Chirps from Center Ice

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3                                2

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No one else will say it, so I will say it.

I think they are slumping.

You saw it against a bad Bridgeport team that yes, they shutout last Friday and in the first half last Saturday against Cleveland and much more against stiffer competition Tuesday in Hershey.

Mistakes here and there and a lack of execution. They sucked Friday against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms who hung around like an unwanted houseguest and the Penguins lose 3-2 in a shootout.

No slowing down now, Hershey is less than 24 hours away.

Here’s how they lined up…

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Lineup Notes: Scooter Brickey for Nikolai Knyzhov was the only change they made on defense.

First Period: You could see signs it was going to be a slog. Sam Poulin tips in a shot in front to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead…

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But the Phantoms hung around and it was only a one goal lead heading into the…

Second Period: Lehigh Valley scores on a sequence where Joel Blomqvist is bowled over.

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No call on the ice by the referee, who huddled with the other officials and then signaled goal.

Look, it isn’t reviewable. Even if it was, no one knows what goaltender interference is anyway.

I think there’s a case both ways. Scooter Brickey checks Massimo Rizzo onto Blomqvist. There’s no whistle and the puck goes in. If there’s no infraction for Rizzo bowling over Blomqvist, then the goal should stand.

Wilkes-Barre responds in kind via a late Tristan Broz power play goal and the Penguins retook the lead.

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Third Period: Penguins had a few opportunities to make it a 3-1 lead and couldn’t.

Exhibit A: Puck hits both posts and stays out. In the ensuing play, Parker Gahagen goes down and needs a minute to regain himself but Wilkes-Barre can’t score as he’s prone on the ice.

Jacob Gaucher deflects a Phantoms power play goal to tie the game at two for the visitors.

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Exhibit B: Penguins get a power play at about halfway of the period and cannot score.

A month or so ago, I think they do.

They somehow manage to get to overtime.

Overtime: Solved nothing. Wilkes-Barre possessed for about three and a half minutes if not longer, couldn’t score. A month ago I think they do.

Shootout: Parker Gahagen stops all three shooters he sees (Ville Koivunen, Emil Bemstrom, Tristan Broz) and Joel Blomqvist stops Olle Lycksell and Samu Tuomaala but not Rodrigo Ābols in the bottom of the third and the Phantoms take the extra point.

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Three Stars: 3) Samu Tuomaala (goal) 2) Jacob Gaucher (goal) 1) Rodrigo Ābols (assist, shootout winning goal)

The Good: Managed a point they probably didn’t deserve.

The Bad: I think they are becoming one dimensional. Like, they are good and the talent is there, but teams get film on you and can counter. It’s doing the same thing over and over and expecting results you had at the start of 2025.

Turning Point: I think the lack of success on the last power play they had late bit them badly.

Around the Division: There’s no meat on the schedule on this Friday despite Lent not starting for a few more weeks. Providence beat Utica 5-1.

Standings: Hershey 63 – Penguins 57 – Providence 57 – Charlotte 55 – Lehigh Valley 52 – Springfield 51 – Hartford 45 – Bridgeport 27

Wheeling Update: Nailers were off.

Video Highlights: Let’s keep whistling past this graveyard tonight.

Back at it Saturday against Hershey.

Let’s Go Pens!