Chirps from Center Ice

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

Category Archives: Postgamer

That’s a No From Pheonix — Pens LOSE 3-0

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Turning point of this game, a 3-0 Penguins loss on Friday night against the Hershey Bears, was in the middle of the second period when they just went down 2-0. Pheonix Copley, the starting goaltender for the Bears on this night, hadn’t been tested much to this point.

The Penguins rattled off a couple of good chances in succession, but Copley wasn’t having any of it. You needed a cheap one to beat him tonight but with the way the Bears were playing as a unit tonight, it wasn’t going to happen.

Copley collects his second shutout of the season, both against the Penguins but he lost that game in a 1-0 Penguins shutout win a while back. Wilkes-Barre’s eight game point streak is also over.

That’s pretty much it, on a night where Wilkes-Barre was out possessed in the first and went down early on a Matt Moulson tap in goal on a power play off a rebound of a Christian Djoos one timer. In the second it was a busted rush up ice for the Penguins that turned into a rush up ice for Hershey which resulted in a Garrett Pilon goal that made it 2-0. You could argue that this sequence here was the crusher that sealed the deal for Hershey and not be wrong. An empty net goal by Liam O’Brien late in the third was the other goal.

I could remember, but for the second period buzz which Copley shut down, a Kevin Roy breakaway and a Joseph Blandisi follow up attempt in the first period which Copley stopped. Also, a Chase Berger deflection on a Zach Trotman shot. That was about it offense wise for the Penguins.

Wilkes-Barre had a great penalty kill sequence in the third period when they were on a two man disadvantage. P-O Joseph broke his stick blocking a shot and was without it but still managed to get in the way and Penguins starting net minder Casey DeSmith stopped a one timer from going across the goal line. It really was a sight to see and the sole bright spot on an overall bad night for the Penguins.

That’s really it. They get Lehigh Valley Saturday night at home. Better luck next time, I guess.

Here is how they lined up.

They jumbled up the combinations and put Adam Johnson on the top line. Myles Powell was recalled from Wheeling and I liked what I saw from the guy. I think he hit a Bear on every single one of his shifts Friday. Brandon Hawkins was the extra on ice. Emil Larmi backed up and scuttlebutt on the concourse is that Dustin Tokarski broke his finger.

Garrett Pilon (goal), Matt Moulson (power play goal) and Pheonix Copley (31 saves) were the three stars in that order.

Around the Division: If Hershey was going to win this game Friday, then you wanted to see Hartford do the same. They couldn’t. Charlotte beat them 6-0. Lehigh Valley beat Springfield 4-1. Bridgeport and Providence were off.

Standings: Hartford and Hershey 63 — Providence 57 — Penguins 56 — Providence 55 — Springfield 54 — Lehigh Valley 46 — Bridgeport 37

Wheeling Update: Nailers were off.

Video Highlights: 

Lehigh Valley in Saturday, game is on WYOU if you are local. Gameday setup Saturday afternoon here at 3.

Let’s Go Pens!

It’s a Trap! – Pens WIN 2-1

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On a lazy Wednesday night in a low scoring game, the captain of the hockey team and the star goaltender carried the mail and got the home team the win.

In a bit of a perfect storm of a contest, the Penguins beat the Binghamton Devils 2-1 exactly how I described. No trap game here. David Warsofsky scores both goals on the power play and Casey DeSmith stopped 22 shots to pick up the win.

Casey DeSmith opposed Gilles Senn.

Lineup:

Lineup Notes: Chris Brown for Jordy Bellerive. Macoy Erkamps took warmups as the extra. Bellerive was listed among the injured pregame. If anyone heard Nick Hart mention what it was that happened to Bellerive, drop a comment below.

First Period: Nondescript first fifteen or so minutes. Both teams killed a penalty then Binghamton found itself on the wrong end of a two man advantage and David Warsofsky scored through a crowd with under five seconds left on it to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead.

Second Period: Binghamton had 1:30 of two man advantage and could not score. Then Brett Seney wheels around the net at full speed and centers to Nick Merkley for an easy tap in which tied the game at one.

Close game to this point.

Third Period: David Warsofsky, again, six seconds in on the power play, puts the Penguins ahead 2-1.

DeSmith and the Penguins defense held on from there.

Three Stars: 3) Cole Cassels with two assists, 2) Casey DeSmith with 22 saves and 1) David Warsofsky with two power play goals.

The Good: Leadership and special teams win the day. Exactly how it should be.

The Bad: I don’t know about you, but I don’t like these close games against non-playoff teams. Also giving away six power plays to the opponent isn’t a recipe for success, no matter what day it is.

Turning Point: Warsofsky’s third period power play goal is the obvious choice.

Around the Division: Two other games in the Atlantic. Bridgeport and Syracuse played a kids game in Connecticut this morning. Syracuse gets a late goal and beats the Sound Tigers 3-2 and Springfield and Hartford connected for their third game in three straight meetings and Hartford takes sole possession of the Atlantic Division with a 7-4 win. Everyone else was off.

Standings: Hartford 63 — Hershey 61 — Providence 57 — Penguins 56 — Springfield 54 — Charlotte 53 — Lehigh Valley 44 — Bridgeport 37

Wheeling Update: Nailers were off.

Video Highlights: 

Power Rankings hit the blog Thursday at 11, barring unforeseen delays. Check them out then.

Let’s Go Pens!

No Quarter — Pens LOSE 3-2 (SO)

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The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are in last place in the Atlantic Division. In a division that looks like this…

…after Saturday’s action, the Sound Tigers don’t seem to be interested or have the guns to compete in the division on a night to night basis.

Well, it sure didn’t look like it tonight.

A 3-2 shootout loss for the Penguins who, as you can see above, are in one for the playoff seeding. They led Saturday at 1-0 and again at 2-1 only to see the Sound Tigers even it late then win in a shootout that went seven rounds. Emil Larmi was the hard luck loser in goal.

The thing about the Sound Tigers that I noticed tonight was they got under your skin at every opportunity. How many times would you see a game Penguins team hang with some of the better teams in the AHL and go on to find a way to win? Penguins teams of old just wore on teams and it won them games and playoff berths. Same thing happened tonight, but the roles were reversed.

Larmi opposed Jared Coreau.

Lines were…

Lineup Notes: Sam Lafferty got recalled to Pittsburgh before the game so Brandon Hawkins went in on the fourth line where Jake Lucchini was. Lucchini replaced Lafferty’s spot on the top line. John Nyberg took warmups.

Bridgeport doesn’t post lines because not only does Lou Lamoriello not like facial hair, he doesn’t like when his top minor league affiliate posts a lineup graphic.

First Period: Joseph Blandisi scored this highlight reel goal on a power play to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead.

Shots were a pretty even 9-8 for the Sound Tigers who carried the play for much of the period. It was a highlight reel goal only that had them trailing.

Second Period: On a delayed call against the Penguins, Oliver Wahlstrom goes bar down to tie the game at one for the Sound Tigers.

Jake Lucchini would score when Zach Trotman swept a pretty pass to him for a goal that made it 2-1 Penguins heading into the third.

Third Period: Felt like there were more than just seven total (three for Bridgeport, four for Wilkes-Barre) power plays in the game, but that was one area that goes to the top of the story where you need to just skate away when you have someone bothering you.

Through the loss of Zach Trotman (puck to the face, later returned) and David Warsofsky (off then back, quick) the Penguins were without their two best defensemen and Bridgeport hung around and hung around and finally got the equalizing goal with about two and half minutes left to play.

It was off to…

Overtime: Emil Larmi had a couple of huge stops in the overtime round, Joseph Blandisi had a chance on a two on one with Joseph off of one of those Larmi saves to end it but ran out of room.

Shootout: Much like the game, Bridgeport had an answer for every Penguins goal and finally got a save from Coreau when it mattered. Matt Lorito in the bottom of the first, Travis St. Denis in the bottom of the fifth and finally Simon Holmstrom in the bottom of the seventh to win it. Jake Lucchini and Thomas DiPauli for the Penguins scored in the second and fifth rounds, respectively.

The Good: Teachable moments for playoffs if they make it there on how to take advantage of a tight game?

The Bad: What the hell were they doing keeping a Bridgeport team, who is the lowest scoring team in the AHL, around for?

Turning Point: Ho-Sang’s goal which forced overtime kind of cooked the goose. The Pens were done from there.

Three Stars: 

Around the Division: Charlotte got revenge on the Marlies and beat team 4-3 Saturday afternoon….Lehigh Valley beat Hershey 3-0 for just their fifth win on the road this season….Springfield gets a measure of revenge on Hartford 2-0….Providence beats up on Syracuse 6-2.

Standings: Gave them to you in the lede. Scroll up, please.

Wheeling Update: Orlando beats Wheeling 5-2. The Solar Bears strike on both power play attempts. Wheeling went 0-for-4.

Video Highlights: 

Pens are back Wednesday when they take on the Binghamton Devils, who have been on a tear recently. But for anything breaking, look check us out Wednesday at 3 for the Gameday setup.

Let’s Go Pens!

Two-Cchini — Pens WIN 4-1

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Five wins win a row for the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins who win 4-1 over the hapless Lehigh Valley Phantoms Friday night. Jake Lucchini scored a pair of goals, Casey DeSmith stopped 29 of 30. More importantly, it was a favorable out of town scoreboard for the Penguins, who are now a playoff team by a point over fifth place Springfield and just two back of a very milquetoast Providence side. More on that in a bit.

The aforementioned Casey DeSmith opposed J-F Berube.

Lines were…

Lineup Notes: Anthony Angello and Andrew Agozzino were recalled to Pittsburgh Thursday. Coal Street recalled Brandon Hawkins but he didn’t play. Andreas Martinsen left to play overseas.

First Period: Hot start for the Penguins scoring :46 apart.

Jake Lucchini in behind the defense who lose their stick and he scores to make it 1-0.

Soon after, P-O Joseph fires a shot on that is kicked to Jan Drozg from a low angle. Drozg banks the shot off of Berube for a goal and it’s 2-0.

Pens nearly made it 3-0 with Drozg hitting a shot on the power play, but Lehigh Valley killed off the penalty and Andy Andreoff cherry picked for a goal and scored to make it 2-1 and Wilkes-Barre’s lead was cut in half.

The Phantoms started pushing back and actually got the better of the chances but the score stayed 2-1 heading to the…

Second Period: Penguins played the better of the two sides and extended their lead by two again. Jake Lucchini again, the guy loves scoring against the Phantoms.

How do you leave the net that wide open.

Six of Lucchini’s professional gold have come against the Phantoms.

Third Period: :53 in, Sam Lafferty drives the net and scores to give the Penguins a 4-1 lead.

That goal chased J-F Berube and Felix Sandstrom took over the net. Sandstrom cooled things down for the Phantoms and didn’t allow any goals, but the Penguins also may have backed off to preserve the lead.

Three Stars: 

The Good: They needed to keep the momentum going and the recipe was there with the Phantoms only winning four road games all season. Five wins in a row with another opportunity Saturday night against last place Bridgeport.

The Bad: Can’t really identify one. They stayed disciplined, taking just three penalties but got lax a bit on the Andreoff goal in the first and let off after their second goal. Can’t really do that or get into the habit of it. They did respond well in the second period on.

Turning Point: Sam Lafferty’s goal that made it a three goal contest :53 into the third was the punch in the gut that folded the Phantoms.

Around the Division: Favorable night for the Penguins. Providence loses 3-1 in Binghamton….Springfield loses 6-3 at home against Hartford and Charlotte gets trounced in the 6ix by the Marlies and lose 6-2. Hershey also beats Bridgeport 4-1.

Standings: Hartford and Hershey 61 — Providence 55 — Penguins 53 — Springfield 52 — Charlotte 51 — Lehigh Valley 42 — Bridgeport 35

Setting Up Saturday: Too soon for this, but I’ll do it anyway. Pens have a game in hand on Providence, who are in Syracuse….Springfield and Hartford rematch in Connecticut and so do Charlotte and Toronto. That game starts at 4. Pens have a game in hand on Springfield. Charlotte somehow has two games in hand on the Penguins.

Wheeling Update: Wheeling wins 3-2 at home against Orlando. Alex D’Orio stopped 34 for second star honors. Cam Brown scored a pair of goals.

Video Highlights: 

Gameday setup for Saturday’s matchup against Bridgeport is yours Saturday at 3.

Let’s Go Pens!

Big Goal Tom — Pens WIN 4-2

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An eight point weekend in Charlotte, seven of eight points on the road trip and the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins complete a sweep in Charlotte winning 4-2 Saturday evening.

Thomas DiPauli’s goal with 1:28 left in regulation guarantees such. Emil Larmi stopped 24 of 26 and turned in yet another solid performance in goal for Wilkes-Barre.

Larmi opposed Alex Nedeljkovic, who won eight straight games against the Penguins coming in.

Lineup:

Lineup Notes: There were none for the Penguins but for Larmi in goal.

First Period: :55 in, on the first shot of the game, Checkers all-star Julien Gauthier scored to give Charlotte a 1-0 lead.

Chances picked up in a big way for the Penguins after that, they had a 2-on-1, Blandisi had a breakaway and P-O Joseph hit a post. They weren’t able to score, but they had the majority of the chances as compared to the Checkers.

Second Period: Slow start, crazy finish.

Charlotte easily disposed of a Penguin power play and Jake Bean came out of the penalty box and was denied on a 2-on-0 by Larmi. Later, Freddy Claesson hit the post on a wide open net.

Jordy Bellerive would score when he crashed the net and Kevin Czuczman threw a pass at him. It went in legally and the Penguins tied the game at one.

Three minutes later, Bellerive would do it again. This time on a one timer.

Larmi was settled in to this point, but then he found himself in trouble. Here, let my tweet explain:

Charlotte would continue to pressure, but time expired in the period and they were off to the…

Third Period: Emil Larmi is the type of goaltender who you can see very early if he is dialed in or not. You saw it last week in Texas against the Stars and you saw it here Saturday against the Checkers.

The period flew by after a slow start, Charlotte started to come in waves and through everything they could at Larmi, but the Penguins rookie netminder didn’t crack.

With it looking with each passing minute that the game would head to overtime, Thomas DiPauli breaks in and scores with 1:28 to play to give the Penguins a 3-2 lead.

DiPauli would also add an empty netter to seal it. I didn’t get a video of that. He shot the puck from center ice and it went in. Use your imagination.

Three Stars: 3) Emil Larmi (24 saves) 2) Jordy Bellerive (two goals) 1) Thomas DiPauli (game winning goal and an empty netter)

The Good: They didn’t take a single penalty and got a hell of a game from their rookie goaltender.

The Bad: The power play looks like an abject disaster. They were better in a lot of other areas so it didn’t affect them as much, but you want that to come around as you continue to push here.

Turning Point: The DiPauli goal with 1:28 gets the nod here. If the game gets into overtime, the Pens don’t tie the Checkers in points and who knows what happens with the point lost as it goes down the line. DiPauli’s clutch goal in the moment guarantees that they maxed points in Charlotte against a foe.

Around the Division: The Lehigh Valley Phantoms went up 2-0 in Hartford but lose 4-2….Hershey gets a late goal to force overtime and go on to win in a shootout 3-2….Springfield wins 6-2 at home against Bridgeport.

Standings: Hartford and Hershey 59 — Providence 55 — Springfield 52 — Charlotte 51 — Penguins 51 — Lehigh Valley 42 — Bridgeport 35

Wheeling Update: Nailers win at home 4-1 against the Cincinnati Cyclones. Brandon Hawkins had three assists, Michael Kim had a goal and an assist. Alex D’Dori stopped 28.

Video Highlights:

They are off now till next Friday when they finally return home against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, so news may be scarce between now and then. All-Star Classic is Sunday and Monday, but that’s the same stuff every year and it doesn’t count. Enjoy it if you are heading to California.

Let’s Go Pens!

Building Cassels in the Sky — Pens WIN 5-4

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When a player is traded to the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins, I usually start thinking of how I can use that players name in a pun in a headline for a postgame recap.

From January 4, the day that the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins acquired Cole Cassels.

The Penguins win 5-4 in Charlotte Friday night and Cole Cassels figured into every single goal. Cassels had a pair for goals to go with three assists.

Other rejected headlines include, “Four-Sofsky” for David Warsofsky’s four point night (2-2)

All jokes aside, this was a gritty, greasy, messy win for the Penguins over the Charlotte Checkers. You take them how you get them but it’s the kind of win you look for out of a team battling for a playoff berth. With the influx of players from Pittsburgh down from the all-star break, you need to maximize points against a team you are chasing for said playoff berth. So far, so good.

Casey DeSmith opposed Anton Forsberg.

Lineup: 

Lineup Notes: Friday morning, the Penguins assigned Matt Abt, Michael Kim and Christopher Brown to Wheeling. With the cadre of players sent down from Pittsburgh coupled with the fact that the Nailers have a boatload of home games in the next week or so, it made sense to get Abt, Kim and Brown back down to Wheeling for reps. Also, announced Thursday, Sam Miletic will replace Andrew Agozzino at the All-Star Classic later this weekend.

There was other news today around noon. Andreas Martinsen was placed on unconditional waivers for the purposes of contract termination. What it basically means is that Pittsburgh wants to shred his NHL contract so he can go to Europe. 24 games with Wilkes-Barre, a goal and two assists and takes up a vet spot. Thanks for the fish.

Current lineup wise, all the reinforcements were in, Jamie Devane and Andreas Martinsen were out and Chris Brown too, but he was sent to Wheeling. On defense, Zach Trotman returned from injury and, with Kevin Czuczman, replaced John Nyberg and Macoy Erkamps.

First Period: On a power play, Kevin Czuczman went to center to Anthony Angello. The pass never got there. Instead, a Checkers defender Steven Lorentz’s stick got in the way but deflected the puck into his net.

You take them any way you can get them.

Later, Cole Cassels finished off a two on one with Adam Johnson. It was all setup by a big save by Casey DeSmith on Lorentz that was setup by P-O Joseph falling over giving Lorentz and the Checkers a breakaway. Here it is:

Not a very good period by the Checkers Steven Lorentz there.

100th AHL point for Adam Johnson with that assist.

Second Period: You had a lot going on in this period.

First, David Warsofsky’s third attempt at a goal in one sequence goes in and the Penguins have a 3-0 lead.

But then Charlotte dug in and went to work.

Julien Gauthier was in front and collected a rebound off DeSmith and swept it past him on a power play that put the Checkers on the board.

Then Eetu Luostarinen with a tip in front. 3-2 Penguins.

Charlotte hit a post on a dangerous power play after their second goal, but the Penguins got out of that unscathed.

Charlotte continued to buzz and fire, Casey DeSmith had a ten bell save, but Thomas DiPauli lost his stick and Gustav Forsling scored to tie the game at three.

(Charlotte didn’t post a GIF here)

Hardly ideal from the Penguins perspective. They were getting run over and hadn’t had a significant scoring chance since the Warsofsky goal. Until…

On a power play, Warsofsky connects with a looooong pass to Cole Cassels who stays onside and breaks in to beat Forsberg that gave the Penguins a 4-3 lead.

Big goal. Big, big goal for the Penguins who crack Charlotte’s power play.

Third Period: Hit the drop!

:08 in, Sam Lafferty finishes off a power play goal, the Penguins third of the night, to give the Penguins a 5-3 lead.

But Charlotte would respond in kind with another power play of their own when Dave Gust would punch in a goal that brought the Checkers within one again.

Wilkes-Barre would find itself in penalty trouble off of the whistle from referee Corey Syvret, who bagged Andrew Agozzino for soft hook and then P-O Joseph for an even softer hook. The Penguins would navigate the rough waters fine, Chase Berger would block three shots in the kill and then with the time dwindling, Charlotte pulled their goaltender but never found the equalizer.

Three Stars: 3) Eetu Luostarinen (goal, assist) 2) Cole Cassels (two goals, three assists) 1) David Warsofsky (two goals, two assists)

The Good: They stepped up and took one from the defending champs. Noted in the lede, it wasn’t pretty, but necessary.

The Bad: Penalty kill wasn’t great, I didn’t like what I saw late from the Joseph – Lizotte pairing, but they got the two points.

Turning Point: I am going to go with that kill late when the Checkers were up two men. They score there and who knows what ends up with this one.

Around the Division: Providence beats Lehigh Valley 4-3….Hershey thumps Springfield 5-2….Hartford beats Bridgeport 4-1.

Standings: Hartford and Hershey 57 — Providence 54 — Charlotte 51 — Springfield 50 — Penguins 49 — Lehigh Valley 42 — Bridgeport 35

Wheeling Update: Nailers lose in overtime at home to Cincinnati 3-2. Matt Abt had an assist and was a +2.

Video Highlights: 

They rematch Saturday at 6, so that means the Gameday setup is here at 2 p.m. If things break the right way, Wilkes-Barre can tie the Checkers in points and depending on other out of town scores, could be a fourth place team at the break.

Let’s Go Pens!

This Tuesday in Texas — Pens WIN 3-2 (OT)

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There is a saying that, “everything is bigger in Texas.”

For Jordy Bellerive, it must be true, he’s scoring goals and the net must look twice the size for the Penguins rookie.

A 3-2 overtime win for the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins on Tuesday night with the goal scored by, who else, Jordy Bellerive that ended the game. Bellerive’s trip through San Antonio this past weekend saw him score two goals and the shootout game winner on Saturday and an overtime game winner Tuesday.

He may not want to board that flight to Charlotte Wednesday, but he will have to.

The Penguins draw to a point of idle and fifth place Springfield and three points back of fourth place Providence for the final playoff spot. A huge meeting with third place Charlotte, who the Penguins are just four points behind, looms this weekend.

Casey DeSmith opposed Ville Husso in a rematch from Saturday.

Lineup: 

Lineup Notes: Joseph Blandisi was recalled Monday, so Christopher Brown slotted in for him at center, the forward lines were jumbled up, Jordy Bellerive found himself on the second line, up from the fourth, based off of his performance on Saturday.

Dustin Tokarski was injured in warmups Saturday with what Head Coach Mike Vellucci told Nick Hart was a hand injury. He’s still with the team, practiced Monday and took part of Morning skate. No timetable was given, but I’ll point out that if it were bad, he would have been sent back to Wilkes-Barre or Pittsburgh if it was.

On defense, the same pairings from Saturday. San Antonio didn’t post lines.

First Period: Largely uneventful period. Andreas Martinsen was the only Penguin forward with a shot on goal, Wilkes-Barre only managed five to the Rampage’s ten.

Klim Kostin deflected a Joey LaLeggia shot about halfway through that gave the Rampage a 1-0 lead.

Penguins killed the only penalty called in the period. Like I said, largely uneventful.

Second Period: Largely eventful period. The Penguins outshot the Rampage 16-4 in the period and got a goal when Jon Lizotte connected with Anthony Angello on this tie setup that tied the game at one.

Ville Husso was forced into some great saves, John Nyberg had one on a shot through traffic, Husso got help from his post when Chase Berger fizzed one past and Jordy Bellerive had a bid go off of the post early on in a two on one.

Third Period: Penguins navigated through back to back penalties easily, then Kevin Roy tipped in a John Nyberg shot that gave the Penguins a 2-1 lead.

I liked what I saw from John Nyberg tonight, doing all the little things right.

Good, subtle keep in by David Warsofky there at the start of the video that kept play onside. The scoring play doesn’t happen without it.

Wilkes-Barre had one more penalty to kill and did so, but just as Husso came off for an extra attacker, San Antonio indeed found the equalizer on this sequence with ex-Penguin Derrick Pouliot.

Tipped in by Nathan Walker that sent us to…

Overtime: They went back and forth s they often do with all that open ice. It was a sequence with Thomas DiPauli that led to the Bellerive goal. He was tangled up with Husso, got a puck at the neutral zone and put a shot on he didn’t get all of, followed his shot and caused enough interference (legal) on Husso that Bellerive was there for the goal and the finish.

Three Stars: 3) Anthony Angello (goal) Kevin Roy (goal) 1) Jordy Bellerive (overtime game winning goal)

The Good: Any time you get four points at an opponent, you take it and run. Don’t worry about the games finishing past regulation, giving points to a Western Conference opponent is meaningless for the Penguins.

The Bad: I still can’t figure out of it was Penguins good or San Antonio bad (they are last place in a competitive Central) but will likely have that answer this weekend when Mike Vellucci visits his old stomping grounds in Charlotte this weekend.

Turning Point: How can you not go with the Bellerive overtime game winner in this situation? These are big points that could be remembered as the Penguins are shaping up to be in a race with three, maybe four with Lehigh Valley’s sudden resurgence, teams for a playoff spot come April.

Around the Division: They all watched us. It’s a Tuesday, the Atlantic Division just doesn’t play on a Tuesday.

Standings: Hartford and Hershey 55 — Charlotte 51 — Providence 50 — Springfield 48 — Penguins 47 — Lehigh Valley 41 — Bridgeport 35

Wheeling Update: Nailers were off, it’s the ECHL All-Star break.

Video Highlights: Coal Street tweeted Saturday’s highlights Monday morning. I hope they don’t wait till Thursday for these. Anyway, if I see them and can work an edit in I will.

I would expect, with Pittsburgh on bye for the next ten days, that you will see Joseph Blandisi and Andrew Agozzino get returned to Wilkes-Barre with Kevin Czuczman and possibly Sam Lafferty. EDIT: They didn’t wait long, check out this time stamp:

AHL Power Rankings will be here Thursday at 11 and then the Gameday setup for the two game set in Charlotte will be here Friday at 3.

Let’s Go Pens!