Chirps from Center Ice

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John Muse makes 32 saves after Tristan Jarry was given the afternoon off after starting thirteen straight games for the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins, who defeat the Springfield Thunderbirds 3-2 on Sunday. The Penguins close to five points behind idle Providence. Both the Bruins, Penguins and Hershey Bears have played 67 games. Hershey also sits on 79 points, after losing 4-1 and getting swept in Cleveland Sunday.

Muse opposed Chris Driedger.

Lines were…

Lineup: No changes for the Penguins from Saturday in Allentown. Lines were the same from Saturday as well. The only change was Muse in goal.

First Period: J-S Dea had a hell of a day in his return to Wilkes-Barre. He is easily Springfield’s best player and had two power play goals for the Thunderbirds today including this one on the back door which gave the Thunderbirds and early 1-0 lead.

Penguins respond with Sam Miletic deflecting in a power play goal that tie it at one.

Second Period: Was a penalty fest, with nine power plays awarded. Seven, if you take away the two times that the Thunderbirds were caught with too many men on the ice. No flow to the game whatsoever. Referees Guillaume Labonte and Tim Mayer called it tight on tired players playing their third game in three days.

So of course Anthony Angello scores an even strength goal for the six or so minutes that the teams were on even strength.

Nice to see Angello get that one there, he had hit a bit of a wall here in his rookie season.

Third Period: J-S Dea connected on his second power play of the game that tied the game at two early on in the third period.

With both teams skating without any whistles for a change, it looked like they were content to play for overtime.

J-S Dea was denied his hat trick on this nice save by John Muse.

Joseph Cramarossa stepped up and snapped home a goal with under four minutes left.

Springfield, with Driedger pulled for the extra attacker and through a time out, never found the equalizer.

Three Stars: 

The Good: Using the game in hand to make up ground on Providence and Hershey.

The Bad: Springfield is really a one line team. The game really should not have as close as it should have been. That may be at disrespect to the opponent, but the facts are the facts.

Turning Points: Muse’s save on Dea, denying the hat trick is one, Cramarossa’s goal is the other. One doesn’t really happen without the other.

Points wise, the Penguins are on 74. They are five off of Providence and Hershey with 79. Everyone has 67 games played. Nine games left. Providence is here Wednesday, before heading to Syracuse Friday and Hershey Saturday.

Hershey has Providence Saturday and Bridgeport Sunday.

Video Highlights: 

Talk to you Wednesday but for breaking news before.

Let’s Go Pens!