You ever get that sense of something being lifted off of your shoulders and a sense of calm, cool, collectiveness all of a sudden?
When the clock hit zero tonight at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza tonight, I had that feeling. In fact, at 10:32 p.m. on a Saturday night, I still have that feeling.
With a 2-1 win tonight against the Binghamton Senators, the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins have clinched a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs for a twelfth consecutive season.
Twelve years. That is something that, at the level of minor league hockey, just isn’t done. Think about where you were twelve years ago. Only the Milwaukee Admirals in the Western Conference can say that they have the same streak. They clinched last night.
It’s becoming an institution in Wilkes-Barre. It’s a great city to play in. First class facilities. A front office that goes above and beyond. Media that does the same, from Mike O’Brien all the way down the line.
The one thing that has eluded this city and this franchise, is the Calder Cup.
Pretty, ain’t she?
Peter Mannino stopped 15 of 16. Goals by Carter Rowney shorthanded and Scott Harrington on a three on one rush were what the Penguins needed to get by the Senators and overtake Binghamton for first place in the East Division.
Chuck Kobasew was the veteran scratch tonight. Brian Dumoulin did not participate in warmups either after his hit he took in Syracuse last night. Scott Wilson took warmups but was scratched for Josh Archibald.
Penguins do everything right in the first period. Puck possession and a couple of power plays. One where the Pens had extended 5-on-3 time but failed to score.
Then, a puck is thrown in to the left of Mannino. The defenseman wants to take the puck and run it back up and out of the zone but Mannino yells and instructs him to move it along the wall. What ensued was the Senators scoring in the final minute when Ryan Dzingel scored his first goal as a professional to give the Senators a 1-0 lead. Peter Mannino’s shutout streak ends at 154:19.
Carter Rowney does the same for the Penguins in the final minute of the second period. The Pens sail a puck 200 feet down the ice while killing a penalty. Rowney is there to collect it, has all day, makes a couple of moves and roofs a shot in on starting goaltender Andrew Hammond to tie the game with 15.7 seconds left in the period.
Third period saw Binghamton open with some pop but then the Penguins take a puck up ice on a two on one, which became a three on one after the patient Nick Drazenovic dished to a trailing Scott Harrington who had a wide open net to shoot into.
Binghamton then gets two power play opportunities. Peter Mannino came up HUGE in the moment, denying the Senators attempts to tie the game.
With an empty net, the visitors never found the equalizer.
Three Stars: 3) Peter Mannino (15 saves on 16 shots) 2) Carter Rowney (goal, even) 1) Scott Harrington (goal, +1)
Other Games that Matter: The ridiculously hot Hartford Wolf Pack have been eliminated form playoff contention, but that hasn’t stopped the Pack from playing spoiler. Hartford crushes the St. John’s IceCaps on the Rock 7-2 tonight….The Albany Devils are looking more and more like a playoff team with a 2-1 shootout win over the Providence Bruins tonight.
Wheeling Update: The Wheeling Nailers win 5-0 tonight in Cincinnati. The Nailers wrapped up the regular season tonight and will start the Kelly Cup Playoffs this week.
SendToNews Highlights: Better yet, how about YouTube Highlights of the same thing sent to SendToNews?
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Peaking at the right time? That’s a question that is up for a debate. If you think so, let me know.
Wilkes-Barre closes out the regular season home schedule tomorrow afternoon vs. the Toronto Marlies. Gameday for that will be up at noon.
WBS News
Chirps from Center Ice 