Chirps from Center Ice

A fan blog about the AHL's Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins

Category Archives: The AHL

AHL Power Rankings: Week 14

Comments Off on AHL Power Rankings: Week 14 Posted by on January 10, 2019

We are hitting mid-January and things remain the same at the top of the Chirps from Center Ice AHL Power Rankings in Week 14.

Charlotte remains the top team. They can play a man short and beat you. They can play with eleven forwards and seven defensemen and beat you. No lead is safe on them, by the way. Don’t believe me? It’s what they did this past week against the opponents they played.

San Jose is still second and are starting to feel the heat from the hottest team in the AHL in San Diego who are third.

Central Division foes Chicago and Iowa round out the top five.

Click past the Wild if you didn’t link in direct to see where the rest shook out this week.

1

 Last Week: CHA 4 @ BEL 1, CHA 6 @ BEL 3, CHA 5 @ TOR 0
It is starting to become obscene with how good this team is right now. Starting to open up a lead on Bridgeport (9).

n/a

 This Week: vs. WBS 1/11, vs. WBS 1/12, vs. BRI 1/15, vs. BRI 1/16
Record: 27-8-3-0

2

 Last Week: SJ 3 @ SD 4, SJ 2 @ ONT 1, ONT 1 @ SJ 3
San Jose starting to open up a bit of a lead on second place Tucson now. It’s four points right now as we hit mid-January.

n/a

 This Week: vs. ONT 1/11, vs. STK 1/13
Record: 21-7-1-3

3

 Last Week: SJ 3 @ SD 4, SD 4 @ ONT 1, SD 7 @ STK 4
There is no hotter team right now than the San Diego Gulls. Points in their last 12 games and just six points from the Barracuda for tops in the Central. A Central Division trip is going to prove to be a big test.

+5

 This Week: @ MIL 1/12, @ IA 1/14, vs. TEX 1/16
Record: 18-11-1-3

4

 Last Week: SA 3 @ CHI 0, SA 1 @ CHI 3
Split a fun series with San Antonio but are feeling the heat from Grand Rapids, Milwaukee and back in the division. Head to Arizona this weekend.

-1

 This Week: @ TUC 1/11, @ TUC 1/12, vs. GR 1/16
Record: 21-12-3-1

5

 Last Week: RFD 0 @ IA 3, IA 2 @ RFD 6, IA 4 @ SA 5
Two losses this week close things up on the Wild’s grip on the Central Division as we enter mid-January. Dangerous games ahead.

-2

 This Week: @ SA 1/11, @ TEX 1/12, vs. SD 1/14
Record: 20-10-4-3

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Power Rankings

Ethan Prow Named to All-Star Team

Comments Off on Ethan Prow Named to All-Star Team Posted by on January 3, 2019

In news that should surprise no one, the AHL announced their playing rosters for the All-Star Classic later this month up in Springfield, Massachusetts and Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins defenseman Ethan Prow was named as the sole Penguins representative.

For you visual learners, here are the entire rosters for all four divisions in one tweet. Click to expand if you have to:

On Prow, here is a snippet from the Coal Street release mentioning some of his accomplishments….

Prow is second on the Penguins with 10 goals, and he has also earned 22 points this season. He was able to double his goal output from his previous two seasons combined by notching his 10 goals in 30 games. Prow’s 10 tallies also put him in a tie for the second-most goals among all AHL defensemen.  Furthermore, Prow is the first Penguins defenseman to have reached double digits in goal scoring at the end of December since Ross Lupaschuck (2002-03).

Prow, 26, is one of 48 players selected to AHL All-Star rosters.

Prow has consistently improved over the course of his three seasons as a pro, all of which have been spent with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He amassed 16 points (1G-15A) in his rookie year, then followed that up with four goals and 13 assists for 17 points with the Penguins in 2017-18.  He has 15 goals and 41 assists for 56 points in 139 career AHL games.

Former Penguins Colin McDonald (Lehigh Valley) and Cal O’Reilly (Iowa) were also named. McDonald was appointed as playing captain for the Eastern Conference in December.

Charlotte sends two players, plus their head coach because the Checkers finished first in the division at the end of 2018. Bridgeport, Lehigh Valley and host Springfield are sending two each and Providence, Hartford, Hershey and Wilkes-Barre are only sending one player.

Hershey’s appointment was Vitek Vanecek. I don’t know how you can send a goalie as your appointment as a last place team, but perhaps that’s just me.

Back here Friday for the 3 pm Gameday setup against Grand Rapids.

The AHL, WBS

Garrett Wilson Suspended Two Games

Comments Off on Garrett Wilson Suspended Two Games Posted by on January 3, 2019

On Thursday, the American Hockey League doled out punishment for this hit that Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins captain Garrett Wilson laid on Binghamton Devils Nathan Bastian this past Monday up in Binghamton.

Here is the hit which got Wilson the suspension.

Of note, Wilson was assessed a Match Penalty for an Illegal Check to the Head at the time and was thrown out of the game. Nathan Bastian returned to the game after going to the bench.

Wilson was suspended two games. He will miss Friday at home against Grand Rapids and Saturday at home against Milwaukee and will be eligible to return next Friday when the Pens are in action in Charlotte for a pair of games against the Checkers.

The AHL, WBS

AHL Power Rankings: Week 13

Comments Off on AHL Power Rankings: Week 13 Posted by on January 3, 2019

There are a few new fresh teams in the top ten this week in the Week 13 edition of the Chirps from Center Ice AHL Power Rankings but the top five, absent of Iowa replacing Rochester, remain intact.

Charlotte remains number one again, because it’s a day that ends in y.

San Jose bumps up to second after getting a bit of breathing room on second place in the Pacific.

Iowa runs from the tenth spot last week to the top three after running over fourth place Chicago.

Bridgeport rounds out the top five. Jump past the Sound Tigers if you didn’t link in direct to see where your favorite team ended up.

1

 Last Week: CHA 2 @ LAV 4, CHA 5 @ LAV 4 (OT), CHA 4 @ TOR 5 (OT)
This team is just collecting points, no matter the cost. Canada trip continues through the weekend.

n/a

 This Week: @ BEL 1/4, @ BEL 1/5, @ TOR 1/6
Record: 24-8-3-0

2

 Last Week: COL 1 @ SJ 3, SD 5 @ SJ 1, SJ 6 @ STK 5
San Jose is opening up a bit now on second place Tucson but the two hottest teams in the Pacific are the division leading Barracuda and the San Diego Gulls. Oh, and they meet this Friday in San Diego.

+1

 This Week: @ SD 1/4, @ ONT 1/5, vs. ONT 1/9
Record: 19-6-1-3

3

 Last Week: MIL 1 @ IA 3, CHI 1 @ IA 3, IA 3 @ CHI 1
We are never going to get tired of watching Iowa and Chicago duke it out at the top of the Central Division.

+7

 This Week: vs. RFD 1/4, @ RFD 1/6, @ SA 1/9
Record: 19-8-4-3

4

 Last Week: CHI 4 @ RFD 2, RFD 1 @ CHI 2 (OT), CHI 1 @ IA 3, IA 3 @ CHI 1
Two of the hottest teams in the Central meet this weekend in Rosemont when the 7-2-1 in their last ten Chicago Wolves play host to the 7-3 San Antonio Rampage.

n/a

 This Week: vs. SA 1/4, vs. SA 1/5
Record: 20-11-3-1

5

 Last Week: HFD 2 @ BRI 3, BRI 4 @ SPR 3, BRI 3 @ HFD 2 (OT), BRI 4 @ RCH 5 (SO)
Let a full two points get away from them with :12 left Wednesday in Rochester. Trip through New York continues this weekend.

n/a

 This Week: @ SYR 1/4, @ BNG 1/5
Record: 21-9-4-2

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Power Rankings

AHL Power Rankings: Week 12

Comments Off on AHL Power Rankings: Week 12 Posted by on December 27, 2018

Nothing really changed in Week 12 of the Chirps from Center Ice AHL Power Rankings this week to the top three. Charlotte, Rochester and San Jose respectively remain one two and three in this weeks edition.

The Chicago Wolves, probably the hottest team in the AHL right now, sit fourth followed by Bridgeport who narrowly beats out sixth place Syracuse for the fifth spot.

Pop past the Sound Tigers to get to the Crunch and beyond if you didn’t link in direct and have a happy and safe New Year holiday.

1

 Last Week: BRI 6 @ CHA 1, BRI 1 @ CHA 3
Trap games coming up to close out 2018 for the AHL’s best team?

n/a

 This Week: @ LAV 12/28, @ LAV 12/29, @ TOR 12/31
Record: 23-7-2-0

2

 Last Week: HFD 4 @ RCH 2, HFD 5 @ RCH 1, RCH 4 @ CLE 0
Bumpy week where the Amerks were swept by the Wolf Pack in testy affairs, but Rochester remains on top of the North heading into 2019.

n/a

 This Week: vs. TOR 12/28, @ UTI 12/29, vs. BRI 1/2
Record: 19-10-2-0

3

 Last Week: TUC 3 @ SJ 4 (OT), TUC 4 @ SJ 3
Tough series with Tucson but San Jose comes out of it OK, two up on the Roadrunners as we break into 2019.

n/a

 This Week: vs. COL 12/27, vs. SD 12/30, @ STK 12/31
Record: 17-5-1-3

4

 Last Week: RFD 5 @ CHI 4 (OT), CHI 3 @ MIL 1, CHI 4 @ MIL 1
Wolves on a tear while everyone else in the division is stuck in second gear. Yet, they lead second place Iowa by just one point.

+4

 This Week: @ RFD 12/28, vs. RFD 12/29, @ IA 12/31, vs. IA 1/2
Record: 18-9-3-1

5

 Last Week: BRI 6 @ CHA 1, BRI 1 @ CHA 3
Split with Charlotte and looked OK in the process. Are the Sound Tigers for real this year?

+1

 This Week: vs. HFD 12/27, @ SPR 12/28, @ HFD 12/29, @ RCH 1/2
Record: 18-9-4-1

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Power Rankings

AHL Power Rankings: Week 11

Comments Off on AHL Power Rankings: Week 11 Posted by on December 20, 2018

Some shakeups this week to the Top Five in the Week 11 Chirps from Center Ice AHL Power Rankings.

The San Jose Barracuda hit a bump in the road against the San Diego Gulls and drop out of the top spot this week. They are replaced by, who else, the Charlotte Checkers. The Checkers remain the AHL’s best, most complete team. They face a stiff test when Bridgeport comes to town this weekend though.

North Division leading Rochester jump to the two spot. The Amerks have been a bit underrated in these Rankings. They lead their division by five right now, so they have our attention.

Milwaukee sits fourth after making the best out of some sticky situations. They are followed by the pesky Colorado Eagles who continue to impress.

Jump past the Eagles to see the rest of the Rankings if you didn’t link in direct.

1

 Last Week: HFD 0 @ CHA 1, HFD 2 @ CHA 3, UTI 1 @ CHA 2 (OT), UTI 4 @ CHA 3 (OT)
Checkers continue to just plow opponents. Bridgeport in this weekend in a very important battle of the Atlantic’s top teams.

+1

 This Week: vs. BRI 12/21, vs. BRI 12/22
Record: 22-6-2-0

2

 Last Week: CLE 1 @ RCH 3, RCH 2 @ CLE 1 (OT), BEL 5 @ RCH 4
That loss to Belleville Wednesday has to stink but the Amerks have a five point lead over Utica in the North right now so it’s OK, for now.

+2

 This Week: vs. HFD 12/21, vs. HFD 12/22, @ CLE 12/26
Record: 18-8-2-0

3

 Last Week: SJ 3 @ SD 4 (SO), SJ 5 @ ONT 2, SJ 1 @ SD 6
First regulation loss for San Jose since November 10 with Wednesday’s setback to San Diego, a team that got the Barracuda twice this week. Two big games with the Roadrunners, smarting from the unsuccessful trip to Rosemont last weekend, coming up this week.

-2

 This Week: vs. TUC 12/21, vs. TUC 12/22
Record: 16-4-1-3

4

 Last Week: TEX 2 @ MIL 3 (OT), MIL 4 @ GR 5 (SO), MIL 3 @ RFD 4 (OT)
It doesn’t look pretty, but the Admirals have points in four straight games and lead the Central by three over Chicago and Iowa. Wolves are on the schedule twice this week.

+2

 This Week: vs. CHI 12/22, vs. CHI 12/26
Record: 16-9-5-1

5

 Last Week: COL 4 @ ONT 3 (OT)
Eagles continue to roll. Quiet week, big OT win in Ontario. One game, no problem. Return home to host Bakersfield this weekend.

+3

 This Week: vs. BAK 12/21, vs. BAK 12/22
Record: 14-8-3-1

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Power Rankings

Tuesday Notes 12/18

Comments Off on Tuesday Notes 12/18 Posted by on December 18, 2018

A couple things to catch you up on here before the midweek game against Bridgeport Wednesday night. Here goes:

Dave Hakstol is out as head coach in Philly and the Flyers hire from within and tab Lehigh Valley Phantoms head coach Scott Gordon as interim coach in Philadelphia.

Staying with the, “next man up” idea, Kerry Huffman, an assistant of Gordon’s in Allentown, is the new man behind the Phantoms bench, for now. The release says that they are looking for a new head coach.

Basically how that is going to go is that Huffman will get 5-7 games as head coach. If the Phantoms do good in those games, he keeps the job. If not, they look for someone new.

Back locally, J-S Dea was re-assigned down from Pittsburgh Tuesday morning.

Also, Garrett Wilson is on waivers. If he goes unclaimed, Pittsburgh can send him here. If he does, don’t look for it to happen immediately. The NHL holiday roster freeze is coming. Pittsburgh wants that flexibility in case they get a healthy forward or two back from injury.

Tyler reports that Thomas DiPauli is week to week. He joins other week to weekers Sam Miletic and Chris Summers.

Wilkes-Barre should be OK for now, getting Dea and possibly Wilson back.

Old buddy Tom Sestito comes out of retirement and signs on with the Toronto Marlies. In case you are wondering, Wilkes-Barre and Toronto don’t lock up again until March 17.

Bridgeport is in Wednesday and will be without the services of Stephen Gionta, who was suspended three games by the AHL for boarding in Sunday’s game. Gionta was the one that injured or finished off Thomas DiPauli, who you will recall was stung by a Kevin Czuczman shot in the first period on Sunday, was tangled with with Gionta in the second and didn’t return. Coal Street must have thought the hit was egregious enough to warrant a review by the brain trust in Springfield and the gamble worked. There was no penalty on the play.

Here is the play in GIF form courtesy of the fine folks at Let’s Go Amerks:

Finally, Friday’s game at Hershey will be the AHL’s Facebook Watch Game of the Week. It’s free to anyone who has a Facebook account. Hershey’s feed is one of the best in the AHL with multiple angles and has been broadcast in high definition for years now. Check it out if you can find the time Friday.

Gameday setup will hit the blog for Wednesday’s game with Bridgeport at 3 p.m. Until then.

Let’s Go Pens!

Pittsburgh, The AHL, WBS

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