Chirps from Center Ice

         vs.        

2                              1

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Well, now it’s a series.

Hershey takes Game 2 by a 2-1 score Saturday night in Wilkes-Barre.

I told you in the Weekend Preview that Herhsey goaltender Clay Stevenson had the potential to steal a game if not the series. He stopped 36 of 37 shots, including 21 in the third period after an all out barrage by the Penguins in the third period after trailing 2-0, and now it’s an even series heading to a pivotal Game 3 Tuesday in Hershey.

Wilkes-Barre did not start on time, with just three shots on goal in the first period and in a period where they were awarded a very early 4:00 double minor power play.

Hershey scored in the first period on their power play off of a Brett Leason goal and then Bogdan Trineyev scored after a big stop by Stevenson on Aidan McDonough moneys before. McDonough would extract his pound of flesh in the third at 1:12 to jump start what ended up being a too little, too late onslaught by the home team.

That’s basically it. The game teetered on the brink of an all out mess but in the end I think that Ben Betker and Adam Tobias did a good enough of a job to not turn it into a slop fest.

Here’s how they lined up:

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Lineup Notes: Aaron Huglen and Raivis Ansons out for Boko Imama and Tanner Howe up front and Chase Pietila out for Finn Harding.

Here’s the goals starting with Leason’s power play marker than made it 1-0.

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Came off of a Finn Harding high stick call.

Penguins take two silly penalties to open the second period, get the kill but the Bears started to run down hill and Stevenson was dialing in. Finally he comes up with a huge blocker stop on Aidan McDonough and then Bogdan Trineyev scores to make it 2-0.

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The Penguins get exactly what they needed in the third period with a McDonough goal at 1:12 to bring the Penguins to within one.

But that is as far as they would get. With Sergei Murashov pulled late, they would never find the equalizer.

Three Stars: 3) Clay Stevenson (36 saves) 2) Ilya Protas (two assists) 1) Bogdan Trineyev (goal)

The Good: Play like they played in the third period and the series is theirs.

The Bad: Play like they played in the first two periods and the series is Hershey’s.

Turning Point: The 4:00 double minor early set the tone. They didn’t score, Herhsey kills it off easily and then starts to roll a bit and shut down the Penguins in the first period offensively, get a goal and then Stevenson locks down the rest.

So Kirk MacDonald pretty much has to go back to Ansons and Huglen for Game 3. Imama and Howe are nice, but they are one dimensional and essentially the same player. For whatever reason I didn’t like Sebastian Aho’s game either, but the line with Howe and Imama really stood out. Maybe keep Howe in and swap Imama for Ansons.

Video Highlights: 

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Talk to you Tuesday for Game 3.

Let’s Go Pens!