Chirps from Center Ice

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Foreshadowing from the League this morning.

https://twitter.com/nafsnep/status/1523315675661750274?s=21&t=Pf1QfSi2zXM14i0qcdZkmA

Pens lose 2-1. Bears had a first period power play goal which led to a wave of momentum in the first period which spilled over to the second period. Dylan McIlrath scores a goal to put the Bears up 2-0. Felix Robert’s tip of a shot from the point brought the Penguins to within one, but in a flash series like this the offense is going to be extremely hard to come by.

Another crack to close it out Monday. You pretty much have to because it’s win or go home.

News before the game saw Jonathan Gruden get suspended for Game 2 after the League looked at the elbow on Joe Snively in the second period of Game 1. Snively did not play Sunday.

https://twitter.com/taylorhaasepgh/status/1523389939970617344?s=21&t=Pf1QfSi2zXM14i0qcdZkmA

Sam Houde was in for Gruden. Here’s the whole lineup:

https://twitter.com/thehersheybears/status/1523401099683586048?s=21&t=Pf1QfSi2zXM14i0qcdZkmA

https://twitter.com/wbspenguins/status/1523404874536218625?s=21&t=Pf1QfSi2zXM14i0qcdZkmA

First Period: All Bears to start as you could sense the desperation off the hop. Bears get an early penalty and with Gruden, one of their best penalty killers in streetclothes, Beck Malenstyn shoots, Bobby Nardella scores.

https://twitter.com/theahl/status/1523414200378220544?s=21&t=Pf1QfSi2zXM14i0qcdZkmA

Pens kind of withstood the rest of the period. Nappier was dialed in and none of the goals can be pinned on him Sunday.

Second Period: Bears get the second goal they were looking for with a goal from Dylan McIlrath.

https://twitter.com/thehersheybears/status/1523429311163813890?s=21&t=Pf1QfSi2zXM14i0qcdZkmA

Traffic in front of Nappier there. Nothing you could do.

Pens get a goal back, courtesy of Felix Robert.

https://twitter.com/wbspenguins/status/1523431155386949632?s=21&t=Pf1QfSi2zXM14i0qcdZkmA

Thought they had something going after that but Copley was good in goal and but for a gaffe of about :31 in Game 1, had been as good or better than Tommy Nappier.

Third Period: No scoring or penalties, shots were hard to come by and both goalies were outstanding in the period. The Penguins with Nappier pulled and after a timeout, never found the equalizer.

Three Stars: 3) Copley (22 saves) 2) Malenstyn (goal) 1) McIlrath (goal)

If the Penguins win Monday, they will likely bus straight up to Springfield for Game 1 of the division semis Tuesday. As evidenced by the following…

https://twitter.com/nafsnep/status/1522963768858357761?s=21&t=Pf1QfSi2zXM14i0qcdZkmA

Seems cruel and unusual indeed. Almost an automatic win for the Thunderbirds who are still waiting to find out who they are playing next round.

Won’t have to wait long. Game 3 Monday at 7 in Wilkes-Barre.

Let’s Go Pens!