Chirps from Center Ice

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Is it a good thing or a bad thing that this was the only game of the weekend for the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins?

It can be both.

It can be both good and bad that they don’t have to go out there and embarrass themselves again this weekend after a lifeless effort in Syracuse where they were down 3-0 before the game was even five minutes old, didn’t record a shot until the thirteen minute mark of the period and were down 5-0 after the first period where they only recorded four shots on goal.

It’s bad, sure, that they lost 6-0, but they are missing a bunch of regulars and can use this time in between games together those bodies healed.

That’s the hope.

Here’s how they lined up:

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Lineup Notes: Egor Zamula, acquired in a trade for Philip Tomasino, didn’t report to the team and was suspended. Max Graham and Brayden Edwards drew in up from for the traded Tomasino and the released William Dufour. Ryan Graves and Finn Harding, returning from injury, replaced David Breazeale and Scooter Brickey on defense.

First Period: I have time since I do these in between intermissions when they are on the road, so let’s kick off this disaster of a period.

More pylon work by Matt Dumba, Syracuse scores on it’s first shot of the game when Tristan Allard scores on the Crunch’s first shot of the game:

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Then the Penguins take a penalty and Syracuse makes quick work of the man advantage and score with a Dylan Duke goal that gives the Crunch a 2-0 lead.

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Then, on a delayed penalty against the Penguins, ex-Penguin Jared Tinordi lays into one and it’s 3-0.

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This is 4:34 into the game!

The Penguins didn’t record a shot on goal until Matt Dumba, who was a -4 in the period, took a shot that was saved by Brandon Halverson.

A turnover by Ryan Graves and Jakob Pelletier scores.

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Conor Geekie just blows past Matt Dumba and blows one past Sergei Murashov with under a minute to play and it’s 5-0.

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They were collectively bad, but that was a shot that Murashov should have had.

It would be the last shot he would see.

Second Period: Enter Filip Larsson. I don’t know if the Crunch let off at all after that ass kicking in the first period or what, but he was miles better than Sergei Murashov.

The Penguins took some penalties which killed any scant momentum that they were trying to build down five, but there was no scoring in the period.

Third Period: The Crunch score :45 into a carry over penalty from the second period with a goal by Nick Abruzzese.

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The game devolved into a penalty slop fest after that. One of the hurdles not mentioned is Brandon Halverson has the Penguins number whenever he tends net for the Crunch so you really have to be good to beat him. Down a zillion with two orange pylons acting as defensemen with a bunch of ECHL slop acting as forwards while all of your good players are either hurt or sitting in Pittsburgh press boxes is going to make easy work for the defending Hap Holmes winner.

Three Stars: 3) Jakob Pelletier (goal, assist) 2) Conor Geekie (goal, two assists) 1) Jared Tinordi (Goa, two assists, fight, 27 PIMs)

The Good: This space for rent.

The Bad: I’d sit Murashov next Friday in Charlotte. He’s been as bad as the team playing in front of him. Mix in a save, pal. He maybe could have had the Pelletier and Geekie shots and letting the first one in is a bad look. I’d also leave Matt Dumba off in Binghamton on the way back home to Wilkes-Barre, but you can’t do that.

Around the Division: Hartford beats Springfield 4-1….Lehigh Valley beats Belleville 3-1…Cleveland beats Charlotte 6-3 (finally some good news) and Hershey beats Rockford 5-4.

Standings: Penguins 47 – Providence 45 – Charlotte and Lehigh Valley 38 – Hershey 31 – Springfield 30 – Hartford and Springfield 27

Wheeling Update: Nailers win 4-1 at home against the Bloomington Bison. Half of their team is here and yet they are having better results with guys up from the SPHL and Federal Leagues. Taylor Gauthier stopped 31.

Video Highlights: No thanks!

They will have a week of practice to heal, regroup, and hopefully have a better, more competitive effort in Charlotte for a pair. They are in a gauntlet right now with their next three games against Charlotte twice, and Providence the following Wednesday, all on the road.

My pool is a block of ice, so I will be here for all of it, good or bad.

Let’s Go Pens!