Chirps from Center Ice

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Sam Poulin’s goal with 5.9 seconds left to play in regulation and the Penguins on a power play with Joel Blomqvist pulled was called back on account of a high stick.

100% the right and correct call. I knew it the second I saw it and half celebrated in disbelief that the officials would allow the goal to stand.

But alas, after a brief conference, the goal was disallowed.

You can’t redirect pucks with your stick if the stick is above the cross bar. Poulin’s stick was way above that.

Penguins lose 3-2.

Felt like a playoff game, same intensity. Same back and forth. I had the feeling that the Penguins were playing with house money a bit based off of their recent run and Hershey was due for a loss. No, Hershey is levels above at this juncture. The Penguins kept it close. But it really is like wrestling a bear. You may tire the bear out, but the bear in the end is going to eat you alive if you make a mistake.

Grotesque comparisons aside, let’s get into this one. Here’s how they lined up…

Lineup Notes: Xavier Ouellet for Taylor Fedun on defense is was the only change.

First Period: Just 1:05 in, Radim Zohorna catches Hershey playing patty cake with the puck and scores to make it 1-0 Penguins.

But then Ethen Frank, who you don’t want to give time and space to, got himself time and space and just watch this…

If Joel Blomqvist wants to succeed at the next level, he has to stop these because every shot is going to look something like this.

Second Period: Pierrick Dube at 6:24 of the period on the power play. Looked methodical.

You gotta move him out of the dot.

But then Vinnie Hinostroza evened it on a power play (second in as many games, woo!)

Third Period; Momma, there goes that man again.

I think I have developed enough of an eye to see it coming at this level and I saw this one coming. Just an absolutely filthy shot by Frank.

Then the Penguins found themselves on a 4:00 power play with 3:01 left. A timeout. Blomqvist pulled.

Sam Poulin scores but with a blatant high stick. Goal was initially awarded by referee Andrew Bell but taken off the board by conference from Chandler Yakimowicz, John Rey (linesmen) and fellow referee Patrick Hanrahan.

The right call. Not reviewable, which I disagree with. If Hanrahan and Bell want to move up to the NHL, where they have reviews on the type of stuff, they should have this at the AHL level also. It a developmental league for officials too.

Three Stars: 3) Vinnie Hinostroza (goal) 2) Mike Sgarbossa (three assists) 1) Ethen Frank (two goals)

The Good: Hung in there and went 15 rounds with the champions. Lost on points.

The Bad: Weren’t able to score late on a power play that would have gotten them at least a point. That thing I have bee saying about them needing an opportune time to score a power play goal?

Turning Point: Then they had a 4:00 power play late and needed to score, it was either a good thing and they get a point or a bad thing and they walk away empty handed. Victory was snatched from the jaws of defeat, as the Poulin goal was too high to count.

Around the Division: Springfield beats Charlotte 6-1…Hartford sweeps Cleveland and wins 3-2….Providence scores three in the third to win in Bridgeport 3-1…Toronto beats Lehigh Valley in a shootout and win 4-3.

Standings: Herhey 68 – Providence 55 – Penguins 51 – Hartford 49 – Springfield 45 – Charlotte 44 – Lehigh Valley 41 – Bridgeport 27

Wheeling Update: The Nailers may never want to leave Reading or may ask to be placed back in the Eastern Conference. They smash the Royals for the second time in as many nights and win 8-2. Lukas Svejkovsky with a pair of goals. Tanner Laderoute with two assists. Dillon Hamalkiuk, who was reassigned today had a pair of goals.

Video Highlights: 

They are off a few days before Toronto stops by for their only visit around these parts this season on Wednesday. Weekend Preview is yours around lunch time then.

Let’s Go Pens!