Chirps from Center Ice

Remember the time when the Penguins couldn’t win shootouts to save their tail? Remember when that was a concern? Not anymore. Pens win their second game in the three game New England trip by a score of 5-4, in a shootout for the second night in a row.

Solid effort tonight against a really good Bridgeport Sound Tigers team.

Scott Munroe vs. Kevin Poulin – Steve MacIntyre was in for Matt Rust as the Sound Tigers dressed pest Trevor Gillies but the two never fought.

First Period: Kevin Poulin was sharp, denying Nick Petersen and then Geoff Walker while the Pens were on a power play. In that power play, Colin McDonald would score from the bottom of the right circle to put the Pens up 1-0. Then, Ty Wishart tried to get the puck up ice past Poulin but instead of finding a teammate, it found Nick Petersen’s stick and in for a 2-0 Penguins lead. Penguins would have to kill off a 5-on-3 for :53 on two high sticking penalties. Late, Aaron Ness got run over by Robert Bortuzzo and then Cody Wild. Bortuzzo fought Brett Gallant for it.

First period thoughts – Wilkes-Barre controlled the period. For a Bridgeport team that has only lost twice since last playing the Pens on December 31, a positive thing. Also, with the first period scoring woes the Pens have had in the past few weeks this was a breath of fresh air leading into the…

Second Period: Kind of a physical period for both teams. Tony Romano scored when the puck went up in the air, and like in baseball, Munroe and Cody Wild didn’t call off one or the other with the “I got it” and it went in. Right after, Tyler McNeely scored to tie things at two. Much like last night in Providence. Kevin Poulin was diving all over the place, stopping attempt after attempt.

Third Period: Ping pong to Justin DiBenedetto who scores to make it 3-2. Then next shift Ben Street scores to tie the game at three. Street would score again on the power play then get denied by Poulin later for the hat trick. Late, with Poulin out, Rhett Rakshani scored to tie things with 1:20 to go. It was then off to…

Overtime: Goalies made some good saves, Brian Gibbons would take a hooking penalty but the Sound Tigers did not score.

Shootout: Much like last night, Munroe denied all Sound Tigers shooters and Cal O’Reilly and Colin McDonald scored for the Pens.

Three Stars: 1) Rhett Rakhshani (goal, +2) 2) Ben Street (two goals, +1) and 1) Colin McDonald (gaol, -1)

Around the Division: Hershey lost to St. John’s in the shootout 3-2. The Norfolk Admirals win their 14th game in a row 3-1 beating the Connecticut Whale in Hartford. Rochester thumped Binghamton 6-1 and Springfield edges Syracuse 6-5.

Standings: Admirals 85 / Pens 77 / Bears 72 / Crunch 58 / Senators 52

Pens wrap the three game series tomorrow afternoon in Springfield, where I am headed now. Remember to turn your clocks ahead an hour!

Let’s Go Pens!