Chirps from Center Ice

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So they are checking all the boxes.

First place in the AHL? Check.

Lead the league in offense? Check.

One of the stingiest teams in the league? Check.

Top ten in power play and penalty kill? Check and check.

Two of your players in the top three in AHL scoring? Check and check.

You get the idea.

The only thing they were missing in this young season was a shutout from one of their goaltenders.

Sergei Murashov checked that box, as the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins shutout the Charlotte Checkers 4-0 with a 25 save from their goaltender.

This team is firing on all cylinders, so just buy the ticket and take the ride.

These two teams rematch Saturday in Charlotte. Charlotte is notoriously hard to sweep at home. We will see how tomorrow goes.

Here’s how they lined up…

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Lineup Notes: Aidan McDonough for Rafaël Harvey-Pinard on the top line; Raivis Ansons and Aaron Huglen for Gabe Klassen and Mathieu De StPhalle on the fourth line and Alex Alexeyev in for Scooter Brickey on defense.

First Period: Alexeyev made his presence felt immediately, throwing a puck at the net which pinball off of all 6’8 of Cooper Black and into the net that gave the Penguins an early 1-0 lead.

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Penguins had to kill what was essentially back to back penalties, at the expiration of the second penalty, Danton Heinen busts up a lazy D to D pass by Charlotte and bumps the puck to a just exiting the box Ville Koivunen who scores on a breakaway to make it 2-0.

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You know that when it rains it pours, that can also go the other way when things are going good, like they seem to be now.

Second Period: Penguins were making short work of the Checkers power play and getting some shorthanded bids in them with no success. Wilkes-Barre lost Ryan Graves for the second period when he was hit and busted open by a high stick.

Later, Danton Heinen scored a power play goal with seconds remaining that made it 3-0.

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Heinen leads the AHL in points at this juncture.

Danton Heinen is also a cheat code.

Third Period: Graves returned for the third period with a face mask and either Finn Harding scored his first AHL goal or Joona Koppanen tipped in the shot, nevertheless it was a 4-0 Penguins lead and Harding’s first pro point.

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One thing about the Charlotte power play tonight was that every time the Penguins were shorthanded, they had a Grade A big on Cooper Black. Black was up to every challenge handed to him, however.

Charlotte never really mounted anything that could be considered a comeback with how poorly they were with a man advantage so the only question in the back of the mind was if Murashov would get his shutout.

Three Stars: 3) Ville Koivunen (goal, two assists) 2) Danton Heinen (goal, two assists) 1) Sergei Murashov (25 save shutout)

The Good: Lots to like. How long is it sustainable is the question? Heinen is a cheat code, Graves makes the power play go, Koivunen is a point monster and the rest of them are all pulling in the right direction. Alex Alexeyev looked like a weak link last Saturday in Bridgeport he was very good Friday. Just keep piling points up.

The Bad: I put the heat on in my office this week for the first time. You win, Fall lovers. You win.

Turning Point: The Heinen goal that made it 3-0 seemed like an insurmountable lead for Charlotte.

Around the Division: Bridgeport shuts out Hartford 3-0….Lehigh Valley wins a nine goal thriller at home against the Hershey Bears 5-4….Providence gets a late goal and then an empty netter to beat Springfield 5-3 to stay on pace with the Penguins. The Bruins are undefeated as well.

Standings: Penguins 12 – Providence 10 – Charlotte and Lehigh Valley 6 – Bridgeport and Hershey 3 – Hartford and Springfield 2.

Wheeling Update: Nailers get cracking in a weekend series in Maine against the Mariners. I miss Portland. Long live the Pirates!

Video Highlights: AHL VideoCenter is your best bet.

These two teams rematch tomorrow an hour early at 6 p.m. Don’t be late.

Let’s Go Pens!