Chirps from Center Ice

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I almost feel like saying to people what Aaron Rodgers said to Green Bay Packers fans a few weeks ago when the Packers were losing and not looking like the Packers.

Relax.

John Hynes didn’t forget to coach. Jeff Zatkoff didn’t forget to play goal. Philip Samuelsson didn’t forget how to play defense and Tom Kostopoulos didn’t forget how to skate.

The Penguins started out 0-2 to start their season, but they are finally in the win column after a 2-1 overtime win in St. John’s, after Reid McNeill’s slap shot after a J-S Dea faceoff win sent the away team home winners and spoiled the IceCaps home opener, where they raised an Eastern Conference Championship banner tonight.

Jeff Zatkoff vs. Peter Budaj

Lines were….

Scott Wilson – Nick Drazenovic – Jayson Megna
Adam Payerl – Zack Torquato – Tom Kostopoulos
Tom Kuhnhackl – JS Dea-Rust
Dom Uher – Matia Marcantuoni – Bobby Farnham

Brian Dumoulin – Taylor Chorney
Barry Goers – Philip Samuelsson
Reid McNeill – Alex Boak

Jeff Zatkoff – Matt Murray

Scratches were Anton Zlobin, Nick D’Agostino, Pierre Leblond. Injury scratches were Conor Sheary and Josh Archibald. Obie said that Sheary was not on the trip and likely could be seen next weekend.

First Period: Pens would get an early power play but couldn’t generate a good look. The Pens really looked light years better from the effort put forth from last week, hitting everything that moved and dominating everything in the period. Zatkoff was tested just once, but made the saves.

Zack Torquato, fresh up from Wheeling, was everywhere. He hit two posts, and had a great period/

Second Period: Pens continued the dominance, but the grip started to loosen a bit. Pens had some chances shorthanded, but later the IceCaps would score off a faceoff when a pass was centered from behind the net to Scott Kosmachuk to give the IceCaps a 1-0 lead.

Third Period: Pens looked like the late second period goal had no affect on them as they came out flying again. But goaltender Peter Budaj continued to close the door on any opportunity the Pens had on evening the game. Finally, Jayson Megna came flying down the far wing and snapped a shot past Budaj to tie the game at one goal apiece.

The Pens then had a power play and agains looked like world beaters but Budaj was up to the task once again.

A few chances for the Pens shorthanded, but it was onto….

Overtime: Both teams had a chance to end it respectively. Then a long delay as the net came off the moorings behind Budaj. The mooring didn’t stay set, so after a lengthy delay, J-S Dea lined up for a faceoff and won it to McNeill who zipped one past Budaj and in.

The two teams rematch tomorrow at 6 p.m. Wilkes-Barre time.

Three Stars: 3) Scott Kosmachuk (goal, +1) 2) Peter Budaj (28 saves on 30 shots) 1) Jayson Megna (goal, +1)

Around the Division: Lehigh Valley beats Adirondack in their home opener in overtime, 4-3….Binghamton beats Portland at home 3-2 and Norfolk beats Manchester 3-2. Hershey was off.

Standings: Norfolk and Leigh Valley have 4. Binghamton has 3. Hershey and the Pens have 2.

Conference: A bunch of teams have 4 points. No one has five. The Pens, despite the two points, sit at the bottom of the Conference in 15th.

SendToNews HIghlights: Are here.

Coal Street put together an awesome infographic which you can look at here. This is something I hope that they get good at and do, often.

Gameday for the rematch tomorrow will be up at 3 p.m.!

Let’s Go Pens!!!