Chirps from Center Ice

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Anthony Angello was everywhere tonight.

Yes, he plays for the other team these days and that other team, the Springfield Thunderbirds, defeated the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins on Saturday night by a 3-2 score.

After a third period comeback which saw the Penguins score back to back power play goals on a double minor, it was Angello which scored the Goa ahead game winner to send the Penguins to their fourth straight loss of this young campaign.

Winless in November. So far.

Here’s how they lined up.

Lineup Notes: Sean Josling for Lukas Svejkovsky up front and Colin Swoyer for Jon Lizotte. Lizotte picked up a knock Friday against Hartford and there’s no timetable. Upper body.

First Period: Innocuous. Lots of icings. No scoring.

Second Period: Will Bitten unmarked in front and scores to get the Thunderbirds on the board first.

Ty Smith leaves Bitten to pinch and puck chase and it costs them a goal.

Dmitrii Samorukov scores after yet another sloppy play with the puck in the defensive zone by the Penguins and Springfield goes up 2-0.

So you have guys leaving guys wide open in front and turning the puck over. Yes, these are correctable problems but they keep happening. If this was your job, HR would have you attend a seminar or something by now.

Here were the goals. Just brutal fundamental breakdowns between the Bitten goal above and the Samorukov goal below.

Third Period: Sam Houde was high sticked and this drew blood. Penguins score on both ends of the power play to tie the game at two.

Sam Houde slams one home back door for the first goal and Ty Smith atones for his previous mistake and scores to tie the game.

Elite call by Nick Hart there on the goal call.

Jack St. Ivany loses his situational awareness and a surprise hit by Nathan Todd separated the Penguins defenseman from the puck. This sends Jake Neighbours down the other way with ex-Penguin Anthony Angello. Angello drags a leg to stay onside while Neighbours enters the zone with the puck and here just watch the rest…

Penguins would get a couple more shots on the power play (they went 2/7 and they all came in the third period) but were unable to capitalize and find the tying goal.

Three Stars: 3) Vadim Zherenko (39 saves) 2) Ty Smith (goal) 1) Anthony Angello (goal)

The Good: They pumped 41 shots at Zherenko yet still lost. It’s not the quantity / quality. They could have 105 shots and if they still are careless with their markings or the puck, they will lose. It’s that simple.

The Bad: They have to tighten up this messy defensive play. It is now a problem and costing them points. Losing Lizotte, a contributor to the problems in his own right, may sting a bit. Hope it’s not long term.

Turning Point: Angello burning his ex-team.

Around the Division: Hershey beats Bridgeport 2-1 in overtime again…Charlotte picks up their first road win of the season with a 6-5 shootout win over Hartford…Don’t look now by Lehigh Valley has won three straight, beating Laval 3-2. Providence was off.

In the, “it could always be worse” department: Syracuse pummels Utica 8-3. Those two teams hate each other.

Standings: Providence 20 – Bridgeport 17 – Hershey 16 – Springfield 14 and Charlotte 14 – Penguins 13 – Lehigh Valley and Hartford 11.

Wheeling Update: Nailers fall to the Fort Wayne Komets 2-1.

Video Highlights: 

The Week Ahead: Off till next Friday vs. Hershey then away at Bridgeport. Bears have Laval at home Sunday, Bridgeport hosts Charlotte on Friday.

Let’s Go Pens!