Chirps from Center Ice

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I hate when I send a tweet thinking I may use it later.

Background, Wilkes-Barre came into the third period up 1-0 on visiting Lehigh Valley. You all know what they did the night prior where they were down coming into the third and rallied to win.

A power play goal, a shorthanded goal and a goal off of a turnover were all the Lehigh Valley Phantoms needed. Oh, sure they tossed in a fourth goal just to be sure but the Phantoms win 4-2 Saturday night in Wilkes-Barre.

Let’s talk about the Penguins third periods of late, especially against this team. They can’t seem to hold a lead. They can’t seem to hold a lead at home.

Let’s get into this.

Here’s how they lined up:

Lineup Notes: I don’t know if anyone at 40 Coal still reads the blog anymore but the mention of who comes in and replaces who in the lineup graphic is really helpful vs. “Here’s who we’re rolling with tonight” or something else.

First Period: Teams traded a couple of power plays. Seemed like a bit of a slog. No scoring.

Second Period: Penguins get a goal from Ryan Shea with Sam Poulin buzzing the tower to give Wilkes-Barre a 1-0 lead.

Good goal, okay start, but you just knew that they needed more.

Third Period: They had some carryover power play time they weren’t able to score on. Then :13 into a Lukas Svejkovsky hook, Samu Tuomaala scores on a power play to tie the game at one.

Then Garrett Wilson, who was running his mouth all night, takes an unnecessary checking to the head 5:00 match penalty and is ejected from the game. He clipped Ty Smith who was fine, but the Penguins were on a power plat for 5:00.

Remember how I told you in the Weekend Preview that they needed to score a power play goal in every game in this miniseries?

They didn’t. Not only that but they gave up a shorthanded goal to go behind 2-1 when Brendan Furry scored on a mini breakaway.

Just. Brutal.

Worse? Taylor Fedun with a bonehead turnover in front of his net that ends up inside of it. Adam Brooks with the gift of a goal.

Good lord I just looked at that replay and Fedun gave it away twice.

Even Polei makes it 4-1 on a snipe.

Sam Poulin scores on a penalty shot that brings the Penguins within two…

…but they would get no closer and did not score on the power play.

Three Stars: 3) Parker Gahagen (30 saves) 2) Rhett Gardner (two assists) 1) Brendan Furry (goal)

The Good: Nice to see the building full and the fans seemed to have a good time for the first forty minutes at least.

The Bad: Didn’t like Svejkovsky’s game. Played too fast and loose. Seems like it’s one step forward with him and two steps back. Fedun’s turnover is inexcusable. The power play sucked despite getting a goal by default on the penalty shot by Poulin. Losing to a non-playoff team. I mean I could keep going but we lose an hour of sleep tonight.

Turning Point: Said it at the time, but the 5:00 major power play that they failed to score on but got scored on gets it here. Sometimes they are obvious.

Around the Division: Hartford picks up a point but loses in a shootout in Bridgeport 3-2….Hershey beats Charlotte 3-2….Springfield beats Toronto 5-1.

Standings: Hershey 88 – Providence 73 – Penguins 66 – Hartford 66 – Charlotte 62 – Springfield 57 – Lehigh Valley 55 – Bridgeport 47

Wheeling Update: Nailers rematched against Fort Wayne and won 4-3. Taylor Gauthier picks up the win with 30 saves.

Video Highlights: Not up yet. I doubt they are in a hurry. If I see them and can work an edit in, I will.

But for breaking news between now and Wednesday, talk to you then.

Let’s Go Pens!