Chirps from Center Ice

So I should have included Wednesday’s home game against Providence in last weekends Weekend Preview because they are off Friday.

Maybe one of these days I will figure out the whole blogging thing.

Music to set the Mood….

Yes, it is indeed the middle of January and no, January isn’t my friend.

A Quote…

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.
– Martin Luther King, Jr.

Considering I am advance writing this on my Monday off, which happens to be MLK Day, seems appropriate.

Not a bad weekend for the Pens, who took another 5 out of a possible 6 points and are third in the division. They are a game into the second half of their season and in not bad position, depending on whether you are a pessimist or optimist.

Pessimist: Good now, but only five points out of a playoff spot in an extremely tight division with no real point scorer and a power play which looks lost.

Optimist: Better than we thought, even if we are being honest. Third place at the halfway point? I’ll take it!

I’m ever the centrist, so I am kind of in between. Did I expect them to be third in the division at the half way point? No. Middle of the road, in fourth or fifth or even possibly sixth was more where I thought they would be. Are they punching above their weight? I don’t think so because of how tight they are in with the other non-Hershey divisional teams. Are they surviving? Yeah, I think it’s evident, because they kind of have to.

The Setup…

Home against Providence, an off night on Friday, a trip to Hershey Saturday then a (sigh) Sunday home game against Springfield.

Pens got roughed up a bit in Providence, losing in overtime after coughing up a 2-0 lead. They went to Bridgeport and saw a three goal lead evaporate on them but got a late goal from Jonathan Gruden that got them a clean two points over the last place Islanders then went to Springfield on Monday and won clean 3-2.

After beating the Pens in overtime Friday, the Bruins lost in overtime in Hartford Saturday then shutout Bridgeport Sunday.

Hershey had a light points week by their standards, winning in overtime at home but then losing in a shootout away against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms then played Bridgeport on Monday and also lost in a shootout. They will be in Hartford on Friday.

Springfield, after hosting the Pens on Monday, will have a trip out to Rochester on Saturday. Fun fact about the T-Birds, they don’t play Cleveland this season.

Records

Pens are 20-12-5-0, good for third in the division and 45 points.

Providence is 21-12-3-2, good for 47 points and second in the division.

Hershey is 29-7-0-2, good for 60 points and first overall in not just the division, but the entire AHL.

Springfield is 18-14-3-2, good for 41 points and sixth in the division.

Who’s Up? Who’s Down? Who’s Out?

Pittsburgh: Jansen Harkins, Colin White and Valtteri Puustinen.

Up from Wheeling: Jordan Frasca, Owen Headrick and Raivis Ansons.

Injured: Avery Hayes, Sam Houde and Raivis Ansons. They are all week to week. Houde is undisclosed, Ansons is lower and Hayes is upper.

What can we learn about the Penguins this week?

Really these next two games against teams that are ahead of them in the division are going to tell the tale of what kind of team we have here. Do I think they make playoffs? Yes, this season, barring an absolute collapse (which is still possible) they are a playoff team. Inevitably, they will need to deal with Providence and / or Hershey at some point likely early on in late April. Are they favored right now over Hershey in a playoff series? I don’t think any team in the AHL would be favored. Are they favored against Providence? Well, what are my terms? I like them better in a five game series then I do a three game series, if that makes sense.

One step at a time here. I think they can put some distance on third place here but they need to play a great game against Providence. A power play goal is a must, limiting mistakes and not going into a shell when you face adversity is a must.

I think Hershey is a bit vulnerable now and is regressing a bit. Do I still favor them over every other team in the AHL? You bet I do, but every team regresses. After a hot start, they have cooled off a bit, having to work overtime against non-playoff teams in Lehigh Valley and Bridgeport. If the Pens, who will be the fresher team Saturday when these teams meet, play a leveled game, they can catch Hershey and maybe continue eating into what looks like an insurmountable division lead that the Bears own.

Right now I have Lehigh Valley as a team that makes playoffs before Springfield. I think the shine has worn off with that club. Sure, they are dealing with injuries to key guys but every team does. The Pens are a perfect example, so those Sunday afternoon two points are there for the picking for Wilkes-Barre.

Who’s in Goal?

No reason to believe it will be Blomqvist Wednesday and Saturday with the off night Friday then Hellberg on Sunday.

Brandon Bussi, Clay Stevenson and Malcolm Subban if you made me bet a nickel for the Bruins, Bears and Thunderbirds respectively.

Who’s Running the Show?

Beau Halkidis and Alex Lepkowski are the assignments Wednesday with Jud Ritter and John Rey on the lines.

David Elford and Jack Young are your referees scheduled for Saturday in Hershey with John Rey and Tommy George on the lines.

On Sunday, Elford and Young will be back with Jud Ritter and J.P. Waleski on the lines. I wonder if Elford and Young toss a coin after the game in Hershey to see who makes the drive up I-81.

Looking ahead…

Home against Hartford on Wednesday, the first trip of the season to Allentown to visit the Phantoms on Friday then home against Hershey.

Give us a bold prediction…

Four clean points against Providence and Hershey but then they are shutout against Springfield at home Sunday.