Chirps from Center Ice

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I guess in keeping with the theme from last night where I gave you an accomplishment of feats that the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins have checked off in this young season one of the things left off was a tight game against a good opponent.

We can check that box now, as the Penguins roll into Charlotte and sweep the Checkers after a 3-2 overtime win Saturday night.

It’s hard to beat the Checkers on back too back nights in Charlotte and the Penguins managed to do that. Too soon to start printing the Calder Cup tickets but it’s a dream start. They are 7-0.

Attention now turns to a massive showdown with the equally undefeated Providence Bruins. The Bruins were idle Saturday and host the Bridgeport Islanders Sunday.

Here’s how they lined up:

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Lineup Notes: Valteri Puustinen out for Rafaël Harvey-Pinard up as the vet for vet swap, Gabe Klassen for a banged up per Hart on radio Atley Calvert. Scooter. Brickey for Finn Harding on defense.

First Period: Brian Pinho scored 2:19 when he took a nice behind the back pass from Sandis Vilmanis while streaking down the slot to give the Checkers an early 1-0 lead.

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Penguins would tie the game on a chip in of a rebound left by Cooper Black off of an Avery Hayes shot that made it 1-1.

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Both teams were 0/1 on the power play and the. Penguins survived a furious Charlotte rush in the final minute or so of action. Filip Larsson stopped 17 shots in the period.

Second Period: The theme of the Checkers scoring early in the period continued, with Colton Huard netting his first professional goal just 2:02 in.

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Cooper Black was tested by Gabe Klassen, when Klassen threw a changeup at Black but Black, all 6’8 of him, kept the puck out.

Then Avery Hayes was thrown out of the game for kneeing Jack Studnika. In the ensuing major power play for Charlotte, the Penguins managed to find themselves on a power play.

Enter the Cheat Code.

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Even when the Penguins are down, they are still up, if that make sense.

Third Period: Flew by with no penalties but chances a plenty. Cooper Black and Filip. Larsson traded some good saves.

Overtime: Possession fest for the Penguins who didn’t do anything with the puck to start. When Charlotte had it they tested fate but never managed a shot on Larsson.

Then Owen Pickering dove to keep in a Charlotte exit bid and found Ville Koivunen and the rest is history….

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Ballgame.

Three Stars: 3) Wilmer Skoog (two assists) 2) Brian Pinho (goal, assist) 1) Ville Koivunen (overtime game winning goal, assist)

The Good: I don’t want to say they found a way to win the game, but it certainly seemed that way.

The Bad: My arms are sore from raking leaves today.

Turning Point: Thought we were going to see it in the third period but it’s the Koivunen overtime goal that gets it here.

Around the Division: Hartford doubles up Springfield 6-3….Lehigh Valley and Hershey started at 7, so they are still going as this goes up. Box here.

Standings: Will be incomplete pending that Bears / Phantoms game. The Penguins have 14 points and lead the division and the AHL, that’s call you care about, right?

Wheeling Update: I hope some of the Nailers stopped at DiMillo’s. I miss Portland, Maine where they are lost 7-3 to the Mariners. Nolan Renwick had a goal.

Video Highlights: AHL VideoCenter is your best bet.

Back Wednesday for the Weeknd Preview setting up a huge matchup with the Bruins later that evening, as well as some ramblings on Bridgeport and Utica.

Let’s Go Pens!