Chirps from Center Ice

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A lot to like about this one, a 4-0 Penguins win in Bridgeport.

25 save shutout for Sergei Murashov, his third of the season.

11 of the Penguins 18 skaters recorded a point.

They are getting healthier.

2/4 on the power play and 3/3 on the penalty kill.

But, consider the opponent. It’s Bridgeport, who has played better and is a bit improved, but will only be a 5 or 6 seed in the playoffs, if we are being brutally honest. Call me again when they do this against Syracuse, Rochester or Charlotte.

But that’s the pessimist in me, this was a good solid win, so let’s get into it.

Here’s how they lined up. Bridgeport didn’t post lines.

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Lineup Notes: They are getting healthy. Ryan McAllister came off the injured list but was a scratch. Alex Alexeyev is still ill, just Zach Gallant (upper body, day to day) and Raivis Ansons (week to week, upper) are injured.

Today, Gabe Klassen was back in the lineup after missing the last two as a healthy scratch, as was Rafaël Harvey-Pinard for Avery Hayes and Joona Koppanen. Read into what you will on the Hayes scratch and Koppanen I think is part of the veteran rule. On defense Emil Pieniniemi and Finn Harding were back in for Chase Pietila and Scooter Brickey.

First Period: The Islanders had a late push where they owned possession time which kin dot forced the Penguins into taking a penalty. A Filip Hållander shorthanded rush up ice was denied by Henrik Tikkanen.

Second Period: The penalty kill from the first bled into the second but it was handled by the Penguins. Then Tanner Howe, who quietly has compiled a hell of a last few weeks, scores to put the Penguins ahead 1-0.

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This was later followed up by a bomb of a shot from Captain and Connecticut native Phil Kemp.

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Kemp has three this season, all against Bridgeport.

Third Period: The Penguins ran away with things in the period but it came at the expense of Melvin Fernstrom.

Travis Mitchell hit Fernstrom with a shoulder to shoulder hit which thrust Fernstrom into the boards by the Penguins bench. A 5:00 major and game misconduct was assessed to Mitchell for boarding which put the Pens on a 5:00 power play.

Gabe Klassen and Aidan McDonough scored, set up by Ville Koivunen and Harvey-Pinard, respectively.

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The only question would be whether Murashov would get a shutout or not and while he was tested late, he did earn the shutout.

Three Stars: 3) Sergei Murashov (25 saves) 2) Phil Kemp (goal) 1) Tanner Howe (goal)

The Good: Seemed like a team win, everyone pulling in the same direction, all for the common good.

The Bad: Can’t nitpick a shutout, so let’s nitpick special teams. I didn’t like them when they were on the 5:00 major, Bridgeport got too many looks in a 2-0 game.

Turning Point: The 5:00 major power play netted them two goals, and helped them run away and get them the win.

Around the Division: Providence had a 13 game winning streak coming into Saturday and at the close of business Sunday they now have a 2 game losing streak after Hartford beats the Bruins 5-2.

Standings: Providence 77 – Penguins 75 – Charlotte 61 – Hershey 52 – Lehigh Valley 50 – Bridgeport 49 – Springfield 46 – Hartford 44

Wheeling Update: Nailers were off.

Video Highlights: 

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The P-Bruins will burn off one of their four games in hand on the Penguins when they travel to Allentown to take on the Phantoms on Wednesday. Charlotte will be in Bridgeport Wednesday also.

Wilkes-Barre will be out in Cleveland next weekend. I’ll talk to you Friday with the Weekend Preview.

Let’s Go Pens!