Chirps from Center Ice

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6                                          10

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They are burned out.

In just trying to keep pace with Providence, who won 3-1 today at home against Utica, the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins went to Allentown in search of points against a Phantoms team that really didn’t have anything left to play for and came up short last night.

Sunday, in a game that can best be described as bonkers, the Penguins lose 10-6.

They got it back to 8-6 in the third period before time and desperation started to set in and the Phantoms salted the game away for good.

So Providence just has to get two points in order to lock up the fourth and final playoff spot in the Atlantic. Hershey clinched today with the Penguins loss. If the Bruins win Friday at home against these Phantoms, then the Penguins final two regular season games are meaningless, they will be eliminated from playoff contention.

Tristan Jarry opposed Alex Lyon.

Lines were…

Lineup Notes: Brandon Hawkins and Ben Sexton swap lines, Jake Lucchini went back in on the fourth line, replacing Jordy Bellerive. Cam Brown went back in for Chase Berger. On defense, Jon Lizotte debuted with Summers, replacing Calen Addison and Tim Erixon replaced Jeff Taylor.

First Period: The Penguins jumped out to a 2-0 start in the games first 1:02 before Lehigh Valley rattled off four straight goals. It was a wild and crazy start to a Sunday afternoon hockey game.

Jake Lucchini scored on a Philippe Myers turnover…

Sam Miletic potted a rebound that made it 2-0 before the Phantoms knew what hit them.

But the Phantoms responded with aplomb, starting with Greg Carey with a bomb that made it 2-1.

Then Chris Conner scored the first of back to back goals. First was a bit of a controversy with Jarry getting knocked over, legally, in the eyes of referral’s Olivier Gouin.

Then Conner scored on a three on two and it was 3-2.

Penguins didn’t really have a response, and whatever they tried to do in the form of Adam Johnson, Lyon was there to stop him. He had help with the par, then went post to post to flick out the pad to deny Johnson’s would be opportunity.

Connor Bunnaman blocked unintentionally a TJ Brennan shot, spun, fired and scored to make it 4-2.

Both teams lit up the scoreboard in the first. The Penguins were looking to come out of the locker room in the second looking for a response.

Second Period: Long period with stoppages and delays. John Muse replaced Tristan Jarry in net. It didn’t really matter, as the Phantoms scored three more goals to go up 7-3 at the end of the period.

Corban Knight tipped in a Myers shot from the point that made it 5-2.

Jon Lizotte scored his first professional goal in his debut, the only offense mustered by Wilkes-Barre in the period.

Alex Lyon continued to haunt the Penguins, stopping Joe Blandisi on a two on one.

Carsen Twarynski scored a power play goal that extended the lead to 6-3 for the Phantoms.

There was a very long review by the referees but the call on the ice was confirmed.

Nic Aube-Kubel burned past the Penguins defense to make it 7-3 and if the route wasn’t already on, it was on.

Third Period: James de Hass scored to make it 8-3, then the Penguins rattled off three straight goals from Chris Summers on a tip, Jake Lucchini when Lyon misplayed a puck and then Ethan Prow with a shot from the point that made it 8-6.

Bonkers as the game was, the Pens stopped GIFing goals so as a result, so do I.

Carsen Twarynski cashed a penalty shot that made it 9-6. Then Colin McDonald scored on an empty netter that put up the ten spot.

Three Stars: 3) Philippe Myers (three assists) 2) Carsen Twarynski (two goals) 1) Chris Conner (two goals, assist)

That’s pretty much it. But for breaking news, look for the next thing to come here on the blog with the Power Rankings Thursday.

Let’s Go Pens!