Chirps from Center Ice

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So the optimist says that these teams are so evenly matched that a first round playoff series is destiny in the stars.

The pessimist says that they had them where they waned them then let off and let them back in and let them beat them.

Charlotte wins 4-2, after the Penguins had them down 2-0 Saturday night.

Team loss, that is you can’t blame goaltending or lack of offense or anything. The Penguins had a late power play, Charlotte killed it, and scored seconds later to make to 3-2.

Third place is getting tight. The Penguins occupy third with 64 points. Hartford, idle Saturday, is on 61 points with four games in hand and Charlotte is on 60 points.

Here’s how they lined up.

Lineup Notes: No changes up front, Jack Rathbone (injured) out for Owen Headrick.

First Period: Vinnie Hinostroza and Sam Poulin continued their torrent weekend, connecting for a Hinostroza goal that gives the Penguins a 1-0 lead.

Poulin takes a hit to make a play and it results in a goal.

Later, Poulin and Hinostroza would assist on an Austin Rueschhoff power play goal that makes it 2-0 Penguins.

Five assists this weekend for Sam Poulin. Makes me upset (kinda) that they don’t have a Sunday game because I would like to see Poulin take a run at AHL Player of the Week honors. Still an outside chance.

Second Period: Then they hit a roadblock. Couldn’t’ generate any offense. Then Zac Dalpe scores to give the Checkers some jump heading into the third intermission.

Magnus Hellberg was tested in the period and in parts I thought he was fine but of course he is going to want that one back.

Third Period: Teams ice the puck when they don’t have an answer otherwise when the team they are playing is bearing down on them. Watch for that next time. I picked it up a few games ago and saw it in force in the third period here by the Penguins.

It was inevitable.

Uvis Balinskis with a shot from the point that I thought was deflected but wasn’t and Hellberg was screened badly and it’s a tie game.

Then the Penguins are given an opportunity for a power play at 13:59 of the third period with Dennis Cesana put in the penalty box for a high sticking minor. The Penguins play with it along the wall, Charlotte throws it out, they fight for possession, then entry, then play with it more along the wall then get some late desperation shots which don’t result in goals.

It was again, inevitable.

Michael Benning scores at 17:02 and Charlotte has a 3-2 lead.

That’s far too easy right there. Rasmus Asplund just steals it from Radium Zohorna and dishes to a streaking Benning for the goal there.

Penguins then call time out, pull Hellberg and a few patrons over in Section 110 think that they score, but referees Chris Rumble and Jared Cummins didn’t see it that way and then Mackie Samoskevich hit an empty net to ice it away for the Checkers.

Three Stars: 3) Jake Wise (two assists) 2) Zac Dalpe (goal, assist) 1) Michael Benning (game winning goal)

The Good: Stay hot Vinnie and Sam!

The Bad: Pittsburgh may be sellers at the deadline, have we seen the last of these two?

Turning Point: Couple paragraphs up, the Rasmus Asplund robbery of Radim Zohorna setting up Michael Benning for the go ahead goal gets it here.

Rejected Headline: Bennie’s Biscuits. I assume they call Benning ‘Bennie’

Around the Division: Hershey loses 1-0 at home to Utica….Bridgeport beats Lehigh Valley 2-1….Springfield beats Laval 7-3.

Standings: Hershey 85 – Providence 73 – Penguins 64 – Hartford 61 – Charlotte 60 – Springfield 55 – Lehigh Valley 51 – Bridgeport 41

Wheeling Update: Nailers are out in Fort Wayne and are losing last I checked. Box here.

Video Highlights: 

Three straight against Lehigh Valley and with the current form of the Phantoms, six points are just laying there begging you pick them up and put them in your pocket.

Gotta get through the trade deadline though. Should be a fun ride.

Talk to you next Friday, sooner if I have to.

Let’s Go Pens!