Chirps from Center Ice

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

Category Archives: WBS

A Killer Amongst Us

Comments Off Posted by nafsnep on January 3, 2012

AHL Transaction Page was active this morning with the news that Patrick Killeen was recalled to Wilkes-Barre / Scranton. In 21 games played for Wheeling this year, Killeen sports a 10-8-1-1 record, a 2.86 GAA and an 0.880 SV%.

WBS was mum on this on the website, Twitter and Facebook pages. But Bombulie confirmed Killeen was here for Scott Munroe who has a “minor” lower body injury. It’s expected that Brad Thiessen gets the start tomorrow vs. Norfolk.

I wanted to look at the numbers vs. Norfolk for both Thiessen and Munroe. In a word, ick. Both have 85% save percentages and goals against over three, with Munroe sporting a 4.99 GAA.

Elsewhere around the AHL, ex-WBS Penguin Luca Caputi is on the move again. This time basically across the hall as he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for Nicolas Deschamps. The AHL team for the Ducks, the Syracuse Crunch, are in Toronto to play Caputi’s old team the Marlies tonight. It’s expected that Deschamps and Caputi play against their old teams later.

Finally, the AHL All-Star Classic rosters are going to be announced at 3 p.m. tomorrow. Fans will be able to then vote on starters. I’ll go on record now and say that Colin McDonald and Eric Tangradi get nods from the WBS side. Cases can also be made for Ben Street and Bryan Lerg, but not with who Hershey, St. John’s, Norfolk and Manchester are going to send. (more than three each, IMO)

I’ll run a quick congratulatory blurb on whomever it is from the Pens the gets the nod sometime before the Norfolk game tomorrow, for those who are signed up for blog e-mail notifications. Left hand bottom of your screen if you haven’t signed up already. You’ll get my epistles delivered straight to your inbox so you don’t have to go searching for me on the internet.

On the subject of the Gameday post for Norfolk, I’ll have it up at a special time of 1 p.m. tomorrow in advance of the All-Star announcements.

Let’s Go Pens!

The AHL, WBS, Wheeling

Blog in Case You Forget…

Comments Off Posted by nafsnep on January 2, 2012

Debated for the past couple of hours whether to blog or not. Figured I would for the fact that if I sit on this information / speculation, I may forget it when I actually want to blog. Here goes…

Paul Martin and Richard Park practiced today. Martin is quoted that he wants to be well enough to play Friday. Does this mean Despres is down for good? (Or until there is another injury to a defenseman? These days it’s not a matter of if, but when)

On top of that, Robert Bortuzzo and Dustin Jeffrey skated in full gear and may practice this week. Maybe Jeffrey comes back down for more conditioning soon?

Here in Wilkes-Barre, there was no re-assignment of Peter Merth to Wheeling. Bombulie didn’t update today so I’m thinking the Pens didn’t practice.

Finally, on the subject of replay in the AHL, it was tweeted today by Sound Tigers beat writer Michael Fornabaio and Darryl Hunt who covers the Worcester Sharks (the Sharks visited the Sound Tigers today) that the AHL is experimenting with video replay on goals only. Here’s the blurb on it from Mike’s blog today:

Equipment has been floating around here for a while, but today the AHL confirmed it’s testing a potential video replay system here. There are cameras above both goals providing an angle to allow the referee(s) to take a look and see if a puck went into the net. “All very preliminary,” Jason Chaimovitch wrote. They plan to have it available during all four Bridgeport home games this month. The AHL Board of Governors has talked about replay possibilities over the past few years without approving a system. This potential system was developed by NeuLion, and Charles Wang was in the house.

NeuLion also runs AHL Live. Charles Wang runs the New York Islanders and owns NeuLion. Insert technical difficulties joke here….

Let’s Go Pens!

Pittsburgh, The AHL, WBS

Knocking Down the Poulin Wall – Pens WIN 4-2

Comments Off Posted by nafsnep on December 31, 2011

Pens get a 4-2 win against a tired, depleted Bridgeport Sound Tigers team. They allow the Sound Tigers just 16 shots on goal which is the lowest amount of shots on goal by the Pens on an opponent this year.

Bridgeport had to come from Norfolk last night after a 7:30 start in Virginia. They actually played the Pens tough in the beginning, but couldn’t muster much in the way of shots.

Scott Munroe vs. Kevin Poulin

First Period: Poulin was sharp off the hop, denying an Alex Picard point shot then a Matt Rust attempted rebound jam. Later, Brian Strait from the point attempted to get the puck past Poulin but he saw it and save it. Right after off some scabbily moments, Poulin would rob Ryan Craig in close. This period, as this paragraph spells out, was all about Kevin Poulin.

Second Period: Within six seconds three minutes or so into the period it was 2-0. Zach Sill and Eric Tangradi. This was the fastest two goals scored against Bridgeport, per this tweet from beat writer Mike Fornabaio. It’s also the fastest two goals scored in the regular season for the Pens, ever. Bridgeport got within one when Tyler McNeely scored. Sound Tigers would press and press but Zach Sill would score again through the five-hole of Poulin. Then, after a penalty to Brandon DeFazio for delay of game, the Pens would pepper Poulin and Bryan Lerg would score to make it 4-1.

Third Period: Pens would limit the Sound Tigers to just three shots. Kael Mouillierat would score on one of them 4-2 but the Sound Tigers couldn’t muster any more shots. After Poulin was pulled the Pens would hem the puck on the wall to run off a bunch of time and would eventually hold on to win.

This happened afterwards…

In Bombulie’s postgamer, he quoted Eric Tangradi as to why this was done…

“We feel like we haven’t really done the job at home this year and that was our last chance of the year to show we’re going to need these fans on our (side) for the rest of the way. It was a great win and a well-deserved salute for them. They’ve been by us through a tough first half and I think we’re starting to get the ball rolling.”

Also in the postgamer from Jonathan, a Hynes comment on how the comeback in Hershey could be the moment that starts a run. Let’s hope so.

Three Stars: 3) Bryan Lerg (goal, even) 2) Colin McDonald (two assists, +1) and 1) Zach Sill (two goals, +1)

Around the Division: Syracuse thumped Binghamton 6-2. Hershey beats Norfolk in a shootout, 3-2.

Standings: Hershey heads into 2012 with 44 points. Norfolk loses a point but has 42 points now. (they started the day a point behind) – the Pens have 41 points in third. Syracuse has 32 point and Binghamton has 30.

Conference: 1-HER (44) 2-MCH (44) 3-CT (42) 4-StJ (43) 5-NOR (42) 6-WBS (41) 7-WOR(38) 8- ADK-(36)

Pens off again until Wednesday when they host Norfolk. This opens a three in four against the Admirals on Wednesday, the Amerks on Friday and Crunch on Saturday.

Blog updates as items are available to me to blog about. They could be recalls, re-assisgnments or other general actions which could be of interest.

Happy New Year to your and yours!

Postgamer

GAMEDAY: vs. Bridgeport 12/31

Comments Off Posted by nafsnep on December 31, 2011

vs.

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Home Game: 15

AHL Game: 491

Who: Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 5:05 p.m. EST

Media Kit

Last Game: On Wednesday in Hershey, the Pens won in a shootout 6-5. Geoff Walker had a goal, assist and the game winning shootout goal in the bottom of the ninth round to win it. For Bridgeport, last night in Norfolk the Sound Tigers lost 3-2. Tony Romano and Casey Cizikas scored the goals in the loss.

Record: For WBS: 17-10-1-4 (39 pts., 3rd place East Division) For BRI: 12-16-3-1 (28 pts., 5th place Northeast Division)

Why you should care: First meeting of the season between the old East Division foes. Pens look to close out 2011 on a winning note. The Sound Tigers have lost nine straight road games. Who starts in net? Thiessen or Munroe?

Referee(s): Chris Brown

Linesmen: Jud Ritter / Mike McDevitt

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @TheSoundTigers

Beat Writers: @CVBombulie / @fornabaioctp

Broadcasters: WBS: Tom Grace @TGracePens and Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / BRI: Phil Giubileo @philgpbp

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep

Radio: For WBS: 102.3 The Mountain / For Bridgeport: AHL Live *

Television: AHL Live

Promotion(s): New Year’s Eve Celebration – Reusable Grocery Bag Giveaway (first 5,000 fans)

Other Game to Watch: I should just rename this section “Hershey and Norfolk” because they are always mentioned here. They square off in Hershey tonight at 6 p.m.

Next Five Games: NOR 1/4, RCH 1/6, SYR 1/7, @NOR 1/10, @StJ 1/14

* – Bridgeport really doesn’t have a true “radio” broadcast. The Sound Tigers-centric radio feed is going to be found on AHL Live under the “radio” tab.

Gameday

Picard / Williams Back; Simon Stays?*

Comments Off Posted by nafsnep on December 30, 2011

Alex Picard and Jason Williams were reassigned today by Pittsburgh. With Deryk Engelland back from his suspension and Wilkes-Barre in dire need of a defenseman, the Picard reassignment was to be expected.

Bombulie had the Friday practice update. Carl Sneep, Boris Valabik and Joey Mormina will be unavailable for tomorrow’s game against Bridgeport, all due to injury.

Jonathan also mentioned Simon Despres who is still up with Pittsburgh and speculated as to whether or not it is for good. My blog friends at Faceoff Factor had an interesting read which supplements the Bombulie discussion.

My take? I think Simon is an NHL player. Selfishly, I want him back here. But that said, he is an NHL player in my mind.

Here’s a great read from the guys from PA Puck on Wheelchair Hockey. When you get up to walk away from your computer later, count your blessings.

Bridgeport in town tomorrow for a 5:05 start but not before they take on Norfolk again in Hampton Roads this evening. I’ll be keeping an eye on this on AHL Live and will probably have a retweet of a final score later on. Hershey is idle, so any points the Admirals get tonight would put them in sole possession of second place in the Division.

For a non-divisional game, I am actually really looking forward to it. You see, the inspiration for me to get into blogging, Michael Fornabaio, will be there tomorrow. He’s covered the Sound Tigers beat like a snuggie since their inception and even covered the now defunct Beast of New Haven before that. It’s going to be fun getting a chance to meet him finally.

Gameday will be up here Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.

Let’s Go Pens!

* – if you follow me on Twitter, you’ll notice that I have started using the semicolon more often. Admittedly, I’ve never used the semicolon ever in anything. So if you see any questionable use of the semicolon from me, please let me know. Punctuation rocks!

Pittsburgh, The AHL, WBS

Comeback Kids – Pens WIN 6-5 in Shootout

Comments Off Posted by nafsnep on December 28, 2011

Jekyll and Hyde.

If the Pens win in regulation tonight that is the headline that is run on the blog. They didn’t, rather having to battle back from a 5-3 deficit in the third period to even the score at 5 and win in a shootout via a Geoff Walker goal in the bottom of the ninth round, 6-5.

Teams were tied at three heading into the third. Bears got two quick ones. 12 minutes left in the third with the visitors staring at a two goal deficit in front of a sellout crowd of 10,801. 25 of 28 teams fold up shop and go home losers. Not Wilkes-Barre. Read on….

Scott Munroe vs. Dany Sabourin – Bears scratched Joel Rechlicz for Andrew Carroll. Pens called up Peter Merth for the injured Boris Valabik.

First Period: Pens came out much better, limiting chances to Hershey across the board. Wilkes-Barre would buzz, but Sabourin made the saves to keep thing scoreless. Shots were 10-6 Pens this period.

Second Period: Much different from the first, there were six goals this period. Sean Collins would board Bryan Lerg, it looked nastier than it was. Colin McDonald came to challenge and Collins would get 4:00 for roughing and an extra 2:00 for the board and McDonald would get 4:00 for roughing. In the ensuing play, Alex Grant would fire a shot from the blueline which Eric Tangradi would tip in for the goal to put the Pens up 1-0.

Taking this to a second paragraph because the Pens looked like they just stopped playing after the Tangradi goal. Graham Mink scored his league leading 10th power play goal of the season with Paul Thompson in the box for a rough. Then, Cody Eakin scored to make it 2-1 on a 4×4. Then, Geoff Walker scores to make it 2-2 after a Bryan Lerg face off win. Then, Ryan Craig takes a defensive zone holding penalty. Zach Sill scores the shorthanded goal to put the Pens ahead 3-2, but before my tweet on the matter is even a minute old, Tomas Kundratek scores on the power play to even things at three.

Wild period of hockey with two heavyweights trading blows. Shots were 12-9 Bears this period.

Third Period: Pens take an unnecessary too many men penalty, Jacob Micflikier takes a slashing call then Brian Strait high sticks Christian Hanson. Chris Bourque scores on the right dot off a feed from Ryan Potulny to make it 4-3. Then, Peter Merth takes a trip and Ryan Potulny scores to make it 5-3 on a 5-on-3 from the same spot Bourque did minutes ago.

Another paragraph split. Pens would kill off the remaining mess. Then Eric Tangradi scores to make it 5-4. Patrick Wellar and Boyd Kane then take penalties to give the Pens 1:41 of 5-on-3 power play time. Pens take a time out. They don’t score. Nick Petersen finally scores with 1:53 left in the third to even things at 5. Hershey would use their time out late but would not score.

Overtime: Pens outshot the Bears 7-0 in this frame ut would need the shootout to decide it.

Shootout: Cody Eakin and Bryan Lerg score in round three. No one else does until Geoff Walker steps up in the bottom of the ninth to walk-off and win it for the Pens.

Final shots on goal were 36-28 Penguins. Nine straight wins at Giant Center for the Pens going back to last year. Much needed win for a number of reasons. First, we can win in the shootout against a sniper unit in Hershey. Second, we can come back against arguably the best team in the league in its own home down multiple goals late. (I’ve gone as far as calling the Bears a Category 5 superteam)

Any one want to make sense of the 6-0 embarrassment yesterday on home ice and the comeback win tonight in Hershey in the comments? Don’t be shy…

Three Stars: 3) Ryan Potulny (goal, two assists, -2) 2) Eric Tangradi (two goals, even) 1) Geoff Walker (goal, assist, +2 and the game winning shootout goal)

Around the Division: Norfolk beat Bridgeport 2-1. They rematch Friday. Syracuse beat Springfield 5-2 and Binghamton thumped Adirondack 5-2.

Standings: Bears 42, Admirals and Pens 39, Crunch 29 and Senators 28.

Conference: 1-HER (42) 2-StJ (41) 3-CT (40) 4-MCH (40) 5-NOR (39) 6-WBS (39) 7-WOR (36) 8-ALB (33)

Pens are off Friday. So are the Bears. I’ll be watching the Admirals / Sound Tigers game carefully Friday and will have a retweet or something on Twitter and may, depending on outcome, have something here Friday night.

Let’s Go Pens!!!

(blogger note: Gold star to you if you read this novel in its entirety. I need an editor, or another hobby…)

(edit: Carl Sneep’s name wasn’t heard after the second. radio never noted his absence. observers in Hershey tweeted me that Sneep was conspicuous by his absence in the third period. we will see…)

Postgamer

GAMEDAY: @ Hershey 12/28

Comments Off Posted by nafsnep on December 28, 2011

@

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Away Game: 18

AHL Game: 457

Who: Hershey Bears

Where: Giant Center

When: 7:00 p.m. EST

Media Kit

Last Game / Last Meeting: Yesterday, the Pens were embarrassed on home ice and lost 6-0. Cody Eakin scored two goals and Braden Holtby had a 28 save shutout.

Record: For WBS: 16-10-1-4 (37 pts., 3rd place East Division) For HER: 18-8-3-2 (41 pts., 1st place East Division)

Why you should care: Penguins look to repay the favor from last night in the form of a win tonight. They cannot afford to lose anymore points to the Bears. I am stopping short of calling this a “must win” – but it certainly has the structure to be one.

Referee(s): Darcy Burchell

Linesmen: Bob Goodman / Tom George

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @TheHersheyBears

Beat Writers: @CVBombulie / @timleone

Broadcasters: WBS: Tom Grace @TGracePens and Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / HER: Scott Stuccio @ScottStuccio

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep / @SweetestHockey

Radio: For WBS: 102.3 The Mountain / For Hershey: 1460 The Ticket

Television: AHL Live

Other Game to Watch: Bridgeport is in Norfolk for a game vs. the Admirals who are tied with the Penguins in points.

Next Five Games: BRI 12/31, NOR 1/4, RCH 1/6, SYR 1/7, @ NOR 1/10

Gameday

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