Chirps from Center Ice

 vs.

0                                   4

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So they kept it simple, navigated through a rough second where they should have gave up a goal or two, and win 4-0. Dustin Tokarski with a 26 save shutout.

Penguins only had 22 shots. Four of them went in.

This game was less about luck and just more about methodical execution. It paid off where their goaltender picked up a shutout. He also had an assist.

Here’s how they lined up:

Lineup Notes: I have to get the skinny on what’s up with Jon Lizotte. The reinforcements were in from Pittsburgh.

First Period: Drake Caggiula scored off a rebound to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead.

First lead for the Penguins in a long time. First first goal for the Penguins in a long time as well. I gave you the when’s and where’s of that in the Weekend Setup. It’s been a while.

Wilkes-Barre went 1/1 on the penalty kill in a relatively clean period.

Second Period: Bears limited the Pens to just a shot about 12 minutes into the period. It was a lopsided period favoring the Bears. Penguins escape danger when a shot by Vincent Iorio deflects off Ty Smith and into the net, but Kale Kessy made contact with Tokarski and referee Matt Menniti waves off the gol as a result of that.

Third Period: The Penguins started rough. more carryover from the second and the Bears had :20 of a two man advantage. The Penguins would kill it all entirely.

Then, the Penguins started to finally pull away. Jonath Gruden would score off the bar and in to make it 2-o Wilkes-Barre.

Dustin Tokarski would assist on that goal.

Then Sam Houde would take a nice pass from Tyler Sikura and score to open the lead up to 3-0.

Filip Hallander into an empty net salted the game away.

I used to have a standing rule that I didn’t show empty net goals but the Pens put it out there so I may as well, you know?

Three Stars: 3) Jonathan Gruden (goal) 2) Drake Caggiula (goal) 1) Dustin Tokarski (26 save shutout, assist)

The Good: They kept it simple, methodically took it a shift at a time and took down their biggest rival.

The Bad: Took five penalties. Still won, though.

Turning Point: Getting out of that early two man disadvantage in the third period I think took the air out of the sails for Hershey. It was a 1-0 lead at the time and the Bears had all the momentum. Penguins keep not simple (sense a theme?) and got out it all unscathed.

Around the Division: Lehigh Valley takes down the top team in the AHL in the Providence Bruins with a 4-2 win…Charlotte beats Bridgeport 4-1. Hartford and Springfield were off.

Standings: Providence 22 – Hershey 18 – Charlotte 18 – Bridgeport 17 – Penguins 15 – Springfield 15 – Lehigh Valley 13 – Hartford 12

Wheeling Update: Nailers beat the Walleye 2-1 in Toledo. Seasn Josling, recently assigned, had a goal.

Video Highlights: Will be up soon and I can see if I can work an edit in the morning.

Bridgeport Saturday. More then.

Let’s Go Pens!