Everyone was aware that earlier this week that Alex Picard got called up to Pittsburgh because the defense there was banged up. Last night, defenseman Ben Lovejoy went into the boards hard in San Jose and broke his wrist. I did not think that a recall from WBS would come but it did in the form of Robert Bortuzzo getting called up this afternoon. This left things lean back on the farm with the defense basically down to six healthy bodies.

Well, tonight Brad Thiessen decided that he was still going to play lights out and did so, shutting out the high octane Bears by a score of 4-0. 

Brad Thiessen vs. Dany Sabourin. Ray Shero took in the game tonight from the WBS suite.

First Period: Fluky goal to start the game when an Alex Grant pass to Colin McDonald batted off of a Bears defensemans skate and into the net to give the Pens a 1-0 lead early. They would continue to clamp down on the Bears offense, not allowing much in the way of quality chances. Then, Joey Mormina would pinch in and stuff a goal home to put the Pens up 2-0 late in the first.

Second Period: Colin McDonald would feed Jason Williams a puck and Williams was in all alone and roofed it home via backhand. This would be the end of the night for Sabourin, who would be replaced by Braden Holtby. I don’t think Sabourin played bad. I think that head coach Mark French was trying to send a message to his team by yanking Sabourin for Holtby. It seemed to work, as WBS was only allowed two shots on goal the entire period. Later in the period however, French called his timeout and had the entire team on the ice and he was on the bench speaking to them.

Third Period: Thiessen made some big, big saves all night but none bigger it seemed robbing both Chris Bourque and Keith Aucoin much to the delight of the crowd. The Bears would get handed three straight power plays this period but were unable to cash on any of them. Late with Holtby pulled, Joey Mormina would wrist a 195-footer into the Bears open net. Mormina matched his goal scoring from all last year in this one game. Amazing!

Three Stars: 3) Colin McDonald (goal, assist, +2) 2) Joey Mormina (two goals, +2) and 1) Brad Thiessen (19 save shutout)

Around the Division: Albany blanked Norfolk 1-0 and Rochester defeated Binghamton 3-2.

Standings: With Syracuse idle, Wilkes-Barre gains points on the entire division. 1) Norfolk (15 pts.) 2) Wilkes-Barre (14 pts.) 3) Hershey (14 pts.) 4) Binghamton (11 pts.) 5) Syracuse (10 pts.)

I will start examining the Conference Standings probably by the end of this month. Never too soon to start that thought process (playoffs)

Pens travel to Binghamton tomorrow. I will be there. Expect Brad Thiessen to get the start despite it being Scott Munroe’s turn. You go with the hot hand. Gameday will be up at 3 p.m.

Let’s Go Pens!

They call the Verizon Wireless Arena “The Jungle” and I have been waiting ever since I started my blog to run this headline. I would have run this regardless if the Pens won or lost tonight.

Well, the Pens did win tonight 4-1. Really a dominating performance tonight for the Pens as they allowed Manchester only 18 shots on goal all night.

Brad Thiessen vs. Martin Jones.

First Period: In front of the majority of the Pittsburgh Penguins front office minus Ray Shero who could not make it because of snow, the Penguins started the game mesmerized by the fierce forechecking by the Monarchs. Bryan Lerg and Colin McDonald broke off and had a 2 on 1 but could not score. Then, Eric Tangradi shot a puck that dies behind Jones and somehow did not go in. Manchester would answer by buzzing big by hitting a post and getting robbed by a diving Thiessen with the blocker. The Pens would hold firm and then Brandon Kozun for Manchester would go off  for interference and the Pens would cash on a Brian Gibbons backhander. Right after, Geoff Walker would leave the game with an injury and not return.

Seemed like that first period was all Manchester early and late with the Gibbons goal sandwiched in between.

Second Period: Eric Tangradi would receive a nice feed and score to make it 2-0 from Colin McDonald while Manchester had its fourth line out. Then the Pens would go back on the power play and Nick Petersen would score when a puck would bat in off of a Manchester skate. This would be the end of Martin Jones as he’d be replaced by Jeff Zatkoff. Zatkoff would make a nice save on Bryan Lerg late.

Third Period: Niko Dimitrakos was everywhere this period as he backhanded a puck past Zatkoff but not in then get a pass from Brian Gibbons off of a faceoff to score to make things 4-0. Brandon Kozun would ruin the shutout bid for Thiessen scoring a power play goal late. Manchester would continue to buzz but the Pens defense and Brad Thiessen held firm to remain perfect on the road with a record of 5-0 and an aggregate score of 20-6.

Three Stars: Colin McDonald (two assists, +2) Brad Thiessen (17 saves on 18 shots) and Brian Gibbons (goal, two assists, +2)

Around the Division: Hershey lost in regulation to the red hot Adirondack Phantoms 2-1. The Phantoms lead the newly formed Northeast Division with 13 points. I don’t think the Phantoms got 13 points last year until December. Binghamton beat Rochester 3-1 and division leader Norfolk beat Syracuse 6-2.

Standings: Norfolk 15, Penguins 12, Hershey 12, Binghamton 12, Syracuse 11. With this division and how tight things are, drop two or three in a row and you could go from the penthouse to the outhouse quickly.

Penguins are off until hosting Hershey Friday at home. Blog wise, I may have a few feature pieces this week depending on what is available. Booster Club meet and greet dinner is this Tuesday. I may have something afterwards.

Go Penguins!