Chirps from Center Ice

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Sam Poulin’s pair of goals put the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins ahead of the Bridgeport Islanders in a closer then it should have been type of game for the Penguins.

It’s one where you thought they played sloppy because you are spoiled by the first three weeks of the season, where they were steamrolling teams and scoring five or six goals a night.

But they have to play tight games and Bridgeport, as improved as they were from last years disastrous finished, played the Penguins tough and Islanders goaltender Marcus Högberg earned his paycheck.

Penguins win 3-2 and are back on their winning ways and ahead of an idle Providence Bruins team for tops in the Atlantic.

Here’s how they lined up, note Bridgeport didn’t post lines.

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Lineup Notes: Aaron Huglen for Gabe Klassen and Nolan Renwick for Matty De St Phalle up front were the only lineup changes, but for Filip Larsson getting the nod in net.

First Period: On their 14th shot of the period, Sam Poulin scores at 14:14 of the period to edge the Penguins ahead 1-0.

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The Penguins were smothering the Islanders all period.

Wilkes-Barre would see Valtteri Puustinen get boarded with no call. Puustinen was helped off, skating off on his own with help, and didn’t return to the game.

On the one hand, it would free up a guy like fellow veteran Joona Koppanen to get back into the lineup, but you don’t like losing that firepower if it a more longer term deal.

Alex Jeffries would score to tie the game when the Islanders got a two on one out of thin air.

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Second Period: The deadlock continued. Atley Calvert missed on a breakaway attempt.

Third Period: Refs Rob Hennessey and Patrick Hanrahan, seemingly quiet through the first 40 minutes of action, found their whistles and started calling infractions. The third period was penalty marred with five power plays total.

Seemed as time was dwindling that a dirty goal was needed.

Enter Sam Poulin, again.

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Bridgeport pulled Högberg for an extra attacker. It didn’t work because Danton Heinen, whom you could argue has been invisible these past two games, gets an empty net goal that makes it 3-1.

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But Bridgeport would get a goal with Högberg pulled when Cole McWard was the last to tip the puck through a line of bodies in front of Larsson with 11 seconds to play.

(no GIF of the goal, it’s likely in the highlight package below)

Bridgeport would get no closer.

Three Stars: 3) Danton Heinen (goal) 2) Ryan Graves (two assists) 1) Sam Poulin (two goals)

The Good: Couple things. Nice to see Sam Poulin get hot for one, good to see them stay in there when they are creaming the other team with zone and shot generation but no goals to show for it and finally wear a team down throughout the sixty minutes allowed to do so.

The Bad: Nick Hart mentioned it in postgame, the power play hasn’t scored in two games.

Bonus Bad: Halloween and all and nice to see the front office passing out candy at the fan assistance booth but seriously, Hershey’s?

Turning Point: The second Poulin goal gets it here, as it would in a game like this.

Around the Division: Lehigh Valley wins in overtime in Hartford 4-3 and Hershey wins 3-2 in Springfield, also in overtime. Providence and Charlotte had the night off.

Standings: Penguins 16 – Providence 14 – Lehigh Valley 11 – Hershey 9 – Charlotte and Hartford 7 – Bridgeport 5 – Springfield 3

Wheeling Update: The Nailers have to be one of the few North American teams to be holding opening night ceremonies. Wheeling opens its home schedule Saturday against the Norfolk Admirals.

Video Highlights: 

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Back at it Saturday in Utica at 6 p.m.

Let’s Go Pens!