Chirps from Center Ice

          vs.          

5                                  2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Video Highlights: 

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

Let’s Go Pens!

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3                             4

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

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

Here’s how they lined up.

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

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

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

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

It would take :16.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Don’t know what happened there.

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

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

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

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

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Nice play there.

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

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

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

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

They did not win the game in regulation.

Overtime: Rather, they won the game in overtime.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let’s Go Pens!

           vs.          

0                                 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I didn’t have to wait long.

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

Tristan Broz again for good measure…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Video Highlights: 

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

Let’s Go Pens!

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3                            5

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

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

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

Here’s how they lined up:

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

Injury Updates: 

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

Oof.

I will update the Roster Tracker.

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

Ville Koivunen and Sam Poulin, respectively.

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

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

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

Second Period: Tale of two periods for the Penguins.

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

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

Sure enough, it wasn’t.

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

Let me set these up…

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

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

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

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

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

Whew.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rochester in Saturday. Talk to you then.

Let’s Go Pens!

           vs.          

1                                  2

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Quick one tonight because Wednesday is a work night.

If you don’t understand the headline (and why would you if you are under 30) I got the idea when I stood up and left my seat to head home Wednesday after Tristan Broz’s overtime game winning goal beat the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 2-1 in overtime. The Penguins got there because Tristan Jarry dragged them there, making 33 saves.

Broz was first star, Jarry was second.

OK here, if you still don’t get the reference.

I asked in the Weekend Preview how much magic the Penguins would still have left when Jarry finally goes up. From what I heard on Nick Hart’s postgame show it sounded like he indeed will be on the bus with them to Allentown on Friday before being recalled Saturday. What will they be like on Saturday against Rochester playing in front of Filip Larsson?

Shots were 11-4 and 24-12 at the end of the first and second period respectively for the visitors. Tristan Jarry flat out kept them in it.

It was the type of game that required a greasy goal and sure enough that came off the stick of Marc Johnstone after a deft pass from Avery Hayes late in the second period.

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They played better in the third, which seems to be an early, perhaps troubling theme, but Hunter McDonald managed to level the game for the visitors with this shot…

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Newcomer Phip Waugh and Mats Lindgren hit two posts in the matter of seconds.

Garrett Wilson took a late, call it reputational penalty for interference with 16.7 left in regulation. No one scored and it was off to overtime.

The Penguins didn’t score on the power play, but a boffo turnover by Adam Ginning led to Tristan Broz’s heroics.

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Ballgame.

Three Stars: 3) Marc Johnstone (goal) 2) Tristan Jarry (33 saves) 1) Tristan Broz (OT game winner)

Here’s How they Lined Up:

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Lineup Notes: Marc Johnstone for Raivis Ansons up front, newcomers Phip Waugh and Mats Lindrgen for the newly injured Nate Clurman and Scotter Brickey.

So add two more to the injured list. The injury list reads like a high school graduation roll call.

The Good: Gritted out a point I don’t think they deserved, stole a point they earned.

The Bad: Tristan Jarry has one more game (we think) before the goaltending goes back in mortal hands. They have to play better. They just do, because they are playing with a cheat code right now in goal.

Turning Point: The Ginning turnover to Broz gets it here.

Around The Division: Springfield scores five unanswered and beats Bridgeport 5-3 in an early school day kids game….Hartford beats Syracuse 2-1 in overtime. The rest of them had the night off.

Standings: Hershey 15 – Penguins 14 – Charlotte 13 – Hartford 12 – Lehigh Valley 9 – Springfield 8 – Providence and Bridgeport 6

Wheeling Update: Big night for Sam Houde and the Wheeling Nailers who roll the Cincinnati Cyclones 5-2. Houde had two goals. Sergei Murashov had 18 saves.

Video Highlights: 

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Back at it Friday in Allentown.

Let’s Go Pens!