Nothing fancy as I write this in the fly on a busy (for me) Wednesday. Short week with being off Monday and again this Friday, so it’s a three day work week. Instead of boring you with the details, let’s get into it.
Kiss the bye goodbye. A Riley Tufte shot with 26.3 seconds to play in regulation give the visiting Providence Bruins a 3-2 regulation win Wednesday night in Wilkes-Barre. The Penguins cannot finish any higher than third now and are guaranteed to face either the Lehigh Valley Phantoms or Springfield Thunderbirds in a first round best of three series likely starting next week.
Here’s how they lined up:
Lineup Notes: Matty De St. Phalle for Nolan Renwick up front, Sebastian Aho for Filip Kral (recalled) on defense. Taylor Gauthier backed up Joel Blomqvist.
First Period: Both teams killed the others penalty. I was surprised Providence went DiPietro in net. Atley Calvert slammed home a goal at the expiration of a power play for the Penguins.
Striking first was likely in the game plan.
Second Period: Bruins outshoot the Penguins 16-10 in the period, dominate zone time, puck possession, you name it. The Pens stayed disciplined and didn’t take a penalty but it was a Dans Lačmelis deflection of a Chris Ortiz shot that tied the game at one for the visitors.
For as dominant that the Bruins were for the period, getting beat on a deflection is something that you can live with.
Penguins failed to score on the only power play awarded to them in the period.
Third Period: Joel Blomqvist was under bombardment in the period, facing 20 shots. The Penguins managed only six.
One of those shots was here when Emil Bemstrom through a backhand shot at the net in the rare offensive zone time the Penguins did enjoy in the period that gave them a 2-1 lead.
But Providencewould respond in kind with a power play goal by Bruins captain Patrick Brown who willed a puck past Blomqvist and in that tied the game at two.
Questionable interference call made by referee Patrick Hanrahan. I thought he and Rob Hennessey understood the assignment coming in, only calling what needed to be called, which wasn’t a ton, but this call didn’t need to be made in my opinion.
Wilkes-Barre sweats through another power play for Providence late and with time dwindling it looked like we were headed to overtime.
Nope.
Get ready for that First Round series with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, buddy.
Three Stars: 3) Patrick Brown (goal) 2) Dans Ločmelis (goal, assist) 1) Riley Tufte (game winning goal)
The Good: Joel Blomqvist had a hell of a game and was the only reason it wasn’t a blowout for the Bruins. There should be no doubt that he isn’t up to the task when playoffs start next week.
The Bad: Bruins win their 12th straight against the Penguins, sweeping the season series and keeping the league’s 2nd best power play off the scoresheet. This club masters the Penguins and, despite the fact Wilkes-Barre will be loaded by Pittsburgh in about 48 hours, I don’t like their chances against the Bruins in a five game series.
Turning Point: Do you need me to spell it out in crayon? Tufte’s goal gets it here.
Around the Division: Doesn’t matter really, but Charlotte wins 3-2 over Hartford and Syracuse beats Hershey 3-2 in overtime.
Standings: Hershey 94 – Charlotte 90 – Providence 88 – Penguins 86 – Lehigh Valley 76 – Springfield 74 – Hartford 67 – Bridgeport 37
Wheeling Update: Nailers lose Game 1 of their best of seven with Norfolk at the Scope 4-0.
Video Highlights: Aren’t up yet. Don’t think you’d want to see them.
Back at it Friday in Hershey.
Let’s Go Pens!
WBS News
Chirps from Center Ice 