Chirps from Center Ice

Not really going to go hard into this recap because there is other news and photos of the new toys inside the Mohegan Sun Arena I want to share.

Pens lose the rematch of the Wednesday game in Rochester to the Amerks 4-3. Wilkes-Barre dressed a more seasoned lineup from Friday, a lot of the names scratched made the game tonight. Only Keven Veilleux did not play. Jonathan tweeted that Dumoulin, Bennett, Kuhnhackl, Manderson Payerl and Zurevinski got second looks from Wednesday.

Brad Thiessen vs. Connor Knapp

First Period: On a power play, defenseman Nick Crawford was a step in from his own blue line and lasered a shot through bodies to put the Amerks up 1-0. Later, Eric Tangradi would come thundering down the far side of the ice and beat Knapp with a wrister to even things.

Second Period: Frederick Roy (son of famous goalie Patrick) scored just as a Rochester power play expired. Later, a turnover deep in Amerks territory benefited Philippe Dupuis as he was in close on new goaltender Nathan Lieuwen to make it 2-2 heading into the…

Third Period: Patrick Killeen played this period for the Pens. On a power play, Trevor Smith scored in the slot to make it 3-2. Later, Nick Crawford again would step in and laser a shot over Killeen’s glove to even things at three.

Overtime was uneventful. Onto the shootout.

Nick Crawford had quite the game netting the decider for the Amerks in Round 4. Shooters for Wilkes-Barre were Trevor Smith (scored) Benn Ferriero (no score) Beau Bennet (no score) and Tom Kuhnhackl (no score)

I think Head Coach John Hynes wanted to give his rookies a look in a shootout.

Three stars were 3) Eric Tangradi 2) Philippe Dupuis and 1) Nick Crawford.

Penguins face off against the Hershey Bears at 7:05 in Wilkes-Barre tomorrow night.

Other news:

–> Robert Bortuzzo left tonights game with an apparent injury. It was not noted by me until the second intermission when I was speaking with some fans that they brought it to my attention. Apparently it happened in the first period. Derek Graffius tweeted in that radio said he walked off the ice in the first and did not return.

–> The Penguins signed Steve MacIntyre today answering the “where will the toughness come from” with a resounding answer.

–> AHL games will be heard on satellite radio until October 24 with the NHL lockout. No Penguins games scheduled, due to probably in large part that our season opener isn’t until October 20, but you can check out who will be featured here.

–> We had our first looks at the new hybrid icing rule. It is too early for me to give an opinion on it because I do not fully understand it. My blog pal Steven who runs the Texas Stars fan blog 100 Degree Hockey had an immaculate explanation which I am going to study diligently.

Photos:

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Back at it tomorrow night at home vs. Hershey. No Gameday for these things, but live updates on Twitter as always.

Let’s Go Pens!