Chirps from Center Ice

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5                              4

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So that’s two wins on back to back nights against the North Division and Atlantic Division leading teams.

Clean. No overtime. No fluke goals. No flukes.

Adversity? Overcome. Tenacity? There. Never say die attitude? You bet.

Wilkes-Barre wins 5-4 after a late goal from Rutger McGroarty set up by Tristan Broz in another instant classic game by the Penguins in a weekend full of them.

The Penguins never trailed in the game and Filip Král had a four point (2-2) night. The aforementioned Broz had three assists.

There may be something there there with this team, but it’s November, about to be December here in a few hours and I have been down this road. Let’s enjoy the wins but not get ahead of ourselves.

Here’s how they lined up:

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1863002509607936494

Lineup Notes: These embeds aren’t working anymore and I don’t know what I am going to do about it. Anyway, Boko Imama and Jagger Joshua were in for Avery Hayes and Marc Johnstone from last night. up front and Isaac Belliveau for Sebastian Aho on defense.

First Period: Penguins didn’t waste any time and scored just. :55 in when a floater of a shot by Filip Král eluded Hunter Shepard.

Bogdan Trineyev scored through a mangrove of Penguins defenders midway through. Dan Renouf wasn’t able to corral the puck and the Bears capitalized. That’s what champions do.

https://twitter.com/TheHersheyBears/status/1863018935878058040

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Second Period: One of the non scoring things I picked up in this period was the ease with which the Penguins killed the Hershey power plays that the back to back defending champs were awarded off the whistles of Cody Beach and Liam Maaskant.

Spencer Smallman was denied by Sergei Murashov and Murashov looked sharp.

Back to the power play talk, the Penguins didn’t waste any time on a power play opportunity when Vasily Ponomarev scored off a rebound from a shot from the point caromed off of Shepard and to Ponomarev who scored to give the Penguins a lead.

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1863034818662973711

This made Hershey mad. They respond in kind with relentless pressure. Usually you see this with teams and it passes with no goals. Those aren’t championship teams. This is a championship team.

https://twitter.com/TheHersheyBears/status/1863035741816660219

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In case you are having problems with the embed, it’s Vinnie Iorio picking a spot on the low near corner that tied the game again.

But then the Penguins would edge ahead again when Emil Bemström would sneak behind the Hershey defense and snipe home a goal that made it 3-2 Penguins heading into the….

https://twitter.com/TheAHL/status/1863039017786241447

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Third Period: Hershey would connect on leftover power play time from the second period when Chase Priskie, who has all of his goals for the Bears on the power play this season, connects to tie the game yet again.

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Then the Penguins would all of a sudden get :55 of a two man advantage and it looked bad. I thought that the Bears would kill it all off, get the requisite momentum, score again and hold on to win and here’s your turning point.

Wrong.

Enter Kral again who scores his second of the night that makes it 4-3 on the power play.

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Nine seconds later, Ethen Frank scores to tie it again. The heavyweight bout was entering its 11th round.

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Again, I have no idea of these embeds are embedding. Click the link and hit back to see what I am trying to show you.

Wilkes-Barre would navigate out of another Hershey power play about midway through and it looked like we were heading for overtime.

Nope. Tristan Broz, who has been the Penguins best player to date, finds Rutger McGroarty late that edges the Penguins ahead.

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I liked how Broz waits out the diving Bears defender there and calmly shuffles a pass over to his teammate for the go ahead goal there. That’s veteran type stuff from an AHL rookie.

Hershey would pull Shepard in favor of an extra attacker but would not find the equalizer.

Three Stars: 3) Rutger McGroarty (goal, assist) 2) Vincent Iorio (goal, assist) 1) Filip Král (two goals, two assists)

The Good: Hell of a way to establish yourself as a team that needs to be taken seriously taking down the North and Atlantic Division leading teams here in November. Power play looks lethal, penalty kill is really good as well.

The Bad: You are really nitpicking blaming defense or goaltending when you are in a shootout like this against a back to back champion in Hershey.

Turning Point: Broz to McGroarty at 18:45 of the third period that gives the Penguins the lead for good gets it here.

Around the Division: Charlotte shuts out Iowa 3-0….Springfield beats Hartford 4-1….Belleville shut out Bridgeport 2-0….Lehigh Valley beats Laval 4-3 and Utica wins their fifth game in a row shutting out Providence 3-0.

Standings: Hershey 31 – Penguins and Checkers 23 – Lehigh Valley 22 – Springfield and Hartford 19 – Providence 18 – Bridgeport 13

Wheeling Update: Nailers blow out the Cincinnati Cyclones 7-1. Taylor Gauthier stops 31. Kyle Jackson had a four point (2-2) night and was a +5.

Video Highlights: Will likely be up as soon as I get tired of waiting around for them and shut my laptop like last night. LOL.

Power Rankings Monday. It’s a recurring theme that I can’t get a team stick as a number one team. Laval was number one last week and lost two straight. They are out. Cleveland has won 10 in a row, the heck with it, give it to Cleveland. Check out the rest on Monday.

Let’s Go Pens!

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3                                5

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They looked done and dusted Friday. The Rocket were up 3-1 and the shots were a crazy 27-6 in favor of the Laval Rocket.

But then the Penguins, who already scored a power play goal, scored another.

And then another to tie it.

Then a goal by a guy here on a professional tryout gives them the lead.

Then a goal after a penalty kill gives them the cushion.

Part one of the weekend test is in the clear and the Penguins pass this one with flying colors, winning 5-3.

Hershey tomorrow.

Before we start, I don’t know what’s up with the Twitter / X embeds anymore. Sometimes they work, other times they don’t. Sometimes they do and I don’t think they do and sometimes they don’t and I think they do. If they don’t, you will see the raw link. Click on it then click back. I don’t know, blame Elon!

Here’s how they lined up:

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1862640020223361183

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Lineup Notes: Dan Renouf returned from injury. He replaced Justin Lee. Nikolai Knyzhov, on a PTO, sticks in the the lineup. When they make the announcement that Renouf is going to be named captain, they should also announce an AHL. contract for Knyzhov.

Forward wise, Puustinen, Ponomarev and Poulin were in for Boko Imama, Raivis Ansons and Jagger Joshua in some form or fashion.

First Period: Laval is fast. This was evidenced by the 16-5 shot advantage after twenty minutes and the 2-1 score that the Rocket had after the period.

Rocket opened the scoring on a transition by Josh Jacobs.

https://twitter.com/RocketLaval/status/1862656067534004713

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But the Penguins had a power play and looked really bad with it for the first half but then Ville Koivunen had a hard shot that spilled to Sam Poulin who backhanded it past Hughes to tie the game.

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Thinking that the Penguins would get out of the period relatively clean, but no. Blomqvist and the aforementioned Knyzhov get their lines crossed and Penguins killer Alex Barre-Boulet scores to give the Rocket a 2-1 lead heading into intermission.

https://twitter.com/RocketLaval/status/1862661778758402405

Second Period: The Rocket would score a power play goal of their own when Jared Davidson would score a power play goal that would double the Laval lead.

https://twitter.com/RocketLaval/status/1862664809688264928

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The shots were a boffo 27-6 in favor of the Rocket with about six minutes left in the second period but then William Trudeau takes his second penalty of the game and then Boris Katchouk scored to bring the Penguins within one.

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1862672728139928031

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The Penguins started to move their feet a bit and carried 1:16 of power play with them to the…

Third Period: Ville Koivunen would connect on a goal off the carryover power play from the second period and it’s a tie game.

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1862678084308058355

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There power play goals for the Penguins to get them right back in a game they had no business being in to this point.

The Rocket could not get anything going and then Nikolai Knyzhov scored to push the Penguins ahead 4-3…

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1862681430628688239

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Sign this man to an AHL standard players contract immediately.

Then the Penguins found themselves in penalty trouble when the Rocket had :27 of two man advantage. Not only did the Penguins kill it all easily, but Joona Koppanen was in the box was freed and connected to make it 5-3 Wilkes-Barre.

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1862683807494643787

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I mean, just when you thunk the team couldn’t impress you more, they do this.

Quite the turn of events for the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins, who, after I mentioned were being outshot 27-6, scored four unanswered goals and outshot the visitors 14-5. How the tables have turned!

Laval didn’t even bother to pull Connor Hughes for the extra attacker, and I don’t think I have ever seen that before at this level.

Three Stars: 3) Jonathan Gruden (fight) 2) Sam Poulin (goal, assist) 1) Ville Koivunen (goal, assist)

The Good: I like the tenacity of this team. Laval is really good team and quick. But when you see these teams they tend to be one dimensional. They will hit you until you hit back. The Penguins finally hit back and then Laval packed it in and it was only a matter of time.

The Bad: Were the Penguins playing rope a dope? There are better teams in the AHL than the Rocket. I think one of them they play Saturday. We will see.

Turning Point: The Knyzhov goal that put them ahead gets it here.

Around the Division: Charlotte beats Iowa 5-3…Utica wins again, this time over Springfield 3-2. That’s four wins in a row for the Comets after starting the season 0-10-1-2….Lehigh Valley beats the Hershey Bears 2-1 in overtime. Providence, Bridgeport and Hartford were off.

Standings: Hershey 32 – Penguins 21 – Charlotte 21 – Lehigh Valley 20 – Hartford 19 – Providence 18 – Springfield 17 – Bridgeport 13

Wheeling Update: The Nailers were in action earlier in the day and beat the Cincinnati Cyclones 5-1. Luke Richardson had the net for the Nailers, stopped 19. Jordan Martel had three assists. Gabe Klassen had a pair of goals.

Video Highlights: 

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Hershey Saturday and that should be huge. More then.

Let’s Go Pens!

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0                                  5

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They had a whole week to stew on it, and man it must have pissed them off.

The line of Emil Bemstrom, Boris Katchouk and Ville Koivunen, snake bit the last time these teams sqared off last weekend, erupt for three goals and four assists as the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins roll the Bridgeport Islanders 5-0 on Friday night in Wilkes-Barre.

Oh yeah. Joel Blomqvist had a tidy 23 save shutout, his first of the season and the Pens third overall. Some of his saves were excellent and timely, notably with about there eminutes left in the game, where referees Jack Young and Rob Hennessey decided it put the Islanders on a full two minute man advantage. We’ll get to that in a minute.

Here’s how they lined up:

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Lineup Notes: No lines for the Islanders. I miss Mike Fornabaio covering this franchise. For the Pens, unchanged up front but Sebastian Aho was back from injury, Phip Waugh was sent back to Wheeling and Justin Lee was in for Isaac Belliveau.

I guess it spells well for a fellow like Nikolai Knyzhov, who is in town on PTO. He has been fine and honestly, they should just sign him to an AHL contract, but getting healthier on D may make the guy expendable. Problem is, one of the 31 other AHL teams is going to see this and sign the guy.

First Period: Wilkes-Barre out to a 2-0 start with goals from Avery Hayes and Emil Bemström, scoring in similar fashion.

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Hayes has been in and out of the lineup recently, this was a showing here on why he needs to stay.

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In between goals, Joel Blomqvist had the save of the night on a rebound attempt by future AHL Hall of Fame and Islanders captain Chris Terry.

Second Period: No scoring, but the Penguins had the play in the period, highlighted by a 4:00 double minor power play opportunity for the Islanders where the Penguins put on a masterclass of penalty killing and had, in my opinion, the better of the chances during the special teams time.

Oh, and another timely, big time save by Jarry with a blocker in traffic kept Bridgeport off the board.

Third Period: You didn’t want to see them let off and they didn’t, in my opinion, probably their finest period of the season to date.

First a second goal from Emil Bemström and the inspiration for tonight’s headline.

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Then Boris Katchouk on the doorstep and it’s 4-0 Penguins.

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1860144198059720720

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Raivis Ansons and Tyce Thompson fought and it was the loudest the building was all night.

Then Bridgeport goalie Jakub Skarek comes 15 feet out of his net and Avery Hayes runs over him. Out of the melee, Jonathan Gruden is involved. Refs Hennessey and Young put Bridgeport on a full two minute two man advantage.

It didn’t matter.

The Penguins would knock sticks into passing lanes, block shots (as Justin Lee did with a big one) and Joel Blomqvist continued to dazzle and would not be denied his shutout bid.

In a moment of karma, after the Penguins successfully killed the penalty, Hayes and Gruden get spring out of the box. This happened next…

Karma.

All that was left was to see if they could hold on for a shutout for their goaltender and they did.

Three Stars: 3) Boris Katchouk (goal, assist) 2) Emil Bemström (two goals, assist) 1) Joel Blomqvist (23 saves)

The Good: They responded to their coach who likely challenged them this week in a big way and handled a team that gave them fits the last two times they met.

The Bad: Nothing to see here.

Turning Point: The save Blomqvist made on Terry back in the first gets it here. If Terry scores it’s tied at one. Who knows what happens from there.

Around the Division: Hershey gets a last second goal from Mike Vecchione to tie it in Rochester and then Vecchione wins it for the Atlantic Division leading Bears 4-3 in overtime…Providence shutout Lehigh Valley 3-0….Springfield beats Charlotte 4-3 in overtime. Hartford had the night off.

Standings: Hershey 26 – Penguins 19 – Hartford 18- Charlotte 17 – Providence 16 – Springfield and Lehigh Valley 15 – Bridgeport 10

Wheeling Update: Nailers were off.

Video Highlights: 

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That’s it for the weekend for the Penguins.

Power Rankings Monday, Thanksgiving Thursday then back at it next Friday against Laval. Have a great Thanksgiving.

Let’s Go Pens!

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5                                  2

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Bridgeport scored two empty net goals so the 5-2 Penguins loss score line is a bit askew, but a bad second half of the third period after Bridgeport edged ahead 3-2 sunk the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins Saturday night.

I think it’s a matchup problem with the Islanders, who game the Penguins fits a few weeks ago up in Connecticut and again Saturday night in Wilkes-Barre. The Islanders went up 2-0, then the Penguins battled back, a would be tying goal in the second period for the Penguins was waved off by referee Nolan Bloyer in the second period on account of a hand pass.

It’s a game that had everything, and not necessarily good things for the Penguins, who have to stew on this loss for an entire week when they rematch against these same Islander next Friday at home.

Here’s how they lined up, note that the Islanders did not post lines.

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Lineup Notes: Jagger Joshua and Joel Blomqvist made their AHL debuts. Note that Owen Pickering and Vasily Ponomarev went up to Pittsburgh, joining Sam Poulin. They ended the Matt Nieto conditioning experiment because they were in need of forwards. Otherwise Raivis Ansons, Avery Hayes, Nate Clurman. (returning from injury) and Phip Waugh for the aforementioned Nieto, Ponomarev, Corey Andonovski (listed as injured) and Justin Lee and Pickering.

First Period: Penguins come out flat, Islanders have 10-1 shot advantage and Julien Gauthier connects on a power play goal, the Islanders second, to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

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Penguins had a better second half of the period, but that theme would not continue.

Second Period: Brian Pinho scores his tenth goal of the season for the Islanders on this shot and partial screen of Blomqvist.

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Hell of a shot. Pinho is good player and is carrying this team out of the Atlantic Division cellar.

But Wilkes-Barre would respond in kind, when the returning Jagger Joshua would connect with Raivis Ansons to put the Penguins on the board.

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But then, I guess you could call this the turning point, a would be goal was taken off the board when Boris Katchouk appeared to score. But referee Nolan Bloyer was right on top of the play and immediately signaled no goal on account of a hand pass. He and his counterpart Jordan Watt reviewed the play via replay. Bloyer’s initial call stood. He then went straight to Kirk MacDonald and provided a full explanation.

Two things. I think the call was not that Katchouk batted the puck into the net, but the pass to Katchouk was the hand pass in question, if I was reading body language right. Second, full marks to Bloyer, a second year referee in the AHL and I think the first time he has refereed a Wilkes-Barre game, for providing an explanation to the head coach. I have seen many, many, referees in the league who have more years than Bloyer, just skate away from a head coach looking for an explanation.

Third Period: Tristan Broz stays on his hot streak and scores for the Penguins.

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But then the Penguins would take a late penalty and with the extra attacker, before the whistle would go to apply the infraction, Liam Foudy would score.

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It started to implode from there, Isaac Belliveau took a late penalty, then Mac Hollowell took a slashing penalty. The Penguins had a slimmer of light when Wyatt Newpower hit Katchouk with a high stick that drew blood, and after a time out, the Penguins had an empty net man advantage but Cole Bardreau would hit not one, but two empty net goals.

(The Islanders feel the same way as I do about empty net goals and don’t post them)

Three Stars: 3) Brian Pinho (goal, two assists) 2) Julien Gathier (goal, assist) 1) Liam Foudy (goal)

The Good: I liked the battle that they had Saturday. The AHL is a slog and this is a trial by fire.

The Bad: It seemed that the inch of snow turned into a foot, right? Things went bad in a hurry for the Penguins late and a close game turned into a blowout.

Turning Point: I gave it to you above. You can’t fault the referee for making the call then going back to replay to make sure the call was correct, by the way.

Around the Division: Hartford beats Providence 4-2….Hershey doubles up Lehigh Valley 6-3….Springfield beats Charlotte 4-2.

Standings: Hershey 23 – Penguins 17 – Hartford 16 – Charlotte 15 – Lehigh Valley 15 – Springfield 13 – Providence 13 – Bridgeport 10

Wheeling Update: Nailers beat the Indy Fuel 5-2 Jaxon Castor with 30 saves, Matty De St. Phalle had four assists. Sam Houde had a goal.

Video Highlights: 

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Back here Monday with the Power Rankings, a likely big Islanders bump up, Penguins out of the top five likely also. Read anyway. Talk to your then.

Let’s Go Pens!

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3                             4

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Alexis Gendron is developing into a problem for the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins.

Five games played between these two teams and Gendron has four goals scored against the Penguins after a pair Wednesday night. One of them was a late goal which tied the game and forced overtime, where the Penguins fell 4-3 on a power play goal scored by Olle Lycksell.

Here’s how they lined up.

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Lineup Notes: Boko Imama for Sam Poulin, although not directly. No changes on defense.

First Period: Smooth period overall but for a late goal by Louie Belpedio in the final minute of the period. Belpedio ripped a shot from the blue line which got past Larsson via what looked like double screen which put the Phantoms on the board first.

https://twitter.com/LVPhantoms/status/1856868524439859533

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Second Period: Penguins wouldn’t waste anytime in tying the game, then taking the lead.

It would take :16.

Isaac Belliveau takes a shot and it pinballs in front and Marc Johnstone puts the goal away to put the Penguins on the board.

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1856871715810197838

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That fourth line was the right line to put out there at that time because it got them a goal and kickstarted the next line to do this…

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1856871756344315947

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They would trade a few power plays but no one would score then the Phnatoms starting taking risks but Larsson was up to the challenge. Then a fluke clear by Garrett Wilson out of his zone is collected by Alexis Gendron who scored to tie the game again with this shot here…

https://twitter.com/LVPhantoms/status/1856877739740914110

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Don’t know what happened there.

Third Period: One of the early notes in the period was that Nick Hart wasn’t able to see Corey Andonovski on the Penguins bench and that jumbled up the lines.

Penguins continued to take silly penalties and one of them was a puck over glass delay of game but they managed to get out of that clean.

Owen Pickering scores his first professional goal with a Phantoms player draped all over him to give the Penguins a late lead.

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1856891863480807650

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Nice play there.

But then they lose Gendron, who just turns on the afterburners and uses an old school snapshot to beat Larsson off the rush.

https://twitter.com/LVPhantoms/status/1856890574856389006

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Speak for yourself, Phantoms admin. This is a Penguins blog.

Ville Koivunen would take a late cross checking penalty and the Phantoms 2nd best power play would get a late chance to win the game in regulation.

They did not win the game in regulation.

Overtime: Rather, they won the game in overtime.

https://twitter.com/LVPhantoms/status/1856892535542587903

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Penguins just could not get a clear when they needed one and it cost them the extra point, or at least a chance at one there in the moment.

Three Stars: 3) Louie Belpedio (goal) 2) Alexis Gendron (two goals) 1) Olle Lycksell (overtime game winning goal, assist)

The Good: Again they are gritting out points I don’t think they have any business being aware with how young and silly they are playing. Imagine if this were a veteran group? It’s a good thing, by the way, that they are getting these points.

The Bad: I don’t know, maybe mark that Gendron guy next time, he’s been killing you. The Belpedio goal was a double screen, the Lycksell goal came on a power play and theirs is good. Alexis Gendron won them this game and he’s a problem.

Turning Point: Usually the power play goal in overtime would get the distinction, but sticking with the theme, give Gendron’s second goal that tied it with 1:33 to play it here.

Around the Division: Very strange that on a Wednesday there were no other Atlantic Division teams playing. They all watched us.

Standings: Hershey 21 – Penguins 17- Charlotte and Lehigh Valley 15 – Providence and Hartford 12 – Springfield 9 – Bridgeport 6

Wheeling Update: The Nailers were off, but will be playing Friday when they host the Indy Fuel.

Video Highlights: I think you saw all you needed to see above. If I see a video highlight package I will try to run the edit, but you should get the gist.

Enjoy the Friday off, I checked the December schedule and there are three Wednesday home games in that month. 🙄

Let’s Go Pens!

           vs.          

0                                 5

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Yeah, you read that right. The Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins win 5-0 Saturday night over the Rochester Americans who coming in had won six in a row.

A 36 save shutout for Filip Larsson, who looked awesome having not played in the past two weeks. Sure, there is practice, but game action is a different thing.

I think this was the finest win of the young season for this young team. Reason being is that Rochester is one of those quick teams that scare you due to their speed.

The Penguins withstood the first five minutes, where Rochester’s seeped was on full display and tested Larsson, but the young goaltender withstood it and his team was off to the races from there.

Here’s how they lined up. Rochester didn’t post lines.

Lineup Notes: Matt Nieto was sent down on conditioning. Tristan Jarry was recalled on Saturday in the same transaction. Otherwise as you saw above Knyzhov was in for Phip Waugh on defense and Corey Andonovski was in for Raivis Ansons and Avery Hayes (Nieto)

First Period: Off the hop, I was worried, as it looked like the Amerks were going to score every time they entered the zone, every time they touched the puck. Shots were something like 5-1 Americans.

But then, Corey Andonovski cleaned up the loose change in front of Michael Houser’s net and the Penguins were off and running.

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Later, Jonathan Gruden led Matt Nieto on a two on one and dished to the conditioning forward who jukes Houser to the New York State line and scores to double up the score for the home team.

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Second Period: While four on four, it was Tristan Broz that scored from a ridiculous angle and made it 3-0 Wilkes-Barre.

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Rochester pressured, but really after the first goal against and definitely the second, it seemed to slack off.

Third Period: So when Broz scored that goal, at the time, his fifth of the season, I was wondering when Rutger McGroarty was going to ever get going.

I didn’t have to wait long.

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On the power play. Get the kid going on the power play. It worked.

Tristan Broz again for good measure…

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And from here the only question would be whether Larsson would do the thing and get the shutout.

36 saves later and no goals against and yes, he did the thing.

Three Stars: 3) Tristan Broz (two goals) 2) Rutger McGroarty (goal) 1) Filip Larsson (36 saves)

The Good: Lots. Power play was clicking, young defense looked cagey and a guy that hadn’t played in over two weeks looks like he never lost a step. This was a statement win over a good, possibly not great Rochester team that has the Penguins off to a very good start here approaching mid-November.

The Bad: Nothing to speak of. They type of game you wish you could bottle up and use when you are down a pair on a lazy Wednesday against Hershey in mid-January.

Turning Point: I think the point of no return in games like this where you are beating a team so bad they aren’t going to win comes after the third goal, especially in shutouts. So let’s just go with that.

Around the Division: Lehigh Valley beats Utica in overtime 4-3….Toronto beats Charlotte 4-3 clean….Providence doubles up Bridgeport 8-4….Hershey wins 3-2 over Springfield to stay tops in the Division.

Standings: Hershey 17 – Penguins 16 – Charlotte 13 – Leigh Valley 13 – Hartford 12 – Providence 10 – Springfield 8 – Bridgeport 6

Wheeling Update: Nailers are in action against Trois-Rivières again Saturday and win 4-3. Sergei Musharov with 27 saves, Matty De St. Phalle with a goal and an assist.

Video Highlights: 

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They are back at it Wednesday again in Lehigh Valley. Power Rankings here Monday afternoon and then the Weekend Preview Wednesday afternoon.

Let’s Go Pens!

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3                            5

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The Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins were roughed up in the second period and never really recovered after that and lose 5-3 Friday night in Allentown, bringing an end to their four game winning streak.

I’d argue that this was the worst of the five games that Tristan Jarry played during his tenure here on this AHL conditioning stint, which will end as this is the 14th day. You will see in a few seconds.

Rochester has to make a 4+ hour trip to Wilkes-Barre overnight, bringing a six game winning streak when these teams meet Saturday night.

Here’s how they lined up:

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Lineup Notes: As noted above, Filip Kral was back. He replaced Lindgren on defense. Corey Andonovski for Raivis Ansons up front. Earlier in the day the Pens signed Nikolai Knyzhov to a PTO. Yes, another defenseman but there was no other defenseman hurt.

Injury Updates: 

Taylor Gauthier (lower body, week to week)
Nate Clurman (upper body, day to day)
Dan Renouf (lower, week)
Boko Imama (day to day, unspecified)
Sebastien Aho (same)
Jimmy Huntingdon (lower, week)
Scooter Brickey (lower, week)
Jagger Joshua (upper, week)

Oof.

I will update the Roster Tracker.

First Period: Penalty marred period, but that did not deter the Penguins, who score a power play goal and a shorthanded goal to go up 2-0 in a very, very good period.

Ville Koivunen and Sam Poulin, respectively.

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Snapped a low shot that beat the goaltender five hole. Nice.

Even better? This play from Sam Poulin. A+ effort…

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Wilkes-Barre dominated the Phantoms from the drop, outshooting them 8-3.

Second Period: Tale of two periods for the Penguins.

Three goals, 1:40 apart, saw the Phantoms tie it within a span of :46, then Jonathan Gruden re-established the Penguins lead :54 after that.

It seemed like the wheels were coming off, and with penalty happy Liam Maaskant and Casey Terreri relentlessly dishing out infraction after infraction, it was not a good sign for the Penguins.

Sure enough, it wasn’t.

Phantoms score a pair within a :36 time frame and took a 4-3 lead heading into the third.

Let me set these up…

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Penguins had a carryover penalty kill that they got scored on here by Louis Belpedio.

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Tristan Jarry is going to want that goal he gave up to Alexis Gendron back here. You can tell from his body language that he knows that he should have had that.

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Nice work by Jonathan Gruden to work hard, create a turnover and get rewarded with a goal.

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Troubling theme here as Lehigh Valley gets yet another power play goal here and this one came off of a rebound.

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Just to confirm, that’s $5M / year NHL All-Star goaltender Tristan Jarry spilling rebounds all over the place.

Whew.

Third Period: Penguins with an early power play but failed to capitalize on same. Later, they had a second crack but weren’t able to solve Eetu Makiniemi.

Then, with Jarry pulled for an extra attacker with about 3:30 left to play, veteran defenseman Mac Hollowell coughs up a puck and Oscar Eklind took advantage of the opportunity and scored to ice the game away into the empty net.

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Three Stars: 3) Rhett Gardner (two assists) 2) Oscar Eklind (two goals) 1) Alexis Gendron (two goals)

The Good: Hot start. They struggle in the opening frames.

The Bad: Everything else. I had a feeling they were cooked when Lehigh Valley scored to tie the game. Just had a sense.

Turning Point: Have to go with the :36 sequence where the Phantoms went back up, this time for good, late in the second period.

Around the Division: Rochester wins 6-3 at home against Hartford….Providence beats Bridgeport clean 3-2. The rest of them were off.

Standings: Hershey 15 – Penguins 14 – Charlotte 13 – Hartford 12 – Lehigh Valley 11 – Springfield 8 – Providence 8 – Bridgeport 6

Wheeling Update: Nailers lose in overtime to Trois-Rivières 5-4. Atley Calvert, Matty De St. Phalle all with goals in the contest.

Video Highlights: If I see them I will post them here.

Rochester in Saturday. Talk to you then.

Let’s Go Pens!