Chirps from Center Ice

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I didn’t know what to make of this game, a 1-0 Wilkes-Barre win in Providence Saturday night where Rutger McGroarty scored an unassisted shorthanded goal.

Joel Blomqvist made 27 saves but really wasn’t tested. The Penguins were structurally better in comparison to Hartford on Friday, but you would think that a battle between the two best teams in the Eastern Conference would render a more exiting result. Who knows.

Here’s the McGroarty goal.

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Here’s how they both lined up:

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McGroarty for Matty De St. Phalle was the only lineup change. I would have thought there would have been some tinkering with defense after last night but Kirk MacDonald knew what he was doing.

The McGroarty goal came from nothing, he got a step, then another step then boom he was behind the defender and boom, he scored a goal.

The rest of the game seemed like a long feeling out period. I want to say that the Penguins had the better of the chances.

Feistiness picked up in the third period with Matt Poitras not making a lot of friends on the Penguins side. Zach Gallant and Colin Feliz fought and then later Gallant took a matching roughing penalty with Frederic Brunet.

Three Stars: 3) Valtteri Puustinen (7 shots) 2) Rutger McGroarty (goal) 1) Joel Blomqvist (27 saves)

The Good: They go back to the top of the Atlantic off of a solid performance by their goaltender. They may be a good team.

The Bad: Let’s just move on from this. I normally use this space to complain about the feed in Providence but it was clear and an enjoyable watch.

Turning Point: The McGroarty goal seemed innocuous at the time, but was the sole amount of offense in the entire 60 minute affair.

Around the Division: Lehigh Valley scores three in the third to beat Hartford 3-2….Cleveland beats Hershey 5-3….Syracuse does the same to Bridgeport with a 5-3 win….Grand Rapids beats Charlotte 2-1 in overtime.

Standings: Penguins 27 – Providence 26 – Lehigh Valley 24 – Hershey 21 – Charlotte 20 – Bridgeport 14 – Hartford 14 – Springfield 9

Wheeling Update: Nailers win 3-1 in Reading against the Royals.

Video Highlights: Link to AHL VideoCenter here.

Back at it midweek against old foes Hershey Wednesday. Weekend Preview will be up Wednesday morning. Talk to you then.

Let’s Go Pens!