Chirps from Center Ice

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

Weekend Preview – Into The Fire…

Comments Off on Weekend Preview – Into The Fire… Posted by on October 10, 2025

Back at it in year fifteen of this blog are we for another year of blogging up the local hockey team. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

Off the hop, I think they will be a competitive team this season. With Pittsburgh likely in full on tank mode that leaves the farm club to ripen on the vine a bit and improve on last years fourth place standing to get even better. Will they? I think so. They should contend early for the top spot in the new look Atlantic Division. More on that in a bit.

Music to Set the Mood…

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This past summer at my pool I got tired of the same 75 or so songs on Yacht Rock Radio. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald and some Rupert Holmes, but it got to be a drag being hearing the same songs in the pool every afternoon all summer.

So on a whim, I skimmed through SiriusXM’s lineup of channels while going for a hair cut of all things. Beyond my other favorites of Classic Rewind and Vinyl, SiriusXMU and First Wave, I landed on Hair Nation. There were a few songs on there that caught my ear and I couldn’t get enough. Christopher Cross, Linda Ronstadt and Robbie Dupree were replaced by Poison, Ratt and the band above, Dokken. I was rockin’ with Dokken all August long with Keith Roth on Hair Nation.

I miss summer.

Anyway.

The Setup

Friday off, then they get going for a home opener against Hartford and then a Sunday road game in Allentown. Everyone should be in tip top shape and raring to go.

Top to bottom from last seasons finish, here’s a quick preview of where I think they should be this season.

Hershey: Average to below average team. Todd Nelson is an assistant with Pittsburgh now and Derek King is at the helm for the 13 time champs. He’s a coach who is good with youth and the Bears will be just that. Inexperienced, but still the Bears.

Charlotte: Above average. The Eastern Conference Champs will be looking to get back to the Calder Cup Finals again.

Providence: Above average. The Bruins always give teams fits and are a juggernaut. No reason to believe any of that stops this season.

Penguins: Above average. If the Penguins don’t go further then they did in the past two seasons, then it will just be more of the same until it isn’t anymore. I expect them to contend all season.

Lehigh Valley: Above average to average. The Phantoms are much like the Penguins with a group of hungry kids looking to graduate. The Pens and Phantoms play 12 times this season and you better get ready for wars.

Springfield: Average to below average. I don’t think they signed anyone of significance.

Hartford: Below average. Same story here. They will start hot and fizzle. New York thinks they can contend so who knows.

Bridgeport: Above average. This isn’t saying much because the only way to go is up for the league’s worst team last year, but they overhauled everything and got better on paper. They are a prove it team to me for now.

Don’t ask me to pick the two teams which don’t make playoffs. It’s a fools errand.

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Records

Everyone is starting 0-0. Lehigh Valley hosts Belleville Saturday.

Who’s Up? Who’s Down? Who’s Out?

Sergei Murashov and Owen Pickering are names to watch to start the season in the AHL. Rutger McGroarty is working his way off an injury and is up. This is normally the most busiest place during the Winter months in this space, so keep a lookout. Avery Hayes and Trisan Broz had good NHL camps but are starting the season here. Don’t get used to them for long.

What can we learn about the Penguins this week?

They will contend, that is for sure. Murashov should be your number one in goal. Pittsburgh has a decision to make when Joel Blomqvist heals up because they aren’t carrying Blomqvist, Arturs Silovs and Tristan Jarry. A Penguins goaltender or goaltenders is being traded. No way you risk losing Silovs on waivers. Jarry’s contract is an albatross, so what happens? Your guess is as good as mine.

But it’s Murashov’s net for now.

Owen Pickering should be too good to play at this level and guys like Broz and Hayes should be chomping at the bit to get back to an NHL lifestyle. Raphael Harvey-Pinard and Alex Alexeyev will be looking for good first impressions also.

They should beat Hartford and then it’s a measuring stick with Lehigh Valley over Pennsylvania dominance and who could conceivably be at the head of the Atlantic Division table after the first weekend of the season.

All of the Penguins nine games this month are against Atlantic Division competition, so it’s prime time to start hot and get the rest of the division behind you before the real grind starts and the recalls and injuries inevitably occur.

Who’s in Goal?

I think you have to start Sergei Murashov Saturday and then let Taylor Gauthier or Maxim Pavlenko take the start in Lehigh Valley or, just start Murashov in both contests. That would make more sense but you don’t know when the evaluation process ends.

For Hartford and Lehigh Valley, Dylan Garand and possibly Carson Bjarnason for the competition.

Who’s Running the Show?

Damian Figueira and Patrick Hanrahan have the opening night assignment with Shawn Oliver and Richard Jondo on the lines Saturday night.

Sunday in Allentown, Mathieu Menniti and Austin O’Rourke are in charge with Oliver. making the PA Turnpike trip to meet up with Patrick Dapuzzo to work the lines.

Looking Ahead…

Friday night in Hartford and then Saturday night in Bridgeport for the first road trip of the season.

Give us a bold prediction…

They win both games with the power play yet to score a goal.

Weekend Preview

Training Camp Roster Announced – Getting Closer…

Comments Off on Training Camp Roster Announced – Getting Closer… Posted by on October 2, 2025

Oh, hi there!

How was your summer? Mine was awesome, never wanted it to end and I am enjoying the warm days we have left before the cold weather and early sunsets begin.

With the New York Mets ending a disappointing season by not making the playoffs, I’m slowly starting to begrudgingly foray back into the blog.

The Penguins, who opened their AHL Training Camp out in Pittsburgh this week, announced on Thursday their training camp roster, who I am going to offer some 30,000 foot observations on. Let’s start from goaltenders out…

Goaltenders

Maxim Pavlenko and Jaxon Castor

Coal Street signed Pavlenko to an AHL deal in June. This will be his first run on North American soil, and his numbers playing in the AHL version of the KHL (VHL) aren’t great, so we will see. I think he’s ticketed for Wheeling but may get a look with Joel Blomqvist hurt.

Castor should be familiar to Pens fans and will likely be headed for Wheeling.

Defensemen

Daniel Laatsch, Finn Harding, Emil Pieniniemi

These guys are on NHL contracts. Harding has the highest trajectory.

Tommy Budnick, David Breazeale, Brent Johnson

AHL contracts for these guys. Wheeling depth as more defenseman in Pittsburgh get cut.

Aidan Sutter is on a Tryout, was with Wheeling last year.

Forwards

No NHL contracted forwards on the team yet.

Aaron Huglen, Nolan Rewick, Zach Urdahl, Max Graham, Matty De St. Phalle, Zach Gallant, Gabe Klassen, Raivis Ansons, Brayden Edwards and Atley Calvert are all AHL contracted players. Guys in italics are what would classify as rookies.

Brett Murray, Jordan Kaplan, Cal Burke, Tyler Paquette, Kyle Criscuolo, Mike Posma and Matt Quercia are on tryouts. You should be familiar with Quercia from Wheeling. Criscuolo was with Charlotte last year and Brett Murray was with Rochester as two names that could be offered AHL deals and ones to watch.

Pittsburgh Cuts

Defenseman Scooter Brickey and Chase Pietila, Goaltender Taylor Gauthier and forward Aidan McDonough were cut Thursday. More on the way, just not yet. For Gauthier, it’s a (bleep) or get off the pot situation for him with a logjam at goaltender. Don’t be surprised if he gets traded if he doesn’t make the AHL team in a week.

Preseason Schedule

Kids day game with Hershey at 10:30 in the morning and then Saturday in Lehigh Valley. Instead of having four preseason games, they cut it to two.

Season Opener

Next Saturday against Hartford.

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I may have brief write-ups about the preseason action or I may not, but I should be back up and running in full next week with the first Weekend Preview.

WBS

2025-26 AHL Scheduled Released

Comments Off on 2025-26 AHL Scheduled Released Posted by on July 10, 2025

I’m not going to devote a lot of time on this since it’s the same thing every year and this year isn’t any different than any other year.

The AHL released the playing schedule for the 2025-26 season on Thursday.

League release here. Penguins release here. Let’s just ask the same questions we asked last year and jump back in the pool.

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?

Essentially four games for each, four at home that close out the regular season in April and two, four game road trips in January and mid-March.

3) How many three in threes?

Just two.

4) How many work night and Sunday home games?

Four Sunday home games. Two Tuesday home games and seven Wednesday games.

5) Any off the wall schedule time quirks?

In November, on Wednesday, November 12 they are in Bridgeport for a 10:30 a.m. kids day game. Then they play in Springfield on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday January 19 at 3:05 p.m.

They play every day of the week, which includes a Thursday, April 9 game in Bridgeport.

Eight Friday’s off, including Opening Night. They only have two Saturday’s off all season, both in March. All Saturday home games start at 6:05.

Black Friday home game against the Phantoms.

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

Rockford, Illinois. Nothing says excitement like Illinois in Winter.

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 for that first round series with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms again, buddy.

8) What about preseason games?

No word on that yet.

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Debating even running this again next year, it’s too boring and way too predictable. Same teams every year. The only schedule wrinkle is two less with Hershey (10) and two more with Utica (4), two less with Belleville (just home and away this season) and two more with a new look and should be improved Bridgeport Islanders team – wow! How innovative!

Enjoy the rest of your summer. I know I am and don’t want it to end. Talk to you again in the Fall.

The AHL

2025-26 Home Openers Announced; Schedule Thursday

Comments Off on 2025-26 Home Openers Announced; Schedule Thursday Posted by on July 9, 2025

I interrupt your summer for the yearly message about the AHL Schedule, which will be announced Thursday, July 10.

So beforehand, the teams hype up things with announcing home openers.

Opening Night is Friday, October 10. The Penguins are not scheduled.

October 11, they host the Hartford Wolf Pack.

October 17, they are then hosted by the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Full schedule of basically the same thing (12 games with Hershey, 12 with Lehigh Valley, et cetera) will be here tomorrow.

Oh, congrats to the Abbottsford Canucks on the Calder Cup, beating the Charlotte Checkers.

Talk to you tomorrow.

The AHL, WBS

Helge in a Handbasket — Pens LOSE 3-2 (Season Over)

Comments Off on Helge in a Handbasket — Pens LOSE 3-2 (Season Over) Posted by on April 25, 2025

          @          

2                             3

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The Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins are the first team knocked out of the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs after Helge Grans’ goal with two minutes to play in regulation in Game 2 on Friday night gives the Lehigh Valley Phantoms a 3-2 lead in the game. Using the 31 saves from a 31-year old Parker Gahagen that has all of a sudden found the fountain of youth, the Penguins are again dismissed via sweep by their Pennsylvania Turnpike rival for the second year in a row.

A disappointing end to another promising season where they won 40 games under head coach Kirk MacDonald. The Penguins flaws were exposed in a bad way in the ever on the edge best of three series.

A broken Joel Blomqvist.

An aging, lax and sometimes broken defense.

A 21 year old phenom goaltender who has a lot to learn on rebound control in Sergei Murashov. Murashov was solid in the game, but the two goals he gave up in the third period came off of juicy rebounds. He has to get this under control and quickly if he wants to be the goaltender you want him to be.

The curse of the shutout in the final regular season home game has legs.

So it goes.

Here’s how they lined up…

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Lineup Notes: Mathias Laferriere for Chase Stillman up front,.  Dan Renouf for Nate Clurman.

First Period: Both teams killed the other teams penalties. Emotions high. Murashov was calm. The Penguins were the better team.

Second Period: Penguins get two power play chances. Couldn’t score. Lehigh Valley opens the scoring when Jett Luchanko sets up Anthony Richard for a 1-0 lead.

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Dan Renouf has two Calder Cups. One with Grand Rapids and one with Charlotte. He’s aged twenty years since the start of the season. That was on him there.

Parker Gahagen was under fire in the period, standing on his head all period.

Wilkes-Barre gets a power play late and it felt like a turning point.

Tristan Broz cashes on it.

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The Penguins were the better team.

Third Period: Wilkes-Barre has to kill of 1:57 of five on three. They may have lost this series, but the penalty kill in this game alone was aces. They kill the nearly two minute power play with ease.

They get a goal from their rookie Harrison Brunicke set up by Tristan Broz.

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Then they stopped being the better team.

You could see it in the faces of the crowd when the camera panned to them, the fans were worried. But then a Zayde Wisdom shot spills off the pads of Sergei Murashov to the tape of Jacob Gaucher and the Phantoms tie the game. Life.

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Pens had a brief :40 power play but couldn’t get anything going.

Are we going to overtime? Sure felt like it.

Until it didn’t.

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What the hell man.

Time out Wilkes-Barre. With. Murashov pulled for the extra man, the Penguins couldn’t win a face-off to even give them a shot to tie the game.

Three Stars: 3) Parker Gahagen (31 saves) 2) Anthony Richard (goal, assist) 1) Helge Grans (goal)

The Good: Young group that maybe didn’t know any better. They mastered Lehigh Valley in the regular season but playoffs are a different beast especially in a best of three series. They should keep the core together, add in a few more vets, perhaps a defensemen or two and maybe get back next season.

The Bad: I joked about it in the second half of the season about how the Penguins and Phantoms were destined to meet again in the playoffs. They (or I) have to stop looking past Lehigh Valley as a walkover. They started to sputter at the end of the season and that cost them a shot at the bye. Unless or until they change the format (they won’t) they will always be subject to the best of three format. It’s something that they need to avoid.

Turning Point: The Grans goal with two minutes left gets it here.

So that’s it. Thanks for sticking around for another year. I’ll continue to do this for as long as it remains fun. This season was fun, but as always, ended too soon.

I should be back sometime this week with a wrap up piece / grades on every player then it’s off to a long summer. As someone who prefers the warm over the cold, it’s something I am looking forward very much.

Have a great summer and we will talk to you soon.

Postgamer

Bump in the Night – Pens LOSE 5-2 (LV leads 1-0)

Comments Off on Bump in the Night – Pens LOSE 5-2 (LV leads 1-0) Posted by on April 23, 2025

          vs.          

5                               2

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The guy that sits one row ahead of me who has been there since Day 1 summed it up best.

They brought a regular season effort to a playoff hockey game.

Lehigh Valley wins Game 1 5-2 off two goals from rookie Alex Bump, and the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins will be playing for their playoff lives Friday at 7:05 in Allentown. They must win Game 2 to advance to a Game 3 (Sunday in Wilkes-Barre) if they want their season, one where they won 40 games, to continue.

There is no margin for error in a three game series.

In contrast, Providence outshot Springfield 40-15 and lost 2-1 to Springfield on Wednesday and their season is on the brink. They ran into Colton Ellis who stole the show for the six seeded Thunderbirds when Springfield got two past AHL Goaltender of the Year Michael DiPietro in the first period.

Locally, the Penguins fourth ranked power play could not crack a Lehigh Valley penalty kill that finished 18th overall in the second period with 90 seconds of carryover power play time to start the period already down 1-0, a full two minute five on three power play and then an immediate full two minute power play right after when Jett Luchanko, one of the players put in the penalty box two minutes prior, played the puck while still in the penalty box.

The Phantoms kill off all what is essentially five and a half minutes of penalty kill, and then Bump scores his first goal that makes it 2-0. Rodrigo Ābols answers about five minutes later and scores on a rebound to make it 3-0.

The Penguins may have a goaltending problem as starter Joel Blomqvist was not on the bench to start the third period. Instead, Taylor Gauthier went in as the backup.

He didn’t fare any better.

With Nate Clurman boxed for a high sticking penalty at 5:51, Bump connects for his second of the night on a power play at 8:17 to make it 4-0.

And then when it rains, it pours because Filip Kral whiffs on a clear and the puck never leaves the zone. Luchanko is there to set up a streaking Anthony Richard and the rout at that point was on.

Avery Hayes scores with under five to play to bust up the Parker Gahagen shutout and then later sets up Gabe Klassen with under a minute to play to at least make it a semi-respectable but still not very good 5-2 score and that’s your ballgame.

Let’s go through the goals.

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Olle Lycksell digs one out of the pads of Blomqvist to get the Phantoms on the board in the first period. Lehigh Valley had speed and jump, and the Penguins looked like they just woke up from a pre-game nap and were not able to match the intensity.

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Never any good when the kid scores, I realize he’s going to be a problem this series and next year, and I already have my headline.

 

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Lineup: Never any good when I work these in reverse.

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Three Stars: 3) Emil Andrae (two assists) 2) Olle Lycksell (goal, assist) 1) Alex Bump (two goals)

The Good: I am hoping that the little bit of life they showed in garbage time gives them hope.

The Bad: Vasily Ponomarev and Sam Poulin. did not record a shot. The power play, which has been seemingly automatic, went 0/4 at a critical juncture of the game and series.

Turning Point: You are at the pinnacle of the mountain point and can get to the top if you just go another 100 feet. Instead, you turn around and go back down the mountain. That’s how I felt when I saw the seconds tick away from the five on three the Penguins had where they were unable to score. You may be looking at the turning point of the series if not the season, right there.

Postgame Highlights for the Brave and Curious:

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So that’s it. They will practice Thursday, look to regroup and bus down for a 7:05 start in Allentown Friday with their lives on the line. Are they really going to make me come to a series deciding game on Sunday at 6:05?

I sure hope so.

Let’s Go Pens!

Postgamer

2025 Calder Cup Playoffs Preview

Comments Off on 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs Preview Posted by on April 22, 2025

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It is that time of year again! Is this the year for your team? Is this the year for the Penguins? Will anyone other than Hershey be celebrating in mid-June?

Well, I am here to try and sort though it all for you with the way that I think it goes. I preview every round and give you a winner.

Before we begin, let’s have a moment of silence for the Bakersfield Condors, Belleville Senators, Bridgeport Islanders, Hartford Wolf Pack, Henderson Silver Knights, Iowa Wild, Manitoba Moose, San Diego Gulls and Utica Comets. These teams will not be participating this season. Better luck next year, jack.

Let’s get into it, starting from the Western Conference all the way home to the Eastern Conference.

Pacific Division First Round (Best of Three)

First Round Bye: Colorado Eagles

(2) Abbotsford Canucks vs. (7) Tucson Roadrunners: It’s a series where you can see a Roadrunners upset, but if there were more weeks left in the season Abbotsford is likely the team sitting on a bye, not Colorado. Let’s not overthink things off the bat with this far to go, Canucks in two.

(3) Ontario Reign vs. (6) San Jose Barracuda: I think it’s a bad matchup for the Barracuda and I might be wrong for this decision this early in. San Jose in three.

(4) Coachella Valley Firebirds vs. (5) Calgary Wranglers: Wranglers are the better team here, Calgary in two. No three peat trip to the Finals for the Firebirds this season.

Pacific Division Semifinals (Best of Five)

(1) Colorado Eagles vs. (6) San Jose Barracuda: Does the layoff hinder the Eagles? I could see a scenario here where San Jose wins Game 1, possibly Game 2, but the end result is always the Eagles. I think. Colorado in five.

(2) Abbotsford Canucks vs. (5) Calgary Wranglers: The series was dead even for the most part in the regular season. I could see Calgary finally resetting and getting right, but at the end of the day these teams have been trending in opposite directions for weeks. Canucks in four.

Pacific Division Finals (Best of Five)

(1) Colorado Eagles vs. (2) Abbotsford Canucks: Abbotsford was 6-2 in the regular season against the Eagles. I think Colorado gives them a scare, but not enough here. Canucks in five.

Central Division First Round (Best of Three)

First Round Byes: Milwaukee Admirals, Texas Stars, Grand Rapids Griffins

(4) Chicago Wolves vs. (5) Rockford IceHogs: Rockford had a losing record and finished eight points behind the Wolves. Rockford steals one, but not the series, Chicago in three.

Central Division Semifinals (Best of Five)

(1) Milwaukee Admirals vs. (4) Chicago Wolves: Styles make fights and this is a bad matchup for Chicago. Milwaukee in four.

(2) Texas Stars vs. (3) Grand Rapids Griffins: This division is so top heavy it’s comical. Stars in three.

Central Division Finals (Best of Five)

(1) Milwaukee Admirals vs. (2) Texas Stars: Dead even matchup. Gut says Stars. Texas in five.

North Division First Round (Best of Three)

First Round Byes: Laval Rocket, Rochester Americans, Syracuse Crunch

(4) Toronto Marlies vs. (5) Cleveland Monsters: Penguins fans saw Cleveland goaltender Jet Greaves steal a pair of games against them a few weeks back. That mastery continues in a tight one with Toronto, Monsters in three.

North Division Semifinals (Best of Five)

(1) Laval Rocket vs. (5) Cleveland Monsters: The Rocket won the league in the regular season. I think they are just getting going here. Laval in four.

(2) Rochester Americans vs. (3) Syracuse Crunch: Oh this is a bad matchup for the Crunch. Really bad. Rochester in four.

North Division Finals (Best of Five)

(1) Laval Rocket vs. (2) Rochester Americans: Am I really picking 1-2, 1-2, 1-2 so far for the Division Finals? This is a case against I guess every team and their mother’s team getting in I suppose. Rochester could never be a serious threat for the North Division lead because they constantly played (and lost) to Laval all the time. Rocket in four.

Atlantic Division First Round (Best of Three)

First Round Byes: Hershey Bears, Charlotte Checkers

(3) Providence Bruins vs. (6) Springfield Thunderbirds: As a casual observer of the Providence Bruins body of work, they had equal parts ups and downs. I mean you could pick Springfield here and I wouldn’t stop you and there’s a case for an upset, but Providence in three is the smart choice.

(4) Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins vs. (5) Lehigh Valley Phantoms: If Joel Blomqvist ever wants to be considered an NHL goaltender of the future in the Pittsburgh organization, he has to get past a Lehigh Valley team that swept him last season in the First Round. Ville Koivunen is a lethal threat. Penguins in two.

Atlantic Division Semifinals (Best of Five)

(1) Hershey Bears vs. (4) Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins: Real ones know to expect a war. Who ya got? Hershey has holes that the Penguins can exploit. Wilkes-Barre in four.

(2) Charlotte Checkers vs. (3) Providence Bruins: Remember where I was going with the Bruins and the peaks and the valleys? Checkers in four.

Atlantic Division Finals (Best of Five)

(2) Charlotte Checkers vs. (4) Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins: How much do the Penguins have left in them after an emotional battle with the Bears? They have to beat Charlotte at least twice on the road. It would likely be a 2-3 series with the first two in Wilkes-Barre. Do they steal both at home? Can they beat Charlotte twice in North Carolina? They have to, because I am picking them here. Penguins in five.

Western Conference Finals (Best of Seven)

(2) Abbotsford Canucks vs. (2) Texas Stars: Really struggled with this one. I like the Stars depth, Abbotsford finished the season on a tear. I think the Stars experience wins the day here. Texas in six.

Eastern Conference Finals (Best of Seven)

(1) Laval Rocket vs. (4) Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins: You can make a case that the Penguins become that team of destiny and nothing denies them after taking out the back-to-back champion Hershey Bears. If you are ever going to win it, now is the time to do it. Laval take first two at Place Bell. Penguins fans are in shambles on Facebook and other places. The Pens are down by a 2-0 score heading into the third period in Game 3 in Wilkes-Barre on a Sunday night just because. Avery Hayes and Vasily Ponomarev, held pointless through the first two games, catch fire. Penguins even the series at two, Laval takes Game 5. More shambles on Pens socials as they bus back to Quebec. This Penguins tight knit crew who are on the brink of elimination, button up and Joel Blomqvist dazzles with a shutout in Game 6. Penguins advance in seven.

Calder Cup Finals (Best of Seven)

(2) Texas Stars vs. (4) Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins: Am I writing a fanfic? Have I started drinking again? Is this real life? A lot of Phantoms, Bears, Crunch and other teams fans have always told me that they want to see the Penguins win the Calder Cup. Well, this is their year. I have talked myself into the unthinkable. Not to get derailed by an emotional series with the Rocket that went the distance, Kirk MacDonald has the team laser focused and ready to win. Yeah, but so does Neil Graham and his Texas Stars. They even wrote a book, “We Win Here” So what. The magic of the late 2000’s returns. But instead of a merry band of idiots like Nathan Smith, Deryk Engalland, Kurtis MacLean and Luca Caputi you have bonafide snipers in Vasily Ponomarev, Ville Koivunen, Tristan Broz and BAH GAWD THAT’S JIMMY HUNTINGDON’S MUSIC. As well as Owen Pickering and a rounding into form Harrison Brunicke on defense and a charged up Joel Blomqvist who is lasered in. Penguins in five, Wilkes-Barre wins Calder on home ice and we finally hang a damn banner that matters and shut up all those Hershey fans trash talking us on Facebook secretly cheering us to get one after all these years.

Maybe it’s fantasy. My batting average on these things sucks so bad I can play for the Pittsburgh Pirates. But that’s the way I see it going. I am likely wrong, very wrong, and for that I apologize if you are a Penguins fan and congrats on the Calder Cup, you Ontario Reign fans out there.

It gets going in reality later today with Calgary / Coachella Valley. Buckle up and get ready, buy the ticket and take the ride.

The AHL

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