Chirps from Center Ice

 vs.

2                                        1

–

They were close today. But there aren’t any cigars in hockey and the Wilkes-barre / Scranton Penguins will be fuming over a goal taken away on account of a goaltender interference call in the first period.

A shot from Mitch Reinke goes in, but Kyle Olson buzzes the tower of starting Islanders goaltender Jakub Skarek and referee Peter Schlittenhardt immediately waves off the goal. No review in this situation. I have seen worse calls. My issue is this. No one knows what goaltender interference is at any level. They spent three and a half minutes Saturday reviewing a shootout goal in Lehigh Valley when it was clear as day on every camera angle imaginable that it was a good goal. Why not do the same in this situation? What do you have to lose? It’s baffling.

Penguins lose 2-1 and lose more ground for playoff qualification. Bridgeport played a bend, don’t break style of play and it worked. Penguins couldn’t convert enough offense to work for a goal.

They are slumping, but the hits keep coming.

Here’s how they lined up:

Lineup Notes: Nathan Legare and Kyle Olson in for Jamie Devane and Jonathan Gruden up front and Colin Swoyer for Ty Smith on defense. Smith had a dentist appointment and Jonathan Gruden needs to be evaluated. Corey Andonovski and Filip Lindberg are day to day with ups body injuries.

First Period: Not a good welcome back to the AHL for Tommy Nappier from The Ohio State University, as Chris Terry makes a deke on the goaltender and scores :39 in to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead.

Penguins respond with Alex Nylander’s 21st goal of the season with a spin-o-rama then a shot for a power play goal at 5:55 to tie the game at one.

But then Nappier spills a big rebound which goes right to Ruslan Iskhakov for a goal and a 2-1 lead for the visitors.

Then the Reinke incident, where the puck goes in but is adjudged to be illegal on behalf of goaltender interference. No review.

Second Period: Pens looked like the better team, but couldn’t crack Skarek. Not a lot of shots were getting through, as they only had 15 shots through forty minutes.

Third Period: They navigated through fine with a penalty kill, their only one of the day missing Jonathan Gruden, their best penalty killer. They couldn’t score on a power play about halfway through and with Nappier pulled for the extra attacker, never found the equalizer.

Three Stars: 3) Alex Nylander (goal) 2) Otto Koivula (two assists) 1) Ruslan Iskhakov (goal)

The Good: They kept it close.

The Bad: They couldn’t score or generate anything worthwhile of a goal.

Turning Point: The washed out goal.

Around the Division: They had a 4 o’clock start then a 5 o’clock start. It’s Sunday and I want to enjoy it. Here’s the scoreboard.

Standings: Pens are in last. Here’s the link once the late start go final.

Wheeling Update: Nailers win in overtime 5-4 out in Iowa.

Video Highlights: If I see em I’ll work an edit in, maybe.

Back at it Wednesday against the Phantoms. Have a lot of work to catch up on, no promises on a Weekend Setup for Wednesday, will try for this Friday. Stay tuned, I guess.

Let’s Go Pens!