Chirps from Center Ice

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Someone on Twitter just told me that the Providence Bruins have won 10 straight games at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. That’s pretty bad.

The Penguins put up a decent fight, but a boffo too many men on the ice while trying to get starting goaltender Magnus Hellberg off the ice do in Wilkes-Barre, who lose 3-2.

It’s now a four point gap to Providence for second in the division and they remain third. This may or may not be too early to fret over.

Here’s how they lined up:

Lineup Notes: Radim Zohorna cleared waivers and was assigned to Wilkes-Barre. Ryan Shea was recalled. Jordan Frasca was re-assigned to Wheeling. On ice, Taylor Fedun was in for Will Butcher.

First Period: A Peter Abbandonato turnover at his own blue line. Bruins race up the other way and score. Who else but Georgii Merkulov.

But the Penguins respond in kind, netting two goals and outshooting the Bruins 14-4 in the period. They were everywhere that the Bruins were not. Jesse Puljujarvi and Ty Smith scored goals.

Nice setup by Sam Poulin to connect with Puljujarvi. Poulin is making a strong case for a call up. I am not sure that this would be of benefit for him just from a production level. He’s getting good minutes now in Wilkes-Barre. If he goes up it’s 7-13 minutes on a third or fourth line. Regardless, if he keeps producing the way he is, there’s no choice but to recall him when the need arises.

The Smith goal was a snipe.

Second Period: The power play is officially crap again, going 0-for-3. I said in my Weekend Preview that they needed to score a power play goal if they wanted to beat Providence.

Justin Brazeau parks in front of Hellberg’s crease, puts his stick down and Alec Regula finds the stick and shoots right for it…

And a tie game.

They weren’t as sharp in the second. More eve and didn’t capitalize on their power play opportunities.

Third Period: Fabian Lysell with a roof job.

Had some chatter on Twitter about the play of Helberg. I think he should have stopped the first goal. The second goal was a total breakdown by his defensemen and I don’t think there are many goaltenders at this level that can stop a shot like Lysell’s.

The Penguins took the penalties now chasing a one goal lead. They killed the first one (a St. Ivany kneeing penalty five seconds after the Lysell goal) and then…

Turning Point: Wait what? Walk with me for a minute…

They go to pull Hellberg with about 2:30 left. Before he gets off, someone jumps on and linesman John Rey nabs them for too many men. They kill that penalty but don’t score to tie the game.

Just a boffo situation. You need to get the goalie off. You have to wait for the goalie to come off before the sixth man can get on. Yeah, I realize you are chasing a one goal lead and yeah I realize it’s a quick game, but that’s just embarrassing.

Three Stars: 3) Jesse Puljujarvi (goal, assist) 2) Justin Brazeau (goal) 1) Fabian Lysell (goal, assist)

The Good: The response after getting kicked in the pants was good but…

The Bad: I think it came at the wrong time. They coasted as the second period wore on and Providence got a goal and continued to coast a bit while Providence made adjustments and they lost on a weird sequence.

Around the Division: Charlotte beats the San Jose Barracuda 4-1. The Checkers played the Barracuda and the San Diego Gulls this year. Those guys have all the fun….Rochester blew out Lehigh Valley 6-0.

Standings: Hershey 60 – Providence 49 – Penguins 45 – Charlotte 44 – Hartford 43 – Springfield 41 – Lehigh Valley 38 – Bridgeport 26

Wheeling Update: The Nailers were off but they will have a new opponent in their division next season provided they play in the Central Division. The ECHL is expanding to 30 teams and one of those teams is a team in Bloomington, IL. No name yet, but I hope it’s the Admirals. If you know, you know.

Video Highlights: 

More Saturday after the Hershey game, earlier if I have to.

Let’s Go Pens!