Chirps from Center Ice

Brett Sutter scores in OT to put the Charlotte Checkers up 2-1 on the scoreboard and 2-1 in the series.

Nick Petersen was back for the Pens after missing Game 2 due to a death in the family. Paul Thompson was the scratch. Bryan Lerg dressed but did not play for some reason.

Brad Thiessen vs. Mike Murphy.

First Period: Defensive turnovers plagued the Pens off the hop. Checkers clearly had the jump in the step the first 10 minutes and were ready for whatever WBS was throwing at them by forcing turnovers all over the place. Then, a defensive zone faceoff win for the Penguins finds Tim Wallace who comes streaking down the far boards on an odd man rush who centers to Chris Collins for the tap in goal to give the Pens a 1-0 lead.

Prior to this for the Pens in the playoff series, the team that scored first won the hockey game. This trend would change.

Second Period: Pens would play the most sloppiest period of hockey in recent memory and in doing so Brad Thiessen would attempt a clear. It would fail, the puck on Nick Dodge’s stick and in the net for a tie game. Checkers would get a few chances on the power play late but not convert. The second period SOG would be 11-5 for the Checkers.

Third Period: Pens would dominate. They allowed the Checkers only 2 SOG all period while firing 7 at Mike Murphy. Penguins would get the periods only chance on the PP but the Checkers are perfect on the PK at home and would kill it. Really back and forth a bit this period but we would head to OT.

Overtime: No clue. Brett Sutter scored on a ridiculous angle at 5:40. Game 3 is Wednesday. Of note, this is the first overtime loss ALL YEAR for the Penguins.

Pens coughed up puck after puck in the defensive zone. Thiessen earned his Baz Bastien Award again tonight bailing out the boys. Karma has his own turnover doing the Pens in. Not panicking. WBS has two days to fix what ailed them this series. Coach of the Year probably breaking down video as we speak (if you are reading this on Wednesday afternoon, probably still…) We aren’t into predicting anything either way on the blog, but look for a blowout win Wednesday. Winner takes the series in my estimation.

Three Stars: Nicolas Blanchard (assist, +1) Mike Murphy (26 saves on 27 shots) and Brett Sutter (game winning overtime goal, even)

Game Four is Wednesday. Like I said earlier. Get. Your. Popcorn. Ready.

Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, by the time Game 4 jumps off Wednesday, the Binghamton Senators could be waiting with open arms for the winner of this series. The Portland Pirates are on the brink, losers 6-1 tonight to the Binghamton Senators. Game 5 in that series is Tuesday night in Binghamton.

I said Pens in 6 and am sticking by that. No way we are pushed to the brink Wednesday. None. Zero. Rest assured.

Let’s Go Penguins!