Chirps from Center Ice

         vs.        

6                               2

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Another throttling by the Charlotte Checkers to the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins on Tuesday night. 6-2 was the final. The Checkers didn’t look like a team playing in its third game in three days in three different cities at all. The Penguins had a great start, but let the Checkers settle in and take control and a 2-0 lead after one turned into a 5-1 lead after the second before settling on 6-2.

But for a handful of players, basically the third and fourth line, David Breazeale and Scooter Brickey, they sucked from the arse out Tuesday against an opponent that is good, and possibly better than they are as well as Providence.

Matt Dumba may be one of the worst players to ever come through here. The guy does not care. He doesn’t want to be here and it shows in laughable, glaring ways.

Dumba was a -4, or just about a million (he makes $3.75M / year I believe) per defensive lapse.

I’m not going to pile on because it’s a work night and at its base it ain’t that deep.

Here’s how they lined up and then we will get into the recap…

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Lineup Notes: Add Gabe Klassen and Aiden McDonough to the injured list. I didn’t listen to Nick Hart pregame so I can’t tell you what he didn’t as far as injuries go. Coal Street recalled Max Graham from the Wheeling Nailers earlier in the day. The annual erosion of the team due to injuries, call-ups or trades has begun.

Aaron Huglen returned from his upper body injury. He was wearing a bubble so if I had to guess a fractured orbital bone or jaw.

On the waivers front, Danton Heinen cleared but was traded to Columbus. He’s with AHL Cleveland now. Ryan Graves is now on waivers.

Sccoter Brickey and Matt Dumba were in on defense for Brent Johnson and Tommy Budnick.

First Period: Lots of shots by the Penguins who tried to bury Cooper Black and the Checkers early but no dice.

Sergei Murashov goes to cover a puck, misses and Hunter St. Martin puts it in for a 1-0 Checkers lead.

(on a work night with the Penguins giving up six, you’ll excuse me if I don’t post the oppositions goals. The fine folks at the Charlotte Checkers Twitter feed have them all if you really want to see them)

:55 later, Sandis Vilmanis scored after a failed clear by the Penguins.

Usually the run of the team goes that if they can’t clear and get scored on, its’ going to be one of those nights.

Second Period: Owen Pickering and Phil Kemp caught napping as Brett Chorskie scores at 3:04. Whatever was said in the first intermission didn’t resonate.

Wilmer Skoog then scored unabated in the slot. 4-0 Checkers.

Ever see a chicken with its head cut off? Watch this!

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No idea what Dumba is doing there, what he is watching or what he is reading. Perhaps wishing he was anywhere but here, watching the pretty girls walking by on the concourse or reading a road map to the nearest beach.

Welcome back Aaron Huglen! He tips in this Owen Pickering shot and the Penguins are on the board.

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Late, :32 into a power play, Robert Mastrosimone scores and it’s 5-1.

Third Period: Enter Filip Larsson, who stopped 14 of 15 shots.

More defensive masterclass by Mr, Dumba, who loses Robert Mastrosimone who finds Brian Pinho and it’s 6-1 Checkers.

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(I know I said I wouldn’t but Dumba sucked tonight and I want you to see why)

Raivis Ansons finds Joona Koppanen and it’s 6-2.

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Penguins made a bit of a late push but couldn’t muster anything else.

Three Stars: 3) Sandis Vilmanis (goal, assist) 2) Brett Chorskie (goal, assist) 1) Robert Mastrosimone (goal, two assists)

The Good: I can’t think of anything. If you can, use the comment section below.

The Bad: Matt Dumba will probably be in the lineup on Saturday in Syracuse.

Turning Point: The Mastrosimone goal that made it 5-1 sealed their fate. There was no way a good team like Charlotte was giving up four goals in the third period.

Around the Division: They all watched us.

Standings: Penguins 47 – Providence 43 – Charlotte 38 – Lehigh Valley 34 – Hershey 29 – Springfield 26 – Hartford and Bridgeport 25

Games in Hand: Providence now with six, will burn off one Wednesday in Springfield and another in Hartford on Friday. The Checkers have four games in hand. Every team in the division does because the Penguins have played the most games so far (33)

Wheeling Update: Nailers were off.

Video Highlights: No thanks!

Programming Note: With one game this weekend we return to the retro “Gameday” setups I used to run here in lieu of a Weekend Preview. I may mix it up with who all is playing who, but look for that Saturday morning.

Have a safe New Years.

Let’s Go Pens!