Here’s a snapshot of the Atlantic Division Standings through Sunday, December 8.
2. PENGUINS – 19 GP – 25 points
3. Springfield – 22 GP – 25 points
4. Charlotte – 19 GP – 25 points
Yes. It’s tight. Really tight. And, oh by the way, the Penguins play both of these teams this week, Charlotte twice.
Music to Set the Mood…
–
Not really a country fan, but it kind of fits here.
A Quote…
I need some leg room here…
– Me, only every day.
Lots of tight spaces in cars, under tables, desks and my seat in Section 104.
The Setup…
Three game home stand with the Charlotte Checkers on Wednesday and Friday and then the Springfield Thunderbirds on Saturday, and a gripe about this weeks officiating assignments.
It’s an important week for all three teams, I would say more so the Pens and Checkers, because they play each other twice. And you can argue that the team that say, wins the week, will be in a good position to hold onto the second seed in the Atlantic and maybe, just maybe, pursue Hershey for the lead come January or so.
The Penguins got stomped by the two ursine named teams in the division in Hershey and Providence by a 6-1 score on Wednesday and a 5-0 score on Sunday. Both games stung. They looked great the Saturday before in Hershey and got smoked at home Wednesday against the Bears then get outshot 17-3 in the first period Sunday to a team playing their third game in as many days. It’s unacceptable. I told you Wednesday that Bears head coach Todd Nelson was incensed at his teams effort the Saturday prior to when they lost to the Penguins. Could the same be said about Kirk MacDonald? I have no idea but I guess the answer would be yes. Doesn’t show, though.
The Penguins did beat the Hartford Wolf Pack 6-2 on Saturday on the road scoring a pair of power play goals and a pair of shorthanded goals, so the bounce back after a bad loss is there, it would seem.
Charlotte split shutouts with the Rochester Americans at home last week and the Springfield Thunderbirds sweep the weekend with wins over the Bridgeport Islanders and Rockford IceHogs, both in overtime. The Thunderbirds are one of the hottest teams in the AHL, winning 8-1-1 in their last ten and winners of four straight.
Records
Should have gave those to you in the second paragraph, right? The Penguins are 12-6-1, the Checkers are 11-5-1-2 and the Thunderbirds are 12-9-1.
Who’s Up? Who’s Down? Who’s Out?
They just started to get healthy with Corey Andonovski back Sunday in Providence and then it was announced that Emil Bemström, Raivis Ansons and Jack St. Ivany were all out. St. Ivany is week to week and the other two are day to day. They lost Mac Hollowell and possibly Nikolai Knyzhov Sunday in Providence as well.
How do they come out in the first ten minutes against Charlotte on Wednesday? If they are lifeless, the Checkers may bite them. Then the rematch Friday. Are they scrambling after a bad or close loss Wednesday or in their heads if they win Wednesday? Who knows when Springfield comes in Saturday. Springfield won’t be playing at all this week, so they will get the Penguins playing their third game in four nights while the Thunderbirds are fresh, likely bussing in on Friday.
If Kirk MacDonald is the guy I think he is after one quarter to play in this season, he holds guys accountable and there’s roster shuffling. Although with injuries starting to hit some guys that don’t deserve it may end up playing anyway.
But that’s why you have Wheeling.
Who’s in Goal?
Have to think Blomqvist – Larsson – Blomqvist this week for the Pens.
Ken Appleby and Cooper Black for the Checkers Wednesday – Friday and then Colten Ellis for Springfield Saturday.
You don’t really think the wrong goalie is in Wheeling, do you?
You are never going to find out what you have with Taylor Gauthier, who has been in the organization for years and won all sorts of awards in the ECHL last year or Sergei Murashov who was named ECHL Goalie of the Month of November if you keep them buried there.
It’s worth having the discussion. Yes, Filip Larsson has two shutouts, but hasn’t won since November 9.
That’s my only gripe with the team right now is that I have zero confidence in Filip Larsson at this time.
Who’s Running the Show?
Okay, so here’s the thing. There are 88 referees on the roster this season. We are getting referee Mike Sullivan again Wednesday with Rob Hennessey and Patrick Dapuzzo and J.P. Waleski on the lines. We had Sullivan up in Providence Sunday. Where’s the variety?
The real kick in the pants is that Jordan Deckard and Jarrett Burton are going to be here Friday with Ryan Jackson and Kirsten Welsh on the lines. Why is that bad? The same crew is assigned to the Springfield game Saturday. Yeah, all four.
There’s no sense in having 88 referees when you only see maybe a quarter of those. You gotta mix it up. Send some of those refs that only work Pacific Division teams East and vice versa.
Looking Ahead…
Toronto stops in Wednesday, a Friday off (nice) and then Leigh Valley home Saturday and then a 5 o’clock start in Hershey on Sunday.
Give us a bold prediction…
We all make dentist appointments next week after we grind our teeth to dust. Pens split with the Checkers and take the Thunderbirds to overtime and find a way to win. Everything stays tight a week before Christmas.
WBS News
Chirps from Center Ice 
Referee Jarrett Burton for Friday and Saturday games played close to 200 games with the pens.