Wilkes-Barre had the day off after yesterday’s travel. Bombulie reports today that neither Joe Vitale, Carl Sneep, Joey Mormina or John Curry will play this weekend but nothing is serious enough to be season ending.
So I watched like, five AHL games tonight. Here are the highlights:
- Connecticut beat Manchester 1-0. Why is this important? Manchester is locked in a battle with Hershey and Portland for second overall in the AHL.
- Charlotte beat Bridgeport 3-2 in a shootout. Why is this important? Charlotte and WBS are a potential first round matchup in the Calder Cup playoffs.
- Portland beat Binghamton 3-2. Why is this important? For one, Portland now draws to one point behind Manchester for first in the Atlantic. For another, the B-Sens have lost 8 of their last 10. With the success the Sens have have had this year against the Pens, you don’t want to face Binghamton in the playoffs from a WBS perspective.
- Norfolk beat Albany 4-1. Why is this important? Norfolk is 6 points ahead of fifth place Binghamton right now and three points behind Charlotte for third. Norfolk is making the playoffs, barring an implosion.
- Hershey beat Springfield 4-1. Why is this important? Huck-puh. The Bears get to seven behind the Penguins. The Pens have three games in hand, but golly, the Bears will continue to keep the Pens on their toes. They also go Andrew Gordon back tonight.
- Providence beat Worcester 4-1. Why is this important? The Sharks are a point behind the B-Sens for the final what will likely be guaranteed playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Further, Providence needed to win this game to stay in consideration for a playoff spot. In winning, the Peebs held the Sharks to 22 shots on goal, while firing 56 shots at Worcester goaltender Carter Hutton.
Pens take on the Sharks tomorrow. From here on out, Chirps from Center Ice will be monitoring these AHL teams for implications which will either indirectly or directly affect WBS come playoff time.
Go Pens.
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Chirps from Center Ice 