Chirps from Center Ice

Figured I would drop a quick blog post here in light of what’s gone on this week around Coal Street and the rest of the Atlantic Division. Here goes…

Last night the Bridgeport Sound Tigers defeated the Springfield Thunderbirds 3-2. So that means that Wilkes-Barre cannot clinch a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs Friday. The magic number remains at five. Pens get this Springfield team Friday in Springfield while Bridgeport visits Allentown. As with last Sunday when these two teams met, provided the Penguins win against the Thunderbirds Friday, you just want whichever team to win in regulation.

Word out of Coal Street Wednesday afternoon was that Stuart Percy is done for the year after having surgery on his upper body injury and that Garrett Wilson is expected back this weekend. Both Seth and Tom reported it, here’s Tom’s tweet capsulizing both. Percy’s biggest MO from the start was that he could never stay healthy. Wilson getting back will be a huge help.

Troy Josephs missed practice Wednesday as he went back to school to finish up a few classes. My guess is that with Wilson back in the picture, Josephs projects as that 13th forward who could be scratched.

Daniel Sprong’s Charlottetown Islanders swept Drakkar Wednesday. They are onto the second round. First ever sweep for Charlottetown.

Pittsburgh signed D Jeff Taylor for next year. In the interim, he has signed his ATO and has already joined Wilkes-Barre for practice. He’s one of the top offensive defensemen in college hockey and put up 33 points in 38 games played this season. I also think he kind of looks like Major League Baseball player Ryan Braun too.

You are all caught up, I think. Gameday setup for Friday’s game at Springfield hist the blog Friday afternoon at 3.

During all the snow Tuesday (I am still snowed in Wednesday as the office at my big boy job is closed) the Pittsburgh Penguins went out and signed Zach Aston-Reese to a two-year deal which kicks in next year. For the time being, he will report to Wilkes-Barre on an amateur tryout contract.

As of five minutes ago, you may not have known who Zach Aston-Reese was. I know that five minutes before I read about the news, I didn’t know who he was either.

But that’s what the power of the internet is for. Here are some reactions…

It’s a big deal when Jonathan calls the guy the top undrafted college free agent on the market…

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Derrick Graffius pays a lot more attention to the college kids than I do…

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I don’t suppose that you can use the kids name without also using, “big signing”

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Reaction around the division?

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Ok, ok, but what about a scouting report?

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Words from Seth, a Q&A with Jonathan and a nice article on the Penguins site.

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My reaction?

The signing certainly helps. Don’t look for him to jump right in and start playing all of a sudden. He will probably use this week to acclimate himself to Wilkes-Barre, have a couple of video sessions, practice this week and take in the two games this weekend with Lehigh Valley. Hobey Baker finalist and leader in whichever category you prefer, I don’t think they are going to trot the kid out there Saturday in Allentown, in the thick of a playoff race. If he gets in a game at all, it will most likely be next Tuesday at home against Hartford.

The one game to watch Wednesday night is Lehigh Valley hosting the North Division leader Syracuse Crunch. This is the game in hand that the Phantoms are burning against the Penguins and a Lehigh Valley win would put them two points behind Wilkes-Barre for tops in the Atlantic with a home and home series between the two sides starting Friday in Allentown. I’ll have a blurb on Twitter later Wednesday mentioning the final score.

Next blog recap should be the Gameday setup against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms Friday at 3.