Chirps from Center Ice

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2                              5

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This game sucked.

Wilkes-Barre / Scranton was in control from the start but Hartford Wolf Pack goaltender Callum Tung settled in under the barrage of first period shots and the Wolf pack capitalized on turnovers from the Penguins, used that momentum to tip the game in their favor and skate away with a 5-2 win Friday night.

I guess every team in the AHL is allowed a clunker now and then and this one certainly was.

Here’s how they lined up. The Wolf Pack didn’t post a line graphic.

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Lineup Notes: Scheduled absent day for Rutger McGroarty per the team, Avery Hayes returned after a six game absence. Gabe Klassen also slotted back in up front. Sebastian Aho for Scooter Brickey on defense.

First Period: Penguins outshoot the Wolf Pack 22-6, yet the score was tied after one.

A turnover by Alex Alexyev sees ex-Penguin Derrick Pouliot score his first goal as a member of the Wolf Pack and it was Hartford that was out to a quick 1-0 lead…

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But then Owen Pickering scored to tie the game about three minutes later that tied the game at one.

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Second Period: Penguins would cash a power play goal when Rafäel Harvey-Pinard scored a tip in in front that put the Penguins ahead 2-1.

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But then Logan Pietila gives the puck away to future AHL Hall of Fame Trey Fix-Wolansky who scored and tied the game at two.

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The Penguins have controlled the game to this point from top to bottom, but it’s two bone head defensive giveaways that had the Wolf Pack on level terms.

Bad to worse, Anton Blidh scores a tip in in front and the Wolf Pack shockingly go ahead 3-2.

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They were making it harder then it needed to be.

Third Period: The Penguins made a push in the first half of the period, but Tung held firm and then Hartford iced the game away with a Brett Berard goal on a rebound in front that doubled the Wolf Pack lead.

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Adam Sykora salted it away on a two on one rush. Please drive home safely.

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Three Stars: 3) Anton Blidh (goal, assist) 2) Callum Tung (31 saves) 1) Derrick Pouliot (goal, two assists)

The Good: Have to love the start. 22 shots in the first period so they came ready to play.

The Bad: They were in the game and in control, but the turnovers defensively tipped momentum to Hartford and they played too tentatively after that. It’s hard to win when you are down a goal and playing not to lose when you are losing.

Turning Point: The Berard goal in the third iced it away. Figure if the Penguins tie it at three, they at least get a point or maybe win. That. never happened.

Around the Division: Charlotte deals the Grand Rapids Griffins their first regulation loss of the season with a 2-1 win in Michigan….Providence wins 3-2 over Lehigh Valley….Bridgeport wins 5-4 out in Rochester and Springfield shuts out Utica 2-0.

Standings: Providence 26 – Penguins 24 – Lehigh Valley 22 – Hershey 21 – Charlotte 19 – Hartford 14 – Bridgeport 14 – Springfield 9

Wheeling Update: Nailers lose 4-1 at home to Reading. Matt Quercia with the lone goal for Wheeling.

Video Highlights: AHL VideoCenter for the sickos in your life.

Back at it Saturday in Providence for what promises to be a tough one.

Let’s Go Pens!