Chirps from Center Ice

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Alexis Gendron is developing into a problem for the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins.

Five games played between these two teams and Gendron has four goals scored against the Penguins after a pair Wednesday night. One of them was a late goal which tied the game and forced overtime, where the Penguins fell 4-3 on a power play goal scored by Olle Lycksell.

Here’s how they lined up.

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Lineup Notes: Boko Imama for Sam Poulin, although not directly. No changes on defense.

First Period: Smooth period overall but for a late goal by Louie Belpedio in the final minute of the period. Belpedio ripped a shot from the blue line which got past Larsson via what looked like double screen which put the Phantoms on the board first.

https://twitter.com/LVPhantoms/status/1856868524439859533

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Second Period: Penguins wouldn’t waste anytime in tying the game, then taking the lead.

It would take :16.

Isaac Belliveau takes a shot and it pinballs in front and Marc Johnstone puts the goal away to put the Penguins on the board.

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1856871715810197838

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That fourth line was the right line to put out there at that time because it got them a goal and kickstarted the next line to do this…

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1856871756344315947

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They would trade a few power plays but no one would score then the Phnatoms starting taking risks but Larsson was up to the challenge. Then a fluke clear by Garrett Wilson out of his zone is collected by Alexis Gendron who scored to tie the game again with this shot here…

https://twitter.com/LVPhantoms/status/1856877739740914110

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Don’t know what happened there.

Third Period: One of the early notes in the period was that Nick Hart wasn’t able to see Corey Andonovski on the Penguins bench and that jumbled up the lines.

Penguins continued to take silly penalties and one of them was a puck over glass delay of game but they managed to get out of that clean.

Owen Pickering scores his first professional goal with a Phantoms player draped all over him to give the Penguins a late lead.

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1856891863480807650

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Nice play there.

But then they lose Gendron, who just turns on the afterburners and uses an old school snapshot to beat Larsson off the rush.

https://twitter.com/LVPhantoms/status/1856890574856389006

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Speak for yourself, Phantoms admin. This is a Penguins blog.

Ville Koivunen would take a late cross checking penalty and the Phantoms 2nd best power play would get a late chance to win the game in regulation.

They did not win the game in regulation.

Overtime: Rather, they won the game in overtime.

https://twitter.com/LVPhantoms/status/1856892535542587903

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Penguins just could not get a clear when they needed one and it cost them the extra point, or at least a chance at one there in the moment.

Three Stars: 3) Louie Belpedio (goal) 2) Alexis Gendron (two goals) 1) Olle Lycksell (overtime game winning goal, assist)

The Good: Again they are gritting out points I don’t think they have any business being aware with how young and silly they are playing. Imagine if this were a veteran group? It’s a good thing, by the way, that they are getting these points.

The Bad: I don’t know, maybe mark that Gendron guy next time, he’s been killing you. The Belpedio goal was a double screen, the Lycksell goal came on a power play and theirs is good. Alexis Gendron won them this game and he’s a problem.

Turning Point: Usually the power play goal in overtime would get the distinction, but sticking with the theme, give Gendron’s second goal that tied it with 1:33 to play it here.

Around the Division: Very strange that on a Wednesday there were no other Atlantic Division teams playing. They all watched us.

Standings: Hershey 21 – Penguins 17- Charlotte and Lehigh Valley 15 – Providence and Hartford 12 – Springfield 9 – Bridgeport 6

Wheeling Update: The Nailers were off, but will be playing Friday when they host the Indy Fuel.

Video Highlights: I think you saw all you needed to see above. If I see a video highlight package I will try to run the edit, but you should get the gist.

Enjoy the Friday off, I checked the December schedule and there are three Wednesday home games in that month. 🙄

Let’s Go Pens!