Chirps from Center Ice

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They didn’t have it tonight.

Down 3-1 to start the third period, the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins don’t register a shot until 9:56 into the third period. That shot, taken by Ville Koivunen, did go in.

But the Penguins would not get any closer and lost 3-2.

They lacked that same killer instinct that they had Wednesday at home against the Hershey Bears.

It happens. You can’t get mad at them, when they have this many games in hand on the rest of the division and the Checkers are their kryptonite this season.

They will rematch Saturday at 6. Don’t be late.

Here’s how they lined up:

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Lineup Notes: Up front Corey Andonovski was in for Avery Hayes. Atley Calvert jumped up to the second line. On defense, Scooter Brickey for Dan Renouf. Avery Hayes and Renouf are ill and if that’s the case, likely not on the trip.

First Period: Penguins had a pair of power plays but didn’t score on them. Instead, John Leonard scored this, highlight reel worthy goal, to give the Checkers their League leading 11th shorthanded goal and the Checkers a 1-0 lead.

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I mean it was pretty nice. Nothing Mac Hollowell could really do there either as Hollowell was playing Leonard tight. Leonard straight up spun off him and flung a backhander at Jarry that beat him.

Second Period: Charlotte put the puck in the net three times in the period but two times it didn’t count.

Will Lockwood did put the puck in the net early in the period when there were three Penguins watching it pinball around off of each other.

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Tilt!

Penguins connect on a power play goal when Sam Poulin scores to put the Penguins on the board and cut the deficit to one.

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But the flatfooted-ness continued for the Penguins and the Checkers would score in the final minute when Sandis Vilmanis scores to push the lead back out to two for the Checkers.

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Third Period: As I mentioned at the top, the Penguins didn’t record a shot until four seconds to half way but that attempt by Ville Koivunen did give the Penguins another lifeline.

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But, as also mentioned in the jump, the Penguins never had it and, despite pulling Tristan Jarry for the extra man, never got set in their zone and thus, never found the equalizer.

Three Stars: 3) Sandis Vilmanis (goal) 2) John Leonard (goal) 1) Will Lockwood (goal, assist)

The Good: Power play stays hot, getting a goal.

The Bad: Charlotte gives them fits. Styles make fights and all. They need to find a way to beat the Checkers because they are a team they will undoubtedly have to go through in late April, early May if they should qualify for a playoff berth.

Turning Point: The Vilmanis goal gets it here. Just a back breaking goal to give up in the final minute that sent them reeling to open the third.

Around the Division: Springfield is out in Des Moines playing the Iowa Wild in a game that started an hour later then the Penguins. That box is here. All the other Atlantic Division teams are final as this goes up around 10 p.m. on Friday. Providence beats Cleveland 4-2….Hershey survives Bridgeport 5-4…Laval beats Hartford 3-1. Lehigh Valley was one of two AHL teams (Bakersfield the other) not in action on Friday.

Standings: Hershey 59 – Providence and Charlotte 53 – Penguins 50 – Lehigh Valley 48 – Springfield 42, but they are still in action when this goes up, Hartford 40 – Bridgeport 24

Wheeling Update: Nailers are in Cincinnati and won in overtime 4-3. Matt Koopman got the goal, Taylor Gauthier stopped 31. Matty De St. Phalle had a goal and an assist.

Video Highlights: AHL VideoCenter may be your best bet for you sickos.

Back at it Saturday at 6. Who do you have winning the Royal Rumble?

Let’s Go Pens!