Chirps from Center Ice

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

First of Hopefully a Few — Pens WIN 4-1

Comments Off on First of Hopefully a Few — Pens WIN 4-1 Posted by on October 13, 2024

         @          

4                               1

–

Well they got 27 saves from Sergei Musharov, a power play goal from Boris Katchouk and goals from Avery Hayes (his second of the weekend) Sam Poulin and Nate Clurman and beat the Springfield Thunderbirds 4-1 for their first win of the 2024-25 AHL season and Kirk MacDonald’s first win as head coach.

Now onto a home and home set with the Phantoms starting Friday in Wilkes-Barre, where this should pose an early test for two teams who meet 12 times this season.

Here’s how they lined up:

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1845534781343191256

https://twitter.com/ThunderbirdsAHL/status/1845540008335229129

Lineup Notes: Didn’t hear the pregame so I don’t have nay obscure update on the health of Dan Renouf, who was replaced by Scooter Brickey on defense. Boris Katchouk slotted in at the top line for Raivis Ansons up front, with a lineup which had all types of jumbled lines.

First Period: Nate Clurman puts the Penguins on the board five minutes in.

–

I don’t know if that was a designed play or not, probably not when it’s Jim Huntingdon taking the shot, but the members bounce off the wall to a driving Nate Clurman was a nice setup and goal for the Penguins.

Pens took two penalties in the period but navigated through it fine.

Second Period: Wilkes-Barre tacks on two quick boom boom goals to go up 3-0.

Sam Poulin’s first of the season…

–

Then Avery Hayes with his second of the weekend in front of the net like Saturday at hime against Charlotte…

–

Two of the Penguins three goals were created of off turnovers. Nice dogged forechecking.

But then the Thunderbirds answer back with a goal from Mackenzie MacEachern when they fail to clear him out from the top of Musharov’s crease.

–

I didn’t want to say, “uh-oh” at this point. I almost did, though.

Third Period: They navigated through the waters okay, Springfield with a good push as expected but the aggressiveness bit them as the Penguins were rewarded a power play and Boris Katchouk scored to make it 4-1 and essentially put the game out of reach for the home team.

https://twitter.com/WBSPenguins/status/1845577793133822139

–

That’s some neat, tight puck movement there. Let’s hope it continues.

Three Stars: 3) Sergei Musharov (27 saves) 2) Sam Poulin (goal) 1) Jim Huntingdon (two assists)

The Good: 10 goals in two games is pretty explosive start if you ask me.

The Bad: I was struggling to find one here, which I suppose is a good thing. Call the MacEachern goal that spoils the Musharov shutout the bad here, but that’s nitpicking.

Turning Point: I’ll give it to Katchouk and the power play goal scored here. Springfield was waiting for something to develop off of the late goal scored in the second and when it never did desperation set in and instead of fumbling the ball, Katchoul scored a goal to make it three and ice it away.

Around the Division: It’s my last night camping in 2024 so I don’t think I am sticking around for the Hershey / Cleveland game to go final, the box is here if you are so inclined…Charlotted looks like a good team, shutting out Bridgeport 3-0 in the only other games in the Atlantic on this Sunday afternoon in October.

Standings: Pens have two. It’s the first weekend of the regular season. Relax, it will be fine.

Wheeling Update: Nailers start next weekend, you know that if you read last night.

Video Highlights: Pens socials will have this. It’s unseasonably warm here in Gettysburg, so I am having a cigar after this publishes. I return home Monday.

Maybe a surprise return this week if I can get the time, if not, Weekend Preview is yours this Friday setting up the pair with the Phantoms.

Let’s Go Pens!

Postgamer

Growing Pains — Pens LOSE 7-6

Comments Off on Growing Pains — Pens LOSE 7-6 Posted by on October 12, 2024

            vs.          

7                                  6

–

Say it with me, they are young and this is just one game.

Normally at this level, you score six goals and nine times out of ten you will win the game.

This game was the outlier.

A disastrous third period sees a two goal lead evaporate, the experienced visitors score four unanswered and the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins are on pace for an 0-72 season after falling 7-6 to the Charlotte Checkers Saturday night at home.

Welcome to the AHL, Filip Larsson.

He didn’t look sharp, but the team in front of him didn’t exactly look good structure wise or defensively, especially in the third, and this cost them. Here’s how they lined up:

Lineup Notes: They sent Taylor Gauthier back to the Wheeling Nailers on Friday and as a result the roster tracker page has been updated.

First Period: Just 94 seconds into the season, Jaycob Megna scores a goal that gives the Checkers a 1-0 lead.

Normally, I would post videos of all the goals but since there were 13 in this game and this campground Wi-Fi is spotty at best here in the Gettysburg woods, you are only going to get what I give you, and today’s not your day here.

But the Penguins would respond in kind with a pair of goals from a pair of guys whom this is going to be expected of this season, Jimmy Huntingdon gets the debut goal for the Penguins in his Penguins debut and scores to level it with the Checkers about six minutes later.

–

Early theme of the night here. Penguins face-off loss, Checkers turnover and a opportunity for the home team that they cash in on.

Emil Bemström scores his first goal of the season that puts the Penguins up 2-1.

–

Pretty play. Get used to it.

Second Period: So to this point the Penguins had the games first three power plays and weren’t able to do anything with them. Mackenzie Entwhistle gets a shorthanded goal to go that ties the game for the Checkers but then Avery Hayes’ dogged termination in front of the net guarded by Chris Driedger pushed Wilkes-Barre back ahead.

–

I’ll let my tweet (post?) set up this next sequence here for you:

Aidan McDonough (get used to this name) for the visitors and then Broz here…

–

That’s a hell of a shot by the kid right there.

Third Period: It was a bit of a concern that the Penguins had all these power plays with nothing to show for it, but :51 into the third period, Filip Král scored his first of the season to make it 5-3 Wilkes-Barre.

–

So five past Driedger, a good goaltender, setting the tone for the final period, a multi goal lead and the Pens are off to the races right? Right?

Wrong.

Four unanswered for the Checkers as Trevor Carrick (power play at 2:44), Rasmus Asplund (shorthanded (second of the night for the Checkers) at 6:26) and Aidan McDonough twice (7:37 and 15:09) completing his hat trick make it 7-5 for the Checkers.

Not a great debut for Filip Larsson, whom I think will back up Sergei Musharov Sunday afternoon in Springfield (likely the plan anyway) and a few that he should have had stops on, the Asplund shorthanded one comes to current mind, as it was a breakaway from center ice and in.

Say it with me again, they are young and this is just one game.

Marc Johnstone got one late with 22 seconds left to play that gave them faint hope, but they never bagged the seventh.

–

A note, heard them mention that Dan Renouf wasn’t on the bench, picking up a knock of some sort in the first period.

Three Stars: 3) Emil Bemström (goal, assist) 2) Jaycob Megna (goal, assist) 1) Aidan McDonough (hat trick)

The Good: They managed to get six on an NHL caliber goaltender. Questions about the offense are put to bed early, it would seem. Guarantee me six a night and you will win more than you lose for sure.

The Bad: The power play looked bad, they couldn’t win a face-off and they gave up seven when they scored six. They need to figure that out and quick.

Turning Point: The Asplund shorthanded goal seemed to take all the air out of them. They cough up a two goal lead in the third and it just avalanched from there. Bad, bad, bad.

Around the Division: The defending champs Hershey Bears are off to a good start, blowing out the Cleveland Monsters 7-3 the night they raised banner 13 to the rafters at Giant Center….Providence gets their first win of the season, beating Bridgeport 3-2….Springfield beats Laval 3-1….Lehigh Valley wins in a shootout 4-3 over Hartford.

Standings: Hershey, Springfield, Charlotte, Lehigh Valley, Providence 2, Hartford 1, Bridgeport and the Penguins 0

Wheeling Update: Nailers are still in preseason, will get going next week.

Video Highlights: Click at your own risk:

Back at it Sunday in Springfield. Talk to you then.

Let’s Go Pens!

Postgamer

Weekend Preview: Good Luck, Babe!

1 Comment Posted by on October 11, 2024

Back and marginally better than ever here in Year 14 of this silly little blog. Thanks to all the Day 1ers who have stuck with it since the inception and welcome all new readers. I’m just trying to capture the spirit of the thing.

A word about me and this weekends action. If you are seeing this on Friday afternoon when this posts, I am likely somewhere on I-81 South, thundering my camper to Gettysburg, PA for the last camping trip of the season. I have been everywhere man, from Dover, PA to Cape May, NJ and from Watkins Glen, NY to the Delaware shoreline.

That said, I won’t be in attendance for the first game of the season Saturday night when the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins light the rocket on Year 26 and host the Charlotte Checkers, whom they opened with last year at this time in North Carolina.

Provided I get good Wi-Fi, I’ll watch and recap both Saturday and Sunday’s games. These camping trips are scheduled months in advance and this trip is a rain check from last year. We were originally scheduled to be in Gettysburg last year when it rained and we had to postpone.

Anyway, don’t fret when you look to Section 104 and don’t see me. I will be back next Friday for Game Three against Lehigh Valley…

Music to Set the Mood…

I wanted a “Song of the Summer” vibe here and this, I think, ties in nicely. It was either that or one of my favorite Yacht Rock songs I play out by the pool.

I think it ties in nice, as we all love this team and wish them good luck.

The Setup

A home game against Charlotte and a Sunday road trip to Springfield.

A bit of a Preview, say…

Off the hop I don’t expect Hershey to three peat. Also, don’t get mad when you see me refer to them as the 13ears on social media, as I think it works with the 13 Calder Cups Hershey have amassed and the back to back run our friends to the south are riding.

No, I think it’s Providence’s turn to have a run at the top, and I think they jump out to a hot start and contend all season long. They were the 2 seed late last Spring and I think they are primed to pick up where they left off.

1 – Providence – see above.
2 – Hershey – I still think the Bears contend, don’t get me wrong.
3 – PENGUINS – If either one of the top two ursine named teams slip, yeah, I see an outside chance that Wilkes-Barre can have a few good weeks at the top of the division.
4 – Hartford – I think the Wolf Pack will be sneaky good. Underestimate them at your peril.
5 – Lehigh Valley – I think the Phantoms are primed to be better than people think, but I am not sold on Ian Laperriere as their head coach and have never been.
6 – Springfield – I don’t think the Thunderbirds miss playoffs like they did last year. I expect them to contend.
7 – Bridgeport – Could slightly be better. They finished last last season and the only way is up.
8 – Charlotte – Someone has to finish last. I could see it turning out just OK for the Checkers but could also see them as a non-contending team.

I am normally wrong, very wrong, with these, so please take these with a grain of salt.

Records

This is the first game for the Checkers and Penguins. The Thunderbirds open Saturday with Laval.

Who’s Up? Who’s Down? Who’s Out?

I have dedicated a page that I will (try to) constantly update throughout the year. It’s pinned at the very top of the home page if you are viewing on your computer. If not, it is here. I’ll refer to it throughout the season provided I stay on top of it, which I should, because it would be just moving names around.

Anyway, the lineup is missing Joel Blomqvist who is up in Pittsburgh for the injured Alex Nedeljkovic. Vasily Ponomarev is also injured up in Pittsburgh. Those are the only two players you could see again in Wilkes-Barre this season.

But that’s OK because Filip Larsson and Sergei Musharov are good goaltenders and they are about as strong as they will be at forward and on defense. It’s a good club, one that should contend, but don’t get your hopes too high. It is October, after all.

What can we learn about the Penguins this week?

New coaching, something about a renewed sense of optimism with the organization running good prospects through the pipeline. But it all can fall apart in an instant. Pittsburgh is old and not expected to contend, but they still have a guy named Crosby on their team and can upset a few apple carts along the way but they are a cold start away from upending it all and blowing it all up for a future in a few years. How does that affect the farm team on Coal Street is anyone’s guess.

I think the Penguins are favored to beat the Checkers and the Thunderbirds this weekend and a 2-0 start is within the margins of error for the Kirk MacDonald Era. Where does it go from there? What if they are down 3-0 against the Checkers at the end of the first on Saturday night?

Who knows. You bought the ticket. Now it’s time to take the ride. Strap in.

Who’s in Goal? 

Toss a coin regarding Larsson and Musharov. Musharov saw a ton of preseason minutes but Larsson played the whole game Sunday against the Phantoms. I think it may be Larsson Saturday and then Musharov Sunday.

For the Checkers, expect Chris Driedger and Colten Ellis for Springfield on Sunday.

Who’s Running the Show?

Veteran ref Jim Curtin and Andrew Bell get the duties on Saturday with J.P. Waleski and Devon Gale on the lines.

Sunday in Springfield sees Beau Halkidis and Mathieu Menniti in the arm bands with Dylan Blujus and Nick Briganti on the lines.

Looking Ahead…

Home and home with Lehigh Valley, who the Penguins didn’t see till January last season. Pens are home next Friday against the Phantoms then are in Allentown for the 7:05 7:15ish start on Saturday.

Give us a bold prediction…

They get a shutout, and score a pair of power play goals in each game and start the season gangbusters.

Weekend Preview

2024 WBS Training Camp Roster Announced

2 Comments Posted by on September 26, 2024

Hey, is this thing on?

After a nice long summer I hoped would never end, it’s apparently time to get back into the blog and put it to use again.

Coal Street on Thursday published their initial training camp roster, so I figured I would pop in here and offer some thoughts.

First things first, I expect them to compete again this season. Pittsburgh is getting older, so with that and realizing that they need bodies on the farm for the next generation, it all starts here.

Now, are they a Cup contending team? Hardly. Do I expect them to compete for the top two spots? It’s a reasonable expectation here in late September. Things, as you know and if you have followed this blog for the however any years I have been running it for, always change with trades, call ups and injuries.

That said, let’s get into the group.

Guys You Know

Raivis Ansons, Isaac Belliveau, Scooter Brickey, Mathieu De St. Phalle, Taylor Gauthier, Sam Houde, Justin Lee and Logan Pietila are all guys you should be familiar with.

I would expect, out of this group, to have Belliveau, De St. Phalle and Houde to stick for the duration. Ansons is a tweener, Gauthier is a guy that will probably end up in Wheeling because there are too many better goaltenders in the pipeline which have already clogged things up (a good thing) Pietila could get an extended look, but I think Wheeling is in his short term future.

Tryouts

Jaxon Castor, Filip Forsmark, Keeghan Howdeshell, David Jankowski, Matt Koopman, Jordan Martel, Zachary Massicotte, Chris Ortiz, Matt Quercia, Luke Richardson and Jared Westcott.

Sickos remember Castor, Martel and Quercia. Ortiz was with the organization a few years ago and bounced around. Forsmark, Jankowski, Koopman, Martel, and Westcott have Wheeling ties.

Howdeshell had 10-12-22 in 67 games with Worcester of the ECHL last season but was a -20. Massicotte has a Wheeling contract. Richardson has a Greenville ECHL contract.

Rest of the Group

Jack Beck, Atley Calvert, Kyle Jackson, Gabe Klassen, Mats Lindgren, Bennett MacArthur and Phip (not Philip) Waugh

These guys were all signed at some point by Coal Street during late Spring or early Summer.

Out of the group, Klassen captained the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL last year and had 106 points in a breakout year. He had 60+ points the last two seasons prior with Portland. He could be a diamond in the rough type guy to keep an eye on depending on how well he transitions from juniors to pro.

All in all, no real surprises. There will be more cuts coming from Pittsburgh which will undoubtedly elbow a lot of these guys out.

Potpourri

Coal Street announced a new third jersey Thursday as well.

I think they look nice.

–

AHLTV was folded into FloHockey. It’s a price increase but gets you ECHL so you can watch the Nailers, SPHL, other hockey leagues and gives you access to everything Flo has to offer. The Penguins will be offering a code or a link to season ticket holders, so you won’t have to pay, I am told that there is more to come on that front.

Apparently, and this is something I am seeing for the first time, the preseason games will (or should be) broadcast on Flo. The first one is the Pens traveling to Allentown on Tuesday, so it will be interesting to see if it actually airs on there.

–

Preseason games start next week. Like I have in years past I won’t be recapping them individually, but will likely summarize them all at the end of next week. Also, the home opener falls on my last camping trip of the season (these things are planned months, if not years in advance) so don’t fret when you don’t see the big tall guy filling the seat at center ice on opening weekend, I am out camping on my last trip.

Everything else, (Weekend Previews, etc.) are on track as usual.

Getting closer, I guess. Wish I can jump in my pool (which is still open by the way)

Talk to you again real soon, and Let’s Go Pens!

WBS

2024-25 AHL Schedule Released

Comments Off on 2024-25 AHL Schedule Released Posted by on July 11, 2024

A tradition unlike any other…

League release here. Penguins release here.

Let’s cut and paste what we cut and pasted last year!

1) Do you have a schedule matrix of opponents? Anyone in the Conference we are not playing?

No Western Conference teams this season. All 14 teams in the Eastern Conference, however.

2) Longest road trip? Longest home stand?

Longest road trip spans late February going into March, eight games. Longest homestand is mid-December, before Christmas.

3) How many three in threes?

There were four last year, up from two the year prior. That number this year is five, but not until late in the season starting mid-February for back to back weekends, two in March and one on the penultimate weekend of the regular season.

4) How many work night and Sunday home games?

Two Sunday home games (January and March) and eight Wednesday home games.

5) Any off the wall schedule time quirks?

No. They don’t play on a Monday or Thursday at all. Standard start times, no kids day games.

6) Where’s the All-Star Classic this year?

Sticking with the “I don’t know why we are having a League showcase in Central New York or New England when we can have it in ,much warmer weather” trope, Coachella Valley will host the 2025 festivities in February.

7) Playoff structure?

No official mention, but you have to assume that it will be the same as it was last year. 23 teams, same format. Get ready to have the Calder Cup hoisted on Independence Day weekend, buddy.

8) What about preseason games?

No word on that yet.

–

This schedule release is blah, drab and very disappointing because the only thing that changes is the year. 12 games against Hershey, 12 games against Lehigh Valley and the rest is  just fill in games against the rest of the Conference fodder. Other teams are seeing Western Conference teams (like Lehigh Valley and Springfield) but not us. I’m not going to waste the energy on how I think it can work to add just a few Western Conference teams every year. Disappointing, disappointing, disappointing.

Anyway, back to summer. If you don’t know I love this time of year. Talk to you in the Fall.

The AHL

2024-25 AHL Schedule Thursday

Comments Off on 2024-25 AHL Schedule Thursday Posted by on July 10, 2024

Well, it’s the middle of July and you know what that means…

AHL Schedule for 2024-25 headed your way Thursday. My guess is in the afternoon. Some notes…

Pens open Saturday, October 11 at home against Charlotte. Opening night is the night prior League wide.

The Penguins are not anyone’s opener. Remember last year they were on I think two or three other teams openers (Charlotte, Utica and Hartford if I remember right)

Interesting that Toronto opens with San Diego. Do the Penguins see any Western conference teams and if so at the expense of what team or teams? When they did the Milwaukee, Rockford, Grand Rapids deal a few years ago they weren’t in Laval, Belleville or Toronto.

Cut two games each from Lehigh Valley and Hershey and you can make a Western Conference team or two work while seeing everyone in the Conference.

Nothing on realignment, would like to see Colorado and Tucson go to the Central for an 8-8-8-8 setup.

Back tomorrow to break it all down.

The AHL

Catching Up — NHL Free Agency – Day 1

Comments Off on Catching Up — NHL Free Agency – Day 1 Posted by on July 1, 2024

Debated even doing this, but since it’s mid-July I want to see if I still have zip on my fastball.*

First things, first, congrats to the Hershey Bears for going back to back and winning their thirteenth title over Coachella Valley in six games last week. Hershey’s road was a bit bumpy to get to 13 but the issue was never in doubt. They nearly lost the Conference Finals and needed overtime in Game 7 to advance past a game Cleveland Monsters team who came back from 0-3 to force Game 7.

Coal Street has a Head Coach. Kirk MacDonald is his name (e-i-e-i-o) (sorry, I had to) – we will see what type of team MacDonald has in the fall.

Monday was Day 1 of NHL Free Agent Signing Day. Here‘s a rundown of the signings that will likely impact the AHL team this upcoming season:

  • AHL All Star for Hartford this past season.
  • Power play point machine.
  • Assist merchant.
  • This is a big addition to the WBS blueline.

  • Just won a Calder Cup with Hershey. Carried the Bears at times and if you ask anyone in Hershey, they don’t win 13 without him.
  • 33 points in the regular season, 14 more in the postseason.
  • I liked his game with Hershey. Good addition.

  • You will fall in love with this guy by the end of October. Put him on a line with Marc Johnstone and let them cook.
  • Hits like a truck.
  • Fights like a grizzly bear. Penguins have their enforcer.
  • One concern I have on him is he’s prone to suspensions a lot because he oversteps sometimes and the League smacks him.

  • Defensive defenseman. Played with Colorado Eagles last year.
  • Blocks shots.
  • Solid addition.
In addition, a while ago, Pittsburgh signed G Filip Larsson who had a sub 2 goals against and a .920 save percentage playing in the Swedish league last year. Pittsburgh also re-signed Alex Nedeljkovic so your night one pairing projects to be Joel Blomqvist and Larsson.
  • Jonathan Gruden also re-signed.
  • Jack St. Ivany also, but he’s likely an NHL-er.
  • Gabe Klassen, Atley Calvert and Jack Beck to American Hockey League contracts.

They will all need waivers.
Guaranteed dates:
  • Saturday, October 12
  • Friday, November 29
  • Saturday, December 14
  • Saturday, January 18
  • Saturday, February 15
  • Saturday, March 22
Schedule should be out soon. No surprises here, sadly but I will break it down when it gets here.

If there is anything worthwhile in Day 2, I will drop in again, if not talk to you again when the schedule drops. Don’t forget the sunscreen.

* – yeah, I still got it.

Pittsburgh, WBS

← Older posts

Newer posts →