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Wednesday it was face-offs that sunk the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins.
Friday in Hershey, it was penalties.
Chase Priskie’s power play goal late in the third period was the game winner in this one, a 4-1 Bears win over the Penguins. Hershey had seven power plays in the game and Priskie scores on the last one. Hershey turned it into a runaway as the Penguins, who went 0/5 on the power play Friday, were trying to get the game even and pulled starting goaltender Joel Blomqvist when Hershey hit two shorthanded empty nets from over 100 feet away.
Jordan Deckard and Adam Tobias were in charge Friday. Those two make the trek up I-81 and will be with you live again running amok when the Pens host the Bridgeport Islanders Saturday night.
Here’s how they lined up:
Lineup Notes: The Pittsburgh Penguins traded Alex Nylander to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday for Emil Bemstrom. Bemstrom is a right wing. Matthew Phillips, who Washington tried to send to Hershey but the Penguins claimed on waivers plays right wing. Phillips was the Calgary Wranglers leading scorer last season. Calgary was the AHL’s best team last season. It’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when Pittsburgh waives Phillips, Washington reclaims him and Hershey obliterates everything in their path like they have in all season. The Bears don’t need the help, but they are going to get it.
That’s the second time this season Pittsburgh has traded Wilkes-Barre’s leading scorer. Rem Pitlick to Chicago for 2026 considerations, now Alex Nylander. Ty Smith, you’re probably next.
Magnus Hellberg was sent back to Coal Street Thursday but it was Taylor Gauthier who backed up.
Matt Filipe and Taylor Fedun were back from injury. They went 11/7 again. Dillon Hamaliuk was assigned to Wheeling in the morning and reassigned back to the AHL in the afternoon. Radim Zohorna was out, with Peter Abbandonato. Seven players injured right now for the Penguins.
First Period: Jonathan Gruden scored a shorthanded goal on a breakaway on this nice setup by Raivis Ansons.
Wilkes-Barre held Hershey to just a pair of shots but then Ryan Hofer scored a low quick shot that beat Joel Blomqvist that tied the game at one.
Second Period: Not a lot of action because the period was marred by penalties. Five total. Adam Tobias and Jordan Deckard were getting their monies worth. Foreshadowing in case you missed the lede, the Penguins will see these two whistle blowers Saturday when they host Bridgeport.
Third Period: I mean the penalties continued. It felt like a preseason game. Tensions were running high and it felt like Deckard / Tobias were losing control. When you call 900 penalties in game and become too controlling, you tend to lose control at some point.
Chase Priskie nets a power play goal for the Bears on their seventh opportunity on the night.
Wilkes-Barre would get a chance at a late power play (Deckard and Tobias didn’t discriminate) so J.D. Forrest called time out. A fumbled pass by Vinnie Hinostroza was picked off by Ryan Strome who scored from about 180 feet away. Later Bogdan Trineyev scored another shorthanded, empty net goal.
Three Stars: 3) Matt Strome (goal, assist) 2) Ryan Hofer (goal) 1) Chase Priskie (goal)
The Good: Despite all of the penalties, they stayed step for step with the Bears. Again, you need to play a perfect game if you want to beat Hershey. Giving the Bears seven power play opportunities is hardly a perfect game plan.
The Bad: The captain had six PIMs. Taylor Fedun has to be the most ineffective captains in the history of the franchise.
Turning Point: It’s Priskie’s power play goal. No sense in overthinking it.
Around the Division: Hartford loses in Springfield 6-3….Providence beats Cleveland 4-3 in overtime.
Standings: Hershey 83 – Providence 67 – Penguins 60 – Hartford 58 – Charlotte 53 – Springfield 53 – Lehigh Valley 49 – Bridgeport 37
Wheeling Update: Nailers lose 5-3 at home to Fort Wayne.
Video Highlights:
Back at it Saturday at home against Bridgeport.
Let’s Go Pens!
WBS News
Chirps from Center Ice 