Game 3 - 4/20/08 - Hershey Bears @ WBS Pens

[WWGRD]

VS.

FINAL: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Baby Penguins defeat the Hershey Bears with a final score of 5-1 in the third game
of the first round of the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs.


The Pens lead the series, 3-0.


WBS Regulation Scoring
Alain Nasreddine -- 1 G (1), 1 A
Mark Ardelan -- 1 G (1) , 1 A
Tim Brent -- 1 G (3), 1 A
Tim Wallace -- 1 G (1)
Nathan Smith -- 1 G (1)
Alex Goligoski -- 3 A
Dave Gove -- 1 A
Ryan Stone -- 1 A
Ryan Lannon -- 1 A


Fighting
Dennis Bonvie (Win) vs. Louis Robitaille
Tim Wallace (Loss) vs. Steve Pinizzotto


Winning Goalie
John Curry


Three Stars:
1. WBS - Alex Goligoski
2. WBS - Tim Brent
3. WBS - John Curry


WBS Game Recap Report at Faceoff-Factor.

[canaan]

no points for minard? i call shenanigans.

[WWGRD]

That's okay, the Minard train can stop for one game

Did I mention he hit the cross bar on a breakaway?

[canaan]

That's okay, the Minard train can stop for one game

Did I mention he hit the cross bar on a breakaway?

...

...

...crossbar must die.

[farnham16]

Have any of the young guys just called up seen any action yet?

[WWGRD]

Have any of the young guys just called up seen any action yet?

No, they've all been healthy scratches so far. They have practiced with the team though.

[wickedsinner]

Have any of the young guys just called up seen any action yet?

I don't really see any of the young guys playing unless there is an injury. It seems like the baby pens are doing a great job without them in the lineup. If it aint broke dont fix it. I think regardless it should be a good experience for these young guys to get their feet wet.

[BCG51585]

Have any of the young guys just called up seen any action yet?

I don't really see any of the young guys playing unless there is an injury. It seems like the baby pens are doing a great job without them in the lineup. If it aint broke dont fix it. I think regardless it should be a good experience for these young guys to get their feet wet.

I hope that isn't the case. This is a perfect opportunity in the playoffs for these guys to begin their development at the professional level. Letang did it last year and these guys can do it this year. All three of those players will likely be key components to the future of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and as such they should be given every opportunity to accelerate their development. I realize that it isn't customary to change the lineup when a team is winning, but at the same time let's not forget that the AHL is a developmental league and that team winning a championship takes a backseat to player development.

That said those guys need to get some practices under their belts first and learn the system so they aren't lost out there. It wouldn't help them at all if they went out and struggled. In the end I'm sure Coach Richards and GM Ray Shero will make the right call in this situation.

[Henry Hank]

Nick Johnson was the first of the prospects to get signed by WBS and he's played every playoff game.

It'd be nice to see the other kids get some game action but just being with the team and practicing with the team should be a positive experience they can take forward. Especially for a guy like Caputi who is getting used to the system and will be with WBS to start next season. Veilleux still has another junior season left so I wouldn't be as worried about throwing him into the fire.

WBS has a lot of depth right now so it's not going to be easy for these guys to crack the lineup, and when they do it's mostly going to be as a fourth liner. Of course, if they have a long run, injuries are probably likely and these guys may get a chance.

Still, you've got guys like Curry and Goligoski getting really good experience. Goligoski's had a great rookie year. Made the All-Star team and the All-Rookie team, had a cup of tea in Pittsburgh, and now is looking at a nice playoff run. He's progressing nicely. Curry too. He and Brown look like good potential back-ups in a year or so.

[wickedsinner]

Have any of the young guys just called up seen any action yet?

I don't really see any of the young guys playing unless there is an injury. It seems like the baby pens are doing a great job without them in the lineup. If it aint broke dont fix it. I think regardless it should be a good experience for these young guys to get their feet wet.

That said those guys need to get some practices under their belts first and learn the system so they aren't lost out there. It wouldn't help them at all if they went out and struggled. In the end I'm sure Coach Richards and GM Ray Shero will make the right call in this situation.

I agree with you here, but my side is that learning a new system can be kind of rough and take some time. It might take a while for these guys to learn it. Maybe this is where the rookie camp may have helped them a little, but the language barrier might hold veilleux back unless he learned english within the past year. On the other hand when a guy begins to learn the system and the talent level is higher than the guys you have in the lineup your hand is kind of forced. You can't hold back a talented player for a guy who has payed is dues and is playing at a lower level. I agree with you in that the AHL is more of a development league but i'm sure if you ask every player or coach down there they want the championship. I have faith in the penguins staff that they will make the right decision regardless of what happens.