Chirps from Center Ice

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The Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins had six chances on the power play Sunday afternoon in Bridgeport and weren’t able to get anything going on any six of them that would be considered a serious threat.

Not that Bridgeport goaltender Christopher Gibson was going to let anything by, anyway.

33 saves for Gibson and the five game winning streak for Wilkes-Barre ends in Bridgeport, Penguins lose 1-0.

Lines were…

Thomas Di Pauli – Teddy Blueger – Anthony Angello
Adam Johnson – Sam Lafferty – Ben Sexton
Joseph Cramarossa – Linus Ölund – Ryan Haggerty
Troy Josephs – Jarrett Burton – Jimmy Hayes

Kevin Czuczman – Tim Erixon
Jeff Taylor – Will O’Neill
Matt Abt – Ethan Prow

Tristan Jarry backed up Anthony Peters.

No changes to the line up for the Penguins.

First Period: Wilkes-Barre was hit with a penalty for an illegal starting lineup. I think what happened there was Tristan Jarry’s name was circled instead of Anthony Peters. They had to kill that penalty and then a Will O’Neill penalty for cross checking right after that but were able to get out of it OK.

But then Sebastian Aho found room in the slot, made a move and scored to put the Sound Tigers on the board first.

Penguins had two power plays to close out the period but were unable to capitalize.

Second Period: Jarrett Burton missed a penalty shot when he was hooked down.

The Pens lost Thomas DiPauli in the period. He was injured by a Kevin Czuczman shot in the first period then got tangled up with Stephen Gionta in the second period. He left the ice and didn’t return for the remainder of the period or the game.

Going back to the first, Bridgeport took four consecutive penalties but Wilkes-Barre was not able to score on any of them. The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Sound Tigers heading into the…

Third Period: The penalties on both sides continues. Linus Ölund had a chance shorthanded. Sound Tigers hit two posts on one shift. Peters and Gibsons continued their goalie duel. Penguins had some chances late on a power play, but weren’t able to solve Gibson. With Peters pulled for the extra attacker, they never were able to find the equalizer.

The Good: Sound Tigers power play is very dangerous, Penguins kept them off the board on five attempts.

The Bad: I don’t want to say that Clark Donatelli’s illegal lineup set the tone of the game, but coming off of two consecutive penalty kills, Aho scored the only goal of the game that turned into the game winner. Does that happen if Peters name is circled on the card instead of Tristan Jarry’s? Your guess is as good as mine.

On the illegal lineup, it has happened before. A lot, actually, as Darryl Hunt looked back on Roy Sommer’s follies during his time with the Worcester Sharks.

Three Stars: 3) Sebastian Aho (goal) 2) Anthony Peters (24 saves on 25 shots) 1) Christopher Gibson (33 save shutout)

Sometimes you just have to laugh.

Around the Division: Charlotte continues to roll, 2-1 winners in overtime against Utica. Springfield beats Hershey 4-1. Everyone else was off.

Standings: Charlotte 45 — Bridgeport 38 — Lehigh Valley 32 — Penguins 32 — Springfield 31 — Providence 29 — Hartford 25 — Hershey 24

Wheeling Update: Nailers double up Fort Wayne 6-3 at home, Cam Brown continues his tear with two goals. Renars Krastenbergs also had a pair of goals.

Highlights: If the Sound Tigers put them up and I’m near a computer, I will work the edit in here.

Pens are back in action on Wednesday at home against Bridgeport again. Christopher Gibson will undoubtedly get the start again for the Sound Tigers. Gameday setup hits the blog Wednesday at 3, barring any breaking news beforehand.

Let’s Go Pens!