Chirps from Center Ice

          vs.          

1                               3

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A goal by Matt Dumba and then an empty net power play goal from Owen Pickering iced the Sunday afternoon contest away for the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins against the Hershey Bears. Penguins win 3-1 to go into the Christmas break three points clear of the Providence Bruins for first in the division.

Where’s the punch line, you ask? I’m not exactly fond of the body of work or effort for Matt Dumba and have soured on Owen Pickering’s work. That both guys get on the score sheet (Dumba had an assist) makes me feel silly right?

Get out of here with that. I cheer for the logo on the front and not the names on the back. Lovejoy. Brookbank. DeSmith. That’s it. That’s my list of favorite Penguins players. The rest? They help my favorite team win and I like that.

Anyway, enough about me. Here’s how they lined up…

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Lineup Notes: Phil Tomasino was back after missing a game with injury and Nolan Renwick came out. On defense, Daniel Laatsch was in for Finn Harding.

First Period: No scoring. Like last night, two penalties overlapped for each team.

Second Period: Zach Gallant gets a goal with a low shot that beat Clay Stevenson somehow and it was 1-0 Penguins.

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Oh, Sergei Murashov stole the show in this game, making some impressive saves throughout. He stopped all 14 he faced in the first period and 26 overall.

Third Period: Even though I thought that referees Ben Betker and Koletrane Wilson had an okay game, the Bears bench were hot at them along with J.P. Waleski and Dylan Blujus all game and rightfully so in some circumstances with icings and some non-calls (and calls) on both sides.

Bears head coach Derek King wasn’t thrilled with the explanations throughout as well.

Matt Dumba gets a goal that makes it 2-0.

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In contrast to Gallant in the first, Dumba showed no emotion. I don’t know if he thinks he’s beneath playing at this level or if he thinks the game just comes easy to him or what. Perplexing player.

Murashov gets beat when a puck caroms off of Daniel Laatsch’s stick and in and the Bears were on the board with about six minutes left.

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That’s Andrew Cristall’s goal there and a point in his ninth straight for the Bears.

Late, Spencer Smallman slashes a Penguins going to the net and Owen Pickering scores into the empty net as Derek King got desperate and pulled Stevenson.

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King’s team was late for the ensuing face-off which drew the ire of referee Koletrane Wilson, capping off a frustrating night for the Bears with the AHL Officiating Department.

Three Stars: 3) Sergei Murashov (26 saves) 2) Zach Gallant (goal) 1) Matt Dumba (goal, assist)

The Good: I thought that both Murashov and Joona Koppanen were outstanding all weekend. Koppanen had an assist today to go with a five point weekend. (two goals and an assist Friday, a goal Saturday) – he probably could and should get AHL Player of the Week honors.

The Bad: Would have liked to see Sergei Murashov get a shutout here, but those are the brakes.

Turning Point: The Dumba goal that made it two tipped this razor thin game on the side of the home team.

Around the Division: Charlotte beats Springfield 4-3 in overtime. The rest of the division is off until after Christmas.

Standings: Penguins 44 — Providence 41 — Charlotte 32 — Lehigh Valley 31 — Hershey 29 — Springfield 24 — Bridgeport 24 — Hartford 23

Wheeling Update: Nailers were off.

Video Highlights: 

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Have a good Christmas and we will be back here Friday setting up Saturday – Sunday and Tuesday for you as we head into New Year’s.

Let’s Go Pens!