Chirps from Center Ice

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The Toronto Marlies are not a team I would want to face in the playoffs. Reason? A result like you saw tonight, after watching them yesterday. They blast the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins 6-1 Wednesday.

This is the Toronto Marlies, a team that can look like the best team in the AHL one night and the worst team in the AHL the next. It’s a volatile problem to have playing in a volatile division such as the North Division, where you can go from second to sixth place in a weekend.

Louis Domingue, starting his sixth straight game, opposed Keith Petruzzelli.

Here’s how they lined up:

Lineup Notes: None for the Penguins, lots for Toronto.

First Period: No penalties, pretty even otherwise, until Josh Ho-Sang who was scratched last night did this:

That was disgusting. He takes it out of his own zone, splits two defenders in the neutral zone, then gets away from FOUR DEFENDERS and scores. Just wow.

Second Period: The Marlies continued to pummel Louis Domingue with goal after goal after goal. They scored three straight and outshot the Pens 2:1 with 16 shots to Wilkes-Barre’s 8. Domingue was keeping the Penguins in the game as best he could, but he was literally on an island out there. Toronto Marlies Head Coach Greg Moore’s 3,000 lineup changes seemed to be working. Here were all the goals.

That goal there was a power play goal.

Immediately after this goal, Michale Chaput came out and hit a post. It was something considering they were getting flattened in the period.

Then Toronto was called for a penalty, their first of the game, with :05 left in the period and Juuso Riikola unleashed a shot that Drew O’Connor got a piece of and it got past Petruzzelli to break up his shutout bid and Wilkes-Barre was on the board.

Third Period: Any faint hope of a Penguins comeback was smashed to bits when Nick Robertson found Josh Ho-Sang for yet another power play goal that made it 5-1.

This is silly. Ho-Sang is ALL ALONE right next to Domingue.

To make matters worse, the Marlies scored yet another power play goal when Bobby McMann scored this goal right here.

The Marlies called off the dogs after that.

Three Stars: 3) Josh Ho-Sang (two goals, assist) 2) Keith Petruzzelli (32 saves) 1) Nick Robertson (goal, three assists)

The Good: Moving on….

The Bad: Can’t go 2/5 on the penalty kill. But Toronto scored two power play goals in the third and the game was already decided, so it can’t be that.

Turning Point: Bobby McMann’s first goal, the one that made it 4-0, was the back breaker. The Pens could score one goal which leads to another which would then lead to another, but not a four goal deficit when the Marlies are a freight train running downhill.

Around the Division: Absolutely no help on the out of town scoreboard. Hershey wins 5-1 over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms….Bridgeport beats Utica 4-1.

None of anything else which follows matters, but Springfield beat Hartford 3-1.

Standings: Hershey in fifth with .557, Pens in sixth at .517 and Bridgeport in seventh at .500.

Who Plays Who: Hershey is in Providence Friday, Islanders are off.

Wheeling Update: Nailers are beat by the Indy Fuel 4-1.

Video Highlights: 

Pens are in Belleville Friday. More then.

Let’s Go Pens!

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So this was a game in hand on idle Hershey that the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins have on the Bears. They have two. They now have one. Games in hand don’t mean anything if you don’t win them.

They won this one. Considerably.

After going down 1-0 in the first, the Penguins rattle off five straight and roll the Marlies 5-1 Tuesday night. The teams rematch Wednesday.

Louis Domingue opposed Michael Hutchinson.

Here’s how they lined up:

Lineup Notes: Jamie Devane for Filip Hallander. who is on the trip and day to day with a lower body injury. Jordy Bellerive went to the top line in Hallander’s place. Juuso Riikola was back in the lineup for Cam Lee. Taylor Fedun is not on the trip.

First Period: Pens trailed 1-0 on a Joey Anderson power play goal, the only power play of the period. They outshot the Marlies 13-11 in the period but seven of those shots were taken from just inside the blue line.

Easy, easy work for goaltender Michael Hutchinson, especially when you aren’t putting any traffic in front of the net an either screening or tipping pucks in front of the net.

Here’s the Joey Anderson goal. The Pens couldn’t win a faceoff and it cost them.

That’s a shot from just inside the blue line and a player screening the goaltender and tipping a shot for a goal. That’s how you do it.

Second Period: Hah. The Penguins must have gotten the message because they exploded for four goals. Two of the goals came off of tips.

Here’s the first, a Will Reilly shot that Kasper Bjorkqvist deflected for a goal that tied it at one.

Anthony Angello let a shot go that caught Hutchinson off guard, and I think he needs to take that shot more often.

:25 later, Jamie Devane put in a rebound and it was 3-1 Penguins.

Later, Kyle Olson deflected a Mitch Reinke shot and it was 4-1. The second deflected goal of the period.

Also Olson’s 23rd birthday. Birthday biscuits.

Third Period: Toronto started kicking the door down, but Domingue kept them out with some acrobatic saves. You kind of got the feeling that if Toronto scored one, they would likely score another.

Well, it didn’t happen. The Penguins only took one penalty in the period and then Michael Chaput created a turnover and scored off of said turnover.

If it wasn’t hugely evident leading up to it, it was clear after. Ballgame.

Three Stars: 3) Kasper Bjorkqvist (goal) 2) Will Reilly (two assists) 1) Louis Domingue (30 saves)

The Good: I’m assuming I wasn’t the only one that caught the points I raised in the first period recap. The Pens needed to generate more traffic in front of Hutchinson and in the second period and beyond they did. The second period effort won them the game because of lessons learned from the first.

The Bad: I couldn’t really find anything. Toronto is so Jekyll and Hyde. It was painfully evident in this game alone.

Turning Point: The goal :25 after the Pens made it 2-1, the one scored by Devane on a rebound made a tough night for the hosts even tougher and rougher.

Around the Division: They all watched us.

Standings: Hershey in fifth with .550. Pens in sixth with .525. Bridgeport in sixth with .492.

Who Plays Who Tomorrow: Pens are in a rematch against the Marlies….Hershey hosts Lehigh Valley and Bridgeport is in Utica.

Wheeling Update: Nailers were off.

Video Highlights:

More tomorrow for the rematch.

Let’s Go Pens!

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It’s isn’t really, but just go with it. The real translation for horse in French can be found in the slug. The slug is the last bit of the web page when you click in directly to this blog piece or, if you are on the main webpage, clicking on the headline will bring you into the page where this game story resides, if you are really interested in the true definition of French for horse.

Louis Domingue started this game, a 3-2 Penguins win over the Eastern Conference’s best Utica Comets, and has stared every game but for one, since returning from injury.

The Penguins are far and away a better team with him in goal. They hold Syracuse to just one goal Friday night (and lose 1-0) then methodically take down the Eastern Conference’s best team in Utica who has been the best team in the Conference since the start of the season.

Akira Schmid started in goal for the Comets.

Here’s how they lined up:

Lineup Notes: Jordy Bellerive and Kyle Olson in for Felix Robert and Nathan Legare.

First Period: Frederick Gauthier strips a puck and races inn and beats Domingue for a 1-0 Utica lead with about three minutes to play.

(Utica didn’t GIF any goals)

Second Period: Sam Poulin and Jordy Bellerive score about three minutes apart from one another and the Pens were all of a sudden ahead 2-1. Poulin tipped a Cam Lee shot and then Drew O’Connor setup Bellerive for his goal. Here they are:

Seemed like a complete reversal from the first, where the Penguins were controlling much of the play and had the bounces to go with it.

Third Period: They made it 3-1 with another tip of a shot, this time belonging to Chris Bigras and tipped by Filip Hallander.

Utica didn’t get any closer as time wore off the clock. Penguins took three penalties in the period so not doing themselves any favors in that regard. The Comets did cash with the goalie pulled for a late 6-on-4 goal scored by Robbie Russo, but they never were able to find the equalizer.

Three Stars: 3) Louis Domingue (26 saves) 2) Sam Poulin (goal) 1) Jordy Bellerive (goal)

The Good: Taking down the top team in the Conference should be the shot in the arm this team needs that propels them into the playoffs and beyond.

The Bad: Can’t bet taking penalties, undisciplined ones at that (high sticks) in the third period while you are defending a two goal lead against the Conference’s best team.

Turning Point: Seemed innocent at the time, but the Hallander goal in the third period gave the Penguins the breating room needed to escape with the win.

Around the Division: Hershey lost in Laval 5-1…Bridgeport thumped Syracuse 7-4. Pens will gain on Hershey and stay even with Bridgeport…Lehigh Valley sweeps Springfield with a 7-4 win…Hartford is back in the win column with a 5-2 win in Belleville, Charlotte takes down Providence 3-2 in a shootout.

Standings: Hershey in fifth at .550, or 66 points to the Pens 60. Wilkes-Barre has two games in hand. Pens with .517 percentage points in sixth. Bridgeport in seventh with .483 or 56 points. Same amount of games played as the Pens, but I think the Islanders are playing 72 this year and not 76.

Who Plays Who Tomorrow: Hershey is off till Wednesday, Bridgeport is too. More on these teams Tuesday.

Wheeling Update: Nailers win in Indiana over the Indy Fuel 4-1. Tim Doherty with a pair of goals and Justin Almeida added another. Alex D’Orio with 24 saves.

Video Highlights: 

Back Tuesday for the Weekend Preview, although I may chop it up this week, I am not sure, against Toronto Tuesday and Wednesday.

Let’s Go Pens!

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I mean, on the bright side, they held their opponent to just one goal.

But that goal, a Gage Goncalves goal in the third period, stood up as the game winning goal. Syracuse wins 1-0.

Louis Domingue deserved better.

He did everything but score a goal for Wilkes-Barre tonight. He kept the Penguins in the game early and throughout, making saves sometimes in quick repetition, to at least give his team a chance at taking a lead and running with it. It became evident as the game wore on, for obvious reasons, that whoever scored first would get the kick in the pants needed to win the hockey game.

It wasn’t the Penguins night.

I mean there really isn’t much more to this, how could there be in a game where the end result is 1-0, so let’s get through this. Domingue opposed ex-Penguin Max Lagace.

Here’s how they lined up:

Lineup Notes: I’ll just let Taylor tell it to you.

On the Bellerive scratch, Penguins head coach J.D. Forrest told Taylor the following:

Interesting, indeed.

No scoring in the first or second period. Domingue was dialed in early. Lots of power play opportunities, five a side for both clubs, but no one scored.

Gage Goncalves breaks the deadlock in the third period.

Looked in real time like it was kicked in, but in reality the puck deflected off of the skate of debutante Corey Andonovski, who played on the fourth line for the Pens and didn’t;’t look out of place I thought. Kid had some good looks throughout for someone fresh out of college playing in his first professional game.

The Pens, with Domingue pulled, were not able to find their tenth extra attacker goal of the season.

Three Stars: 3) Louis Domingue (32 saves) 2) Gage Goncalves (goal) 1) Max Lagace (25 save shutout)

The Good: They held them to one goal. Idf they do that to Utica Saturday, they probably win.

The Bad: I think the loss of Riikola hurt a little bit because the power play without him had that look again. And that particular look isn’t a good one.

Turning Point: Isn’t it obvious in a one goal game that the goal scored in said game is the turning point?

Around the Division: Bridgeport was off, Hershey lost in overtime up in Belleville 3-2. I don’t think anything else is of substance because the Penguins are chasing down fifth (Hershey) while trying to avoid seventh (Bridgeport) – Laval thumps Hartford 7-4 and last place Lehigh Valley beats first place Springfield 3-1. Figure that one out.

Standings: Fifth place Hershey with .559 percentage points, Wilkes-Barre next with .509 and idle Bridgeport with .483.

Who Plays Who Tomorrow: Hey, new segment! Hershey is in Laval Saturday, Bridgeport hosts Syracuse. This will change as the opponents that matter do.

Wheeling Update: Nailers lose in Indiana to the Indy Fuel 6-4. Sam Houde and Josh Maniscalco with goals in that one.

Video Highlights: I think I gave it to you with the Goncalves goal. That’s all you need to see, really.

Back at it Saturday against Utica.

Let’s Go Pens!

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So the scoreline of this one, a 4-2 Penguins win Sunday over the Hartford Wolf Pack, is a bit of a false flag of a score line because but for the final three or so minutes, the game wasn’t too close for comfort. The Pens were in control, goaltender Louis Domingue was dialed in and the Pens, but for a few goals by Hartford with goaltender Adam Huska pulled, never had to worry about the outcome of this one.

A weekend sweep, and more ups and downs with this club as it is. I full expect them to lose in shootouts to Syracuse and Utica at home next weekend.

Here’s how they lined up:

Hartford didn’t post lines.

Lineup Notes: Valtteri Puustinen for Jamie Devane up front, Cam Lee for Chris Ortiz in back. I didn’t like that call, Ortiz has been rock solid for the Pens in my eyes.

First Period: No scoring. The Pens penalty kill went 2/2 and their breakaway attempts were 0/2. Here was one of them by Alex Nylander.

Second Period: Pens connect at the expiration of a power play and Filip Hallander lights the lamp to put the Pens on the board and ahead at 1-0.

Alex Nylander would score :16 into a two man advantage for the Pens and Wilkes-Barre doubles its lead.

Louis Domingue stayed dialed in with a dazzling glove save at the end of the period.

That save was through and in traffic.

Third Period: Drew O’zConnor setup on a bad angle and cashes for a 3-0 Pens lead.

Stop trying to make DOC happen, Coal Street.

Matt Lorito upsets any attempt from this writer to come up with a Louis Domingue related pun about shiutouts when he scores an extra attacker power play goal to put Hartford on the board finally and make it 3-1.

Then Ty Running made it a puff out your cheeks moment when he scored here with 14.4 seconds left.

But Jonathan Gruden scored on an empty net at center ice with .8 seconds left to put any hopes for a long shot Hartford comeback to bed and that was the ballgame.

Three Stars: 3) Louis Domingue (33 saves) 2) Drew O’Connor (goal, assist) 1) Alex Nylander (goal, assist)

The Good: Good way to defend home ice, but the Pens have to learn how to win on the road, since they are likely starting play-offs, should they qualify, there. Alex Nylander’s 10 goals have all come on home ice.

The Bad: Game should have been a runaway and but for a few hiccups in desperation by Hartford at the end, it wasn’t. Great teams, the ones that win championships, find ways to get shutouts for their workhorse goaltender.

Turning Point: The O’Connor gaol is going to stand as the game winner, and a 3-0 lead to start the third is a massive hole to dig out of. They almost got out, but ultimately Hartford succumbed and went down in defeat.

Around the Division: Games are still going on, but of those which went final, Bridgeport shuts out Hartford 3-0. Hershey and Lehigh Valley were a 5 p.m. start, that box is here.

Standings: Pens are now two games over .500, at .518. You want Lehigh Valley to beat Hershey clean because that would drop the Bears percentage points down some.

Wheeling Update: Nailers down again to the Reading Royals but not as bad as the night prior. Box here.

Video Highlights: 

Let’s Go Pens!