Chirps from Center Ice

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So the Lehigh Valley Phantoms beat the Hershey Bears Friday night. Not many teams beat the Hershey Bears.

The Phantoms are pushing for a playoff spot, sitting seventh in the division and right behind sixth place Springfield.

But the Penguins are a resilient bunch, who fought back from three goals down Friday in Hartford to lose in overtime.

They know that when you play a non-playoff team like the Phantoms, there is an opportunity for two points.

Penguins win 3-1 in what was a solid game all around.

Well, expect for special teams. But I don’t want to spoil it for you. Please read on…

Here’s how they lined up…

Lineup Notes: I learned on the broadcast that Jack St. Ivany was injured on Wednesday and they haven’t yet thrown a timetable on his injury. This presents a problem for them as they just have Owen Headrick as the only non-veteran defenseman not named Xavier Ouellet or Taylor Fedun, who were both in the lineup Saturday for the Penguins.

John Ludvig was out, will probably get recalled from his conditioning stint. Matt Filipe was in for Jesse Puljujarvi. This is where you run into a potential problem.

Puljujarvi is a veteran, but since St. Ivany is hurt that necessitates either Ouellet or Fedun drawing in, using up a veteran spot. I’m hoping it isn’t a bad injury because this is a bad spot to be in.

First Period: Well, that bad spot didn’t look like it at all in the first period. A dominating period by the visitors who dominated in shots (10-2) and in the face-off dot (12-3) and went up 1-0 on a Ty Smith shot that squeaked through Parker Gahagen.

Second Period: Talked Friday about how the Penguins power play was 3/39 in January. So a full 2:00 two man advantage should heal this ail, correct?

Wrong.

They ran into Parker Gahagen and he shut down the entire two minute two man advantage. It was frustrating to watch, honestly.

Wilkes-Barre still led heading into the…

Third Period: So it’s funny because the Penguins played a disciplined game, couldn’t score on a two man advantage and ten seconds into a Phantoms power play, their first of the night, Joona Koppanen scores shorthanded to make it 2-0.

But the Penguins would lose Marc Johnstone when he was tripped / checked into the boards by Emil Andrea late and was writhing in pain. Later Sam Poulin looked like he took an elbow to the face by Ronnie Attard.

Jon-Randall Avon busted up the Blomqvisyt shutout bid with 1:54 left to play in regulation. No GIF of this.

But then :30 later with Gahagen pulled, Jonathan Gruden would strip Avon and score into the empty net to ice the game away for the Penguins.

Three Stars: 3) Ty Smith (goal) 2) Joel Blomqvist (20 saves) 1) Joona Koppanen (goal, assist)

The Good: Nice to see that they get to the all star break third in the division all things considered. Could be slightly better, sure, but could be a lot worse.

The Bad: The power play is a mess, but they are better (if that makes sense) shorthanded.

Turning Point: The Koppanen shorthanded bid gets it here. You could feel the Phantoms making a push, then they go on a power play in the third down one but Koppanen lets all the air out of the balloon.

Around the Division: Providence beats Charlotte 4-2 … Springfield beats Hartford 6-3 … Hershey shuts out Bridgeport 4-0.

Standings: Hershey 74 – Providence 61 – Penguins 54 – Hartford 51 – Springfield 47 – Charlotte 46 – Lehigh Valley 43 – Bridgeport 31

Wheeling Update: Nailers win 4-3 over the Orlando Solar Bears. Justin Addamo with the OT game winning goal and a goal in regulation.

Video Highlights: I will check for them and edit where I can, but bookmark the AHL Video Center.

They are off till next Friday and I am assume will enjoy the week. You do the same. We will be back here Friday for a Gameday setup against these same Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Yep, I am going old school next Friday as next Friday is the only game they are playing next weekend.

Let’s Go Pens!