Chirps from Center Ice

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Let’s just get what they casuals love out of the way first.

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I am not a big analytic guy, but that post has over 24,000 views. Give the people what they want!

The casuals loved it.

The rest of us sickos loves this 3-1 Penguins win over the Springfield Thunderbirds. Like two ships passing in the night going different directions, the Penguins started on time Saturday night (unlike Friday) and teed off on last place Springfield to a tune of a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period. Bolstered by the Boko Imama / Kale Kessy heavyweight fight, in addition to Imama scoring a tip in front in the first, the Penguins were off to the races.

Gotta hand it to Kale Kessy. The guy is overmatched in height and weight but not heart. The man stands in there and takes on the toughest opponents all the time.

Anyway, here’s how they lined up.

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Lineup Notes: Oh yeah, burying the lede here, Joel Blomqvist and Rutger McGroarty were activated off of injured reserve and in the lineup. Other changes include Scooter Brickey for Sebastian Aho on defense, McGroarty and Raivis Ansons for Matty De St. Phalle and Gabe Klassen.

First Period: Kind of gave it away in the open, relentless pressure by the Penguins to start, Raivis Ansons slams one home at 2:20 after the Pensuins hemmed in Springfield for an extended amount of time to make it 1-0…

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See above for what happened next. It is rare anymore to see two dudes fight anymore and even rarer to see two dudes who actually know how to fight as well.

Here’s Boko’s tip in in front.

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Second Period: They let off or something seemed off. Again, you can get away with it I think against teams like Springfield and Bridgeport. I don’t know you about Hershey and definitely not Providence.

This despite Rutger McGroarty scoring just 66 seconds into the period.

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Aaron Huglen took a puck off the chops off an errant dump in by Phil Kemp and didn’t return.

Hugh McGing scored off the rush on a power play for Springfield late to break up any faint thoughts of a Blomqvist shutout bid.

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Third Period: Springfield played a better period but didn’t score despite lots of pressure, where they outshot the Penguins 12-4. Good defense by the Penguins and better goaltending by Joel Blomqvist keeps the Thunderbirds off the scoresheet.

Three Stars: 3) Joel Blomqvist (23 saves) 2) Rutger McGroarty (goal) 1) Boko Imama (goal, fight)

The Good: They are beating teams they should beat and amassing points.

The Bad: Sometimes the way they play teams they are beating isn’t good and I am concerned that when they play a better team they may not have as much success. Last week against Rochester comes to mind.

The Bad, Redux: They have one power play goal in the last 23 tries I thought I heard Nick Hart mention postgame. That isn’t good!

Turning Point: Pens had a kill around the five minute mark of the third period with Springfield pressuring and got the kill from there. If the Thunderbirds scored, I am not so sure the outcome would have been the same.

Around the Division: Charlotte shuts out Iowa 2-0…Providence beats Utica 3-2 in overtime….Laval beats Hartford 5-2…Rochester beats Bridgeport 5-3…Hershey beats Lehigh Valley with :13 left off a Ryan Strome goal and the Bears win 4-3.

Standings: Penguins 25 – Providence 24 – Lehigh Valley 19 – Charlotte and Hershey 17 – Bridgeport 12 – Hartford 10 – Springfield 6

Wheeling Update: Nailers beat the Maine Mariners 4-1. Mike Posma with two more goals against Maine. Long live the Portland Pirates.

Video Highlights: Not up yet, if I see them later I may edit them in, if not, AHL VideoCenter will have them for you.

They are off till next Friday which is nice because it gives you a break from the weekday games. Have a great week and we will talk next week for the Weekend Preview.

Let’s Go Pens!