Chirps from Center Ice

It is truly amazing sometimes what a team which has the majority of what makes it run not a part of it. Tonight, the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins recorded their 500th win in franchise history by beating the Binghamton Senators 4-2.

With this, the Pens move into sole possession of first place in the East Division and the Eastern Conference. All while having half of its defensive corps in Pittsburgh and its power play quarterback in Jason Williams there as well.

Brad Thiessen vs. Robin Lehner. Chris Barton was called up from Wheeling but did not dress. The B-Sens dressed tough guy Francis Lessard tonight so Ryan Schnell was a late add for Paul Thompson.

First Period: Geoff Walker and Corey Cowick scrapped early, likely as payback top Cowick for injuring Joey Mormina at the end of last Wednesday’s game in Binghamton. Then the Pens found themselves down two men on a 5-on-3 for Binghamton when Matt Rust was caught holding and Zach Sill in the penalty kill batted a puck over the glass for a delay of game. Stephane Da Costa scored his first AHL goal to put the B-Sens up 1-0.

Second Period: Eric Tangradi passed a puck to Colin McDonald in the slot which McDonald wired over the shoulder of Lehner to even things at one. Then, the Pens found themselves down two men again on questionable tripping calls from referee David Banfield. Mike Hoffamn would score on a slapper which Thiessen didn’t catch all of to put the Senators up 2-1. This was all predicated from the B-Sens buzzing around in the offensive zone prior to going on the 5-on-3. Then, with Mark Parrish in the box for slashing late in the period, Ben Street would even things on a quick rush the other way. Huge goal by Street. The Pens are a dismal 0-5-0-1 when trailing after two periods.

Third Period: A Carl Sneep shot from the point was deflected down by Zach Sill and eluded Lehner to put the Pens ahead 3-2. Pens sat on the lead and really didn’t allow many good chances for Binghamton. An unselfish play by Eric Tangradi passing the puck to Colin McDonald sealed it late as McDonald would pot the easy empty net goal.

How Sweet it is!

Three Stars: 3) Ben Street (power play goal, even) 2) Zach Sill (game winning goal, +1) and 1) Colin McDonald (two goals, +2)

Around the Division: No one else skated.

Standings: WBS sits first with 35 points. The Bears and Admirals have 33 points in second and third respectively. Syracuse is fourth with 25 points and Binghamton has 20 points in last.

Conference: 1-WBS (35) 2-StJ (34) 3-CT (33) 4-MCH (34) 5-HER (33) 6-NOR (33) 7-ADK (30) 8-WOR (28)

No one does more with less I would say. Astute Twitter follower Brandon chirped in with insight:

And also…

Good stuff and I agree.

If anything happens on the wires with guys shuffling to and from Wilkes-Barre, check me on Twitter first then on here if I can throw together enough to make a blog out of it.

Let’s Go Pens!