Chirps from Center Ice

This game is kind of on an island by itself being a makeup game from January 18, and with another three in three for the Pens next week, the Weekend Preview will return Friday afternoon.

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Who: Belleville Senators

Where: Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m.

Last Game: Saturday in Hershey the Pens had a 3-0 lead on the Bears but lost 5-4 in overtime. Yeah, I am still hot about it. For Belleville, they were in Laval Saturday and lost 4-1.

Last Meeting: January 12 in Belleville, the Pens lost 4-3. This was the beginning of the, “can’t hold onto a lead” stigma that irks this team, as Wilkes-Barre had a 2-1 lead heading into the third, Belleville scores :33 in to tie it, Emil Bemstrom scores to make it 3-2 but then the Senators storm back to tie it and then Wyatt Bongiovanni scores a power play goal with three seconds left to stun the Pens and take the full two points.

Record: For WBS: 29-14-7-1 (66 pts., 3rd place Atlantic) — For BEL: 24-19-4-4 (56 pts., 6th place North)

Referees: Rob Hennessey / Austin O’Rourke

Linesmen: J.P. Waleski / Chandler Yakimowicz

Why You Should Care: I want a full circle moment here. The beginning of the “no lead is safe” mantra started the last time the Pens saw Belleville and continued Saturday in Hershey when the Bears won in OT. Wilkes-Barre is better than Belleville in all facets and should put this team away easily, but they don’t play games on paper.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV on FloHockey

Next Five Games: @ HFD 3/7, vs. BEL 3/8, vs. SYR 3/9, vs. HER 3/12, @ LV 3/14

Since there’s only one game this weekend, and oldie but goodie is back. We return to Weekend Previews next week!

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Who: Bridgeport Islanders

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m.

Last Game / Last Meeting: Last Saturday in Wilkes-Barre, the Pens lost 5-2. The Islanders scored two empty net goals to make the score seem worse then it seemed. Tristan Broz stayed hot with a goal for the Pens, but Liam Foudy’s goal on a delayed call broke the 2-2 deadlock and gave the Islanders a lead they would not relinquish.

Record: For WBS: 8-4-1-0 (17 pts., 3rd place Atlantic) — For BRI: 4-9-1-1 (10 pts., 8th place Atlantic)

Referees: Jack Young / Rob Hennessey

Linesmen: J.P. Waleski / Ryan Knapp

Why You Should Care: Penguins had a week to stew on this loss with no Wednesday game. Will they be ready for a tougher then the standings place would indicate Islanders team?

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV on FloHockey

Next Five Games: vs. LAV 11/29, @ HER 11/30, vs. HER 12/4, @ HFD 12/7, @ PRO 12/8

Back for one night only! We return to the Weekend Previews next week!

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Who: Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Where: PPL Center

When: 7:05 p.m.-ish

Last Game / Last Meeting: Last Saturday in Allentown, the Penguins won 3-1. Joona Koppanen had a goal and an assist for the Penguins. AHL All-Star Joel Blomqvist had 20 saves. Jon-Randall Avon scored the only goal for the Phantoms in the win.

Record: For WBS: 24-16-6-0 (54 pts., 3rd place Atlantic) — For LV: 18-18-5-2 (43 pts., 7th place Atlantic)

Referees: Jackson Kozari / Patrick Hanrahan

Linesmen: J.P. Waleski / Jud Ritter

Why You Should Care: Penguins return from the all star break looking for two points over a Phantoms team they know they can beat so that they can keep pace with second place Providence and keep distance on fourth place Hartford.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV

Next Five Games: @ TOR 2/14, @ RCH 2/16, vs. LAV 2/17, vs. LV 2/21, @ HER 2/23

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Who: Hershey Bears

Where: Giant Center

When: 3:00 p.m.

Last Game: Last night in Allentown the Penguins won 2-1 in overtime. Alex D’Orio made 23 saves, Kasper Bjorkqvist scored his first goal of the season for the game winner….For Hershey, they hosted Binghamton yesterday and won 3-2. Connor McMichael had a goal and an assist in the win. With the win, the Bears won the North Division title, despite not even playing Syracuse, Rochester or Utica.

Last Meeting: May 1 in Wilkes-Barre, the Penguins lost 4-3 in overtime. Sam Miletic had a goal and an assist for the Pens but Connor McMichael scored in overtime to win it for the Bears.

Record: For WBS: 13-12-4-2 (32 pts.) — For HER: 23-7-2-0 (48 pts.) — UPDATE RECORD AND POINTS

Referees: Jordan Deckard / Rob Hennessey

Linesmen: Tom DellaFranco / Tom George

Why You Should Care: Last game of the season for both teams and you want your team to win their last game heading into the summer.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV

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Who: Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Where: PPL Center

When: 7:05 p.m.

Last Game: Last Sunday in Allentown, the Pens lost 6-2. Felix Robert and Josh Currie scored for the Penguins. Lehigh Valley beat Binghamton 2-1 in Newark Wednesday. Zayde Wisdom assisted on both Phantoms goals. 

Last Meeting: Was last Sunday, recapped above. Brennan Saulnier scored a natural hat trick in the first period against the Penguins. The second time that has happened to Wilkes-Barre / Scranton this season.

Record: For WBS: 12-12-4-2 (30 pts.) — For LV: 18-7-3-1 (41 pts.)

Referees: Jordan Samuels-Thomas / Jeremy Tufts

Linesmen: John Rey / Jud Ritter

Why You Should Care: Thank god this farce of a forced season is almost over. 

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV

Remaining Game: @ HER 5/16

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Who: Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Where: PPL Center

When: 3:05 p.m.

Last Game: Last night at home against Binghamton, the Penguins won 4-1. Nick Schilkey had a pair of goals and Tommy Nappier won his first game as a pro. Lehigh Valley played Hershey last night in Hershey and were shutout 3-0.

Last Meeting: April 28 in Wilkes-Barre, the Penguins won 2-1 in overtime. Tim Schaller had the game winner, Alex D’Orio stopped 41 shots on his birthday.

Record: For WBS: 12-11-4-2 (30 pts.) — For LV: 16-7-3-1 (37 pts.)

Referees:  Peter Schlittenhardt / Furman South

Linesmen: Tyler Loftus / J.P. Waleski

Why You Should Care: Penguins closed out their home set of the season and now have three road games with the first coming today in Allentown. Happy Mothers Day!

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV

Remaining Games: @ LV 5/15, @ HER 5/16

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Who: Binghamton Devils

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 5:00 p.m.

Last Game: Wednesday at home against Binghamton, the Penguins doubled up the Devils 6-3. Anthony Angello and Josh Currie led the way with two goals and an assist each. Tyce Thompson had a goal and an assist in the loss. On Friday, the Devils hosted Hershey and lost 2-1. Reilly Walsh had a goal for the Devils in the loss.

Last Meeting: Was this past Wednesday, described above.

Record: For WBS: 11-11-4-2 (28 pts.) — For BNG: 6-17-5-2 (20 pts.)

Referees: Peter Schlittenhardt / Furman South

Linesmen: Colin Gates / J.P. Waleski

Why You Should Care: Last ever meeting between Wilkes-Barre and Binghamton today. The Devils are moving operations up north to Utica. Also, Alex D’Orio was recalled, so look for Tommy Nappier to be in the barrel today for the Penguins.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV

Remaining Games: @ LV 5/9, @ LV 5/15, @ HER 5/16