THREE GAMES IN FOUR DAYS FOR THE PENS

Team Travels To Norfolk, Hosts Portland and Hershey This Weekend

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (27-17-0-2, 56 points, second in East Division) get back to work this Wednesday night, when they will battle the Norfolk Admirals in the Scope at 7:15pm. The Admirals took a 4-3 decision at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza on Saturday night, the first Norfolk regular season win in Northeast Pennsylvania since Valentine’s Day, 2004 (17 consecutive games).

The Pens return home on Friday to take on the Portland Pirates on Military Appreciation Night, and finish off the weekend with a Saturday night home contest against the Hershey Bears.  Both of those contests start at 7:05pm.

Individual tickets for all Penguins home games are on sale now, and available by visiting the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza box office, at any local TicketMaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or via phone at 570-693-4100.

Group tickets and other ticket plans are available directly from the Penguins ticket office.  For more information on Penguins season tickets, mini-plans and other special offers, contact the Penguins at 570-208-7367.

UPCOMING ACTION: 
Wednesday, February 6 @ Norfolk – 7:15pm:  The Penguins pay their fourth visit to Norfolk this year to face-off with the suddenly resurgent Admirals (15-27-2-4, 36 points, seventh in East Division).  Norfolk may occupy one of the lower spots in the overall league standings, but the team has posted a 4-0-1-1 record in its last six games, including a pair of victories against the Penguins.  Kyle Wanvig paces the Admirals with 14 goals and 38 points, while the recently acquired Junior Lessard has recorded seven points (3+4) in eight games since joining the club in a trade from the Iowa Stars.  Goaltender Jonathan Boutin has appeared in three games against the Penguins this season, posting a 2-0-1 mark with one shutout and four goals against.

Friday, February 8 vs. Portland – 7:05pm:  Portland enters this week with a 29-16-2-3 record (63 points, third in Atlantic Division).  Stephen Dixon and Andy Schneider will be paying their first visits to the Wachovia Arena wearing Pirates garb, and will be bringing the high-scoring Andrew Ebbett (10+39=49, sixth in the league in points) along for the ride.  The Penguins dropped a 2-1 decision in Maine on January 25.  Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will pay tribute to our local military members during the game by donning camouflaged jerseys, and the first 6,000 fans will receive a camouflaged Penguins baseball cap as well.

Saturday, February 9 vs. Hershey – 7:05pm:  The Bears enter the week in a virtual tie for second place with the Penguins with a 26-16-0-4 record, and have gone 4-0-0-2 in their past six games.  Goaltender Daren Machesney has been stellar between the pipes, recording a 14-3-2 record with one shutout, a 2.13 goals against average and a league-best .931 save percentage.  Joe Motzko leads the Bears on the other side of the puck with 16 goals, 18 assists and 34 points.  This will be the sixth of 10 meetings between the teams this season.  The Penguins currently have a 3-3-0-0 mark against the Bears this season.

All Penguins games can be seen live via the B2 networks, and can be heard on 92.1 QFM, and via the Penguins website at www.wbspenguins.com.

PENGUINS POINTS OF INTEREST:
MAC ATTACK – Kurtis McLean picked up two assists in the Penguins’ 5-3 win against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on February 1, setting a new personal best with 33 points (15+18) on the season.  McLean posted 32 points (16+16) in 55 games with the Penguins last campaign.  The third-year pro currently has 34 points (15+19) in 43 games this season.

GOVE’S GOAL – Dave Gove was acquired by the Pittsburgh Penguins from the Carolina Hurricanes for Joe Jensen on January 31, and made an immediate impact in his first game with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.  Gove netted his first goal with the team – which also turned out to be the game-winner – in a 5-3 victory against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on February 1.  Gove picked up 23 points (8+15) in 45 games with Albany before joining Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

MINI-PLAN – Chris Minard became the first Penguin to hit the 20-goal mark this season by scoring in the Pens’ 4-3 loss to the Norfolk Admirals on Saturday night.  His 20 tallies are tied for 13th in the AHL this season, while his 10 power play goals are tied for fifth.  Minard was 12th in the league last season with 32 goals in 65 games as a member of the Lowell Devils.  He recently made his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins, going scoreless and minus-1 January 21 vs. Washington.

DEFENSE FIRST:  The Penguins have allowed a league-low 110 goals against through 46 games this season (2.39 goals per game).  The Houston Aeors (114 in 46 games) and Toronto Marlies (116 in 46 games) are the closest teams to the Penguins in that category.

GREAT OFFERS FROM THE PENGUINS – Call 208-7367 for Information
Drive To The Cup Plan
The AHL season isn't even half way over, but it's never too early to start thinking about the playoffs!  With that in mind, the we have put together a ticket plan that is sure to make keep any Calder Cup dreamer happy - the Drive to the Cup plan.
Here's how it works: you get tickets to any three remaining regular season games (YOUR choice), PLUS grab a seat for either of the Pens' first two home playoff contests (once again, YOUR choice). Should the Penguins not qualify for the postseason (bite your tongue!), you'll get a seat to the 2008-09 home opener at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza.
Plus, everyone purchasing a Drive to the Cup plan will get a stick signed by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins player of his or her choice (one stick per package purchased).

Subway Friday Family Nights – All Friday home games
Looking to keep your love of hockey and appetite in check this season? Purchase four or more tickets to any Friday night Penguins home game (tickets start at just $14.75) and get vouchers for free Subway Fresh Fit Meals. Each Friday night one lucky Subway family will win a Pens gift and a free sub platter from Subway. Call the Pens at 208-PENS for more details!  

AAA Discount – All Friday home games
AAA Members can purchase tickets for any Friday night game throughout the season at a special price! Tickets start at just $15.50 each and can be purchased at the Pens Team Store in the Waterfront Complex or at the Wyoming Valley Mall location throughout the holidays! Just show your AAA card and get your discount – no minimums to buy.

UPCOMING GAME PROMOTIONS
FEBRUARY 8 vs. Portland – Salute to the Military - Penguins Camouflaged Hat (first 6,000 fans)