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In part, I said this in the pregame Gameday setup about the Providence Bruins coming into Friday night’s affair with the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins…

The Bruins are 0-3-0-1 and 4-4-1-1 in their last ten games and are in a slump, much like the Penguins were. But both teams are good, and good teams don’t stay in slumps very long. Bruins are going to be up for this one against Wilkes-Barre.

Providence takes this one 1-0 tonight. They scored on a third period power play goal by Tommy Cross. The Bruins’ power play was 28th in the American Hockey League coming into tonight’s game, but with players like reigning MVP Kenny Agostino, Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson and Austin Czarnik on a power play, if you play with fire long enough you eventually get burned.

Anthony Peters was dialed in. No other way to put it. This is a guy that is in the AHL on a tryout contract, playing without an AHL deal anywhere. I will guarantee you that this will be rectified awful soon, either by the Penguins this season or by some other team next season.

Wilkes-Barre could have won this game, sure. But getting only seven shots in the third period to the Bruins sixteen and giving the Bruins power play after power play, eventually that good team I mentioned in my second paragraph will break through.

Eight game win streak ends. When you don’t score, you don’t win. However, I wouldn’t fret over this game. Two teams that are really good, well coached, battle to a 1-0 result. The Penguins, or any team really, win most of their games when they hold their opponent to only one goal. The Penguins just failed to score tonight and it bit them. Take solace in knowing that Anthony Peters is settling into a role of a legitimate AHL starter and the defense that the Penguins employ is one of the best in the AHL.

Lines were…

Zach Aston-Reese — Gage Quinney — Ryan Haggerty
Colin Wilson – Greg McKegg – Christian Thomas
Adam Johnson – Jarrett Burton – Colin Smith
Thomas Di Pauli – Teddy Blueger – Patrick McGrath

Andrey Pedan – Czuczman
Jarred Tinordi – Zach Trotman
Chris Summers – Frank Corrado

Anthony Peters – Charles Williams

Lineup Notes: Charles who? Charles Williams was signed by the Pens today to a PTO as Coal Street made a bevy of moves today. Williams comes to the Pens on a PTO from the Manchester Monarchs, who the Wheeling Nailers are playing today. Here were the transactions today…

Adam Morrison reported to Wheeling.

Nailers are in Manchester Friday, then Worcester Saturday and Sunday. They host Kalamazoo Wednesday, so those that were sent down may likely stay there for at least the week. I also believe that this means that Anthony Peters starts Sunday in Hartford.

Peters opposed Providence’s Zane McIntyre.

First Period: There are times in a players development when you determine whether or not that player will thrive in that role or not. There is only enough coaching that can be offered to a player; that player must go out on the ice and execute.

The player I am referring to in this instance is Anthony Peters.

The Providence Bruins put 13 shots at Peters in the first period and he denied them all. Every shot had purpose and Peters answered each. Example…

What I am getting at is that any stiff that knows how to play goal can thrive when the team beats a bunch of last place teams like Binghamton and Belleville. That is not Providence. You can rest assured that Anthony Peters can play at the AHL level, at least based off of this period. Wilkes-Barre had an early breakaway from Greg McKegg in the games first minute, but that was all the offense the Penguins could really muster, spending large chunks of play in their own end in front of Peters.

Second Period: The goaltender duel continued. Teddy Blueger was denied on a shorthanded breakaway as McIntyre stopped him with a two pad stack. Penguins would get a power play and unload a bevy of shots at McIntyre, but the Bruins netminder would deny them all. Game was a straight up goaltender duel in it’s purest form.

Third Period: Coal Street started sending GIFs out on Anthony Peters jaw dropping saves. Here are a few…

That was on Anders Bjork. Remember that one.

Another on Anders Bjork, who will most likely be having nightmares about Anthony Peters for a few days at least.

That was all of them.

Providence would score on a power play, their fifth of the game, when Tommy Cross scored to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead.

Penguins could not get a clear there and Cross took advantage.

Wilkes-Barre took a time out, but with Peters vacated for the extra attacker, could never find the equalizer.

Three Stars: Pretty straightforward. Were Anthony Peters with 42 saves on 43 shots, Zane McIntyre with a 28 save shutout and Tommy Cross with his power play goal in that order.

Around the Division: Springfield coughs up a 3-0 lead in Binghamton and loses 5-3. Their five game winning streak is kaput. Hartford takes down Utica 3-2 in overtime. Wolf Pack had a 2-0 lead at the time, Comets battle back for the extra point but fall in the extra session. Everyone else was off.

Standings: Penguins (.671 percentage points) — Providence (.641) — Lehigh Valley (.622) — Charlotte (.588) — Bridgeport (.538) — Hershey (.500) — Springfield (.465) — Hartford (.452)

Bruins play tomorrow in Bridgeport while the Penguins are off.

Wheeling Update: Nailers lose 3-2 in Manchester. Cam Brown and Reid Gardiner scored in the loss.

Pens are off Saturday, will remain in Providence tonight before bussing to Hartford Saturday afternoon. They play the Wolf Pack at 5 Sunday. Gameday setup will hit the blog Sunday at 1.

Let’s Go Pens!

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I hate work night home games. I have to be up in a few more hours because I am traveling for my big boy job tomorrow.

Anyway, the first place Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins hosted the second place Lehigh Valley Phantoms tonight and it was the first place team beating the second place team 4-1.

Apologies if this recap is a bit stripped down. Work night games before a day of travel will do that for you.

Lineup wise, Gage Quinney was back in and played first line center. Colin Smith was also back in the lineup. On defense, Zach Trotman and Frank Corrado were in for the Pens.

Earlier in the day, J-S Dea was recalled by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Well deserved and long overdue call up for Dea. Pens are on the west coast this week so Dea is likely just an extra body, but I legitimately hope that the coaching staff gives J-S a game.

With Dea out of the lineup, the finesse that he brings to the rink with him night in and night out was missing. The Pens needed a workmanlike game tonight and got one. A lunch pail, roll up your sleeves and get to work type game against a second place Lehigh Valley side.

This is without many key players out of the lineup too. If you keep this defense intact and get names like Tom Kostopoulos back, among others, we may have a deep run. Hell, this June will be 10 years. Think about that.

Anthony Peters opposed Dustin Tokarski

First Period: Quick period that moved briskly. Phil Myers scored on a power play for Lehigh Valley giving them the lead. Puck may have deflected off of a Penguin defender in front.

Second Period: Pens explode for three goals and take command. Gage Quinney tied it on a nice drop pass from Ryan Haggerty, then Christian Thomas scooped in a shot laying in the crease for a power play goal to make it 2-1 then later Teddy Blueger scored on a nice pass from Colin Smith for a tap in goal that made it 3-1.

Further, Lehigh Valley only took five shots in the period. A lockdown middle frame by the home team.

Third Period: Lehigh Valley piped shots at Peters, who is filling out nicely as a legit goaltender at the AHL level, but got nothing past him. The Phantoms, with about five minutes left in the third and still down a pair, pull Tokarski and Zach Aston-Reese hits the open, empty net.

Ballgame. Eight wins in a row now and I can safely say that the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins are back.

Theee Stars: 3) Gage Quinney (goal, +2) 2) Zach Aston-Reese (goal, two assists, +2) and 1) Christian Thomas (game winning goal, even)

Around the Division: There were just two other games. Charlotte hosted Bridgeport in a 5 p.m. rematch from Tuesday night in an empty building because of snow and and beat the Sound Tigers 4-3. Checkers ended up sweeping Bridgeport in the two game series. Hershey traveled up to Springfield who have won four straight. Hershey battled back to force overtime but lose to the Thunderbirds 5-4 in a shootout.

Standings: Penguins (.689 percentage points) — Providence (.632) — Lehigh Valley (.622) — Charlotte (.588) — Bridgeport (.538) — Hershey (.500) — Springfield (.476) — Hartford (.439)

Wheeling is off as is the rest of the ECHL until Friday.

Video Highlights….

Pens are practicing Thursday before hopping on a bus for Providence for Friday’s game up in the Rhode Island capital. Gameday setup for that game will be Friday at 3. Check back then.

Let’s Go Pens!

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Hat tricks are a rare thing. Back to back hat tricks are extremely rare. But that is what happened Saturday afternoon in Laval, QC as Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins defensemen Andrey Pedan scored a hat trick, his first of his professional career. Last night, Ryan Haggerty scored his first professional hat trick last night in Belleville.

Wilkes-Barre wins 4-3. Seven straight for the Penguins, their longest winning streak of the season.

Had the conversation on here a week ago whether the Penguins are, “back” after their horrific December. I think so. Today’s game was a terrific, physical and exciting affair between two teams that knocked the snot out of each other. It was a game that could have went either way, and Pedan and his heroics are enough to lift the Penguins past the Rocket today in Quebec.

Anthony Peters opposed Michael McNiven.

Lines were…

Zach Aston-Reese — J-S Dea — Ryan Haggerty
Garrett Wilson – Greg McKegg – Christian Thomas
Adam Johnson – Teddy Blueger – Thomas DiPauli
Freddie Tiffels – Jarrett Burton – Patrick McGrath

Andrey Pedan – Kevin Czuczman
Jarred Tinordi – Ethan Prow
Chris Summers – Kevin Spinozzi

Anthony Peters – Adam Morrison

Lineup Notes: Freddie Tiffels, Jarrett Burton and Patrick McGrath replaced the fourth line from last night. Ethan Prow, Kevin Spinozzi and Chris Summers were in on the blue line. Thomas DiPauli bumped up to the third line, replacing Colin Smith.

First Period: :32 in, Eric Gelinas puts a shot on net that through a heavy screen to put the Rocket on the board first. Later, Andrey Pedan carried the puck through the neutral zone, unleashed a shot from high slot that McNiven got a piece of with his glove, but it went over the glove and in his net.

Christian Thomas assisted here, extending his point streak to four games.

Physicality picked up, as both teams were throwing big time hits.

Second Period: 1:03 in, the Rocket would jump out to another lead. A shot from the point was put in by Adam Cracknell. A Penguin lost his stick.

:23 later, Teddy Blueger scored. A great rush by Adam Johnson set the whole thing up…

Peters was keeping his team in the game, with this nice save here…

That was Noah Juulsen off a nice pass from Nikita Scherbak being denied by the Penguins netminder.

Andrey Pedan would add his second goal of the game while the Penguins were on a power play with this snapper of a shot that gave the Penguins a 3-2 lead…

Physicality was picking up huge. Neither team was backing down.

Laval drew even again on a power play goal. Wilkes-Barre found themselves in some penalty trouble and this one bit them. Adam Cracknell again, and it was tied again at three.

Pedan would complete his hat trick with four minutes to play in the second period exactly on a power play.

That’s Garrett Wilson down there setting the screen.

Penguins defensemen just don’t score hat tricks that often. Here is the last time that it happened…

Oh, and Ryan Haggerty assisted on that Pedan goal, giving him six points on the weekend. Give him AHL Player of the Week honors immediately.

Third Period: No scoring here, but it was a period highlighted by lots of fantastic saves from McNiven and Peters. McNiven with the toe denying Zach Aston-Reese and Peters here in a pile of bodies with time ticking down…

This time it was Laval that found themselves in penalty trouble late in the period, nullifying any attempted comeback that the home team would have planned.

Three Stars: 3) Ryan Haggerty (two assists, -1) 2) Adam Cracknell (two goals, +2) and 1) Andrey Pedan (hat trick, +1)

Around the Division: Toronto sweeps Charlotte 3-1. Checkers are in a free fall, out of a playoff spot and 3-7 in their last ten….Belleville beats Hartford 4-2…Bridgeport beats Providence and sweeps the P-Bruins this weekend beating them 2-1 in a shootout. The Sound Tigers take the fourth spot in the Atlantic….Lehigh Valley beats Hershey 2-1, the Bears five game point streak ends. These two teams rematch tomorrow in Hershey. Springfield had the night off.

Standings: Penguins (.681 percentage points) — Providence (.649) — Lehigh Valley (.628) — Bridgeport (.568) — Charlotte (.556) — Hershey (.500) — Hartford (.450) — Springfield (.436)

Wheeling Update: Nailers beat Norfolk 4-2. J.C. Campagna had a pair of goals.

Video Highlights:

Pens will travel home Sunday.

Week 15 AHL Power Rankings are yours Monday at 4 but for anything breaking between now and then.

Let’s Go Pens!