Chirps from Center Ice

          @          

6                              2

–

A natural hat trick for Aaron Huglen, Wilkes-Barre’s sixth win in a row and the most road wins in franchise history (back when they used to play 80 games a seas0n) and the Penguins rout the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 6-2.

A trio of goals for Huglen, a goal for Aidan McDonough and Rutger McGroarty and a power play goal for Atley Calvert. Joel Blomqvist made 22 saves. The Penguins magic number for a playoff bye is four points.

Here’s how they lined up….

–

Lineup Notes: The lineup graphic above is not correct, they went 7 defensemen with Chase Pietila skating as the extra defenseman and Zach Gallant not in the lineup. Avery Hayes was held out of the lineup as a precautionary for Pittsburgh’s injury concerns.

First Period: Dream start for the road team, who scored three goals in the span of 1:46 for Wilkes-Barre / Scranton starting with Aidan McDonough, then :18 later it was Aaron Huglen and then Huglen scores again before the the game is four minutes old.

–

The only blemish in the period is they took two penalties, but it was another okay if you like perfect period for the Penguins.

Second Period: Wilkes-Barre tacked on two more when Aaron Huglen netted a natural hat trick and then responded with a power play goal from Atley Calvert.

–

But then Lehigh Valley mucked it up and the Penguins bit at this and Lane Pederson scored a power play goal that broke the shutout bid for Joel Blomqvist.

–

This remains a troubling concern for the Penguins, who can 5v5 with any team in the league but get baited into way too many situations where they find themselves on a penalty kill.

Third Period: The trends continued. The Penguins scored in the period and took more stupid. post whistle penalties.

Rutger. McGroarty obliterates a puck and it’s 6-1.

–

But then the Penguins continued to take stupid, post white penalties and this time Cole Knuble scored on a power play to make it 6-2 Penguins.

–

(it was Star Wars (Trek?) night in Allentown)

The thing about AHL officiating is that they always referee the score when a team is getting blow out and this is always more prevalent when the team getting blown out is the home team.

Wilkes-Barre thinks that rules don’t apply to them when it comes to playing Lehigh Valley though, which I suppose. If you’re obliterating a common opponent 12 times a season and this is the last time you see them until the Fall, I guess it’s like the last day of school.

Three Stars: 3) Cole Knuble (goal) 2) Rutger McGroarty (goal, two assists) 1) Aaron Huglen (hat trick, assist)

The Good: They put away a team that knocked them out of the playoffs for the past two seasons three straight times, essentially ending Lehigh Valley’s chances at a playoff berth. The Penguins may get knocked out of the playoffs again this season, but it’s not going to be the Phantoms showing them the door.

The Bad: Please for the love of god stop taking stupid post whistle penalties.

Turning Point: Game was essentially over before it was five minutes old. A three goal avalanche to start the program ends any Phantoms chance of a comeback or the opportunity to turn it into a competitive game.

Around the Division: No help from the Marlies, who lose 5-1 to the Charlotte Checkers…Rochester beats Providence 2-1 in overtime. The Bruins will have to wait another day to sew up the divisional crown….Herhsey obliterates Hartford 8-1…Springfield beats Syracuse 4-3 in as shootout.

Standings: Providence 104 – Penguins 94 – Charlotte 89 – Bridgeport 68 – Hershey 67 – Springfield 66 – Lehigh Valley 62 – Hartford 56

Wheeling Update: Nailers win 4-2 in Toledo. Ryan McAllister had a pair of goals.

Video Highlights: I gave you the gist of it above, here’s the YouTube page for the Phantoms if you are interested. (the highlights aren’t up at 10:10 p.m. on Saturday)

More this week for the Thursday road game in Bridgeport and this weekend.

Let’s go Pens!