Chirps from Center Ice

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I had this tweet after the end of the second period where the Penguins were leading 2-1.

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They say that the put away game is the hardest to win. The Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins play their most concise game of the series and oust the Hershey Bears in four games in the Atlantic Division Semifinals and win 4-1. Sergei Murashov with a dazzling 37 save performance. Murashov is undefeated in Hershey.

The Penguins will take on the Springfield Thunderbirds in the Atlantic Division Finals, after the Thunderbirds dispatched the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy, 54 win Providence Bruins in four games 1-0 in overtime.

More on those fools in due time though.

Here’s how they lined up:

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Lineup Notes: Rafaël Harvey-PInard was injured in Game 3. Aaron Huglen took his spot up front. Finn Harding was in for Sebastian Aho on defense.

First Period: In an elimination game, if you are leading the series and want to put your opponent away, you better start on time.

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75 seconds in, that’s starting on time and Joona Koppanen is a punctual human being.

Boko Imama and Dalton Smith fought here with Imama swinging wildly, and Smith. getting the takedown. I don’t think anyone landed any punches.

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Hershey scores with 5.1 seconds left on a power play when Ivan Miroshnichenko ties the game at one.

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Second Period: Off the hop, Rutger McGroarty was denied at 1:18 on the breakaway while the teams were 4-on-4 after some end of first period shenanigans.

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Harrison Brunicke would make it 2-1 for the Penguins via a shorthanded goal.

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Here’s the setup. Avery Hayes and Rutger McGroarty come in on a two on one and don’t get the shot off, then Andrew Cristall works a give and go on a two on one for the Bears the other way but hits the post. Then Gabe Klassen works up the ice, puts a shot on which is stopped but there’s Brunicke for the rebound.

Whew.

It’s a developmental league for a reason folks. Harrison Brunicke was a mess in my opinion when he was here for his developmental stint earlier in the year but since he’s been back after his junior team was eliminated, he has grown leaps and bounds. He’s a wizard with the puck.

Wilkes-Barre has a late power play come and go but kept the pressure on.

Third Period: Ville Koivunen finishes off a beautiful play with Tristan Broz and Mikhail Ilyin to make it 3-1.

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Penalty filled period that favored Hershey. Wilkes-Barre didn’t do itself any favors with the penalties, albeit some were tacky tack. The Penguins get through it all okay however.

Then late, with Clay Stevenson pulled for the extra attacker, Gabe Klassen scores from about 175 feet an empty net goal that seals it.

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Three Stars: 3) Sergei Murashov (37 saves) 2) Harrison Brunicke (goal) 1) Aaron Ness (ceremonial, played a lot of playoff games for the Bears)

The Good: Buried their rival in four games. We don’t have to go to a Saturday game with our butts clenched. They are rounding into form, too. They came into the game prepared with an early goal, smothered their opponent and never looked back.

The Bad: This space for rent.

Turning Point: I want to give it to the collective penalty kill in the third period but that’s lame. The Koivunen goal gets it here.

Next Up: I’ll post the Atlantic Division Finals schedule once it’s finalized by the teams in a separate post. Sleuths on Twitter tell me it’s home in Wilkes-Barre Tuesday and Thursday, but it’s not official until it is.

Video Highlights: 

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Weekend Preview will be up Friday which I will riff on this past series, give you my thoughts on Springfield, and provide you with more NASCAR and soccer hot takes.

Let’s Go Pens!