Chirps from Center Ice

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6                             3

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Six unanswered goals from six different players see the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins storm back in a big way over the Bridgeport Islanders and win 6-3 to start the 2025-26 season 4-0.

They looked completely out of sorts to open the game, falling down 3-0 in a span of 6:17 and looked out to lunch. But a Ryan Graves goal late in the second period kickstarted a third period comeback for the ages.

I don’t know what it means yet, but if you made me guess, usually a ton of good. Bridgeport had the look of a team that would give the Penguins fits that they will see eight times this season but the Penguins swatted them away in the third period like flies. A lot to like in these first four games.

Here’s how they lined up, the Islanders didn’t post a lines graphic. Where have you gone, Mike Fornabaio?

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Lineup Notes: But for the shuffling of bodies in and out, Sam Poulin moved up from 2LW to 3C, Danton Heinen and Avery Hayes to second line with Atley Calvert; Valtteri Puustinen in at 3RW. Sebastian Aho made his debut on defense for Finn Harding.

First Period: Could not have gone worse.

First power play of the game, Sam Poulin tries to force a pass at Ryan Graves and Adam Jeffries starts a two on none and scores to open the scoring for the Islanders.

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Adam Beckman scored on the backdoor and that was followed by Hunter Drew with Alex Alevyev standing by and watching. Oof.

Three goals in 6:17. Not good!

Ville Koivunen was denied by Parker Gahagen, who still had his Phantoms goalie mask on from last year when he stymied Wilkes-Barre in the Calder Cup Playoffs and then a late little push for the Penguins at the end of the period.

Second Period: The Islanders didn’t score any goals and the Penguins had a lot of chances to get back into the game, including a two man advantage for 1:26 but weren’t able to score. They looked like a team that didn’t have it.

But Ryan Graves put them on the board with this screaming shot over the teams of Gahagen.

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Third Period: How’s the saying go? A 1,000 mile journey begins with a single step?

Step 1. Rafaël Harvey-Pinard.

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Hell of a setup here. Harbinger of things to come.

Step 2. Sam Poulin.

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Initial Owen Pickering shot but Poulin there following the rebound.

Step 3. Ville Koivunen for the lead!

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Just spilling pucks in front of the Penguins is not going to end well for teams in the Atlantic Division.

Step 4. I think you get the point here, but Danton Heinen.

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I mean the Penguins weren’t putting any bodies on the Islanders in the first period, and Bridgeport was reciprocating the effort in the third.

Step 5. Shorthanded Atley Calvert.

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With a release like that you are crazy if you consider taking him out of the lineup or even think of sending him back to Wheeling.

Comeback complete.

Three Stars: 3) Adam Beckman (goal, assist) 2) Sam Poulin (goal, assist) 1) Danton Heinen (goal, two assists)

The Good: Never out of it, they finally woke up and took care of business.

The Bad: These starts aren’t sustainable once teams get film on you. Kirk MacDonald can’t be happy with that start but has to be thrilled with the finish.

Turning Point: Boy it seemed like the game chased it all night, but let’s give it to Ville Koivunen for the lead. Bridgeport was on tilt at that point and this goal here sealed their fate.

Around the Division: Charlotte beats the still winless Iowa Wild 4-1….Hershey gets their first win of the season with a 5-1 throttling of the Springfield Thunderbirds….Providence is still undefeated with a 5-2 thrashing of the still winless Hartford Wolf Pack. Lehigh Valley sweeps the Cleveland Monsters out in Ohio with a 3-2 shootout win.

Standings: Penguins and Providence 8….Charlotte 6, Lehigh Valley 5, Hershey and Bridgeport 3 and Springfield and Hartford 0.

Wheeling Update: I am actually typing up the recap while watching the Nailers and Cincinnati Cyclones on Flo. It’s 3-3 late in the third but probably over by the time you read this. Box here.

Video Highlights: AHL Video Center is normally your best bet in these road games.

Back at it Wednesday when they return home to take on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, then hit the road again for a weekend series in Charlotte.

Let’s Go Pens!