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JOORIS REASSIGNED TO WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned forward Josh Jooris to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Jim Rutherford.

Jooris, 28, appeared in six games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, recording one goal.  He was acquired by Pittsburgh from the Carolina Hurricanes for Greg McKegg on February 26.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins begin their opening-round best-of-five series against the Charlotte Checkers tonight at 7:00 PM at Bojangles’ Coliseum in North Carolina. Game Two is slated for tomorrow, April 21 at 6:00 PM. The series will shift back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for Game Three on April 26 at 7:00 PM.

Calder Cup Playoff ticket packages (which include a $6 voucher good for food or merchandise for each game), as well as individual game playoff tickets, are on sale now through the Penguins front office.  Get yours by calling 570-208-7367, or fill in the form before to request more info from a Penguins representative.

2018 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS INFO

JOSEPH MASONIUS SIGNED TO ATO, AHL CONTRACT FOR 2018-19

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WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announced today that they have signed defenseman Joseph Masonius to an American Hockey League contract for the 2018-19 season. Masonius will join the Penguins immediately on an amateur tryout agreement for the remainder of the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs.

The 21-year-old rearguard just finished his junior season at the University of Connecticut. He wrapped up his collegiate career with 10 goals and 40 assists for 50 points in 96 total games. Masonius led all Huskies defensemen in points in two of his three seasons at UConn.

The native of Spring Lake, New Jersey was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the sixth round (181st overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to being selected by Pittsburgh, he was groomed for two seasons at the United States National Tem Development Program. During his time with the USNTDP, Masonius was under the tutelage of current Wilkes-Barre/Scranton assistant coach, J.D. Forrest.

The Penguins begin their opening round series of the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs against the Charlotte Checkers tomorrow, Friday, Apr. 20, at Bojangles’ Coliseum. The series returns to the Penguins’ home ice for Game 3 on Thursday, Apr. 26 at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.

Individual game tickets and ticket packages for the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs are now on sale. With the purchase of a postseason ticket package, fans will receive a $6 food/merchandise voucher for every game played in the playoffs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton fans can secure their seats for every game on the Cup run by contacting the Penguins directly at (570) 208-7367.

PENGUINS WEEKLY – 4/17/18

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Penguins finish season strong, prepare for first round series with Checkers

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (45-22-6-3) begins quest for Tom Kostopoulos’ first championship

 

Weekly Rewind

Friday, Apr. 13 – PENGUINS 3 at Springfield 2
Daniel Sprong set the franchise record for goals by a rookie with his 31st tally of the season. Sprong’s goal opened the game’s scoring, one of only a few bids that fooled Harri Säteri. The Thunderbirds’ goalie conjured 46 saves in the loss.

Saturday, Apr. 14 – PENGUINS 1 at Lehigh Valley 2 (SO)
The Penguins lost a shootout decision to the recently crowned Atlantic Division Champions. Both teams were held scoreless until the final two minutes of the third period, during which both teams found the back of the net. By getting to OT, the Penguins clinched the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Division.

Sunday, Apr. 15 – PENGUINS 3 at Hershey 2
The Penguins remained unbeaten in regulation against the Bears in the two clubs’ final matchup of 2017-18, going 10-0-1-1 to notch the best single-season record in the rivalry’s 19-year history. Sprong scored again for goal 32, and Jan Drozg earned an assist in his pro debut.

 

The Week Ahead

Friday, Apr. 20 – PENGUINS at Charlotte – GAME ONE
Second-seeded Wilkes-Barre/Scranton travels to North Carolina to take on third-seeded Charlotte in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Penguins hope to avenge a 2011 playoff series loss handed to them by the Checkers in the teams’ only postseason meeting. Charlotte closed out the season on a 10-game point streak (9-0-1-0), and won 15 of its last 18 contests.

Saturday, Apr. 21 – PENGUINS at Charlotte – GAME TWO
The Penguins went 1-3-0-0 against the Checkers in their four-game regular season series, but both teams were evenly matched on the special teams front. Both were 16.7% on the PP and 83.3% on the PK when facing one another this season.

 

Ice Chips

– Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is going to the Calder Cup Playoffs for the 16th consecutive season, the AHL’s longest active streak.

– Daniel Sprong’s 32 goals not only established a new franchise record for rookie scoring, but he also tied Janne Pesonen for the second-most goals in a season in team history.

– Sprong finished the season ranked in the AHL’s top five in three categories: third in goals (32), fourth in shots (214) and fifth in points (65). Sprong also led all rookies in goals and shots, while tying fellow first-years for tops in power play goals (11).

– Five of Michael Leighton’s six starts as a Penguin have gone past regulation. He is 4-0-1 in those games.

 

FINAL DIVISION STANDINGS

TEAM GP W L OTL SOL PTS Pt%
1. Lehigh Valley 76 47 19 5 5 104 .684
2. PENGUINS 76 45 22 6 3 99 .651
3. Charlotte 76 46 26 1 3 96 .632
4. Providence 76 45 26 3 2 95 .625
5. Bridgeport 76 36 32 5 3 80 .526
6. Hartford 76 34 33 6 3 77 .507
7. Springfield 76 32 37 5 2 71 .467
8. Hershey 76 30 37 4 5 69 .454

 

TEAM LEADERS

SKATERS GP G A PTS
Daniel Sprong* 65 32 33 65
Jean-Sébastien Dea 70 18 32 50
Teddy Blueger 70 21 24 45
Garrett Wilson 69 17 25 42
Ryan Haggerty 47 16 21 37
GOALIES GP W-L-OT GAA SV% Shutouts
Casey DeSmith^ 27 16-8-3 2.73 .910 2
Anthony Peters 24 12-7-3 2.71 .907 1
Tristan Jarry 16 9-5-2 3.05 .901 0

* = rookie
^ = currently with Pittsburgh

 

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

DATE                 OPPONENT     LOCATION                           TIME    

Fri, Apr. 20        Charlotte         Bojangles’ Coliseum           7:00 p.m.

Sat, Apr. 21        Charlotte         Bojangles’ Coliseum           6:00 p.m.

 

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Tue, Apr. 17      (LW) Sam Miletic                Reassigned from OHL

Tue, Apr. 17      (LW) Jan Drozg                       Released from ATO

Fri, Apr. 13        (G) Alex D’Orio                   Reassigned to QMJHL

Wed, Apr. 11    (C) Anthony Angello                       Signed to ATO

Wed, Apr. 11    (C) Cam Brown                                 Signed to PTO

SAM MILETIC REASSIGNED TO WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON

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WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announced today that the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) have reassigned forward Sam Miletic to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton from the Niagara IceDogs (OHL). Also, forward Jan Drozg has been released from his amateur tryout agreement.

Miletic just finished his final season of junior hockey with a career-high 92 points (36G-56A) in 63 games, sixth-most in the Ontario Hockey League. After beginning the year already establishing a new career-best in assists with 38 helpers over 35 games with the London Knights, the 20-year-old forward was traded to Niagara on Jan. 9, 2018. Miletic proceeded to tie for the IceDogs’ team lead in points (12) during their 10 postseason games.

The native of Bloomfield Township, Michigan is one season removed from leading London in goals with 37 tallies during the 2016-17 campaign. His breakout year earned him an invite to Pittsburgh’s Development Camp in July, and then he played in all three games of the Penguins’ showing at the 2017 Prospect Challenge in Buffalo, New York. Pittsburgh signed Miletic to a three-year, entry-level contract on Sept. 25, 2017.

Miletic joins Wilkes-Barre/Scranton just in time for their opening round series of the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs against the Charlotte Checkers. Game 1 of the best-of-five Atlantic Division Semifinal will take place on Friday, Apr. 20 at Bojangles’ Coliseum. The series returns to the Penguins’ home ice on Thursday, Apr. 26 at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.

Individual game tickets and ticket packages for the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs are now on sale. With the purchase of a postseason ticket package, fans will receive a $6 food/merchandise voucher for every game played in the playoffs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton fans can secure their seats for every game on the Cup run by contacting the Penguins directly at (570) 208-7367.

PENGUINS TO TAKE ON CHECKERS IN FIRST ROUND

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The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Charlotte Checkers announced the schedule for their first round match-up in the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs.  The best-of-five Atlantic Division Semifinal series is set to begin on Friday, Apr. 20 at Bojangles’ Coliseum. The Penguins’ first postseason home game will take place on Thursday, Apr. 26.

The Penguins’ first round schedule is as follows:

Game 1 – Friday, Apr. 20 – W-B/Scranton at Charlotte, 7:00 p.m.

Game 2 – Saturday, Apr. 21 – W-B/Scranton at Charlotte, 6:00 p.m.

Game 3 – Thursday, Apr. 26 – Charlotte at W-B/Scranton, 7:05 p.m.

*Game 4 – Saturday, Apr. 28 – Charlotte at W-B/Scranton, 7:05 p.m.

*Game 5 – Sunday, Apr. 29 – Charlotte at W-B/Scranton, 3:05 p.m.

*if necessary… All times Eastern

Individual game tickets and ticket packages for the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs are now on sale. With the purchase of a postseason ticket package, fans will receive a $6 food/merchandise voucher for every game played in the playoffs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton fans can secure their seats for every game on the Cup run by contacting the Penguins directly at (570) 208-7367.

You can also request info on Penguins playoff packages and tickets by filling out the form below.

2018 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS INFO

PENGUINS ANNOUNCE FIRST ROUND HOME PLAYOFF DATES

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The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announced the team’s home dates for the first round of the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs. The Penguins’ opponent in the best-of-five Atlantic Division Semifinal series is still unknown, but the team’s first postseason home game will take place on Thursday, Apr. 26.

The Penguins’ first round home games are as follows:

Game 3 – Thursday, Apr. 26 at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, 7:05 p.m.

*Game 4 – Saturday, Apr. 28 at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, 7:05 p.m.

*Game 5 – Sunday, Apr. 29 at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, 3:05 p.m.

*if necessary… All times Eastern

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will play either the Charlotte Checkers or Providence Bruins in the first round of this year’s playoffs.

Individual game tickets and ticket packages for the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs are now on sale. With the purchase of a postseason ticket package, fans will receive a $6 food/merchandise voucher for every game played in the playoffs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton fans can secure their seats for every game on the Cup run by contacting the Penguins directly at (570) 208-7367.

The Penguins’ have one more regular season game before they officially begin their quest for the Calder Cup. Their last game is tomorrow, Sunday, Apr. 14, when they face the Hershey Bears at Giant Center.

2018 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS INFO

PENGUINS SIGN ANGELLO TO ATO, RECALL SEVEN FROM WHEELING

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WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announced today that they have signed forward Anthony Angello to an amateur tryout agreement for the 2017-18 season. Angello, 22, just completed his junior season at Cornell University.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has also recalled forwards Reid Gardiner, Troy Josephs and Cody Wydo, as well as defensemen Kevin Spinozzi and Dylan Zink from its ECHL affiliate, the Wheeling Nailers. Furthermore, the Penguins have inked forward Cam Brown and defenseman Kevin Schulze to professional tryout agreements.

Angello tied for Cornell’s team lead in goals (13) and points (26) during the 2017-18 season, and the six-foot-five forward was named as a Second Team All-Star of the Eastern College Athletic Conference. In his three years of collegiate play, Angello registered 36 goals and 34 assists for 70 total points across 102 games.

Angello was drafted by Pittsburgh Penguins in the fifth round (145th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to playing for Cornell, Angello competed in the United States Hockey League with the Omaha Lancers for two seasons. The Manlius, New York native totaled 30 goals and 26 assists in 114 USHL games.

Pittsburgh secured Angello to a two-year, entry-level contract on Apr. 5, 2018, which will begin at the start of the 2018-19 season.

Brown, Gardiner, Josephs, Schulze, Spinozzi, Wydo and Zink all just wrapped up their season with Wheeling. All of those players but Brown logged time with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at various times this season.

The Penguins’ next game is Friday, Apr. 13, when they trek to MassMutual Center and attempt to complete a season sweep of the Springfield Thunderbirds.

Individual game tickets and ticket packages for the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs are now on sale. With the purchase of a postseason ticket package, fans will receive a $6 food/merchandise voucher for every game played in the playoffs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton fans can secure their seats for every game on the Cup run by contacting the Penguins directly at (570) 208-7367.

PENGUINS WEEKLY – 4/10/18

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Penguins Close Out Regular Season, Gear Up for Playoffs

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (43-22-6-2) will face three Atlantic Division teams to close out the regular season

 

Weekly Rewind

Tuesday, Apr. 3 – PENGUINS 5 vs. Hershey 3
The Penguins improved to 9-0-1-1 against their I-81 rival this season in a game that saw Sam Lafferty net his first pro goal. Jean-Sébastien Dea also posted his team-leading fourth shorthanded goal of the season.

Friday, Apr. 6 – PENGUINS 3 vs. Bridgeport 4
Daniel Sprong had a hand in all three of the Penguins goals (1G-2A), but it was not enough to match a desperate Sound Tigers team clinging to its postseason dreams.

Saturday, Apr. 7 – PENGUINS 7 vs. Binghamton 3
The Penguins were victorious in their final regular season home game, completing a perfect six-game season sweep against the Devils and giving Tom Kostopoulos the perfect send off in front of the home crowd. Goalie Michael Leighton improved to 5-0-0 since joining the Penguins.

Sunday, Apr. 8 – PENGUINS 5 at Bridgeport 2
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s second consecutive four-goal first period lead fueled the 5-2 victory. Anthony Peters made 41 saves, enabling the Penguins to secure the win.

 

The Week Ahead

Friday, Apr. 13 – PENGUINS at Springfield
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will attempt to complete the four-game season sweep of Springfield, who it has out-scored 13-6.

Saturday, Apr. 14 – PENGUINS at Lehigh Valley
The recently crowned Atlantic Division Champion Phantoms welcome the Pens to PPL Center for the final time this season.

Sunday, Apr. 15 – PENGUINS at Hershey
The Penguins try to remain unbeaten in regulation against the Bears when the two clubs clash in the last game of 2017-18.

 

Ice Chips

– The Penguins clinched a playoff berth for the 16th straight season. The 16-year postseason streak is the AHL’s active record.

– Garrett Wilson’s 40 points this season establishes a new career high.

– Daniel Sprong was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team on Wednesday. Sprong currently ranks first among league rookies in goals (30) and shots (192), while sitting second in points.

– With 30 goals on the season, Sprong tied the franchise record for most goals by a rookie, set by Michel Ouellet in 2003-04.

– Sprong’s year marks the first 30-goal season by a Penguin since Chris Minard (34) in 2008-09.

 

DIVISION STANDINGS

TEAM GP W L OTL SOL PTS Pt%
1. Lehigh Valley 74 45 19 5 5 100 .676
2. PENGUINS 73 43 22 6 2 94 .644
3. Providence 73 43 25 3 2 91 .623
4. Charlotte 74 43 26 1 3 92 .622
5. Bridgeport 73 36 29 5 3 80 .548
6. Hartford 74 32 33 6 3 73 .493
7. Springfield 73 32 34 5 2 71 .486
8. Hershey 74 29 36 4 5 67 .453

 

TEAM LEADERS

SKATERS GP G A PTS
Daniel Sprong* 62 30 31 61
Jean-Sébastien Dea 68 18 31 49
Teddy Blueger 68 20 24 44
Garrett Wilson 67 16 24 40
Ryan Haggerty 45 16 21 37
GOALIES GP W-L-OT GAA SV% Shutouts
Casey DeSmith^ 27 16-8-3 2.73 .910 2
Anthony Peters 23 11-7-3 2.74 .906 1
Tristan Jarry 15 8-5-2 3.12 .899 0

* = rookie
^ = currently with Pittsburgh

 

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

DATE                 OPPONENT     LOCATION                           TIME    

Fri, Apr. 13      Springfield       MassMutual Center           7:05 p.m.

Sat, Apr. 14     Lehigh Valley  PPL Center                          7:05 p.m.

Sun, Apr. 15    Hershey           Giant Center                       5:00 p.m.

 

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Fri, Mar. 31       (D) Niclas Almari                              Signed to ATO

Wed, Mar. 29   (D) Dane Birks                                  Signed to ATO

Wed, Mar. 29   (RW) Josh Jooris                             Recalled by PIT

Mon, Mar 27     (G) Alex D’Orio              Reassigned from QMJHL

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON CLINCHES 16TH-STRAIGHT PLAYOFF BERTH

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WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – With Saturday night’s results, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have clinched a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs for the 16th-consecutive season. The Penguins’ 16-year postseason streak is the American Hockey League’s active record.

Ticket packages for the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs are now on sale. With the purchase of a postseason ticket package, fans will receive a $6 food/merchandise voucher for every game played in the playoffs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton fans can secure their seats for every game on the Cup run by contacting the Penguins directly at (570) 208-7367.

Individual game tickets for the postseason will go on sale on Monday, Apr. 9 at 10:00 a.m. and will be available at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza box office, TicketMaster.com, or also by calling the Penguins’ offices at (570) 208-7367.

The Penguins are currently (42-22-6-2) and sit in second place in the Atlantic Division.

TOM KOSTOPOULOS TO RETIRE FOLLOWING 2017-18 SEASON

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Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins captain Tom Kostopoulos has announced that he will retire from playing following the 2017-18 season, his 19th season of professional hockey.

“I’ve been lucky to make a living playing the game I love for the past 19 seasons,” said the 39-year old Kostopoulos. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, but I’m looking forward to spending more time with my wife, Lisa, and kids, Lily and Luc, away from the rink.”

“No player has meant more to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, or represented the organization better, than Tom Kostopoulos,” said team CEO Jeff Barrett. “His commitment to the team, his teammates, the fans and the local community make him a truly unique individual, and one we are extremely lucky to have known for almost 20 years.”

A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Kostopoulos was selected in the seventh round (204th overall) of the 1999 National Hockey League draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He made his professional debut with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on October 12, 1999 on the road against the St. John’s Maple Leafs.

Kostopoulos placed second on the Penguins with 26 goals, 32 assists and 56 points as a rookie during the team’s inaugural 1999-2000 campaign, and finished third on the club the following year with 52 points (16+36) while appearing in all 80 regular season games.

In his third season, Kostopoulos paced Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with 27 goals and 53 points in 70 games, and was selected to the Canadian All-Star Team for the 2002 AHL All-Star Classic. He also appeared in 11 contests with the Pittsburgh Penguins, recording a goal in his NHL debut against the Ottawa Senators on December 29, 2001.

Kostopoulos led the team with 42 assists, and ranked second with 63 points, during the 2002-03 campaign, and appeared in eight games with the NHL Penguins. He spent the majority of the 2003-04 regular season with Pittsburgh, posting 22 points (9+13) in 60 games, while also putting up 20 points (7+13) in 21 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He then led the AHL club with 23 points (7+16) in 24 postseason games, guiding the Penguins to their second appearance in the Calder Cup Finals.

Kostopoulos suited up for the Manchester Monarchs during the 2004-05 NHL lockout season, recording 71 points (25+46) in 64 contests.

He spent the next seven years exclusively in the National Hockey League, suiting up for the Los Angeles Kings (2005-07), Montreal Canadiens (2007-09), Carolina Hurricanes (2009-10) and Calgary Flames (2010-12). He appeared in his 600th NHL game on March 6, 2012.

Kostopoulos returned to NEPA on January 23, 2013, singing a professional tryout contract with the Penguins. He recorded his 100th goal in a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton uniform on March 1 against the Hershey Bears.

Kostopoulos signed a one-year contract with Pittsburgh after appearing in 17 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, but was claimed off of waivers by the New Jersey Devils on March 6. He finished out the 2012-13 season by appearing in 15 games with the Devils, picking up one goal and 18 penalty minutes.

The following off-season, Kostopoulos signed an AHL only deal with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and has spent the past five seasons with the Penguins. He paced the team with 22 goals and 47 points in 2013-14; represented the Penguins at the 2015 AHL All-Star Classic in Utica, serving as team captain for the Eastern Conference; and again led the team with 54 points (24+30) during the 2016-17 season.

Kostopoulos was named the recipient of the AHL’s Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award for sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey in 2016, and became just the fourth player all-time to appear in 600 games in both the AHL and NHL when he suited up against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on February 4, 2017.

Limited to 26 games so far this season, Kostopoulos appeared in his 650th game with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on March 28 against the Providence Bruins.

Fans will have a chance to show Kostopoulos their appreciation, as the Penguins close out their 2017-18 regular season home schedule with games this Friday against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Saturday against the Binghamton Devils. Tickets for both games are available at the Mohegan Sun Arena box office, online at TicketMaster.com, or by calling the Penguins at 570-208-7367.

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM
WBS 1999-2004

318

97

149

246

527
WBS 2013-2018

335

88

133

221

362
WBS TOTALS

653

185

282

467

879
MANCHESTER

64

25

46

71

99
AHL TOTALS

717

210

328

538

978
PIT TOTALS

79

10

16

26

76
LA TOTALS

152

15

29

44

173
MTL TOTALS

145

15

20

35

219
CAR TOTALS

99

9

16

25

136
CGY TOTALS

140

11

15

26

101
NJ TOTALS

15

1

0

1

18
NHL TOTALS

630

61

96

157

723
PRO TOTALS

1347

271

424

695

1701

FAN FRIDAY INFO

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