Chirps from Center Ice

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They did everything right but score tonight.

Probably one of the more complete games that the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins have played in recent memory. The Pens were essentially shut down by Providence Bruins goaltender Malcolm Subban, who had himself quite the game tonight, making money save after money save, and the Penguins were beaten on home ice by a score of 2-1.

Subban actually has better numbers than his counterpart Niklas Svedberg. A .907 SV% with a 2.34 GAA which is eighth best in the AHL amongst goaltenders coming into the game tonight. Yet the Providence Bruins are the third best team in the Atlantic Division behind the Manchester Monarchs and the St. John’s IceCaps. Explain that. The Atlantic is not only a deep ocean but also a deep division.

Tonight was the swan song for Beau Bennett, who played the third and final game of his conditioning stint for the Penguins. Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager Ray Shero was in the house tonight along with Bill Guerin and it is anticipated that they will take Bennett back to Pittsburgh with them tonight and the recall will be made official by the Penguins sometime tomorrow. What will likely happen in my opinion will be Jayson Megna will get one more game against the Los Angeles Kings tomorrow, and will be sent back Thursday night and Bennett will play in the Penguins next game Friday in Columbus.

Tonight was also the beginning of the Josh Archibald era. Archibald was on the ice nearly every other shift and was out there late in the final minute of the game with Penguins starting goaltender Peter Mannino pulled as the Pens were looking for the game tying goal. Archibald nearly had it, twice. He didn’t get all of a puck with a body in front and was denied by the ever steady Subban in the late stages of the games final seconds.

Lineup had Zach Sill, Harry Zolnierczyk, Spencer Machacek and Dominik Uher listed as injured. We know that Sill, Zolnierczyk and Machacek have upper body injuries. That Uher is listed injured is a surprise. Healthies were Eric Hartzell, back in town to work with the goaltending coach, Carter Rowney, called up today, as likely insurance for the Norfolk trip, Barry Goers and the ATO guys.

Craig Cunningham scored in the opening stages of the game from the high slot when ex-Penguin Nick Johnson fed from behind the net. Cunningham slapped one home high glove on Mannino for a 1-0 Bruins lead. The period was an even one, but a slight edge went to the Bruins as at times, it looked and felt like they controlled things.

Chuck Kobasew scored. Again. This time :17 in when he got Subban off an angle it looked like from where I was sitting. This period was all Wilkes-Barre, as they dominated puck possession, hitting and scoring chances. Bruins for a long stint only managed one shot on goal at Mannino.

Late, Ryan Spooner catches Mannino with his legs open and slips it five hole and in while the Bruins were on a power play. The cause of the power play was a Philip Samuelsson cross check. It was a real momentum killer and one that may have longer term implications for the Pens as Samulesson left the ice with an apparent injury and did not return.

Pens were awarded a power play with .8 to play in the second, which meant fresh ice to operate on in the third. Nothing doing. Providence then came out with a big time flurry, but Mannino, with help from his goal post, kept it a one goal game. You almost got the sense that if the Bruins got another goal, you could turn out the lights because the party would be over.

They never did. But ultimately, neither did the Penguins. They got close on multiple occasions. Chuck Kobasew snuck in behind the defense but Subban, seemingly cool as a cucumber, made a huge save. Pens would set up and look for Grade A opportunities. What they would get Subban would stop. Providence seemed content to sit on the lead, as any attempt by them was a one and done and it was back up the Wilkes-Barre way.

Providence gets nothing on a late power play. Penguins get nothing late with Mannino vacated. Archibald out there late shows the confidence John Hynes and Company has in this kid from the NCAA ranks playing in his first professional game.

Three Stars: 3) Malcolm Subban (31 saves on 32 shots) 2) Chuck Kobasew (goal, even) 1) Craig Cunningham (goal, assist, even)

Around the Division: Syracuse rallies to upset St. John’s at home 3-2. Everyone else was off.

Standings: Binghamton 81 — Penguins 80 — Norfolk 77 — Hershey 72 — Syracuse 62

Conference: 1) MCH (92) 2) SPR (86) 3) BNG (81) 4) STJ (86) 5) WBS (80) 6) ALB (79) 7) PRO (79( 8) NOR (77)

Penguins may regret losing this one for two reasons. One, they are a point off the division lead with two more games played than the Binghamton Senators. Two, St. John’s will likely have home ice in the first round if they do not rally past Manchester for the Atlantic Division title. The IceCaps will have home ice advantage in round one. I don’t think any team wants to go in facing that.

Wheeling Update: There is none. They were off.

SendToNews Highlights: Are here.

Pens will probably hit the road to Norfolk tomorrow. You know Bennett is going up, so it’s not worth me blogging about, “Hey, you all knew this, and today it happened” regarding the recall so look for the next update here Friday at three for the Gameday setup vs. Norfolk in an important series for both teams.

Let’s Go Pens!!