Not Tonight, WBS Pens Fall to Admirals 4-2

The WBS Penguins have done something that both Penguins teams have not been used to.  The Baby Pens saw their six game win streak snapped tonight as they lost to the Norfolk Admirals 4-2.

Without Dustin Jeffrey and Andrew Hutchinson the Pens played inconsistently and undisciplined. It was a penalty filled game as the two teams combined for 23 infractions, including three fights in the opening 12 seconds of the game.

John Curry got the loss tonight and although he didn't play to his abilities, the defensive coverage was average at best tonight.

A tough one to listen to/watch, but at least we get a chance for redemption tomorrow night on the home ice.

A full recap and notes of the game after the jump.

Lineup Notes:

Both players that had expiring 25 game PTO’s received AHL contracts. Those two guys being Joey Mormina, the team’s 6^th/7^th defenseman and forward Bryan Lerg (4^th line).

Dustin Jeffrey was called up to Pittsburgh and Andrew Hutchinson didn’t make the trip. 

Joey Haddad was sent back to Wheeling earlier today. Unfortunately WBS didn’t know they would be losing Jeffrey or else Haddad probably would have stayed.

So the Penguins had just enough players to make a full lineup tonight.

John Curry has started the last three games.  Not because Brad Thiessen hasn’t played well (he has more wins and better stats than Curry).  It’s just riding the hot goaltender which is Curry right now.  I believe Curry is the first goalie to get three straight starts so far this season.

 

Line Combos:

Curry

 

Collins – Lerg – Wallace

Sterling – Vitale – Tangradi

Veilleux – Craig – Johnson

Walker – Sill - Boulerice

 

Potter – Wagner

Strait – Bortuzzo

Sneep - Mormina

 

Recap:

Norfolk scores first Shot from the point deflects in off a skate.  Sparked by three fights in the first 11 seconds of the game.

First period power play goal scored by Nick Johnson ties it at 1 in the first. Tangradi got the primary assist as he crashed the net and the rebound went to Johnson who snuck a backhander past Dustin Tokarski.

Norfolk pounced on a miscue by the Pens in their own zone and took the lead 2-1 midway through the first.  The shot was from a bad angle and Curry would love to have that one back.

A lot of sloppy passing and defensive zone coverage. Not winning defensive zone faceoffs. Also a lot of penalties, very uncharacteristic of typical Penguins hockey.

 

The two teams battled in the second period, but Norfolk added to their lead on a slapshot goal to make it 3-1 midway through the second.

Johnson bangs home his second power play goal, a rebound off Tokarski.  Carl Sneep sent a blue line pass to Potter who cranked the hard slapshot on the net.

Down 3-2, the Pens continued their undisciplined play.  Tangradi took a boarding call 37 seconds into the period and Mormina took a matching minor roughing call with a player from the Admirals.

The Penguins got more chances than the Admirals in the third and didn't give up but they did allow an insurance goal about six minutes into the third.