Chirps from Center Ice

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I was away all weekend and didn’t take in either of the two home games in Wilkes-Barre this weekend. I didn’t see any live elephants in the Noah showing at Sight & Souud Theater this weekend in Ronks, PA. Just a large mechanical one which looked life like, but I had to use my imagination to believe it was real.

Highly recommend taking in a show down there.

Anyway, the Penguins, despite losing four straight, rattle off a 5-2 win Sunday afternoon in Bridgeport to give themselves a two game win streak heading into a very important game with the Providence Bruins while still trying to track down the Checkers for the second round bye.

Big, big, final week of the season for the Penguins who still control their own fate.

Here’s how they lined up Sunday…

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Bridgeport didn’t post lines.

First Period: The Penguins used the fact that Bridgeport is the worst team in the league and the worst team at home fact to their advantage. They scored three goals in the period, two by rookies, to go up three in the first period.

Gabe Klassen scored his first AHL goal with a nice setup by Logan Pietila, and both these guys notched their first AHL points.

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Then Nolan Renwick scored his second goal in as many nights (he scored Saturday vs. Springfield) on a backdoor play setup by Dan Renouf.

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Then Zach Gallant scored his first goal for the Penguins with this play here that made it 3-0.

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The Penguins couldn’t seemingly do anything wrong in the period, also killing a penalty.

Second Period: Bridgeport bit back in a big way.

The Islanders scored on a power play that cut the lead to one. Sergei Murashov made the save but left a rebound that Gleb Veremyev put in that got Bridgeport on the board.

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Gleb Veremyev is a hell of a name, by the way.

Then an Emil Bemstrom turnover led to a Ross Mitton goal that made it 3-2 in the final minute of the period that gave the Islanders the jump heading in the third.

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Big, big yikes.

Third Period: They settled, had to set through a Jack St. Ivany delay of game penalty and got a huge goal from Atley Calvert, stick handling in a phone booth to give the Penguins a 4-2 lead.

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Just a huge, huge goal.

Then, with. T.J. Semptimphelter pulled for an extra attacker, Sergei Murashov makes a huge save to keep it a two goal lead, then Avery Hayes puts a bow on it.

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Don’t normally show empty net goals, but the Murashov goal here makes it worth it.

Three Stars: 3) Ross Mitton (goal) 2) Atley Calvert (goal) 1) Zach Gallant (goal, assist)

The Good: Got the points needed in Bridgeport to keep the heat on Charlotte for second.

The Bad: This was the Islanders last home game in an epically bad, horrible season. You would think they would skate to center and acknowledge the fans in attendance for having them endure this embarrassing season? No. Just some half hearted stick raises as they came off the ice. I would be throwing my seat onto the ice trying to light the building on fire if that was me.

Turning Point: The Calvert goal gets it here.

Around the Division: Charlotte beats Utica 6-3 in the only other game in the division.

Standings: Hershey 93 – Charlotte 88 – Penguins 86 – Providence 86 – Lehigh Valley 76 – Springfield 74 – Hartford 67 – Bridgeport 37

Wheeling Update: Nailers lose in Quebec to the Lions 5-1.

Video Highlights: AHL VideoCenter you go.

Power Rankings sometime Monday afternoon, then I will set up the final week in the regular season the best I can for you Wednesday in the run up to the huge clash with the Providence Bruins.

Let’s Go Pens!