pens next game which is Tuesday in Charlotte, so look for the same here on my blog at least, unless I feel creative enough to post an entry between Sunday or Monday.

Go Pens!