Chirps from Center Ice

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So full credit here to the Belleville Senators who got smashed by the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins 6-1 on Friday night and saw the visiting Penguins put the game away essentially on the games first three shots which resulted in goals.

The Senators put up a hell of a fight, lost two forwards in the process and a late power play goal by Wyatt Bongiovanni with 2.2 seconds to play in regulation is enough to edge Belleville to a 4-3 win over Wilkes-Barre / Scranton on Sunday afternoon.

I will say it was a very gritty performance by the Senators who never went away on the Penguins with whatever Wilkes-Barre threw at them.

Result is bad for the Penguins because it is a game in hand up in smoke against the Hershey Bears and no ground made up on the division leading Bears and no separation from against the rest of the division.

Onto Laval Wednesday…

Here’s how they lined up…

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Lineup Notes: Isaac Belliveau for Nathan Clurman was the only lineup change. I didn’t catch any type of an update provided by Nick Hart pregame because I was out on a walk.

First Period: Emil Bemstrom scored at 10:44 after working a nice give and go with Boris Katchouk and the Penguins were off to the races.

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But they weren’t as Wyatt Bongiovanni scored on a Belleville power play that tied the game at one.

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Foreshadowing!

Teams were tied heading into the…

Second Period: Avery Hayes scored on the Penguins first power play of the game and juked Senators All-Star Jeremy Davies out of the building with this move that put the Penguins ahead 2-1…

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The Penguins were being badly outshot I think 20-9 but stepped on the gas with the help of that power play goal and continued to bomb Michael Simpson with shots.

Third Period: Bongiovanni would net his second of the game with a far shot a few steps down from the blue line that would tie the game at two.

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But then Emil Bemstrom would score again the same way he scored in the first period by working some nice tic tac toe with lineman Boris Katchouk and the Penguins edged ahead 3-2.

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But about 90 second later Stephen Halliday scored to tie the game at three again for the Senators.

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If that dogged determination wasn’t apparent with that goal, let me tell you as someone who watched the game it was there all game. Belleville was just not going away and the Penguins needed to find a way.

But the Penguins took a double minor penalty when Nikolai Knyzhov was assessed a double minor penalty with 91 seconds left in regulation. So the Penguins needed to find a way to grit the Senators to overtime.

Wyatt Bongiovanni had other plans.

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2.2 seconds left, so no time to respond for the Penguins.

Damn, or stronger words that my cats heard that I can’t repeat in print.

Three Stars: 3) Michael Simpson (25 saves) 2) Stephen Halliday (goal, two assists) 1) Wyatt Bongiovanni (hat trick and game winning goal)

The Good: Really can’t think of anything here after an eight game point streak. They clearly weren’t ready for what a desperate opponent kept throwing at them. The Bemstrom / Koivunen / Katchouk line is their best and I think they miss Tristan Broz a lot.

The Bad: A lost opportunity to get closer to the Hershey Bears. Sure, they have a lot of games in hand, but games in hand don’t mean jack if you don’t win them. This loss sucks.

Turning Point: The Bongiovanni power play goal gets it here.

Around the Division: Springfield – Hartford and Lehigh Valley – Bridgeport started two hours after the Penguins – Senators game. Boxes on each here and here, respectively.

Standings: Will be incomplete, but the Penguins stay in second with 43 points and are six off idle Hershey with 49 and a point ahead of idle Charlotte.

Wheeling Update: Nailers started an hour later than the Penguins and are hosting the Worcester Railers. Box on that game here.

Video Highlights: AHL VideoCenter is your best bet for this if you are interested.

Penguins head to Laval, Quebec next for a Wednesday road game. I’ll have the AHL Power Rankings up Monday and then the Weekend Preview setting up the game with the Rocket and the rematch at home back with these Senators Saturday night on Wednesday.

Let’s Go Pens!

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The Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins won easily in Belleville, Ontario Friday night 6-1 and have an eight game point streak, the longest streak since the 2019-20 season. It was a bit of a total team effort for the Penguins, who get 39 saves out of Joel Blomqvist on his 23rd birthday and three assists from Rutger McGroarty who set Sam Poulin up for a pair of goals, one of those shorthanded in the third period.

The teams rematch Sunday afternoon in Belleville.

Here’s how they lined up.

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Lineup Notes: Boko Imama for Corey Andonovski up front, Nikolai Knyzhov, returning from injury, replaces Scooter Brickey on defense. Sebastian Aho is week to week with a lower body injury.

First Period: The Penguins scored three goals on the first three shots they fired at Mads Søgaard, and they were off to the races.

Avery Hayes at 4:55, the first shot of the game for either side made it 1-0.

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Then Sam Poulin capitalized off of a Belleville turnover and it was 2-0 Wilkes-Barre.

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Then the Penguins go on a power play and Valtteri Puustinen scores a power play goal that makes it 3-0.

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It was surreal hearing Nick Hart on radio use the adjective, “lethal” when describing the Penguins power play, which is clicking at around 25%.

Sadly Valtteri Puustinen and Sam Poulin were denied on the fourth and fifth shots of the game for the Penguins.

The Penguins survived a late push by Belleville to conclude the period.

Second Period: Boris Katchouk tallied a goal at 2:03 of the period and that was enough to chase Mads Søgaard from the Belleville net. It was 4-1 Penguins and enter Michael Simpson. Here’s the Katchouk goal:

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Belleville would get on the board when Keean Washkurak would get a step on Jonathan Gruden and collected a nice pass from Jan Jenik and the Senators were on the board, spoiling a would be shutout bid for Joel Blomqvist on his 23rd birthday…

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Game started to devolve a bit as Nate Clurman took what looked like a knee on knee hit which drew the ire of Vasiliy Ponomarev who took a penalty. But there was no penalty heading the way of Belleville. The Penguins were able to kill that off, but then Jonathan Gruden fought Garrett Pilon and then eight seconds after that Boko Imama, who played last year for these Senators, fought Hayden Hodgson.

The Penguins were able to navigate these waters fine, then the aforementioned Imama scored a goal that made it 5-1 Penguins.

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Third Period: The Penguins get a second goal from Sam Poulin who was stopped once by Simpson on the breakaway but then he and McGroarty work some magic to get a turnover and Poulin scores to make it 6-1.

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Belleville put a lot of shots on Joel Blomqvist, but the quantity didn’t overcome the quality and while some of the saves were a bit challenging, at no point were the Penguins in danger of relinquishing the lead.

Three Stars: 3) Rutger McGroarty (three assists) 2) Sam Poulin (two goals) 1) Joel Blomqvist (39 saves)

The Good: Belleville is a bad team and the Penguins handled them easily, which is what a good team should do in this situation.

The Bad: Losing Nate Clurman to injury for one. That’s Clurman and Aho on this trip. There’s winning big, but losing guys to injury is never anything you want to see.

Turning Point: I think the third goal on the third shot would get it here. That buried the Senators and there was no coming back from that on their current run of play.

Around the Division: A three goal deficit is nothing for the reigning Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears who were down 3-0 to start the third, storm back for three goals to tie and then an Alex Limoges goal in overtime gives the Bears a 4-3 win in Charlotte. Those two teams will rematch Saturday…Providence beats Bridgeport 4-1….Hartford beats Lehigh Valley 3-2 in overtime.

Standings: Hershey 47 – Penguins 43 – Charlotte 42 – Providence 40 – Lehigh Valley 38 – Hartford 35 – Springfield 29 – Bridgeport 18

Wheeling Update: Wheeling wins 4-1 in Indiana against the Indy Fuel. Taylor Gauthier stopped 25. Matthew Quercia had a pair of goals.

Video Highlights: Doubtful. Suggest if you really want them, head to the AHL VideoCenter sometime Saturday morning.

Enjoy the Saturday off, talk to you Sunday.

Let’s Go Pens!

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Filip Larsson was under siege in the second period of this one.

Getting outshot 15-7 in the period and watching his counterpart make saves he wasn’t supposed to be making, Larsson keeps the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins in contention and his team in front of him explodes for three goals in the third and the Penguins have points in theie seventh straight as they take down the Toronto Marlies 6-3 Wednesday night in Toronto, Ontario.

You aren’t having the best period and your goaltender keeps you in it and puts you in a position to win. That’s all you can ask for.

Alright, enough yapping. It’s Wednesday and I have work in the morning.

Here’s low they lined up:

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Lineup Notes: So the lineup graphic above is incorrect. Scooter Brickey took warmups and replaced Sebastian Aho on defense. Joona Koppanen replaced Boko Imama up front. Nikolai Knyzhov is on the trip and is considered day to day and Trisan Broz is still listed as ill. No other upgrades to the injured guys.

Hey now, you’re an All-Star: I was buried at my big boy job so missed the Wednesday afternoon announcement, but it’s Emil Bemstrom which will be the (so far) lone representative heading out to Palm Springs, California for the All-Star Classic in a few weeks.

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In case you were wondering about the rest of the players named, head here.

First Period: Oh yeah, the hockey game! They were off to a blazing start.

Ville Koivunen would score the first of his two goals in the period on the Penguins first shot of the game at 1:48 to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead.

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But then the Marlies would get even on the Penguins fairly quickly when Alex Nylander setup Nikita Grebenkin with this play here.

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It was one of those, “oh boy” plays where it’s set up so nice for the opposition and you are left hoping for the best (a save, block, etc.) and expecting the worst (a goal)

In this case, it was the worst.

Then Toronto would score again when Jacob Quillan would deflect a Mikko Kokkonen shot that would edge the Marlies ahead 2-1.

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Ville Koivunen would strike again with this shot that Nick Hart called the nicest goal that Koivunen has scored this season.

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Wilkes-Barre would strike with seconds remaining on a power play when ex-Marlie Filip Kral would score a power play goal with Rutger McGroarty setting a screen in front that would give the Penguins a 3-2 lead.

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A late development, Artur Akhtyamov would leave the game due to an apparent lower left leg injury. Enter ex-Penguin Matt Murray who you will recall, shut the Penguins out a few weeks ago in Wilkes-Barre.

Second Period: Well they didn’t score five goals in the period. The Penguins penalty kill went to work but Toronto would even the score at even strength when Fraser Minten would score at the 15 minute mark to tie the game at 3.

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I didn’t like the response by the Penguins in the period, being outshot 17-5. Matt Murray was making saves he really shouldn’t have made, stopping Sam Poulin on one and Emil Bemstrom on the other and they were taking way too many post whistle penalties.

Third Period: They had to kill a questionable Boris Katchouk hooking call, I don’t know what referees Stephen Huff and Kurtis Pare were looking at all night, but the Penguins got out of that okay and then Filip Kral scored his second of the game on the power play that gave the Penguins a 4-3 lead.

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Then, a little over a minute later the Penguins would circle the net of Matt Murray like sharks and Emil Bemstrom scored to make it 5-3 and give the Penguins some breathing room.

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Ville Koivunen into the empty net late and he has his hat trick.

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A little better period for the Penguins for obvious reasons, won a period and won a game.

Three Stars: 3) Emil Bemstrom (goal, assist) 2) Filip Kral (two goals) 1) Ville Koivunen (three goals, assist)

The Good: 5/5 on the kill, 2/4 on the power play and a hell of a goaltender which kept them in it. When you get special teams and the goaltender on the same wavelength, you get games and results like this.

The Bad: I didn’t like that second period at all against a Toronto team who are slumping and on a three game losing streak.

Turning Point: The Bemstrom goal that gave them a two goal lead gets it here because you had a sense the way it was going that Toronto was going to counterpunch again. It didn’t happen.

Around the Division: They all watched us.

Standings: Hershey 45 – Penguins 41 – Charlotte 41 – Providence 38 – Lehigh Valley 37 – Hartford 33 – Springfield 29 – Bridgeport 18

Wheeling Update: Wheeling left the Central Division in the ECHL but it seems like they are an honorary member this season. The Nailers lose 2-1 in overtime out in Indiana as the Indy Fuel win 2-1. Mats Lindgren, sent down earlier this week by Wilkes-Barre, had the lone goal for the Nailers in the loss.

Video Highlights: I don’t think Coal Street will post them and tweet them since it’s a midweek road game. Don’t forget about the AHL’s VideoCenter you can check out which updates pretty consistently.

They are bussing to Belleville tonight per Nick Hart on radio which I guess makes sense. Talk to you Friday.

Let’s Go Pens!

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I think they got the message, if there was a message. But I am thinking there was a message.

After, let’s just say, not their nest effort Friday against Charlotte, the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins respond in kind and shutout the visiting Hartford Wolf Pack 5-0 on Saturday night. 31 saves for Filip Larsson, tying him for the lead in the AHL in that department.

The kid is good. Really good.

A good game against a beatable opponent. You come off a bad game Friday and a back up playing like an All-Star starter gets you a shutout, and it’s a recipe for success for the home team.

Here’s how they lined up. Hartford didn’t post lines which is criminal. It’s 2025. Post the lines!

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Lineup Notes: Valtteri Puustinen returned from injury and replaced Joona Koppanen. Defensively, Filip Kral and Colton Poolman (making his WBS debut) were in for Mats Lindrgen and Isaac Belliveau.

First Period: Penguins were getting outshot 8-1 at one point and it looked like the third period against Charlotte with the Penguins getting hemmed in. But, on a delayed call against Hartford, Rutger McGroarty stuffed one past Tayln Boyko to give the Penguins the 1-0 lead.

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They were still outshot in the period but quality beat quantity here.

Second Period: On a power play, McGroarty scored his second of the night on the back door and the Penguins had a dreaded 2-0 lead.

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I say dreaded because they were in this spot the night before with Charlotte and the Checkers score three straight in the games final 39:57 plus overtime to win. Surely, this couldn’t happen again?

It didn’t. And if you call me Shirley again, we will step outside.

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That’s Vasily Ponomarev catching a nice feed from Filip Kral which made it 3-0 Wilkes-Barre.

Third Period: So if you are wondering where I am going with the headline, the Penguins have partnered with Abide Coffee Shop in downtown Wilkes-Barre that if the Penguins score four goals, everyone gets a free coffee.

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Make sure you thank Emil Bemström if you see him in town for the free cup of Joe.

I like mine straight black, no cream or sugar. If you know me professionally, you know I drink a ton of it.

What’s worse, I started dabbling in an afternoon tea a time or two as well.

They don’t sponsor the blog (I wouldn’t mind it, considering I drink a ton of it) but if you were at the game last Saturday and were wondering how to get a free cup if you are in the downtown area…

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Bemstrom would score again, making it 5-0 Penguins and for his effort, Hartford defenseman Connor Mackey would two hand chop Bemstrom behind the knee.

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Clip above doesn’t show the slash, but Mackey and somehow Bemstrom would be thrown out of the game by referees Alex Lepkowski and Austin Rook. I thought the duo were okay this weekend in both games, but for this incident here. How does a guy get his leg chopped off and get thrown out of the game? Baffling.

The only question was whether Larsson would do the thing or if McGroarty would get a hat trick.

Yes to Larsson, no to McGroarty.

Three Stars: 3) Vasiliy Ponomarev (goal, assist) 2) Filip Larsson (31 saves) 1) Rutger McGroarty (two goals)

The Good: I liked the response from Friday. I still don’t think they are really good, because Hartford isn’t the stiffest of competition. Do this against any competition of Hershey, Charlotte or Providence, then we may be onto something.

The Bad: Seriously, the guy gets two hand chopped and get thrown out of the game?

Turning Point: The Ponomarev goal which made it three late in the second was enough charge to get the Penguins two more and their goaltender a 31 save shutout.

Around the Division: Rochester beats Bridgeport 6-3…Lehigh Valley beats Syracuse 3-2 in overtime…Hershey and Providence went to a shootout and Hershey wins 4-3.

Standings: Hershey 43 – Charlotte 41 – Penguins 39 – Providence 38 – Lehigh Valley 35 – Hartford 31 – Springfield 29 – Bridgeport 18

Wheeling Update: Nailers get throttled in Norfolk 9-3. What’s the bar scene down there in Hampton Roads? They dressed the same lineup….

Video Highlights: 

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They are on the road now for the next two weeks traveling to Canada. It begins Wednesday in Toronto. I will have the AHL Power Rankings for you here Monday afternoon then the Weekend Setup, (it’ll be heavily Senator themed, since they will see the Belleville Senators in three of the next four games after the Toronto game) on Wednesday. Talk to you then.

Let’s Go Pens!

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It was a tale of two halves for the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins Friday. After racing out to a 2-0 lead, the visiting Charlotte Checkers gnaw away at the deficit and use a very big third period to tie the game then win it in overtime and skate away with a 3-2 overtime win.

Earlier in the day the Penguins made some trades. Bennett MacArthur, an NHL contracted forward playing in ECHL Wheeling was traded to Buffalo for Colton Poolman and in a separate transaction Jagger Joshua was traded to the Sabres AHL affiliate the Rochester Americans for Future Considerations.

They must know something we don’t on the defensive front as Poolman is a defender. Small sample size, just a handful of games for him so it looks like a change of scenery for both players.

Here’s how they lined up…

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Lineup Notes: Sam Poulin returned from injury. Boko Imama slotted in also for the departed Joshua and the ill Tristan Broz. Broz’s absence was huge for the Penguins. Nate Clurman and Mac Hollowell were in for Justin Lee and Filip Kral.

First Period: Ville Koivunen scored with seconds remaining in the period off of a deflection and the Penguins took a 1-0 lead into intermission.

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Second Period: Nate Clurman scored his second goal of the season off a nice feed from Avery Hayes and the Penguins were off and running.

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Or so it would seem. Here’s where Charlotte went to work on the comeback.

Will Lockwood roofs a shot over a prone on the ice Joel Blomqvist to put the Checkers on the board about halfway through the period and it was a 2-1 game all of a sudden.

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Third Period: Penguins held to just five shots. They took two penalties and on the latter one, with under five minutes to play, Ben Steeves scored on a tip of a setup from John Leonard and it was a tie game.

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If you were at the game or listened, you didn’t need me to tell you that all of the momentum resided on the Checkers side. I know I knocked those, “happy for a point” people last week, but somehow the flaming wreckage of a third period made it to…

Overtime: Penguins had a great opportunity to end the game but then John Leonard works a two on one with Trevor Carrick and well…

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Three Stars: 3) Nate Clurman (goal) 2) Ben Steeves (goal) 1) John Leonard (game winning overtime goal, assist)

The Good: I guess you can be happy with the point, because the second half of the game was not good at all. They were stuck in the mud and exposed, scored on three times and were lucky to get a point that they probably didn’t deserve if you watched that third period.

The Bad: The problem is that the division is ultra competitive. You need to be a really good team to be in the lead. The Penguins aren’t really good and the second half of the game proved why.

Turning Point: Since it was the second half that cost the Penguins the two points it’s the goal by Will Lockwood at 10:03 of the second, or three seconds into the second half of the game, that gets it here. Everything was downhill for the team in white Friday after that.

Around the Division: Lehigh Valley beats Utica 4-2 and Rochester beats Springfield 5-2.

Standings: Charlotte and Hershey 41 – Providence and the Penguins 37 – Lehigh Valley 33 – Hartford 31 – Springfield 29 – Bridgeport 18

Wheeling Update: Sam Houde returns from injury, passes out three assists, Sergei Musharov wins his 13th for the Nailers who beat the Norfolk Admirals down at The Scope 5-4.

Video Highlights: 

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Back at it Saturday at 6:05 against Hartford.

Let’s Go Pens!