Chirps from Center Ice

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There’s no flies on Sam Poulin.

Coming back from injury, Poulin assists three times and the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins defeat the Charlotte Checkers 4-1 on Friday night in an important game for both teams.

Poulin had been playing well leading up to his recent injury, and he now has 21 points in 27 games.

Vinnie Hinostroza had a pailr of goals, including one on a power play that put the Penguins up 3-1 at the time.

Radim Zohorna had an empty net goal, also on a power play which iced the game away for the Penguins.

Joel Blomqvist stopped 21 shots.

Charlotte’s seven game point streak comes to an end.

These two teams rematch in Wilkes-Barre Saturday at 6.

Here’s how they lined up:

Lineup Notes: Coal Street really buried the lede with missing that Sam Poulin also made his lineup return. Other lineup notes were Radim Zohorna and Avery Hayes (also returning from injury) for Jonathan Gruden (recalled to Pittsburgh) Max Cajkovic and Taylor Fedun.

First Period: They looked flat, Joel Blomqvist bailed them out a bunch of times and got beat by Wilmer Skoog for a goal that put Charlotte on the board first and gave the Checkers a 1-0 lead.

Penalty filled first period. Nothing was getting past referees Liam Maaskant and Casey Terreri.

Second Period: Vinnie Hinostroza went to work.

The latter of which was a power play goal.

With Valtteri Puustinen in Pittsburgh and Alex Nylander traded, Wilkes-Barre will be leaning heavily on Hinostroza for offensive outputs. So, essentially carbon copies of games such as this going forward.

Third Period: Thing of beauty as Ryan Shea connects with Corey Andonovski who connects with Austin Rueschhoff who slams it home for a 3-1 Penguins lead and some breathing room.

Charlotte takes a penalty, goes with the empty net and Radim Zohorna outmuscles a guy for an empty net power play goal that ices the game away.

Ballgame.

Three Stars: 3) Austin Rueschhoff (goal) 2) Sam Poulin (three assists) 1) Vinnie Hinostroza (two goals)

The Good: Felt like a big game, was hyped up as such and they delivered after a rough start.

The Bad: Still can’t get a shutout, huh? Bummer.

Turning Point: The Rueschhoff / Andonovski connection for a goal and a two goal lead was big at the time and gets it here.

Around the Division: Hartford beats Laval clean 2-1….Utica shuts out Lehigh Valley 3-0….Providence beats Springfield 4-2.

Standings: Hershey 85 – Providence 73 – Penguins 64 – Hartford 61 – Charlotte 58 – Springfield 53 – Lehigh Valley 51 – Bridgeport 39

Wheeling Update: Nailers lose 2-1 in Cincinnati. Justin Lee with the goal for the Nailers. Taylor Gauthier stops 22.

Video Highlights: 

Back at it with the Checkers an hour earlier Saturday.

Let’s Go Pens!