Penguins’ Kiddie Korps Express Keeps a Rollin’ with Victory Over Sabres

The Penguins’ kiddie korps express rolled to a 5-3 victory over the Sabres in Buffalo last night, the fourth-straight win for the locals.

As my title suggests, our attack was paced by the kids plus one. The add-on being veteran defenseman Matt Dumba, who scored on a scorching blast from above the left circle at 5:52 of the second period. If Dumba regains even a smidgen of his former offensive prowess it’ll be like found money. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Tristan Broz opened the scoring at 17:32 of the first period with a power-play tally, his third goal of the preseason. Love the way this kid senses the openings and drives the net. Also like that Philip Tomasino, who set Tristan up, has been consistently making plays in traffic.

Didn’t like the fact that we promptly yielded the equalizer when Josh Norris cut through our defense like a knife going through hot butter on the ensuing rush. However, the Pens regained the lead on Dumba’s aforementioned bomb and added to it in the waning moments of the second period when Avery Hayes (pictured) pounced on a loose puck and beat Alexandar Georgiev on the power play.

Norris pulled the Sabres to within one at 4:29 of the third period with his second goal of the game. Cue Ville Koivunen, who broke into the Sabres’ zone alone mid-period courtesy of a crisp lead pass from Ryan Shea and wristed the puck past Georgiev.

The Sabres rallied one last time, as Rasmus Dahlin struck on the power-play with Blake Lizotte serving a double-minor. However, the youthful Pens kept their composure and sealed the deal on an empty-netter by Filip Hållander at 17:57.

Puckpourri

To borrow from the old ‘70s tear-jerker Love Story, where do I begin? Hållander and Dumba led the way with a goal and a helper each. Tomasino and vet Robby Fabbri, still vying for a contract, contributed two assists apiece. Broz, Hayes and Koivunen each tickled the twine. Oh, and Ben Kindel had an assist.

I confess, I was dubious to say the least when we took this kid 11^th overall. I’m not disappointed any longer. If early returns hold true, he’s going to be a player.

Score a big win for Kyle Dubas and Wes Clark.

My word, is Koivunen smooth as silk. He makes everything look so easy and effortless. Not that I’m attempting to place him in the same stratosphere as No. 66, but dare I say almost Lemieux-esque at times.

By most accounts Arturs Silovs had a solid game in goal, controlling rebounds and tracking well en route to a 28-save effort. Good thing, because he’s a virtual lock to be penciled in as our backup, at least to begin the season.

Jack St. Ivany went down (and out) early after blocking a shot, which left us a man short on ‘d.” Speaking of left, as in portsiders, neither Owen Pickering nor Ryan Graves acquitted themselves particularly well. It’s (the left side of defense) still shaping up to be an Achilles heel, especially if these two don’t come around.

Decisions, Decisions

The kids, specifically Broz, Hayes, Hållander and Kindel, and to a slightly lesser degree, Harrison Brunicke, are doing everything in their power to force Dubas’s hand on roster decisions.

If Dubas does right by the team, it could mean parting ways with a host of veterans by hook, crook or waivers, including Noel Acciari, Kevin Hayes, Danton Heinen—perhaps even Lizotte, who I like.

And, frankly, our POHO/GM simply must admit to the mistake and cut bait with Graves, or at the very least bury him in the minors.

The big guy’s reads and reactions are consistently off. To borrow from an old credit-card commercial, Ryan’s everywhere (on the ice) you don’t want to be.