Chirps from Center Ice

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In case you don’t get the headline, Teddy Blueger is from Latvia. As I was walking into the game tonight a Pens promo person asked me if I wanted to participate in a Pens trivia game, the subject being Teddy Blueger. I politely turned the guy down. The question ended up being what country Teddy Blueger is from.

Blueger’s overtime game winning goal caps off a tumultuous game for the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins. More on that in a minute.

The big news before the game was the announcement by the team that they signed Sebastian Caron to a PTO. Tristan Jarry left the game Tuesday night against Philly with an apparent injury. Casey DeSmith was not recalled today, but held out of the game likely at the request of the NHL team.

So why not recall the recently released Adam Morrison? Not that easy. Wheeling is down in Norfolk, who is in the direct path of that winter storm you may have heard of and most likely wasn’t available to be returned safely to Wilkes-Barre. Pens went the nostalgia route and signed a blast from the past to backup Anthony Peters in Sebastian Caron.

Extremely cheap move, in my opinion. There are 27 ECHL teams and all day to sign a guy who actively plays, get him in on a PTO and sit him down to watch an AHL game. Thankfully, Peters didn’t get injured tonight, because that would have been a disaster against a fifth place team hot on the Penguins tails. You may think it’s fun to see a guy you cheered for 12 years ago skate for your present day Penguins, but people pay money to watch this product. If the team isn’t putting forth the best possible product on the ice regardless of backup, that’s troubling.

Anyway. Pens win 3-2 in overtime against Bridgeport. Third win in a row for the Penguins, second in overtime.

Sound Tigers weren’t slouches tonight and weren’t slouches coming in. They hadn’t given up a power play goal in some time and have not allowed their opponents to have 10 or more shots in a period in some time either.

That all changed in the third period, however.

Anthony Peters opposed Christopher Gibson.

Lines were…

Zach Aston-Reese — J-S Dea — Ryan Haggerty
Garrett Wilson – Greg McKegg – Christian Thomas
Thomas Di Pauli – Teddy Blueger – Colin Smith
Cody Wydo – Jarrett Burton – Patrick McGrath

Andrey Pedan – Kevin Czuczman
Jeff Taylor – Jarred Tinordi
Chris Summers – Ethan Prow

Anthony Peters – Sebastian Caron

First Period: Bridgeport scored on their first power play of the night. Travis St. Denis from the near dot on a one timer that gave the Sound Tigers a 1-0 lead.

Later, Sound Tigers doubled their lead when a Kyle Burroughs shot rebounded to Michael Dal Colle.

Wilkes-Barre settled a bit, got a power play that they got close on a few times but didn’t score. They killed a late Garrett Wilson penalty.

Second Period: Penguins only muster four shots at Gibson in the period that featured no scoring. Couple power plays for each side but nothing to write home about.

Third Period: Thomas DiPauli appears to have scored a goal on the backhand to break the Gibson shutout, but referee Furman South washed the goal out immediately because Colin Smith was standing in the blue paint. South applied rule 69.3 from the AHL Rulebook.

In part, from the rule book,

69.3 Contact Inside the Goal Crease – If an attacking player initiates contact with a goalkeeper, incidental or otherwise, while the goalkeeper is in his goal crease, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.

If a goalkeeper, in the act of establishing his position within his goal crease, initiates contact with an attacking player who is in the goal crease, and this results in an impairment of the goalkeeper’s ability to defend his goal, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.

If, after any contact by a goalkeeper who is attempting to establish position in his goal crease, the attacking player does not immediately vacate his current position in the goal crease (i.e. give ground to the goalkeeper), and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed. In all such cases, whether or not a goal is scored, the attacking player will receive a minor penalty for goalkeeper interference.

If an attacking player establishes a significant position within the goal crease, so as to obstruct the goalkeeper’s vision and impair his ability to defend his goal, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.

For this purpose, a player “establishes a significant position within the crease” when, in the Referee’s judgment, his body, or a substantial portion thereof, is within the goal crease for more than an instantaneous period of time.

For what it’s worth, I didn’t see any of those parameters applied there. Donatelli told media post game that it wasn’t a play that could be reviewed and he’s right, it can’t be because that is in the rule book.

That controversial call seemed to light a fire under the Penguins.

The Penguins finally do score a clean goal when Ryan Haggerty scored off of an initial shot from Zach Aston-Reese that knuckled and handcuffed Gibson to put the Penguins on the board legally, and it was a 2-1 game.

Penguins on a last minute power play with Peters pulled score to tie the game when Garrett Wilson fed Greg McKegg in the slot to tie the game. That was the first power play Wilkes-Barre has scored in eight games, breaking Bridgeport’s streak of 33 straight kills in the process.

Overtime: In overtime and the momentum flowing, Pens capitalize on a turnover and Teddy Blueger scores through the five hole of Gibson to end it.

Hell of a way to battle back. Credit the Penguins for sticking around with Bridgeport and quickly erasing a two goal deficit.

Three Stars: 3) Zach Aston-Reese (credited with the initial goal which was later switched to Haggerty, Aston-Reese had an assist and was +1) 2) Greg McKegg (power lay goal, even) and 1) Teddy Blueger (overtime game winning goal, +1)

In the division, they all watched us.

Standings: Providence (.703 percentage points) — Lehigh Valley (.657) — Penguins (.641) — Charlotte (.632) — Bridgeport (.563) — Hershey (.486) — Hartford (.471) — Springfield (.429)

Wheeling Update: The Nailers are in Norfolk tonight and lost in overtime 3-2. Christian Horn had a hat trick for the Admirals, Riley Bourbonnais and Kevin Schulze scored for the Nailers in the loss. Colin Stevens took the overtime loss for Wheeling.

Video Highlights: 

Wilkes-Barre hosts Springfield Friday. I may come here to mention the recalls (if any) made by Pittsburgh Thursday. If not, check out the Gameday setup with the Thunderbirds Friday at 3.

Let’s Go Pens!

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The big news in the organization today was the recall of Daniel Sprong to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Sprong, coming off of his second hat trick of the season last night, earns his first recall of the season. Pittsburgh sent Dominik Simon back in the transaction. In an unrelated move, the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins recalled Cody Wydo and Reid Gardiner from Wheeling about an hour after the Sprong news.

I wrote that paragraph at around 6:10 p.m. Saturday night. Fast forward about three hours and it’s the aforementioned Simon that completely asserts himself in the contest with the Hershey Bears tonight, scoring the game winning goal in overtime to propel the Penguins past their I-81 rivals by a score of 2-1.

So the Penguins sweep the weekend and close out 2017 on a winning note.

Here’s how they lined up tonight…

Zach Aston-Reese — J-S Dea — Ryan Haggerty
Thomas Di Pauli – Greg McKegg – Dominik Simon
Adma Johnson – Teddy Blueger – Colin Smith
Cody Wydo – Jarrett Burton – Freddie Tiffels

Jarred Tinordi – Ethan Prow
Kevin Czuczman – Zach Trotman
Kevin Spinozzi – Chris Summers

Anthony Peters – Adam Morrison

Lineup Notes: Thomas DiPauli returned from his four game absence and Dominik Simon made it in time from North Carolina last night and those two were in for Gage Quinney and Daniel Sprong. Ethan Prow replaced Jeff Taylor on defense. Cody Wydo was in for Patrick McGrath on the fourth line. Reid Gardiner joined Taylor, McGrath and Quinney on the healthy scratch list.

First Period: No scoring in the period, but the Penguins dominated the play in the period and the difference maker was the play and passing from Dominik Simon. If he wasn’t setting up his teammates, he was creating chances. He drew a penalty and in the power play that ensured, the Penguins spent the entire time in the zone and fired shot upon shot on Bears starting goaltender Vitek Vanecek.

Second Period: Anthony Peters was dialing in, stopping a Wayne Simpson breakaway and the follow-up rebound.

Right around the mid-point of the second period, Zach Aston-Reese put one home for the Pens to give them a 1-0 lead.

This game featured tow things. Physicality and goaltending. Jarred Tinordi laid a hit on a Bear right at center ice that set up a three on one for Hershey. Anthony Peters stopped it. Then the Penguins had to kill two penalties late and did so successfully thanks in part to shot blocking and saves made by Anthony Peters.

Third Period: Penguins were perfect last night on the penalty kill against the Hartford Wolf Pack and perfect again tonight against the Hershey Bears. Seconds after their fourth kill of the night on the Bears power play, Ty Graovac scored to tie the game on this goal…

Penguins got a power play but were not able to score on it. Later, J-S Dea thought he scored but replay confirm that the puck did not cross the goal line. Teams traded late penalties, but it was off to…

Overtime: Dominik Simon raced past all three Bears defenders and that was your ballgame…

Three Stars: 3) Anthony Peters (20 saves on 21 shots) 2) Vitek Vanecek (36 saves on 38 shots) and 1) Dominik Simon (overtime game winning goal, even)

Around the Division: Belleville beats Providence at home 3-2 in overtime….Bridgeport shuts out Binghamton 5-0 at home….Springfield takes down Hartford 5-4 in the Connecticut capital….Charlotte takes down Lehigh Valley in Allentown 5-2.

Standings: Providence (.703 percentage points) — Lehigh Valley (.657) — Charlotte (.632) — Penguins (.629) — Bridgeport (.565) — Hershey (.486) — Hartford (.471) — Springfield (.429)

Wheeling Update: An undermanned Nailers team stayed with the Toledo Walleye, but fell on home ice 5-4.

Great stat here from Pens color man Nick Hart…

Video Highlights:

Pens are off now until Wednesday when they host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. I’ll have the Week 13 AHL Power Rankings up at a special time on Monday and that time will be at noon. Check them out then. Have a safe New Year.

Let’s Go Pens!

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I want to get something out of the way real quick. I have been ragging on the Tyrell Goulbourne goal that should not have counted Wednesday when the Penguins hosted the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. I was told pregame tonight that replay in the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza was not working. Thus, no review.

Now that’s out of the way, to more current events. A 5-1 Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins win against the Hartford Wolf Pack. A methodical takedown by the Pens of a very good, strong Hartford team which has been punching above it’s weight of recent and really primed to make a run in 2018.

But the Wolf Pack ran into a problem. His name being Daniel Sprong, who had a hat trick tonight, his second of the season.

A lot of chatter has been had on social media regarding the slump that the Pittsburgh Penguins are on and what might fix it. A name that has come up time after time is Daniel Sprong. Sprong, a highly touted prospect from the QMJHL, is still middling around here in Wilkes-Barre while the Pittsburgh Penguins lose game after game and are middling around in Metropolitan Division purgatory. “Bring up Sprong!” they say, “Call up Sprong!” they shout.

The issue here is not his offense. He’s an offensively gifted forward that can and will score at any level of hockey anywhere and will do so for years to come. The issue is his defense. His two-way game lacks in areas. It’s gotten better, but it lacks from time to time.

Pittsburgh wants to take their time with Sprong. The can do that and monitor him from Wilkes-Barre where every night there is a body in the box high above me watching down upon the action below.

Calling him up now could work. But calling him up now to stick him on the fourth line and bury him on the bench when a giveaway or a lax forecheck allows for an odd man rush the other way and a Grade A scoring attempt from the other team or a penalty taken isn’t going to do anything for him.

I know that fans want everything done in a microwave. They want to win every game 10-0 and have their favorite player get all the headlines. I’d be lying if I said that I am not in this group somewhat, but I like to look at everything from all sides.

It’s not a matter of if Daniel Sprong will be called up, it’s a matter of when.

Now, could the Penguins beaten the Hartford Wolf Pack tonight without Sprong? I think yes. Hartford was a mess tonight and it snowballed from there. Getting a four point night out of the opposing teams best prospect coupled with 27 saves out of the ECHL goaltender and you are going to have a rough night. The Pens, as a team, played a complete game. They insulated goaltender Anthony Peters, got the offense that they needed to win and Peters made the saves he needed to when called upon and that’s your ballgame.

Oh, it helps when you keep the AHL’s best road power play (25.7%) 0-6 on the night as well.

Geez, that was a long lede. Someone get me an editor!

Peters opposed Marek Mazanec.

Lines were…

Zach Aston-Reese — J-S Dea — Ryan Haggerty
Gage Quinney – Greg McKegg – Daniel Sprong
Adam Johnson – Teddy Blueger – Colin Smith
Freddie Tiffels – Jarrett Burton – Patrick McGrath

Jeff Taylor – Jarred Tinordi
Kevin Czuczman – Zach Trotman
Kevin Spinnozi – Chris Summers

Anthony Peters – Adam Morrisson

Lineup Notes: Jeff Taylor made his Wilkes-Barre debut for the Penguins in 2017-18…Kevin Spinozzi slotted in as well…Greg McKegg was in as well for the recently recalled Garrett Wilson. Ethan Prow skated the extra man in warmups.

First Period: On a delayed penalty, Daniel Sprong let one rip from the point that deflected off of bodies and Colin Smith got a stick on it to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead. Jeff Taylor picked up the secondary assist, his first AHL point.

Hartford would answer back a few minutes later when the Penguins overcommitted to one side, leaving Joe Whitney open with time and space, enough to beat Peters to make it a 1-1 game.

Second Period: Patrick McGrath would pick up 27 minutes in PIMs with a fight with Scott Kosmachuk, one that McGrath would win easy. Hopefully Coal Street has it in their video highlight package.

Anthony DeAngelo leaves a puck in his own zone for Adam Johnson, who pounced on it and then dropped it to Sprong who scored to make it 2-1 Penguins…

Nice to see some puck luck turn the way of the Penguins for once.

Sprong would add a second goal here…

Haven’t heard much from the, “Fire Donatelli” crowd in a while and I wonder why.

Third Period: Anthony Peters was dialing in. He stopped a centering bid on Vince Pedrie, limited rebounds and covered pucks. It helped that the Wolf Pack essentially were firing right at him or way past him or over him, but he was solid when he needed to be, including in one sequence a pad stop followed up by a glove save.

Then, with the game in the balance, Gage Quinney took a tripping penalty at 14:19. Hartford’s lethal road power play stepped over the boards and was looking to get on the board here down a pair.

:07 later, after Teddy Blueger won a defensive zone face-off, Zach Aston-Reese was sprung and scored on a breakaway that made it 4-1 Penguins. Ballgame.

Sprong got his third goal via empty net, with Mazanec vacated with his team down three late.

Three Stars: 3) Adam Johnson (two assists, +3) 2) Anthony Peters (27 saves on 28 shots) and 1) Daniel Sprong (hat trick, assist, +3)

Around the Division: Ex-Penguin assistant and one time head coach Jay Leach will be behind the Atlantic Division bench in a month’s time at the ALl-Star Classic in Utica, thanks to his Providence Bruins team winning 3-1 tonight in the very place he will be coaching in about a month, Utica, NY against the Comets….Lehigh Valley beats Charlotte 3-1 and Hershey beats Springfield 4-2. Bridgeport was off.

Standings: Providence (.710 percentage points) — Lehigh Valley (.676) — Charlotte (.621) — Penguins (.617) — Bridgeport (.550) — Hershey (.485) — Hartford (.485) — Springfield (.412)

Wheeling Update: Nailers lose 5-2 in Fort Wayne. Cam Brown and Reid Gardiner scored for the Nailers in the loss.

Video Highlights: 

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Pens take on the Hershey Bears Saturday night and Anthony Peters will get the start, per Clark Donatelli to the Wilkes-Barre media. Gameday setup hits the blog here Saturday at 3.

Let’s Go Pens!