Chirps from Center Ice

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0                              5

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I think they got the message, if there was a message. But I am thinking there was a message.

After, let’s just say, not their nest effort Friday against Charlotte, the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins respond in kind and shutout the visiting Hartford Wolf Pack 5-0 on Saturday night. 31 saves for Filip Larsson, tying him for the lead in the AHL in that department.

The kid is good. Really good.

A good game against a beatable opponent. You come off a bad game Friday and a back up playing like an All-Star starter gets you a shutout, and it’s a recipe for success for the home team.

Here’s how they lined up. Hartford didn’t post lines which is criminal. It’s 2025. Post the lines!

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Lineup Notes: Valtteri Puustinen returned from injury and replaced Joona Koppanen. Defensively, Filip Kral and Colton Poolman (making his WBS debut) were in for Mats Lindrgen and Isaac Belliveau.

First Period: Penguins were getting outshot 8-1 at one point and it looked like the third period against Charlotte with the Penguins getting hemmed in. But, on a delayed call against Hartford, Rutger McGroarty stuffed one past Tayln Boyko to give the Penguins the 1-0 lead.

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They were still outshot in the period but quality beat quantity here.

Second Period: On a power play, McGroarty scored his second of the night on the back door and the Penguins had a dreaded 2-0 lead.

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I say dreaded because they were in this spot the night before with Charlotte and the Checkers score three straight in the games final 39:57 plus overtime to win. Surely, this couldn’t happen again?

It didn’t. And if you call me Shirley again, we will step outside.

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That’s Vasily Ponomarev catching a nice feed from Filip Kral which made it 3-0 Wilkes-Barre.

Third Period: So if you are wondering where I am going with the headline, the Penguins have partnered with Abide Coffee Shop in downtown Wilkes-Barre that if the Penguins score four goals, everyone gets a free coffee.

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Make sure you thank Emil Bemström if you see him in town for the free cup of Joe.

I like mine straight black, no cream or sugar. If you know me professionally, you know I drink a ton of it.

What’s worse, I started dabbling in an afternoon tea a time or two as well.

They don’t sponsor the blog (I wouldn’t mind it, considering I drink a ton of it) but if you were at the game last Saturday and were wondering how to get a free cup if you are in the downtown area…

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Bemstrom would score again, making it 5-0 Penguins and for his effort, Hartford defenseman Connor Mackey would two hand chop Bemstrom behind the knee.

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Clip above doesn’t show the slash, but Mackey and somehow Bemstrom would be thrown out of the game by referees Alex Lepkowski and Austin Rook. I thought the duo were okay this weekend in both games, but for this incident here. How does a guy get his leg chopped off and get thrown out of the game? Baffling.

The only question was whether Larsson would do the thing or if McGroarty would get a hat trick.

Yes to Larsson, no to McGroarty.

Three Stars: 3) Vasiliy Ponomarev (goal, assist) 2) Filip Larsson (31 saves) 1) Rutger McGroarty (two goals)

The Good: I liked the response from Friday. I still don’t think they are really good, because Hartford isn’t the stiffest of competition. Do this against any competition of Hershey, Charlotte or Providence, then we may be onto something.

The Bad: Seriously, the guy gets two hand chopped and get thrown out of the game?

Turning Point: The Ponomarev goal which made it three late in the second was enough charge to get the Penguins two more and their goaltender a 31 save shutout.

Around the Division: Rochester beats Bridgeport 6-3…Lehigh Valley beats Syracuse 3-2 in overtime…Hershey and Providence went to a shootout and Hershey wins 4-3.

Standings: Hershey 43 – Charlotte 41 – Penguins 39 – Providence 38 – Lehigh Valley 35 – Hartford 31 – Springfield 29 – Bridgeport 18

Wheeling Update: Nailers get throttled in Norfolk 9-3. What’s the bar scene down there in Hampton Roads? They dressed the same lineup….

Video Highlights: 

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They are on the road now for the next two weeks traveling to Canada. It begins Wednesday in Toronto. I will have the AHL Power Rankings for you here Monday afternoon then the Weekend Setup, (it’ll be heavily Senator themed, since they will see the Belleville Senators in three of the next four games after the Toronto game) on Wednesday. Talk to you then.

Let’s Go Pens!