Chirps from Center Ice

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

No time to Panic – Pens LOSE 2-0 to Admirals, fall in 0-2 hole

Comments Off on No time to Panic – Pens LOSE 2-0 to Admirals, fall in 0-2 hole Posted by on April 16, 2011

Since October, it has been easy live tweeting games and blogging. It is a simple when you are the leagues best team. It is easy interacting with other AHL fans from around the league when their team isn’t doing so well. I have to say that it is a tad difficult for me now having no journalistic experience.

But one thing I will never do is panic. There is no sense. Think about it. I am not getting paid to do this. I don’t think anyone who frequents the blog is getting paid to either. There isn’t any sense in panicking. Why? You’ll drive yourself nuts.

Pens fell in an 0-2 hole losing 2-0 tonight.

Brad Thiessen vs. Dustin Tokarski – no lineup changes for the Pens.

First Period: Keven Veilleux would get whistled for roughing just :08 into the game. Pens would kill it. Right after that a Corey Potter point shot would dribble to the red line and then die and the Admirals would sweep it away. Power play was a problem this period as the Pens would get handed another one as James Wright would get whistled for hooking. The Admirals would kill it. Later, the Pens would have to kill off a 1:09 of a 5 on 3 with Joey Mormina in the box with Chris Collins. Pens would kill it set up by a Robert Bortuzzo huge block. Then, Brett Sterling and Nick Petersen came in two on none and did not score.

Second Period: Corey Potter giveaway would lead to him high sticking. Mathieu Roy would ring a post. Pens would have open ice with a 4×4 with Brett Sterling in the box for interference on the goaltender and Mark Barberio in the box for a hook. Geoff Walker would come in with Joe Vitale on a 2 on 1 and fail to score. Then they would crash the net and Joey Mormina tried to snipe and Tokarski held the fort. Later, Ryan Craig had all day. Doesn’t score. Then Brett Sterling would jump in two on none with the Captain. No dice. Dustin Tokarski has played superb hockey. To make the case even stronger, Tokarski had a diving glove save on a Steve Wagner offering. Then, with :08 left, Paul Szczechura doesn’t give up on a play and makes it 1-0.

Second Period Intermission Thoughts: Lowest point of the year, if we don’t win the series. Sucked the life right out of the team. Norfolk can’t keep it up all series, can it? We just didn’t all of a sudden forget how to play, did we?

Third Period: Bryan Lerg had a chance on the doorstep of Tokarski and was denied. Another Pens breakdown defensively nearly led to a Norfolk goal. Norfolk blocked a ton of shots tonight. Pens would press, press and press but not score. They would pull Thiessen and of all people Marc-Antoine Pouliot would bury the empty netter from the blue line. Game. Set. Match.

Three Stars: Brad Thiessen (25 saves on 26 shots), Paul Szczechura (game winning goal, +1) and Dustin Tokarski (27 save shutout)

This nugget from the League gives Pens fans everywhere hope:

http://twitter.com/#!/TheAHL/status/59435564017000448

More from League observer and good friend Patrick Williams:

http://twitter.com/#!/AHLReport/status/59435561429114880

http://twitter.com/#!/AHLReport/status/59435910382620672

Bombulie’s postgamer rings true.

Game Three is Tuesday and a virtual must win.

It ain’t over till it’s over — Yogi Berra

Go Pens.

Postgamer

East Division Semifinal Game 2: Norfolk Admirals (NOR leads 1-0)

Comments Off on East Division Semifinal Game 2: Norfolk Admirals (NOR leads 1-0) Posted by on April 16, 2011

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East Divison Semifinal Game 2

AHL Game: C2

Who: Norfolk Admirals

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m. EST

Series: Norfolk leads 1-0 (best of seven)

Media Kit

Last Game: Last night in Wilkes-Barre, Mattias Ritola terrorized the Pens defense by scoring and assisting on a Marc-Antoine Pouliot goal to lead the Admirals to a 2-1 win.

What to watch for: Lineup changes. Last nights lineup frankly wasn’t good enough to do pretty much anything at times. Look for this and the Pens to explode out of the gate. Can Norfolk hold back the flood that is about to hit them? That will be the question.

Referee(s): Chris Cozzan / Jean Hebert

Linesmen: Chris Allman / Mike McDevitt

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @NorfolkAdmirals /@BeekerAdmirals / @nafsnep

Beat writers: @CVBombulie

Radio: For WBS: 102.3 The Mountain. For Norfolk: 102.1 FM The Game

Television: AHL Live

Promotion(s): None

When is Game 3?: Tuesday night from the Norfolk Scope at 7:15 p.m.

Gameday

Scurvy! Admirals take Game 1 2-1

1 Comment Posted by on April 15, 2011

Norfolk takes Game 1 of the best of seven series tonight 2-1 and takes home ice with it as the series is a 2-3-2 format. Pens frustrated by what Norfolk was throwing at them. I don’t know if it was the 1-3-1 that the Admirals employ or what but it was just one of those nights where nothing went right. Defense didn’t look itself either, two Robert Bortuzzo turnovers lead to the Admirals scoring.

Brad Thiessen vs. Dustin Tokarski. John Curry was not back yet so Patrick Killeen backed up Thiessen. Paul Thompson was a scratch as was Carl Sneep. Tim Wallace did not dress. Steve Wagner and Bryan Lerg both returned to the line ups.

First Period: Good pace to start, Brett Sterling and Ben Street nearly connected on a goal. Then, Mark Barberio hooked Lerg as Bryan was breaking in. The Admirals killed it and then the Pens forechecked in the Norfolk zone for about a minute after the penalty expired. The teams would trade goalie interference calls and the first period would end scoreless.

Second Period: Bryan Lerg and Mike Vernace would get too heated in a shoving match and both would sit for roughing. In the 4 on 4 that would ensue, Robert Bortuzzo would turn a puck over in the neutral zone to Mattias Ritola who would roof it over Thiessen. It actually was a pretty goal. Later, Ryan Craig would clank one off of the post. Then, Blair Jones would sit for goalie interference. During this, Tokarski would make some amazing saves while down in a two pad stack on Bryan Lerg. Then, Bortuzzo would fail to clear the puck and Mattias Ritola was fire it at the net and Marc-Antoine Pouliot would score to make it 2-0.

Third Period: Pens would have :58 of carryover power play time on a Vladimir Mihalik elbow call from the first period they did not convert on. They had two good chances and that was it. Later, David Marshall would get high sticked in the neutral zone by Blair Jones. This was a crucial power play for the Pens. The Pens went 0 for 6 on the man advantage tonight. This needs to change. Very late, with 2:41 left A Geoff Walker point shot would rebound to Keven Veilleux to make it 2-1 and the place would finally come alive. But, Admirals coach Jon Cooper smartly took his time out. The Pens would pressure and get one good opportunity on Tokarski but not score even with Thiessen pulled. Too little. Too late.

Observations: The Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza had NO energy tonight. None. Zip. Zero. Nada. What the heck? The Pens are the best team in the AHL and I could hear the guy in Section 219 across from me phone ring. Get loud people. Second, what aided the Pens to the best record in the league failed them tonight, which is the defense. I’m not pinning this loss on any one particular person because you lose as a team.

Game 2 is a relative must win for this reason alone from Jo, loyal Twitter follower from North of the Border:

http://twitter.com/#!/africanbookrat/status/59066799576186880

Interesting.

Three Stars were all Admirals: Marc-Antoine Pouliot (game winning goal, +1) Mattias Ritola (goal, assist, +2) and Dustin Tokarski (32 saves on 33 shots)

Game 2 is tomorrow night.

Elsewhere in the AHL of interest to Wilkes-Barre directly or indirectly, Binghamton evened its series with Manchester 1-1 on a Derek Grant overtime game winner, 4-3. If you didn’t already know, Charlotte is up 1-0 o Hershey having defeated the Bears Thursday night in Hershey 5-4 in a run and gun game. If you follow me on Twitter you already knew this. If you don’t follow me on Twitter, what are you waiting for?

No time to panic. Why? One game does not a series make.

If you are wondering what the etiology of my headliner for the postgamer is, click here, then eat an orange.

Go Pens!

Postgamer

East Division Semifinal Game 1: Norfolk Admirals (Series Tied 0-0)

Comments Off on East Division Semifinal Game 1: Norfolk Admirals (Series Tied 0-0) Posted by on April 15, 2011

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East Divison Semifinal Game 1

AHL Game: C1

Who: Norfolk Admirals

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m. EST

Series: Tied 0-0 (best of seven)

Media Kit

Season Series: 5-3 for WBS; November 19: NOR 4 @ WBS 1 – December 10: WBS 2 @ NOR 4 – December 11: NOR 7 @ WBS 4 – January 1: NOR 3 @ WBS 4 – February 18: WBS 3 @ NOR 0 – February 19: WBS 2 @ NOR 1 (SO) – February 26: NOR 2 @ WBS 3 (SO) – March 30: WBS 4 @ NOR 3

Top four scorers for the Penguins vs. the Admirals: 1. Corey Potter (8 GP, 0-8-8, +3) 2. Steve Wagner (7 GP, 0-6-6, +3) 3. Ben Street (4 GP, 4-1-5, +3) 4. Ryan Craig (6 GP, 2-2-4, -1)

Top four scorers for the Admirals vs. the Penguins: 1. Troy Milam (8 GP, 5-2-7, -2) 2. Blair Jones (7 GP, 4-3-7, +7) 3. Alex Berry (7 GP, 2-5-7, +4) 4. Mark Barberio (8 GP, 2-3-5, -5)

Referee(s): Ryan Fraser / Graham Skilliter

Linesmen: Jameel Chaudry / Judson Ritter

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @NorfolkAdmirals /@BeekerAdmirals / @nafsnep

Beat writers: @CVBombulie

Radio: For WBS: 102.3 The Mountain. For Norfolk: 102.1 FM The Game

Television: AHL Live

Promotion(s): Dollar Dog and Draft Night is back for the Playoffs! 1,500 hot dogs on sale and $1 draft beer until 7:30

When is Game 2?: Tomorrow night, April 16, at 7:05 from Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township.

Gameday

Calder Cup Playoff Preview – Eastern Conference

Comments Off on Calder Cup Playoff Preview – Eastern Conference Posted by on April 14, 2011

Yesterday we broke down the Western Conference Calder Cup Playoffs. Today, we examine the teams in the Eastern Conference and their chances of a Calder Cup Celebration in June.

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Binghamton Senators

Record: 42-30-3-5 92 pts., 5th Place East Division (East’s Crossover team)

Power Play: 1st // 22.8%

Penalty Kill: 7th // 84.5%

Top 3 Scorers: Corey Locke (69 GP, 21-65-86, +13), Jim O’Brien (74 GP, 24-32-56, +17), Andre Benoit (73 GP, 11-44-55, +2)

Overview: Binghamton is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2005. Got help from parent Ottawa on Sunday in the form of eight players. League’s best power play unit for a good chunk of the season too.

First Round Matchup: Manchester Monarchs

Record against the Monarchs: 1-1

Head to Head: January 15: MCH 4 @ BNG 3 – January 22: BNG 4 @ MCH 2

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 7:1

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Charlotte Checkers

Record: 44-27-2-7 97pts., 3rd Place East Division

Power Play: 3rd // 21%

Penalty Kill: 9th // 83.5%

Top 3 Scorers: Zach Boychuk (60 GP, 22-43-65, +4), Chris Terry (80 GP, 34-30-64, -4), Jacob Micflikier (78 GP, 29-32-61, +15)

Overview: Last years Albany River Rats migrated to Charlotte and became the Checkers. Probably the deepest team line wise, all four legitimate scoring threats.

First Round Matchup: Hershey Bears

Record against the Bears: 4-3-0-1

Head to Head: November 7: HER 2 @ CHA 4 – November 9: HER 5 @ CHA 2 – November 28: CHA 5 @ HER 2 – December 10: HER 2 @ CHA 1 (SO) – December 12: HER 3 @ CHA 5 – December 19: CHA 3 @ HER 6 – January 29: CHA 0 @ HER 1 – February 20: CHA 5 @ HER 0

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 12:1

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Connecticut Whale

Record: 40-32-2-6 88 pts., 3rd place Atlantic Division

Power Play: 11th // 19.3%

Penalty Kill: 14th // 82.4%

Top 3 Scorers: Kris Newbury (69 GP, 17-44-61, +4), Jeremy Williams (75 GP, 32-23-55, +2), Brodie Dupont (72 GP, 14-31-45, -5)

Overview: The Whale came from out of the basement of the Atlantic Division to start the year to division contenders. Also the highest penalized team in the AHL.

First Round Matchup: Portland Pirates

Record against the Pirates: 5-3

Head to Head: December 29: POR 1 @ CT 2 (OT) – December 31: CT 5 @ POR 4 (OT) – January 14: CT 0 @ POR 3 – January 29: POR 3 @ CT 2 – February 5: CT 4 @ POR 3 – February 6: POR 3 @ CT 2 – February 21: CT 2 @ POR 1 (OT) – April 3: POR 2 @ CT 4

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 13:1

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Hershey Bears

Record: 46-26-3-5 100 pts., 2nd Place East Division

Power Play: 17th // 18.1%

Penalty Kill: 10th // 83.2%

Top 3 Scorers: Keith Aucoin (53 GP, 18-54-72, +13), Brian Willsie (76 GP, 30-38-68, +27), Kyle Greentree (74 GP, 30-33-63, +20)

Overview: The back to back Calder Cup Champs stayed on the WBS Penguins heels all season despite missing huge contributors to what got them Calder Cup banners ten and eleven.

First Round Matchup: Charlotte Checkers

Record against the Checkers: 4-4

Head to Head: November 7: HER 2 @ CHA 4 – November 9: HER 5 @ CHA 2 – November 28: CHA 5 @ HER 2 – December 10: HER 2 @ CHA 1 (SO) – December 12: HER 3 @ CHA 5 – December 19: CHA 3 @ HER 6 – January 29: CHA 0 @ HER 1 – February 20: CHA 5 @ HER 0

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 6:1

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Manchester Monarchs

Record: 44-26-4-6 98 pts., 2nd place Atlantic Division

Power Play: 16th // 18.5%

Penalty Kill: 4th // 85.2%

Top 3 Scorers: Bud Holloway (78 GP, 28-33-61, +8), Justin Azevedo (79 GP, 18-35-53, +6), Dwight King (72 GP, 24-28-52, +12)

Overview: The Monarchs were locked in a battle with the Portland Pirates all season long for tops in the Atlantic. They return much of the core that lost to the Hershey Bears in the Conference Finals last year.

First Round Matchup: Binghamton Senators (East Division Crossover)

Record against the Senators: 1-1

Head to Head: January 15: MCH 4 @ BNG 3 – January 22: BNG 4 @ MCH 2

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 10:1

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Norfolk Admirals

Record: 39-26-9-6 93 pts., 4th Place East Division

Power Play: 9th // 19.3%

Penalty Kill: 18th // 81.4%

Top 3 Scorers: Marc-Antoine Pouliot (69 GP, 25-47-72, +13), Blair Jones (56 GP, 24-31-55, +17), Johan Harju (63 GP, 23-30-53, +15)

Overview: Admirals are back in the playoffs after a long hiatus. Skidded into the playoffs having lost 7 of their last 10 games. Unlikely that goaltender Cedrick Desjardins will be available for the first round series.

First Round Matchup: Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins

Record against the Penguins: 3-3-0-2

Head to Head: Head to Head: November 19: NOR 4 @ WBS 1 – December 10: WBS 2 @ NOR 4 – December 11: NOR 7 @ WBS 4 – January 1: NOR 3 @ WBS 4 – February 18: WBS 3 @ NOR 0 – February 19: WBS 2 @ NOR 1 (SO) – February 26: NOR 2 @ WBS 3 (SO) – March 30: WBS 4 @ NOR 3

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 50:1

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Portland Pirates

Record: 47-27-7-2 103 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division

Power Play: 13th // 18.8%

Penalty Kill: 16th // 82.3%

Top 3 Scorers: Mark Mancari* (56 GP, 32-32-64, +19), Luke Adam (57 GP, 29-33-62, +18), Marc-Andre Gragnani* (63 GP, 12-48-60, +22)

Overview: Portland clinched the Atlantic on the second to last day of the season. They boasted an impressive 25-8-6-1 record at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

First Round Matchup: Connecticut Whale

Record against the Whale: 3-2-3-0

Head to Head: December 29: POR 1 @ CT 2 (OT) – December 31: CT 5 @ POR 4 (OT) – January 14: CT 0 @ POR 3 – January 29: POR 3 @ CT 2 – February 5: CT 4 @ POR 3 – February 6: POR 3 @ CT 2 – February 21: CT 2 @ POR 1 (OT) – April 3: POR 2 @ CT 4

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 7:1

* – currently on recall to parent Buffalo Sabres

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Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins

Record: 58-21-0-1 117 pts., 1st place East Division

Power Play: 19th // 17.3%

Penalty Kill: 8th // 83.6%

Top 3 Scorers: Brett Sterling (65 GP, 27-26-53, +13), Ryan Craig (71 GP, 19-29-53, +6), Dustin Jeffrey* (40 GP, 17-28-45, +13)

Overview: Pens loaded up with offseason signings and didn’t disappoint. Led East wire to wire and set all time record for wins in a season with 58 (good for second all time in the 75 year history of the AHL)

First Round Matchup: Norfolk Admirals:

Record against the Admirals: 5-3

Head to Head: November 19: NOR 4 @ WBS 1 – December 10: WBS 2 @ NOR 4 – December 11: NOR 7 @ WBS 4 – January 1: NOR 3 @ WBS 4 – February 18: WBS 3 @ NOR 0 – February 19: WBS 2 @ NOR 1 (SO) – February 26: NOR 2 @ WBS 3 (SO) – March 30: WBS 4 @ NOR 3

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 4:1

* – currently on recall to parent Pittsburgh Penguins and out for the season with a knee injury

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So there you have it. The Gameday Preview for tomorrow’s game vs. Norfolk will be up around 2 pm  Friday afternoon.

The AHL

Calder Cup Playoff Preview – Western Conference

Comments Off on Calder Cup Playoff Preview – Western Conference Posted by on April 13, 2011

We start the Calder Cup Preview here at Chirps from Center Ice in the Western Conference. Tomorrow we break down the Eastern Conference.

A full schedule of dates and times of all games can be found here.

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Hamilton Bulldogs

Record: 44-27-2-7 97 pts., 1st place North Division

Power Play: 14th // 18.7%

Penalty Kill: 12th // 83%

Top 3 Scorers: Nigel Dawes* (66 GP, 41-31-72, +15), Aaron Palushaj (68 GP, 22-35-57, +22), David Desharnais** (35 GP, 10-35-45, +14)

Overview: Despite losing David Desharnais, Max Pacioretty and Ben Maxwell to recall to parent Montreal, the Bulldogs still managed to win the North Division and home ice throughout the first two rounds of the playoffs.

First Round Matchup: Oklahoma City (West Division Crossover)

Record against the Barons: 1-0-1-0

Head to Head: October 24: OKC 3 @ HAM 2 (OT) — December 17: HAM 3 @ OKC 0

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 14:1

*- Dawes played 47 games for the Chicago Wolves and went 27-17-44 and +2

** – Desharnais not on active roster

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Houston Aeros

Record: 46-28-1-5 98 pts., 2nd place West Division

Power Play: 6th // 20.2%

Penalty Kill: 22nd // 81%

Top 3 scorers: Jon DiSalvatore (80 GP, 28-33-61, -7), Robbie Earl (69 GP 24-31-55, +13), Maxim Noreau (76 GP, 10-44-54, -5)

Overview: First year head coach Mike Yeo has the Aeros back in the playoffs this year. Houston seemed to struggle with Division winner Milwaukee but other than that had good success this year.

First Round Matchup: Peoria Rivermen

Record against the Rivermen: 2-3-1-0

Head to Head: October 16: PEO 3 @ HOU 2 – October 22: PEO 1 @ HOU 0 (OT) – November 13: HOU 0 @ PEO 3 – November 14: HOU 5 @ PEO 2 – February 11 HOU 4 @ PEO 3 (SO) – PEO 3 @ HOU 1

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 12:1

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Lake Erie Monsters

Record: 44-28-3-5 96 pts., 2nd place North Division

Power Play: 23rd // 15.8%

Penalty Kill: 5th // 84.9 %

Top 3 Scorers: Ben Walter (77 GP, 23-47-70, +26), Julian Talbot (77 GP, 13-32-45, +6), Matthew Ford (76 GP, 26-16-42, +1)

Overview: Lake Erie’s first Calder Cup Playoff appearance. The Monsters were backstopped by league veteran Jason Bacashihua who played 42 games for the Monsters and posted a 23-16-3 record with a 2.29 GAA and a 0.917 SV%

First Round Matchup: Manitoba Moose

Record against the Moose: 2-2

Head to Head: October 29: MTB 6 @ LE 3 – October 31: MTB 0 @ LE 2 – February 18: LE 5 @ MTB 1 – February 19: LE 2 @ MTB 4

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 16:1

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Manitoba Moose

Record: 43-30-1-6 93 pts., 3rd place North Divison

Power Play: 26th // 14.7%

Penalty Kill: 2nd // 85.6%

Top 3 Scorers: Sergei Shirokov (76 GP, 22-36-58, +7), Bill Sweatt (80 GP, 19-27-46, -9), Mark Flood (63 GP, 11-29-40, Even)

Overview: The Moose made the playoffs but disappointed a few people in not taking the North Division or the Western Conference in whole. Rookie Goaltender Eddie Lack went 28-21-4 with a 2.26 GAA and a 0.926 SV%.

First Round Matchup: Lake Erie Monsters

Record against the Monsters: 2-2

Head to Head: October 29: MTB 6 @ LE 3 – October 31: MTB 0 @ LE 2 – February 18: LE 5 @ MTB 1 – February 19: LE 2 @ MTB 4

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 30:1

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Milwaukee Admirals

Record: 44-22-6-8 102 pts., 1st place West Division

Power Play: 7th // 19.7%

Penalty Kill: 25th // 80.6%

Top 3 Scorers: Chris Mueller (67 GP, 24-26-50, +7), Linus Klasen (47 GP, 22-23-45, +6), Ryan Thang (78 GP, 14-27-41, +17)

Overview: Milwaukee won the West by 4 points over the Houston Aeros but it really wasn’t close all year as the Admirals won the season series versus the Aeros 4-0-1-1

First Round Matchup: Texas Stars

Record against the Stars: 1-3-1-1

Head to Head: November 20: MIL @ TEX 2 – November 26: MIL 1 @ TEX 0 – December 11: TEX 3 @ MIL 2 (OT) – January 22: MIL 1 @ TEX 2 (SO) – February 20: TEX 2 @ MIL 1 – April 8: TEX 3 @ MIL 2

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 8:1

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Oklahoma City Barons

Record: 40-29-2-9 91 pts., 5th place West Division (West’s Crossover team)

Power Play: 15th // 18.7%

Penalty Kill: 13th // 82.5%

Top 3 scorers: Alexandre Giroux (70 GP, 32-46-78, +1), Brad Moran (79 GP, 20-52-72, +1), Colin McDonald (80 GP, 42-16-58, -2)

Overview: Expansion team Oklahoma City makes the playoffs in its first year. Alexandre Giroux shuttled between parent Edmonton and Oklahoma City all year. Edmonton missed the playoffs so the Barons got back five players from the NHL on Sunday.

First Round Matchup: Hamilton Bulldogs

Record against the Bulldogs: 1-1

Head to Head: October 24: OKC 3 @ HAM 2 (OT) — December 17: HAM 3 @ OKC 0

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 40:1

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Peoria Rivermen

Record: 42-30-3-5 92 pts., 3rd place North Division

Power Play: 8th // 19.5%

Penalty Kill: 6th // 84.8%

Top 3 scorers: T.J. Hensick (59 GP, 21-48-69, +8), Graham Mink (70 GP, 24-26-50, -12), Nicholas Drazenovic (75 GP, 23-23-46, +1)

Overview: In a tight race in the West Division, the Rivermen managed to finish third guided by veterans Graham Mink and Dean Arsene, both former Calder Cup winners with the Hershey Bears.

First Round Matchup: Houston Aeros

Record against the Aeros: 4-1-0-1

Head to Head: October 16: PEO 3 @ HOU 2 – October 22: PEO 1 @ HOU 0 (OT) – November 13: HOU 0 @ PEO 3 – November 14: HOU 5 @ PEO 2 – February 11 HOU 4 @ PEO 3 (SO) – PEO 3 @ HOU 1

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 15:1

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Texas Stars

Record: 41-29-4-6 92 pts., 4th place West Division

Power Play: 20th // 17.1%

Penalty Kill: 23rd // 80.9%

Top 3 scorers: Greg Rallo (78 GP, 26-28-54), Travis Morin (64 GP, 21-24-45, +9), Colton Sceviour (77 GP, 16-25-41, +4)

Overview: The defending Western Conference Champions are back in the playoffs the second year in franchise history. Much of the core which lost to the Hershey Bears in 6 games return for another chance at the Calder Cup.

First Round Matchup: Milwaukee Admirals

Record against the Admirals: 5-1

Head to Head: November 20: MIL @ TEX 2 – November 26: MIL 1 @ TEX 0 – December 11: TEX 3 @ MIL 2 (OT) – January 22: MIL 1 @ TEX 2 (SO) – February 20: TEX 2 @ MIL 1 – April 8: TEX 3 @ MIL 2

Odds to win the Calder Cup: 20:1

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Eastern Conference Calder Cup Preview will be up tomorrow! Check it out!

The AHL

Grading the East Division – Fourth Quarter

Comments Off on Grading the East Division – Fourth Quarter Posted by on April 12, 2011

Fourth Quarter of the 2010-2011 AHL regular season in the books as of Sunday. In the East, five of the eight teams made it with the Binghamton Senators crossing over to play the Manchester Monarchs. In all likelihood, the Calder Cup winner is coming out of this division again this year.

Adirondack Phantoms:  (31-39-4-6 – 72 pts., 6th place) Went 11-8-1-0 its last 20 games. Having Micheal Leighton in net helped a bit. If it returns its core for next year with improvements at key positions it could possibly contend next season for a playoff spot. Did a complete 180 in the season from League Doormat to a halfway respectable team. Needs the trend to continue next season. Grade: C

Albany Devils: (32-42-1-5 – 70 pts., 8th place) Fell to the basement and finished as the leagues worst team. Not just standings wise but also in power play and penalty kill. Issues everywhere with this team. Don’t expect much change for next year. New Jersey affiliates normally are not built to win or develop anything other than getting your head beat in. Fans in Albany deserve better. Grade: F

Binghamton Senators: (42-30-3-5 – 92 pts., 5th place) Went 10-9-0-1 its last 20 games. Received help from parent Ottawa when they sent the calvary Sunday afternoon for the playoff push. Crossing over to the Atlantic to play Manchester first round. Has had Wilkes-Barre’s number all year long. Only way the two meet is in the Eastern Conference Finals. Status uncertain on league MVP Corey Locke but they have Bobby Butler back from Ottawa. Grade: B

Charlotte Checkers: (44-27-2-7 – 97 pts., 3rd place) Parent Carolina missed the playoffs so the Checkers get Drayson Bowman back from the NHL squad. First round matchup is with Hershey. Top line is a dangerous and the defense is good but the issue remains in goal for this team. Regular Mike Murphy is out and Justin Pogge is easily rattled. Overpowered opponents with goals but in a seven game playoff series with all the adjustments the opponent can make it’d worry me just a bit. Grade: B+

Hershey Bears: (46-26-3-5 – 100 pts., 2nd place) If the Bears escape the East Division they will be again the favorites for a back to back to back Calder Cup celebration. The case for this team is that it is getting healthier with key guys coming back from injury while it’s opponents are basically who they are. The case against is Braden Holtby in net then a huge drop off to late addition loan from Providence Nolan Schaefer. Holtby is hot / cold and Hershey for whatever reason could not beat Wilkes-Barre soundly all year. Despite all the above, still managed to finish in the top 5 overall points wise. Grade: A-

Norfolk Admirals: (39-26-9-6 – 93 pts., 4th place) Skidded into the playoffs with a ghastly 3-6-1-0 record in its last 10 games. Beat Connecticut in it’s last game to leapfrog Binghamton and stay in the East Division instead of crossing over and playing Manchester. Probably the coldest team coming into the Calder Cup Playoffs and a huge underdog drawing league behemoth Wilkes-Barre / Scranton first round. Grade: C

Syracuse Crunch: (35-38-3-4 – 77 pts., 6th place) But for the Rockford IceHogs who went 9-1 in their last 10 games, there was nary a team hotter in the entire AHL. The Crunch went 8-2 in their last 10 games and 15-5 in the fourth quarter. Lots of upset fans in Syracuse who were left wanting much more than the front office and parent Anaheim Ducks gave them. It’s never any good when your GM releases a statement towards a small group of fans ripping the team. I picked them to finish last in the third quarter grades. I was wrong. They finished 6th. Next year can be a different story with this team. Grade: B-

Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins: (58-21-0-1 – 117 pts., 1st place) Second all time in AHL history in wins with 58, only behind last years Bears squad who won 60 games. Led the division wire to wire and never looked back. 14-5-0-1 in the final 20 games. Mindset from AHL Coach of the Year John Hynes is to win every single game and never let off a shift. Losing is unacceptable. League’s best team. Goaltender of the Year in Brad Thiessen. He and backup John Curry are formidable to any lineup. Pens fans breathed a sigh of relief when they learned that the Binghamton Senators will cross over. Anything short of a Calder Cup celebration in June will be seen as a major disappointment. Odds on favorite to win it this year. Grade: A+

So there you have it. Western Conference Playoff Preview will be up tomorrow with the Eastern Conference Playoff Preview up Thursday.

Let’s Go Pens!

The AHL

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