Chirps from Center Ice

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4                          5

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They had them seemingly right where they wanted them, up 3-0 and seemingly cruising against the back to back to back Calder Cup Champions who were at just about 100% and well rested. I noted this, and as I was typing it out I was wondering if it was a bit of foreshadowing…

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A nice way to say that a Penguins team who has sucked these past weeks was cruising against a team that makes it look easy.

Foreshadowing, kid, foreshadowing.

Hershey then goes on to score three straight to tie it, Pens score eight seconds later to re-take the lead, Bears score again late and then again in overtime to win 5-4.

Stunning way to lose. They bussed straight from Syracuse and blitzkrieged past Wilkes-Barre sometime late last night and woke up in Hershey. Players talked about. how it was an important game per Nick Hart on radio. To meltdown like this, feels like a low point. No lead is safe when you are trailing against the Penguins.

It ain’t that deep, but it still sucks going down like this.

Here’s how they lined up. I hope the embeds work!

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Lineup Notes: Only lineup was Klassen making his AHL debut as noted above for Mathias Laferriere.

First Period: Tristan Jarry was bailed out by his posts twice. One puck leaked through him bounced off the post and rolled on the line but never crossed and the other hit the post and stayed under him. Two Penguins goals sandwiched these sequences. One from Rutger McGroarty on the Penguins now second ranked power play and the other from Valtteri Puustinen off a great feed from Ville Koivunen from the blue line. Here’s those goals and again I hope the embeds work here.

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Also, Avery Hayes had a great chance in the slot and tried to lift a backhander but Clay Stevenson was up to task on the bid.

Second Period: There were a lot of power plays for both sides in the period, but both teams struck at even strength with Ville Koivunen netting a goal here that made the score 3-0 for the Penguins.

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Just a clean wrister that beat Stevenson there.

Mind you, this Hershey Bears team is at just about 100% here and well rested, having only played six games in the month of February and idle Friday.

But even when that thought creeps into your head that, “hey the Pens are really running up the score here, how will Herhey respond?” They respond.

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Ivan Miroshnichenko nets himself a goal for the home team.

They sweat through a few late Hershey kills and had to kill a leftover penalty heading into the…

Third Period: Penguins were under bombardment to open the period and did not have a shot on goal for ten minutes.

There aren’t many teams that can withstand this and fewer that can on the road against the 13 time Champions. It was inevitable.

Mike Vecchione tip in front. It’s 3-2.

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Miroshnichenko again and it’s a tie game.

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But eight seconds later, Boris Katchouk feeds Valtteri Puustinen and the Penguins somehow are back in the driver seat.

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Pierrick Dube scores and it’s tied again.

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Couple things. It’s cool to make a save. It’s also cool to maybe stop them from o-zone time and having shot after shot after shot shoved down your goaltenders throat. It’s also cool to call timeout and reset the group because if I could see it from my couch, what are they seeing from the bench feet away?

I don’t want to think low point of the season, given standings position and all.

They managed to get it to…

Overtime: But no matter the outcome here, Hershey would stay in first.

Didn’t matter.

Pierrick Dube scores in overtime to give the Bears the extra point and send a crowd of over 10,500 fans happy.

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Three Stars: 3) Valtteri Puustinen (two goals, assist) 2) Ivan Miroshnichenko (two goals) 1) Pierrick Dube (two goals, assist)

The Good: I guess a point is cool.

The Bad: More points given away to the opponent. I am telling you, get ready for the First Round series against Lehigh Valley, buddy.

Turning Point: Dube’s goals that tie it and win it here.

Around the Division: Hartford loses in a shootout 3-2. That had to hurt because the Wolf Pack scored an own goal.

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So it isn’t all that bad, in scope.

Elsewhere, Charlotte wins 4-1 over Cleveland, Lehigh Valley beats Bridgeport 5-3 and Springfield wins in a shootout over Providence 4-3.

Standings: Hershey 69 – Penguins and Providence 66 – Charlotte 64 – Lehigh Valley 63 – Springfield 60 – Hartford 51 – Bridgeport 30

Wheeling Update: Adirondack turns the tables on the Nailers and beat them 7-4.

Video Highlights: Only if you dare.

Back at it Tuesday against the Belleville Senators from the comfort of home. Power Rankings Monday and the Weekend Preview for you Tuesday.

Let’s Go Pens!