Chirps from Center Ice

Pens get a 4-2 win against a tired, depleted Bridgeport Sound Tigers team. They allow the Sound Tigers just 16 shots on goal which is the lowest amount of shots on goal by the Pens on an opponent this year.

Bridgeport had to come from Norfolk last night after a 7:30 start in Virginia. They actually played the Pens tough in the beginning, but couldn’t muster much in the way of shots.

Scott Munroe vs. Kevin Poulin

First Period: Poulin was sharp off the hop, denying an Alex Picard point shot then a Matt Rust attempted rebound jam. Later, Brian Strait from the point attempted to get the puck past Poulin but he saw it and save it. Right after off some scabbily moments, Poulin would rob Ryan Craig in close. This period, as this paragraph spells out, was all about Kevin Poulin.

Second Period: Within six seconds three minutes or so into the period it was 2-0. Zach Sill and Eric Tangradi. This was the fastest two goals scored against Bridgeport, per this tweet from beat writer Mike Fornabaio. It’s also the fastest two goals scored in the regular season for the Pens, ever. Bridgeport got within one when Tyler McNeely scored. Sound Tigers would press and press but Zach Sill would score again through the five-hole of Poulin. Then, after a penalty to Brandon DeFazio for delay of game, the Pens would pepper Poulin and Bryan Lerg would score to make it 4-1.

Third Period: Pens would limit the Sound Tigers to just three shots. Kael Mouillierat would score on one of them 4-2 but the Sound Tigers couldn’t muster any more shots. After Poulin was pulled the Pens would hem the puck on the wall to run off a bunch of time and would eventually hold on to win.

This happened afterwards…

In Bombulie’s postgamer, he quoted Eric Tangradi as to why this was done…

“We feel like we haven’t really done the job at home this year and that was our last chance of the year to show we’re going to need these fans on our (side) for the rest of the way. It was a great win and a well-deserved salute for them. They’ve been by us through a tough first half and I think we’re starting to get the ball rolling.”

Also in the postgamer from Jonathan, a Hynes comment on how the comeback in Hershey could be the moment that starts a run. Let’s hope so.

Three Stars: 3) Bryan Lerg (goal, even) 2) Colin McDonald (two assists, +1) and 1) Zach Sill (two goals, +1)

Around the Division: Syracuse thumped Binghamton 6-2. Hershey beats Norfolk in a shootout, 3-2.

Standings: Hershey heads into 2012 with 44 points. Norfolk loses a point but has 42 points now. (they started the day a point behind) – the Pens have 41 points in third. Syracuse has 32 point and Binghamton has 30.

Conference: 1-HER (44) 2-MCH (44) 3-CT (42) 4-StJ (43) 5-NOR (42) 6-WBS (41) 7-WOR(38) 8- ADK-(36)

Pens off again until Wednesday when they host Norfolk. This opens a three in four against the Admirals on Wednesday, the Amerks on Friday and Crunch on Saturday.

Blog updates as items are available to me to blog about. They could be recalls, re-assisgnments or other general actions which could be of interest.

Happy New Year to your and yours!