Chirps from Center Ice

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Sam Houde has four points in two games.

Yeah, he’s not coming out of the lineup any time soon.

The Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins continue to be the kryptonite to the Hershey Bears and throttle the defending champions at home 5-1, handing the Bears their first road loss of the season.

The Penguins are 2-0 at home, important to note also. Gotta defend that home ice.

Work night, school night, so let’s get this over with already.

Lineup Notes: Just Sam Poulin for Colin White. Corey Andonovski went up and Radim Zohorna came back down. The Penguins also recalled Magnus Hellberg.

First Period: Good start, the Penguins score first, in the first period, to boot.

Alex Nylander on a power play.

I don’t know which idiot on this blog suggested the Penguins scratch Nylander.

Penguins played an overall quiet, disciplined first period. Didn’t take a penalty and scored on the on power play they were awarded.

Second Period: Joe Snively, one of my favorite non-Penguin player and definitely my favorite Hershey Bear, scores his first of the season with this snipe.

So next goal was crucial here in this overall, to this point, even headed hockey game.

Enter Sam Houde.

A St. Ivany blast from the point that Joona Koppanen and Sam Houde get deflections on and it’s 2-1 Penguins.

Third Period: So the question coming in here was whether or not the Penguins could hold the lead and hold the Bears back when the inevitable charge came.

Not only did the Penguins hold the lead, they extended it and the 12-time Calder Cup Champions never made that charge.

A second power play goal? In one game? In this economy?

Sam Houde again.

Marc Johnstone picks Vinnie Iorio’s pocket, or Iorio gave it away like the kid who sees the bully coming and Johnstone didn’t miss.

And then Vinnie Hinostroza scores another breakaway goal and the rout was on.

Goals came fast, and they came furious, 4:32 to be exact provided my math is right.

Penguins continued to play disciplined and it never really felt like the game was going to get out of hand for the home team.

Three Stars: 3) Joel Blomqvist (19 saves) 2) Alex Nylander (goal, assist) 1) Sam Houde (two goals)

The Good: Kind of the game you wish you could bottle up and keep. They played their most complete game of their young season, did mostly everything right and there were no weak points in this one. Hershey is a good team, a championship team, and not a pushover by any means. But for some reason, for all the pitfalls that befell this Penguins team, whenever the Bears come around, it’s like a completely different hockey club.

The Bad: When I got nothing, I got nothing. Moving on….

Turning Point: The Houde power play goal in the third period was the breathing room that the Penguins needed here when they were nursing a one goal lead as the third period started. It ripped the game open and the once close game turned the game into a laugher.

Around the Division: Charlotte loses up in Rochester 4-3.

Standings: Hartford / Hershey 8, Penguins / Phantoms 6, Bridgeport 5, Charlotte / Providence 4, Springfield 2

Wheeling Update: Nailers were off.

Video Highlights: 

Rare Friday off for the Penguins and then Hartford comes calling Saturday night. Let’s see how they show up then. Good start to the week, however.

Let’s Go Pens!