Chirps from Center Ice

The Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins return from Christmas break on top of the Atlantic Division and need (I believe) just two more points to send Head Coach Kirk MacDonald to Rockford, Illinois to coach the Atlantic Division All-Star team next month. The coach of the first place team in each division gets that honor at the end of the calendar year.

Music to Set the Mood…

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Again, not exactly pandering to anyone born after 1980. But it is what it is.

A Quote…

A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are.
— John Wooden

I think MacDonald has gotten about all he can out of his players which have rewarded the second year coach with a first place showing for most of, if not all of this still young season. I think that the sky is the limit with this team.

The Setup…

Home with Hershey Saturday, on the road with the Phantoms on Sunday and then hosting the Charlotte Checkers on Tuesday again. I think that Tuesday game is one that a lot of the players have circled in the locker room.

Last week the Penguins took 5 of 6 points out of games with the Utica Comets (a win in Utica Friday followed by a home shootout loss) and then a Sunday win against the Bears.

The Bears beat Bridgeport last Saturday and then lost to the Penguins.

The Phantoms lost to the Islanders Friday then needed a shootout to take down the Hartford Wolf Pack. They host the Checkers on Saturday.

Charlotte returned home and lost clean to the last place Springfield Thunderbirds Saturday then exacted some overtime revenge against the Birds on Sunday with an overtime win. They are in Allentown on Saturday, Hershey on Sunday before heading up to Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.

Records…

Wilkes-Barre is 21-7-1-1 with 44 points and lead the Atlantic.

Hershey is 14-11-1 with 29 points and are fifth in the Atlantic.

Lehigh Valley is 14-11-1-2 with 31 points and are fourth in the Atlantic.

Charlotte is 15-9-2 with 32 points and are third in the Atlantic.

The Rest of those Rascals…

The Checkers are trying to make it a three horse race but so far it’s basically the Penguins and Providence Bruins who are the class of the field. The Bruins are 20-5-1 and have 41 points in second in the Atlantic and have four games in hand on Wilkes-Barre. They beat the Syracuse Crunch last Saturday. They have Springfield this Saturday in Massachusetts. At the end of the night on Tuesday, they will have SIX games in hand on the Penguins. One of those will be burned off when they play the Thunderbirds on the road this coming Wednesday.

After Tuesday, the Penguins aren’t in action again until Saturday in Syracuse, so let’s run through everyone else’s schedule up until then.

Charlotte doesn’t play till Saturday when they are in Cleveland.

The Phantoms will host the Bears on Wednesday, then off till Saturday (at Belleville)

Same for Hershey, who will host the Rockford IceHogs next weekend.

Springfield is one of the hotter teams in the AHL right now and went from last place in the division all the way up to sixth with a 9-11-4-2 record and 24 points. I gave you what they did against Charlotte last weekend above. They host Providence this Saturday, then Bridgeport on Sunday and then host the Bruins on New Years Eve. They will host the Islanders again on January 2.

Bridgeport is 11-13-1-1 and have 24 points in seventh. It’s been a struggle for the Islanders who beat Lehigh Valley and then lost to Hershey last weekend. They host Hartford Saturday, travel to Springfield Sunday then are in Hartford on New Years Eve. They return back to Springfield on January 2.

I would like to think at this time that one of the three teams between Springfield, Bridgeport and Hartford are going to make playoffs. I don’t think it will be the last place Hartford Wolf Pack however. They are 9-13-4-1 and have 23 points. They lost at home against Syracuse last Friday, then in Allentown via shootout on Saturday. They have a home and home with Bridgeport that starts Saturday in Connecticut and is paid off on New Years Eve in Hartford. They will host the P-Bruins on next Friday.

Who’s Up? Who’s Down? Who’s Out?

Aaron Huglen, Sebastian Aho and Alex Alexyev are still injured. The ECHL went on strike today so players like Mathieu De St. Phalle and David Breazeale may be recalled to the AHL while the collective bargaining gets figured out. Taylor Gauthier will be playing in the Spengler Cup. There are a couple others who may end up here while the Nailers are on lockout.

I haven’t seen Danton Heinen’s name appear much in Pittsburgh so I wonder if he will get shipped back at some point. Rutger McGroarty has graduated I think and so has Ville Koivunen.

What can we learn about the Penguins this week?

I think you can pencil them in as better than Hershey and Lehigh Valley but note that they need to play a full 60 to beat those clubs. They can’t play disinterested or loose hockey and expect to just pull four goals out of their arse in the third period and coast to a win. It’s Charlotte that has my attention based of off how pedestrian the Checkers made the Penguins look.

Also, they are missing Sam Poulin, who was traded. You need a lethal scoring threat. Joona Koppanen stepped up last weekend with 5 points but that’s not his repertoire, so to speak. I want to see some combination of Phil Tomasino, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard or Tristan Broz just explode and start pouring in points. Valtteri Puustinen remains a lethal threat but he’s on track to be the next Sam Poulin if he doesn’t start producing on a more consistent basis.

This team is in first place because of those players, but in order to stay there everyone has to pull the same rope, proverbially.

Who’s in Goal?

Sergei Murashov – Joel Blomqvist then whoever plays the best of those two gets the net Tuesday against the Checkers. I think Blomqvist has been outplaying Murashov by an eyelash recently, so it’s going to be interesting to see who gets the net Tuesday.

Clay Stevenson, Carson Bjarnason, Cooper Black is my guess for the opposition.

Who’s Running the Show?

Chris Conway and Austin O’Rourke have the assignment on Saturday with Jud Ritter an J.P. Waleski on the lines.

O’Rourke will follow the team to Allentown Sunday and pair up with Mathieu Menniti with Davids Rozitis and John Rey on the lines.

No Tuesday crew assignment yet. Surprise refs!

Looking Ahead…

Tuesday is the last home game until January 16 but the games are spread out and pretty much all in the same place. They have one game next weekend and that is Saturday in Syracuse. I’ll have a lot of time on my hands next weekend. Too bad it’s January and not June.

Give us a bold prediction…

Handshakes for Kirk MacDonald Sunday in Allentown as he will be announced as the head coach of the Atlantic Division All-Star team at that time.

The Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins hit some turbulence Sunday and Tuesday of this week after two rough losses to the Charlotte Checkers, and now turn their attention to their first three in three weekend of the season beginning with a home and home with the Utica Comets and then a Hershey Bears drop in Sunday afternoon.

Music to Set the Mood…

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A Quote…

The measure of who we are is how we react if something doesn’t go our way.
— Usain Bolt

The Setup…

First three in three of the season with a trip to Utica, then a home game with the Devils and a Sunday home game against Hershey.

The Penguins blanked the Hartford Wolf Pack 3-0 with a 34 save performance from Sergei Murashov last Wednesday. They had Friday off then took Providence to overtime and a Valtteri Puustinen overtime goal gave the Penguins their first home win over the Bruins since 2019.

Then Charlotte. They laid an egg Sunday and lost 6-2 and on Tuesday were a bit more competitive but lost 2-1 to the Checkers.

The Comets lost to Hartford 2-1 last Friday, Springfield 3-2 Saturday and then beat Rochester 3-2 Wednesday.

Hershey lost 4-1 to Providence last Friday and then shutout the Charlotte Checkers 4-0 on Saturday. The Bears host Bridgeport Saturday and will take on a Penguins team playing its third game in three days Sunday.

Records…

Penguins still lead the Atlantic with a 19-7-1 record and 39 points.

Utica is last in the North with a 6-14-3-1 record and 16 points.

Hershey is 13-10-1 and have 27 points in fifth place in the Atlantic.

The Rest of those Rascals…

The biggest winner this week were the Providence Bruins. The Bruins have two games in hand on the Penguins and are tied in points with Wilkes-Barre with a 19-5-1 record. Providence was off this week and have one game, Saturday against Syracuse, this weekend. They will four games in hand on the Penguins after this weekend.

Charlotte looks like a team on the rise, sweeping the Penguins for a pair this past week. They are third in the division with a 14-8-2 record. You shouldn’t focus so much on the Phantoms and Bears and really should be concerned about the Checkers. The Grand Rapids Griffins are off to the best start in AHL history with just one regulation loss. That loss was dealt to them by the Charlotte Checkers. They are giant killers. They host Springfield Saturday and Sunday.

Lehigh Valley is fourth in the division with a 13-10-1-2 record and 29 points. The Phantoms lost in Syracuse last Friday, won in Rochester Saturday via shootout then lost to last place Springfield on Wednesday. They host Bridgeport and Hartford this weekend.

Hartford is 9-12-4 with 22 points and sixth in the Atlantic. They beat Utica last Friday then got smoked in Syracuse 7-2 last Saturday. They host the Crunch tonight then travel to Allentown Saturday.

Bridgeport is 10-12-1-1 with 22 points and seventh in the Atlantic. They beat Laval clean and then Belleville in overtime last weekend, and then lost 5-0 on Wednesday at home against Syracuse. Go figure. The Islanders are in Allentown tonight and Hershey tomorrow.

Springfield is 8-11-3-2 with 21 points and in last in the Atlantic but with the way they are playing won’t be for long. The Thunderbirds have points in four straight. They will be tested this weekend in Charlotte.

Who’s Up? Who’s Down? Who’s Out?

David Breazeale was up and then back down to Wheeling without appearing in a game.

Matt Dumba cleared waivers and played his first AHL game in over a decade on Tuesday.

Sam Poulin was traded to Edmonton with Tristan Jarry.

Aaron Huglen is week to week with an upper body injury.

Sebastian Aho and Alex Alexeyev are also injured, but with Breazeale going back down maybe one of them are back this weekend.

I think that is everything.

What can we learn about the Penguins this week?

I mean they should get a start out of Sergei Murashov this weekend and would likely win that game. How much do they have left in the tank Sunday at home against Hershey playing their third game in a row when the Bears were home all weekend and just had Bridgeport in Saturday.

It would behoove them to win these games because Providence will have four games in hand and Charlotte is on the come.

Also, Alexeyev and Aho aren’t really the straws that stir the drink defensively, are they? Let’s hope we don’t have to answer this question and they are back this weekend at some point.

Who’s in Goal?

I’d like to see Filip Larsson get back in there against Utica and have them use all three goaltenders this weekend but that isn’t how it always works. Murashov – Blomqvist – Murashov would be the safe bet.

Nico Daws and Jakub Málek will see work for the Comets this weekend against the Penguins and then probably Mitch Gibson for the Bears Sunday.

Who’s Running the Show?

Jordan Deckard and Jared Cummins will adjudicate in Utica with T.J. Dockery and Jason Brown on the lines.

Deckard will drive I-90 West, then merge onto I-81 South in Syracuse, blitzkrieg past the home of the Crunch, blow past Binghamton and will meet up with Chad Ingalls on Saturday to work the rematch with Jud Ritter and John Rey on the lines.

New refs on Sunday. Ben Betker and Koletrane Wilson will work the matinee with the Bears with Dylan Blujus and J.P. Waleski on the lines.

Looking Ahead…

Merry Christmas. Saturday at home against the Bears on December 27 and then another Sunday game (this time on the road) against the Phantoms and then another Tuesday home game against the Charlotte Checkers.

Next week’s Weekend Preview will include that Tuesday game against Charlotte.

Give us a bold prediction…

They will win all three games with a power play goal in each and Sergei Murashov gets named AHL Player of the Week with only one game allowed on 60+ shots.

The Penguins have four games in seven days, three at home and one on the road. That game is Wednesday in Hartford. Let’s take a look cause it’s a lot of ground to cover.

Music to Set the Mood…

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Ahh.. another SiriusXMU banger.

A Quote…

Just as there are four seasons, four phases of life, and four directions, the number 4 represents the natural order and balance in the universe. It reminds us to embrace both the light and the dark, as they are integral parts of our journey.
– Unknown

The Setup…

Four games this week, in Hartford Wednesday night, a Friday off, Saturday at home against Providence then a Sunday (💆‍♂️) afternoon home game against Charlotte then the Checkers are back here Tuesday night.

They swept Lehigh Valley and Hershey Friday and Saturday respectively in resounding fashion. When do you start having the discussion that the Penguins are in another class over these two opponents?

Hartford beat Springfield Friday at home and then lost big in Bridgeport on Saturday.

Providence needed overtime to beat a last place Springfield team on Saturday and then in the rematch with the Thunderbirds at home on Sunday they lost 3-1. The Bruins are in Hershey Wednesday and Friday before stopping in Saturday. Important to keep in mind that the Bruins have a game in hand on the Pens at this time.

Charlotte split with the Rochester Americans, beating them in OT on Saturday and losing clean to them on Friday. They hosted Cleveland last night and lost 3-1 and rematch with the Monsters Wednesday before heading up to Hershey on Saturday.

Records…

The Penguins are 17-5-1 and have 35 points in first place in the Atlantic.

Hartford is 8-10-4 and have 20 points in sixth.

Providence is 17-5 and have 34 points in second place in the division.

Charlotte has a 11-7-2 record and have 24 points and sit fifth in the division.

The Rest of Those Rascals…

Lehigh Valley lost to the Penguins Friday night then needed overtime to beat a four win Utica team in overtime Saturday. They went to Hershey Sunday and lost 3-2. They have a 12-8-1-2 record and have 27 points in third in the Atlantic. They are in Syracuse Friday, Rochester Saturday then return home for the rest of the month with six home games.

Hershey lost to the Penguins on Saturday and then hosted Lehigh Valley and beat the Phantoms. The Bears have a 12-8-1 record and have 25 points and are fourth in the division. Hershey hosts Providence Wednesday and Friday and then the Checkers on Saturday.

Bridgeport lost big in Utica on Friday and then walloped the Wolf Pack at home Saturday. They are 8-11-1-1 and have 18 points and are seventh in the division. The Islanders are in Laval Saturday and Belleville on Sunday.

Springfield lost clean in Hartford on Friday and then took the Bruins to the limit on Saturday but lost in overtime. On Sunday, they beat the Bruins clean. Despite this, they are 6-11-3-2 and have 17 points in last in the division.

Who’s Up? Who’s Down? Who’s Out?

Aaron Huglen is week to week with an upper body injury.

Jack St. Ivany and Harrison Brunicke were recalled after their conditioning assignments Sunday.

Boko Imama was returned to Wilkes-Barre Sunday.

Finn Harding was recalled from Wheeling Sunday.

Scooter Brickey followed on Monday. Why they staggered the two I’ll never know.

Danton Heinen and Sam Poulin went up Tuesday.

What can we learn about the Penguins this week?

I think they are in good shape and deep at all positions. They likely are tired of beating each other up in practice so I bet they are chomping at the bit to get some live fire in their face and play these games.

Gotta be careful though. Hartford can trip them up, Providence is as good as they are and Charlotte plays like a wild card. I think it’s another week they are favored in all the games, but as always need to be careful.

I liked how they ran away from the Phantoms and Hershey and just stepped on the accelerator, scored a bunch of goals and just sat on the lead. It’s a good strategy. Could it be dangerous like a cat playing with its food? (My cats don’t) Sure, but I think Kirk MacDonald has shown to all that he’s a hell of a coach that his players respect.

No reason to believe they can’t win all four games and put eight more points in the bank.

Who’s in Goal?

Murashov – Murashov – Blomqvist – Murashov would be my ideal setup. If you want them to get equal run in goal, then let Blomqvist start for you in Hartford, but by hook or by crook, Sergei Murashov starts Saturday against the Bruins.

Dylan Garand for the Wolf Pack, Simon Zajicek for the Bruins, Louis Domingue and Cooper Black for the Checkers in that order for the competition if you are making my guess which if you are reading this, you are.

Who’s Running the Show?

Good cop / bad cop situation in Hartford. One of my favorite referees, Jim Curtin is flanked by a guy who I think is out of his depth in Mike Sullivan. Kevin and Nick Briganti will work the lines.

Riley Brace and Nick Isaacson are the refs Saturday with J.P. Waleski and John Rey on the lines.

Sigh…Brace and Isaacson stick around, Jud Ritter tags in for John Rey and Wales sticks around on the lines Sunday when they host Hershey. Again, there are tons of referees in the league these days and they run the same two on back to back nights.

No referee data yet for Tuesday’s game with Charlotte. Hopefully by then, Isaacson and Brace skip town.

Looking Ahead…

Their first three in three of the year starts next Friday in Utica, then home with the Comets and then another Sunday home game against the Hershey Bears before the Christmas break.

Give us a bold prediction….

Kirk MacDonald will be packing bag for Rockford, Illinois. No, he’s not getting fired, he’s going to be named the coach of the Atlantic Division when All-Stars rolls around in January. The teams with the best records at the end of the year in each division send their head coach to the All-Star games. MacDonald will be set up for this dubious distinction after his team sweeps these four games.

The Penguins rematch against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms Friday and the Hershey Bears Saturday, in a redo of last weeks action. The Penguins have had a week to sit on a bad loss where they never seemed into the contest in Hershey last Saturday, but as luck may have it sit just a point off the Atlantic Division lead.

Music to Set the Mood…

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Usually when I am not listening to Hair Nation, I am listening to SiriusXMU, where Mitski and this song are staples.

A Quote…

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.
— Seneca

What? No Twain this week?

The Setup…

Home with the Phantoms whom they seem to matchup well against and then back in Hershey for the third of five against the Bears in Chocolatetown.

The Pens beat the Bears last Wednesday, the Phantoms on Friday at home then lost in a really bad uninspiring way on Saturday.

The Phantoms lost to the Laval Rocket last Saturday in a shootout that ended after 10 p.m. I don’t care how much you love this stuff, but being at a regular season November hockey game after 10 o’clock seems cruel. The Phantoms televise all of their home games so they never start on time, dual anthems and all and I guess it’s good for the city and the League in general that they have that luxury, but come on. What time did you get home if you went to that game?

The Phantoms host the Utica Comets Saturday and then travel to Hershey Sunday in a three in three weekend for Lehigh Valley.

Hershey lost clean to the Rocket last Sunday 4-3 and have off Friday.

Records

Wilkes-Barre is 15-5-1 and second in the Atlantic with 31 points.

Lehigh Valley is 11-6-1-2 and third in the Atlantic with 25 points.

Hershey is 11-7-1 and fourth in the Atlantic with 23 points.

The Rest of Those Rascals…

Providence beat Toronto last Wednesday, Belleville on Saturday and again on Sunday for a weekend sweep through Canada then bussed to Laval where they played Wednesday and lost clean, 4-1. They then bussed straight home and didn’t get in until 5:30 a.m. They have Friday off and play a home and home with Springfield Saturday and Sunday starting in Massachusetts. They are 16-4 and sit at the top of the Atlantic Division coming into the weekend with 32 points. They have a game in hand on the Penguins.

Gave you two through four above.

Charlotte hosted Toronto last weekend and split with the Marlies. They host Rochester for a pair this weekend. The Checkers haven’t played anyone in the division since November 2 (Hershey) and won’t until mid-December (Hershey) They are 10-5-2 and fifth in the division with 22 points.

Hartford lost to Springfield on Thanksgiving Eve, then split a pair out in Cleveland. They will host the Thunderbirds tonight and then travel to Bridgeport Saturday. They are 7-9-4 and have 18 points in sixth in the division.

Bridgeport lost at home on Black Friday to Springfield, then beat the Thunderbirds in Massachusetts via shootout on Saturday. They are in Utica tonight then host Hartford Saturday. They are 7-10-1-1 and have 16 points in seventh in the division.

Springfield split with the Islanders as highlighted above. They have a three in three this weekend where they are in Hartford Friday then a home and home with the Providence Bruins Saturday and Sunday. They have a 5-10-2-2 record and are in last in the division with 14 points.

Who’s Up? Who’s Down? Who’s Out?

Lots of action on the wire this week so let’s go from oldest to newest.

Mathieu De St. Phalle was sent to Wheeling on Sunday.

Pittsburgh re-assigned Tristan Broz and Danton Heinen on Sunday. Broz was hyped by Pittsburgh like the second coming of Christ, played one game, had two shots and was scratched in the two other games he was up for and sent back. Heinen is a point a game AHL player.

Rutger McGroarty and Boko Imama went up Monday.

Wheeling traded G Jaxon Castor to Norfolk for future considerations on Tuesday. The Nailers have a glut of really good goaltenders.

Daniel Laatsch recovered from his injury and was assigned to Wheeling on Wednesday.

Aaron Huglen I believe is the only player still listed as injured.

What can we learn about the Penguins this week?

I think Heinen is a cheat code. Mix in another up-up, down-down in Sergei Murashov and the Penguins are in good shape. This will be the last weekend for Harrison Brunicke and Jack St. Ivany’s conditioning assignments. Brunicke I think will go back to juniors. I haven’t been impressed by him at all.

On paper they should easily win against the Phantoms and Bears with multiple power play goals. But they don’t play the games on paper. Regardless the Penguins should be favored over both teams this weekend.

Who’s in Goal?

Who is the bigger threat? Is it the Phantoms? They have the better record than Hershey but the Penguins haven’t lost to the Phantoms yet. Is it Hershey? They are coming off their worst loss of the season last Saturday. Where am I going with this? I think you put Blomqvist out against the Phantoms and Murashov out against the Bears this weekend. I think they should, but we will see.

Aleksei Kolosov for the Phantoms and Clay Stevenson for the Bears, the same two we saw last week, for the competition is my best guess.

Who’s Running the Show?

Alex Łepkowski and David Elford are in town tonight with Bill Lyons and Davids Rozitis have the lines.

Adam Tobias and Patrick Hanrahan have the Hershey game Saturday with Lyons on the lines with T.J. Dockery.

Looking Ahead…

A very busy mid-December. They are in Hartford Wednesday, off Friday, then host Providence Saturday, Charlotte on Sunday (booSundaygamesboo) and again Tuesday. That Tuesday game will be included in next weekends Weekend Preview.

Give us a bold prediction…

Start sending me your ‘Danton’ and ‘Heinen’ pun headline suggestions now. I think Heinen will be primed for a big weekend and he helps the Penguins win both games.

The Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins enter Thanksgiving week leading the Atlantic Division and take on the last team they have yet to face twice this week. Who? It’s the Hershey Bears.

Music to Set the Mood…

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Not that kind of Turkeys!

A Quote…

Thanksgiving Day. Let us all give humble, hearty, and sincere thanks now, but the turkeys.
— Mark Twain

Twain? Again!?!?

The Setup…

Two with Hershey in Hershey, Wednesday and Saturday, and a Black Friday home date with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Penguins laid a turkey egg in Hartford, couldn’t get out of their own way and lost 5-2 then went into Providence, a place that hasn’t been kind to them against a team that gives them fits and a first period unassisted shorthanded Rutger McGroarty goal was all they needed. Joel Blomqvist made 27 saves.

The Bears split a pair in Cleveland and will host Laval Sunday.

Lehigh Valley beat Rochester at home on Wednesday, lost in Providence and then beat Hartford. After the Pens Friday, the Phantoms will host Laval.

Records

The Penguins lead the division with a 13-4-1 record and 27 points.

Lehigh Valley is third, with a 11-5-1-1 record and 24 points.

Hershey is fourth with a 10-5-1 record and 21 points.

The Rest of Those Rascals Turkeys…

Providence beat the Phantoms Friday then lost to the Penguins. They sit second with a 13-3 record good for 26 points and are in Toronto Wednesday then Belleville for a pair this weekend.

Charlotte has been out of conference for the past four games. They spent the weekend in Grand Rapids and took three out of four points from the Griffins, including handing Grand Rapids their first regulation loss Friday. They return home to host Toronto for a pair. They are fifth in the division with a 9-4-2- record and 20 points.

Then the drop off…

Bridgeport visited the North Division with a loss in Rochester Friday and then a loss in Syracuse. They will play a home and home with the Thunderbirds this weekend and have a 6-9-1-1 record good for 14 points and sixth in the Atlantic.

Hartford, in the midst of a six game home stand, beat the Pens and lost to the Phantoms. They wrap the homestand with a Thanksgiving Eve game with the Thunderbirds before heading to Cleveland the weekend for a pair. They sit seventh in the division with a 5-8-4 record and 14 points.

Springfield had one game this weekend, a 2-0 shutout of the Utica Comets and close out November with a stop in Hartford Wednesday and then the home and home with the Islanders. They are last in the Atlantic with a 3-10-2-1 record and 9 points.

Who’s Up? Who’s Down? Who’s Out?

Avery Hayes returned from injury and played in both games last weekend.

Lots of news this week though.

Tristan Broz was recalled Monday and will make his NHL debut this week. Philip Tomasino was re-assigned to the AHL after clearing waivers.

Harrison Brunicke and Jack St. Ivany were sent down for conditioning stints. They last 14 days.

Because the Pens have a glut of defensemen, two really good ones in Wilkes-Barre were elbowed down to the ECHL. Finn Harding and Scooter Brickey were sent down this week. Wheeling is a very good ECHL team that just got better.

Sam Poulin was re-assigned Tuesday afternoon to the AHL, arguably their pound for pound best player.

What can we learn about the Penguins this week?

They can hang with Providence, beat Lehigh Valley, Charlotte, play tight with Bridgeport, can beat Hartford and Springfield.

What we don’t know yet is how they fare against Hershey, their biggest rival.

The Bears are young. The Bears lost a lot in the offseason. The Bears don’t rebuild, they reload. It’s going to be an interesting week to see how the Penguins are against the Hershey Bears.

One would expect either a close game like with Providence or perhaps running them off the ice like we saw in flashed last season and in parts this season. If they fall down multiple goals like they did against Bridgeport a few weeks ago, do they muster five goals in the third against Hershey on the road? I can see it, but I wouldn’t expect it.

So what? You don’t want to get too amped for a November game, but it’s two points all the same. Expect a tight game and for the Penguins to be placed in a position to win the games this week when the third period rolls around.

Who’s in Goal?

Filip Larson figuratively has to get a game, which one? I’ll select Lehigh Valley Friday and say Joel Blomqvist gets both games against the Bears.

I’d expect Clay Stevenson for the Bears in both contests and Aleksei Kolosov for the Phantoms.

Who’s Running the Show?

Mike Campbell and Andrew Bell have the Wednesday assignment in Hershey with J.P. Waleski and John Rey on the lines.

Mike Campbell will be sticking around and will work the Friday game with Will Kelly. Jud Ritter and Dylan Lewis will work the lines.

Kelly will follow them down to Hershey and will be joined by Jordan Deckard. Tommy George and Kevin Briganti will work the lines.

Looking Ahead…

December. Oof.

The start of a really busy month for the Penguins who have the same two opponents, Phantoms at home next Friday, Bears on the road Saturday. Twelve games for the Penguins this month.

Give us a bold prediction…

Penguins and Bruins will continue to play leapfrog but the Pens need to be careful, Belleville is a good but not great team and the Bruins are there for a pair this weekend. One slip and the Pens are probably looking up at the Bruins (or Phantoms or Bears) in no time.

5 of 6 points this week for the Penguins.

The Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins swept the week last week and lead the Atlantic Division over the Providence Bruins by a point. But, are they truly elite?

Music to set the Mood…

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In keeping with the Hair Nation vibes and the greatest of them all, Dokken poses a good statement. Are the Penguins good? Don’t lie to me!

A Quote…

If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.
— Mark Twain

I have to dust off the Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn books from the bookshelf and start being a bookworm again.

The Setup

They beat a middling maybe not as good as we thought they were Bridgeport team last Wednesday in a school day game via shootout then exploded for five third period goals in a romp of the Islanders on Friday. They toyed with a really dysfunctional Springfield Thunderbirds team on Saturday.

Are they good? Beating mid teams like Bridgeport and the Thunderbirds would say yes, but they have Providence this Saturday who only have two losses all season. The Pens lost to Providence clean a few weeks ago.

They play Hartford Friday, who hasn’t been good either.

Recently Hartford lost last Wednesday in overtime in Providence, then clean at home to Rochester and Laval and needed overtime to beat Springfield Tuesday morning.

Providence may be asking the same question on whether they are good this week, needing overtime to beat a last place Utica team Saturday and then getting shutout at home against Laval Sunday. The Bruins host the Phantoms Friday.

Records

Wilkes-Barre is 12-3-1 with 25 points good for first in the Atlantic, Eastern Conference and tied with the Colorado Eagles for best overall team in the entire League.

Providence is 12-2, good for 24 points and sit second in the Atlantic.

Hartford is 4-7-4 and have 12 points in seventh in the Atlantic.

The Rest of those Rascals…

Gave you Providence’s and Hartford’s docket and record above. Hartford will host Lehigh Valley Saturday.

Lehigh Valley have a 10-4-1-1 record and have 22 points in third and played a three in three last weekend with a big win over Springfield Friday, then were swept by Hershey but earned an OT loser point Sunday. They played Rochester Wednesday and beat the Amerks (something the Pens couldn’t do a few weeks ago) and then are in Providence Friday and Hartford Saturday.

Hershey started their three in three weekend last Friday in Syracuse and took down the North Division leading Crunch 2-1 then swept the Phantoms. They are in Cleveland this weekend and played the Monsters yesterday and won. They have another date with the Monsters Saturday and have a 10-4-1- records good for 21 points and fourth place in the Atlantic.

Hershey has won five straight and don’t look now, the Big Bear Machine is heating up.

Charlotte swept the Iowa Wild in Des Moines last weekend and one of those were a shutout. There are a lot of teams in this division that think they are good, Charlotte is one of them but I haven’t been impressed with their body of work beating a sixth place in the Central Division Iowa Wild team. Their mettle will be tested when they play a Grand Rapids Griffins team which has yet to sustain a regulation loss so far Friday and Saturday in Michigan. The Checkers have a 8-4-1 record with 17 points good for fifth in the Atlantic.

Here’s the drop-off of teams that, in my opinion, aren’t good and you don’t need an 80’s hairband to ask you not to lie them.

Bridgeport, after getting smoked by Wilkes-Barre in two games returned home and lost to Rochester on Saturday. They are in Rochester Friday then Syracuse on Saturday. They have a 5-8-1-1 record, good for 12 points and sixth in the Atlantic.

Hartford, whom I gave you above are next. The Wolf Pack host Lehigh Valley Saturday.

Springfield has a 2-10-2-1 record for seven points and in dead last in the Atlantic. They lost to Laval last Wednesday, Lehigh Valley Friday, the Pens on Saturday and then in overtime to the Wolf Pack on Tuesday. They host Utica Friday in a battle of dead last in their division teams.

Who’s Up? Who’s Down? Who’s Out?

Joel Blomqvist and Rutger McGroarty returned Saturday and made an instant impact. Blomqvist picked up the win and McGroarty scored a goal.

Max Pavlenko and Jaxon Castor returned to Wheeling.

Sam Poulin was recalled in the wake of Ville Koivunen going week to week with a lower body injury after getting injured in practice over in Sweden.

Philip Tomasino was waived, cleared waivers and is eligible for assignment to the AHL.

Sebastian Aho came off injured reserve, Taylor Gauthier did too and was assigned to the Wheeling Nailers.

No word on Avery Hayes, who is still considered day to day.

Harrison Brunicke may exploit a loophole and come to the AHL on a conditioning stint because he’s missed so many games in the NHL and the rules allow for same. It would make sense and would likely benefit all parties.

Hey, Cap!

So I like to listen to the WBS Penguins Podcast on my walks during the week on my lunch break. Mathieu De St. Phalle was the guest this week and casually dropped that this guy was named captain of the team at practice on Wednesday.

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Makes total sense. Kemp, “gets it” at this level and will make a fine captain and has my full and unabashed support. Mazel Mazel!

What can we learn about the Penguins this week?

Things are so in flux in the AHL, as they are, so the real question of, “are they good” changes from week to week.

I think they handle Hartford and play Providence tight and it comes down to bounces. It’s just that simple. Are they good? Yeah, I think so because you aren’t expecting them to have their heads kicked in like you would if you are a Springfield Thunderbirds fan. They will play teams like Providence tight and beat teams like Hartford like they are supposed to.

I like the fact that Kirk MacDonald isn’t tinkering with the lineup. Play the guys you are supposed to play and work in B-level players like Gabe Klassen and Raivis Ansons in here and there.

Who’s in Goal?

MacDonald is foolish if he sends Blomquvist out of the tunnel first Friday. You have to have him start Saturday in Providence. That means Filip Larsson gets the start Friday in Hartford.

Talyn Boyko for the Wolf Pack and Michael DiPietro for the Bruins are my educated guesses for the goaltending opposition.

Who’s Running the Show?

It’s about time that AHL Head of Officiating Riley Yerkovich assigned Jim Curtin to a Penguins game. He’s one of the best the League has and he will be paired with Samuel Heidemann Friday in Hartford with Dylan Blujus and Kevin Briganti on the lines.

Mike Sullivan and Nick Isaacson get the Providence job Saturday with Dmitrii Antipin and Michael Tarquinio on the lines. All this referee repetition and we can’t get Curtin in back to back games? Come on!

Well, I guess I can’t have it both ways.

Looking Ahead…

Get ready for a pair with Hershey, buddy. The Pens are in Hershey on Thanksgiving Eve, host Lehigh Valley Friday then right back down I-81 for another meeting with the 13ears.

Give us a bold prediction…

They will get some daylight and win both games and open a small lead on the rest of the division heading into Thanksgiving week.

The Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins play a 10:30 Wednesday morning school day game in Bridgeport on Wednesday. Yes, that’s right, you are settling into your workday or at your second or third class at school and your favorite hockey team will be ready to take the ice in Connecticut to face off against a sneaky good Islanders team on a Wednesday morning.

Music to Set the Mood…

In lieu of this, I give you Kirk MacDonald from last Saturday’s 4-0 shutout against the Utica Comets.

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Yeah, when the coach doesn’t have to talk at all and you just run line after line line after line out there and the leadership group does the coaching on the ice, who needs a coach?

Just hope it continues.

A Quote…

If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.
–Mark Twain

Ah, yes. More wisdom from Samuel Clemens.

The Setup

Was it a good week for the Penguins? They lost the division lead and trail by a point to the Providence Bruins. I would say it was. That loss to Toronto in OT is going to come back and bite them I think in a way that it’s going to be an extra point you wish you had. Then they had a disaster period in Rochester Friday but battled back to tie but lost it in the end. Then they bus home overnight for an earlier start against Utica, and shut the Comets out behind a star in the making (maybe) Maxim Pavlenko.

Bridgeport lost to Lehigh Valley last Wednesday but swept the hapless Springfield Thunderbirds this weekend. They will host the Penguins Wednesday, then head to Wilkes-Barre Friday before bussing back to host the Rochester Americans.

The Penguins will host Springfield on Saturday.

The Thunderbirds have not had a good go of it. They will host Laval Wednesday, travel to Allentown on Friday then bus up to Wilkes-Barre Saturday.

Records

Pens have a 9-3-1 record good for second place and 19 points.

Bridgeport has a 5-6-1 record good for sixth place and 11 points.

Springfield is 1-8-1-1 with 4 points in last place.

The Rest of those Rascals…

Providence had a good trip to Cleveland, sweeping the Monsters. They will host Hartford Wednesday, Utica Saturday and Laval on Sunday. They lead the division with a 10-1 record, good for 20 points.

Lehigh Valley beat Bridgeport last Wednesday and then Toronto on Saturday in a light week for the Phantoms who are third in the division with an 8-3-0-1 record good for 17 points. Lehigh Valley will play a three in three and host Springfield Friday, Hershey Saturday and then travel to Hershey Sunday.

Charlotte hosted and swept the Syracuse Crunch for a very good weekend for the Checkers who head to Iowa this weekend to take on the Wild. The Checkers have a 6-4-1 record good for 13 points and fourth place in the Atlantic.

Gave you Bridgeport’s body of work above.

Hershey lost to Toronto Friday, had Saturday off then hosted the Rochester Americans and won. They have a 6-4-1 record good for 13 points and fifth in the division. The Bears have a busy three in three weekend that starts in Syracuse Friday, continues to Allentown Saturday and then host the Phantoms Sunday at 3.

Hartford was in Canada last weekend and lost in Laval and Belleville. They have a 3-6-2 record and 8 points in seventh points. They are in Providence Wednesday then have the next six at home, when Rochester and Laval drop in.

I also gave you Springfield’s body of work above as well.

Who’s Up? Who’s Down? Who’s Out?

Joona Koppanen, Sergei Murashov, Ryan Graves, Danton Heinen and Ville Koivunen are in Pittsburgh. Rutger McGroarty technically is too, but I have heard from folks on the concourse at the game that he is in town.

Avery Hayes is day to day with an upper body injury, Sebastian Aho and Taylor Gauthier are week to week with lower body injuries. They got Valtteri Puustinen back from injury on Saturday.

Coal Street signed G Jaxon Castor and F William Dufour to PTOs Monday. Castor was in Wheeling and Dufour started in the KHL but came back to the States.

Why all these signings? Pittsburgh is headed to Sweden and need extra bodies. It’s hard to recall a guy from thousands of miles away.

What can we learn about the Penguins this week?

I liked the fact they made minimal adjustments to the forward lines this week. They kind of were forced to not rotate a bunch of guys in and out due to injury or call up. I think they let this ride this week against teams they can and should beat.

Who’s in Goal?

Interesting conundrum Kirk MacDonald has himself in. Maxim Pavlenko gave them a chance in Rochester and then shut out Utica the next night. But let’s not overthink things. My guess is Filip Larsson goes in Wednesday morning against the Islanders, then again Friday and then you let Pavlenko run wild against Milan Lucic and the Springfield Thunderbirds on Saturday.

I think Parker Gahagen goes Wednesday then Marcus Högberg Friday for Bridgeport and for Springfield Saturday and then Will Cranley for the Thunderbirds. In addition to the Thunderbirds terrible record, they have injuries in goal.

Who’s Running the Show?

Mike Sullivan and Hayden Verbeek get the honor of having 4,000 school kids screaming in their ears for two hours bright and early on Wednesday morning. Dylan Lewis and Nick Briganti will work the lines.

Friday sees Chad Ingalls and Damian Figueira manage penalties with John Rey and Davids Rozitis on the lines.

Saturday sees Harrison O’Pray and Rob Hennessey with Kirsten Welch and Rozitis on the lines.

Three games, six different refs. What a concept!

Looking Ahead…

A trip to Hartford Friday and Providence Saturday.

Give us a bold prediction…

They win all three games and there’s a shutout mixed in there, as well as a power play goal in each game.