Penguins come back (2x): Saturday notes

The story Friday in Wilkes-Barre was whether Chuck Kobasew, out since St. John’s Game 1, or Andrew Ebbett, out since the Binghamton series. could return for Saturday’s Game 5.

Four points later, yes, yes they can. Game 6 is Tuesday in St. John’s after the Penguins tied it with 7:30 left, won it with under 16 seconds remaining, tacked on an empty-netter and saw IceCaps defenseman Will O’Neill hit with a match penalty for high-sticking.

Crazy, but it’s the playoffs. June hockey is next.

It’s also next on Monday in Texas, where the Stars will have a chance to finish things in the West after a 2-1 win at Toronto. Again the Marlies struck early; that was all for them, though.

The Kelly Cup Final began last night with an Alaska victory. Game 2 was Saturday night up there.

Tip of cap to Staples coach Ed Huydic on his retirement.

And a selfish tip of cap to Staples’ David Speer, out this week after an emergency appendectomy, and the other players who helped Columbia to 29 wins this year, a school record for a baseball season. I had a blast covering the team that lost the most games in school history. This wasn’t bad from afar.

Michael Fornabaio