Chirps from Center Ice

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The dream start continues after a 4-1 win against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms Wednesday night at home. The Penguins are the first team to 10 points in the AHL this season.

Let’s get slamming here, some of us have work in the morning.

Here’s how they lined up:

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Lineup Notes: One defensemen comes off injury (Brickey) and another goes on (Sebastian Aho) but that eases up the veteran logjam they have for a bit. Aaron Huglen and Aiden McDonough came out for Boko Imama and Joona Koppanen up front and Finn Harding and the aforementioned Scooter Brickey drew in for Alex Alexeyev and Aho.

First Period: :19 into a power play Danton Heinen continues his hot play with a rebound goal that puts the Penguins ahead 1-0.

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Avery Hayes followed with a rebound goal of his own, this time at even strength when a Chase Pietila shot was stopped ad pinball in front and finally put home by Hayes that made it 2-0.

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Second Period: Alexis Gendron slams home a rebound on a power play that puts the Phantoms on the board at just :56 of the period and made it a one goal game.

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What’s with all the rebounds? Oh, yeah, the NBA is back this week, I forgot.

I think that goal woke them up a bit because they accelerated and tightened things up. Atley Calvert stuffed home a pass from Tristan Broz on a power play that made it 3-1 and then Ville Koivunen scored a pretty penalty shot goal that made it 4-1.

I wonder if the saves that Sergei Murashov made in this period made the highlight package below because ehe was dialed in after getting scored on.

Anyway here are the goals.

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Third Period: Breezed by and there was nothing to report. Referees Liam Maaskant and Rob Hennessey understood the assignment.

Three Stars: 3) Atley Calvert (goal, assist) 2) Ville Koivunen (goal, assist) 1) Sergei Murashov (26 saves)

The Good: I hesitate to use the term “wagon” here but the Penguins were in control of the game from the drop, and when they were scored on they got mad and scored more. Big test coming in the form of Charlotte and Providence so ask me in a week round this time if it is okay to start using the term “wagon.”

But it’s okay if you do it and it’s fun to see. Oh, and they were 2/2 on the power play.

The Bad: Can’t think of anything off the top of my head so let’s just move on.

Turning Point: The Koivunen penalty shot goal gets it here. A three goal lead seems insurmountable for opponents against this team at this time.

Around the Division: Hartford is in the win column with a 3-0 shutout of the Springfield Thunderbirds in the only other divisional action in the Atlantic on this Wednesday.

Standings: Penguins 10 – Providence 8 – Charlotte and Lehigh Valley 6 – Bridgeport and Hershey 3 – Hartford and Springfield 2.

Wheeling Update: Nailers are off until Saturday. They will be in Maine to take on the Mariners.

Video Highlights: 

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Back at it Friday from Charlotte, talk to you then.

Let’s Go Pens!