Chirps from Center Ice

          vs.          

4                               1

–

Wilkes-Barre / Scranton wins 4-1 Wednesday night against their rival the Hershey Bears to keep pace with the Providence Bruins who also won 2-1 in Bridgeport.

Sergei Murashov was named first star of the game with 30 saves and the AHL All-Star goaltender kept his team in the game.

After a scoreless two periods, the Penguins offense roared to life, scoring four goals. Your goaltender keeps you in it and then your offense starts to roll downhill. Simple, really.

Tanner Howe scored his first professional goal in just his second game. Good night otherwise to have a name that starts with A, as Aaron Huglen, Avery Hayes and Aidan McDonough also scored for Wilkes-Barre.

Here’s how they lined up:

–

Lineup Notes: The only change was in net, as Sergei Murashov got the start. Filip Larsson went unclaimed on waivers and had his contract terminated. He is now a free agent.

First Period: There’s a special teams problem. The Penguins killed two penalties in a scoreless first, then three more in a scoreless second.

Sergei Murashov though, was dialed in.

–

His best save of the night, right there.

Second Period: Herhsey found themselves on the good end of a five on three for 1:19 and after a Derek King time out, the Penguins were able to successfully kill the whole thing.

You would think that this momentum would translate into a goal for the Penguins, but you would be wrong.

I thought that referees Andrew Bell and Patrick Hanrahan were okay. Not great, but just okay. Kind of like how the crowds are better on weekends and so-so on worknights, these two aren’t winning any awards and won’t work the All-Star Classic or deep into this years playoffs. They were just okay.

Tonight’s crowd though, announced at 4,112, was great. More people than usual for a Wednesday game. You love to see it.

Third Period: Finally, some offense!

Aaron Huglen throws a rather innocuous shot at Mitch Gibson who misreads it and it’s a 1-0 Penguins lead.

–

But then a Grant Cruikshank unassisted goal ties it for Hershey.

–

Hershey doesn’t have many household names left, but this guy always ends up agitating the Penguins. Heck of a player.

Penguins then go on a power play and it’s Avery Hayes near post that scores to make it 2-1…

–

Then Tanner Howe tips in a Chase Pietila shot off of a media timeout and it’s 3-1.

–

:57 later, a fantastic effort by Aidan McDonough to score to put it out of reach for Hershey and get the humanoids in attendance all free coffee at Abide Coffeehouse in Downtown Wilkes-Barre.

–

Three Stars: 3) Tanner Howe (goal) 2) Avery Hayes (goal) 1) Sergei Murashov (30 saves)

The Good: 5/5 on the kill and they scored a power play goal. Special teams didn’t win them the game tonight, but it didn’t lose it, either.

The Bad: 5/5 on the kill. Yeah, the refs were iffy, but they have to cool it with the carelessness. A team with a lethal power play will make them pay.

Turning Point: In a game that chased it for a while, I kept coming back to the 1:19 of two man that Hershey squandered. If they get one here, it’s a different story.

Around the Division: You already know that Providence won because I gave it to you in the first paragraph. Syracuse beats Springfield in the other out of town divisional game 4-3.

Standings: Providence 67 – Penguins 64 – Charlotte 53 – Hershey 47 – Lehigh Valley 46 – Bridgeport 42 – Springfield 38 – Hartford 37

Wheeling Update: Nailers are back home and back in the win column with a 3-2 overtime win over Fort Wayne. Taylor Gauthier stopped FIFTY THREE shots for the Nailers.

Video Highlights: 

–

More Friday after the visit to the Phantoms.

Let’s Go Pens!