Chirps from Center Ice

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They have certainly been better.

3 out of a possible 4 points out of tough North Division clubs they have not have any success against of recent, with Saturday’s result a 4-3 Penguins overtime loss to the Syracuse Crunch. Wilkes-Barre / Scranton sees a 2-1 lead flip to a 3-2 deficit in the span of 35 seconds in the third period. They could have packed it in, chased the game and lost 4-2 or 5-2, but Filip Hållander, returning from injury, scores to tie the game at 3 then nearly wins the game in overtime while the Penguins were killing a penalty.

Hållander was the best player on the ice for the visitors Saturday, bar none. Good to see him back out there.

Out of town, Hartford beat Bridgeport clean, so the deficit with the loser point for the Penguins is 6 now to the sixth and final spot in the Atlantic Division for the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Here’s how they lined up…

Lineup Notes: Mitch Reinke, Jos Maniscalco and Raivis Ansons all out, Filip Hållander, Andrew Nielsen and Jack St,. Ivany all in. I didn’t hear Nick Hart pregame, but the Reinke, Maniscalco scratches were warranted in my opinion and Ansons as well.

Mark Friedman was recalled by Pittsburgh Saturday morning.

First Period: Justin Addamo continued his holy streak, getting a goal when a puck wasn’t completely controlled by Crunch goaltender Hugo Alnefelt off a Taylor Fedun shot and the Pens were on the board first.

Syracuse gets a weird goal when a Trevor Carrick shot goes off Lucas Edmonds and in for a 1-1 game a minute or so past halfway.

Penguins controlled the Crunch on the power play, killing both of their chances in the period.

Second Period: Scrappy period, moreso then usual. two fights, a 4:00 roughing, just an overall scrappy period. I don’t think there have been two fights in the last 10 games, let alone two fights in one game. It’s been a while and good to see actually.

Penguins get a goal when Filip Hållander forces a turnover and finds Tyler Sikura streaking down the ice and finds him for a goal that gives the Penguins a 2-1 lead.

Third Period: Life comes at you quick.

Penguins go from up 2-1 to down 3-2 in the span of :35. Ex-Penguin Felix Robert scores to tie the game, then Trevor Carrick follows suit to give the Crunch a 3-2 lead.

Gauthier gets some of, but not all of, that shot.

Could have packed it in. Could have come undone. But no.

Filip Hållander to the rescue.

Hållander was everywhere Saturday. After his goal he had a late breakaway which was denied by Alnefelt.

Overtime: I didn’t like some of the calls referees Jim Curtain and Ian McCambridge doled out Saturday, but that’s hockey. I particularly didn’t care for the call in overtime where Alex Barre-Boulet folds like a house of cards on a soft check by Jonathan Gruden. The Penguins navigate out of it with the aforementioned Hållander nearly scoring shorthanded to end it for the Penguins, but it’s Declan Carlile finding a loose puck in a pile that was not covered and putting it in to give Syracuse a much needed win in their fight for a spot in the North Division Playoffs.

Three Stars: 3) Filip Hållander (goal, assist) 2) Declan Carlile (OT goal) 1) Trevor Carrick (goal, assist)

The Good: Certainly better than last week, week before. Rochester and Syracuse are playoff teams. Pens played them tough. Now, empty the tank against a rested Lehigh Valley team Sunday in Allentown and keep pushing.

The Bad: I don’t think the better team won the game.

Turning Point: Usually OT goals get them here and in this case, I’m not overthinking things and just going with the Carlile winner here.

Around the Division: Bridgeport, as I m mentioned off the hop, loses to Hartford clean 3-2…Charlotte beats Toronto 4-1….Hershey beats Rochester 2-1….Providence beats Springfield 4-1.

Standings: Providence 82 – Hershey 81 – Charlotte 76 – Springfield 70 – Lehigh Valley 68 – Bridgeport 64 – || – Hartford 63 – Penguins 58

Wheeling Update: Nailers can’t complete a sweep down in Norfolk, lose 4-2.

Video Highlights: 

I still don’t think the team that won was the best team on the ice. I suppose that’s promising, but we will see what Sunday brings. Talk to you then.

Let’s Go Pens!