Chirps from Center Ice

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Well they got 27 saves from Sergei Musharov, a power play goal from Boris Katchouk and goals from Avery Hayes (his second of the weekend) Sam Poulin and Nate Clurman and beat the Springfield Thunderbirds 4-1 for their first win of the 2024-25 AHL season and Kirk MacDonald’s first win as head coach.

Now onto a home and home set with the Phantoms starting Friday in Wilkes-Barre, where this should pose an early test for two teams who meet 12 times this season.

Here’s how they lined up:

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1845534781343191256

https://twitter.com/ThunderbirdsAHL/status/1845540008335229129

Lineup Notes: Didn’t hear the pregame so I don’t have nay obscure update on the health of Dan Renouf, who was replaced by Scooter Brickey on defense. Boris Katchouk slotted in at the top line for Raivis Ansons up front, with a lineup which had all types of jumbled lines.

First Period: Nate Clurman puts the Penguins on the board five minutes in.

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I don’t know if that was a designed play or not, probably not when it’s Jim Huntingdon taking the shot, but the members bounce off the wall to a driving Nate Clurman was a nice setup and goal for the Penguins.

Pens took two penalties in the period but navigated through it fine.

Second Period: Wilkes-Barre tacks on two quick boom boom goals to go up 3-0.

Sam Poulin’s first of the season…

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Then Avery Hayes with his second of the weekend in front of the net like Saturday at hime against Charlotte…

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Two of the Penguins three goals were created of off turnovers. Nice dogged forechecking.

But then the Thunderbirds answer back with a goal from Mackenzie MacEachern when they fail to clear him out from the top of Musharov’s crease.

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I didn’t want to say, “uh-oh” at this point. I almost did, though.

Third Period: They navigated through the waters okay, Springfield with a good push as expected but the aggressiveness bit them as the Penguins were rewarded a power play and Boris Katchouk scored to make it 4-1 and essentially put the game out of reach for the home team.

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1845577793133822139

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That’s some neat, tight puck movement there. Let’s hope it continues.

Three Stars: 3) Sergei Musharov (27 saves) 2) Sam Poulin (goal) 1) Jim Huntingdon (two assists)

The Good: 10 goals in two games is pretty explosive start if you ask me.

The Bad: I was struggling to find one here, which I suppose is a good thing. Call the MacEachern goal that spoils the Musharov shutout the bad here, but that’s nitpicking.

Turning Point: I’ll give it to Katchouk and the power play goal scored here. Springfield was waiting for something to develop off of the late goal scored in the second and when it never did desperation set in and instead of fumbling the ball, Katchoul scored a goal to make it three and ice it away.

Around the Division: It’s my last night camping in 2024 so I don’t think I am sticking around for the Hershey / Cleveland game to go final, the box is here if you are so inclined…Charlotted looks like a good team, shutting out Bridgeport 3-0 in the only other games in the Atlantic on this Sunday afternoon in October.

Standings: Pens have two. It’s the first weekend of the regular season. Relax, it will be fine.

Wheeling Update: Nailers start next weekend, you know that if you read last night.

Video Highlights: Pens socials will have this. It’s unseasonably warm here in Gettysburg, so I am having a cigar after this publishes. I return home Monday.

Maybe a surprise return this week if I can get the time, if not, Weekend Preview is yours this Friday setting up the pair with the Phantoms.

Let’s Go Pens!