Penguins sweep weekend with two wins past regulation
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (4-2-0-0) used overtime to beat Laval and a shootout to dispatch of Hartford
Weekly Rewind
Friday, Oct. 20 – PENGUINS 6 vs. Laval 5 OT
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton emerged victorious in its first-ever meeting with Laval in thrilling fashion. Daniel Sprong netted his first AHL hat trick, but it was the overtime goal by Teddy Blueger that sent the Penguins home with their third victory of the season. Tristan Jarry saved 28 out of 33 shots he faced to earn his first win of the season.
Saturday, Oct. 21 – PENGUINS 3 vs. Hartford 2
The Penguins rallied back from a two-goal deficit to force overtime and won the best-of-three shootout on a lone goal by Jean Sébastien Dea. Gage Quinney extended his goal-streak to three games with a goal in the first period. Jarrett Burton’s first of the year tied the game on a bar-down slap shot. Casey DeSmith improved to 3-0-0 on the season.
The Week Ahead
Friday, Oct. 27 – PENGUINS vs. Hershey
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will try to extend its winning streak to four games when it welcomes the Hershey Bears to Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza for the first of 12 meetings this season. The Bears are off to an uncharacteristically slow start to the season (1-4-0-1) and have given up the most goals per game in the AHL (4.50).
Saturday, Oct. 28 – PENGUINS at Bridgeport
Bridgeport finished 25-13-0-0 at home last season, and are looking to make it two-straight victories on home ice when it welcomes the Penguins for the first time this season. The Pens went 5-0-1-0 in their season series with the Sound Tigers last year, outscoring them 23-12. However, Bridgeport has added the scoring prowess of rookie Scott Eansor to its arsenal, who is tied with Daniel Sprong for the AHL lead in goals.
Ice Chips
– Daniel Sprong’s five-game goal streak tied Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s franchise record for goal streak to start a season, set by Tomáš Surový in 2003.
– Sprong leads the AHL in power play goals (5), is tied for the league lead in goals (7) and shots (29), and is tied for second in points (10).
– Including the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs, seven of Sprong’s 12 AHL goals have come on the power play.
– Casey DeSmith still has not allowed a goal at even strength this season, a streak that has lasted 117:45.
– Tom Kostopoulos is three games away from his 700th AHL game.
DIVISION STANDINGS
TEAM
GP
W
L
OTL
SOL
PTS
Pt%
1. Providence
6
5
1
0
0
10
.883
2. Lehigh Valley
7
5
1
0
1
11
.786
3. Charlotte
7
5
2
0
0
10
.714
4. PENGUINS
6
4
2
0
0
8
.667
5. Hartford
7
3
3
0
1
7
.500
6. Bridgeport
6
2
4
0
0
4
.333
7. Hershey
6
1
4
0
1
3
.250
8. Springfield
7
1
6
0
0
2
.143
TEAM LEADERS
SKATERS
GP
G
A
PTS
Daniel Sprong*
6
7
3
10
Gage Quinney*
3
3
2
5
Dominik Simon
6
1
4
5
Lukas Bengtsson*
6
0
5
5
Kevin Czuczman
6
0
5
5
GOALIES
GP
W-L-OT
GAA
SV%
Shutouts
Casey DeSmith^
3
3-0-0
0.98
.965
1
Tristan Jarry
3
1-2-0
3.96
.883
0
* = rookie
^ = currently with Pittsburgh
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
Fri, Oct. 27 Hershey Mohegan Sun Arena 7:05 p.m.
Sat, Oct. 28 Bridgeport Webster Bank Arena 7:00 p.m.
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins rode an explosive first period to a 6-2 victory over the Binghamton Devils in preseason action at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza on Friday night.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton racked up four goals in the first 20 minutes of play and saw multi-point nights from six different players en route to its first win of the exhibition schedule.
Garrett Wilson wasted little time kicking off the Penguins’ scoring onslaught, taking a behind-the-
back, no-look pass from Tom Kostopoulos and depositing it into the Devils’ net at 5:36 of the first period. Kostopoulos earned a goal of his own during a five-on-three power play at 11:53 of the first, and Adam Johnson made it 3-0 just one minute later.
Binghamton responded with a man advantage marker from Jan Mandát at 15:11 of the opening frame, but Wilkes-Barre/Scranton got back out to a three-goal lead when Zach Trotman’s slapshot snuck through Scott Wedgewood’s goaltending equipment and across the goal line 49 seconds prior to intermission.
The Penguins’ Dominik Simon and the Devils’ Nathan Bastian traded goals during the second period, bringing the score to 5-2.
Kevin Czuczman notched the final goal of the game midway through the third period.
Tristan Jarry denied the Devils on 15 of the 17 shots he faced, while Wedgewood made 24 saves in the loss.
The Penguins’ next preseason game is tomorrow Saturday, Sept. 30, when they take on the Hershey Bears at Giant Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton opens up the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza against the Charlotte Checkers. Individual tickets for all Penguins home games are available at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza box office, online at TicketMaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.
Season ticket packages for the 19th season of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey, including full season, 22-game, 12-game and Flexbook plans, are available by contacting the Penguins directly at (570) 208-7367.
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announced today the schedule and roster for their 2017 training camp. Players will report to camp on Saturday, Sept. 23 and begin on-ice sessions the following day at 10:30 a.m. at the Toyota SportsPlex at Coal Street.
The Penguins’ initial training camp roster consists of 28 players: 17 forwards, eight defensemen and three goalies.
Player
Pos.
Height
Weight
Birthday (Age)
Birthplace
BOURBONNAIS, Riley
C
L
5’11”
195
8/8/1993 (24)
Rochester, NY
BURTON, Jarrett
C
L
6’0″
190
12/30/90 (26)
Echo Bay, ON
BROWN, Cam
C
L
5’7″
156
3/25/1993 (24)
Natick, MA
FEJES, Hunter
LW
L
6’1″
192
5/31/1994 (23)
Anchorage, AK
FICK, Danny
D
R
6’0”
200
8/21/1991 (26)
Marine on Saint Croix, MN
GARDINER, Reid
RW
R
5’11”
180
1/19/1996 (21)
Humboldt, SK
HAGGERTY, Ryan
RW
R
6’0”
200
3/4/1993 (24)
Stamford, CT
JOSEPHS, Troy
C
L
6’0″
194
5/9/1994 (23)
Whitby, ON
KOSTOPOULOS, Tom
RW
R
6’0”
197
1/24/1979 (38)
Mississauga, ON
LEAVENS, Daniel
C
R
6’2″
200
6/26/1993 (24)
Toronto, ON
McGRATH, Pat
RW
R
5’10”
200
3/17/1993 (24)
Wilkes-Barre, PA
MELE, Tom
LW
L
6’0″
176
2/23/1986 (31)
Bronx, NY
MILAN, Dan
D
L
6’3”
190
4/14/1992 (25)
Detroit, MI
O’DONNELL, Shawn
RW
R
6’1″
192
5/28/1988 (29)
Halifax, NS
PARIZEK, Justin
RW
R
6’1″
200
6/5/1992 (25)
Lakeville, MN
PETGRAVE, Matt
D
L
6’2”
195
1/29/1992 (25)
Brampton, ON
QUINNEY, Gage
C
L
5’11”
190
7/29/1995 (22)
Las Vegas, NV
RYAN, Kenny
RW
R
6’0″
209
7/10/1991 (26)
Franklin, MI
SCHULZE, Kevin
D
L
5’10”
174
4/29/1993 (24)
White Bear Lake, MN
SKUDALSKI, Craig
D
L
6’6”
215
5/25/1995 (22)
Wyoming, PA
SORKIN, Nick
LW
L
6’3″
209
6/3/1991 (26)
Rockville, MD
SPINOZZI, Kevin
D
L
6’2”
200
5/23/1996 (21)
Granby, QC
TAYLOR, Jeff
D
R
6’0”
185
4/13/1994 (23)
Clifton Park, NY
WYDO, Cody
LW
L
5’11”
185
3/28/1991 (26)
Allen Park, MI
ZINK, Dylan
D
L
6’0”
180
10/8/1992 (24)
Madison, WI
Goalie
Catches
Height
Weight
Birthday (Age)
Birthplace
MAGUIRE, Sean
R
6’2”
202
2/2/1993 (24)
Powell River, BC
KING, Will
L
6’3”
196
6/13/1994 (23)
Valencia, PA
STEVENS, Colin
L
6’2”
181
6/30/1993 (24)
Niskayuna, NY
Like in years past, all practices at Toyota SportsPlex are free and open to the public. The full training camp schedule is as follows:
Saturday, Sept. 23
5:00 p.m.
Intro Meeting
Toyota SportsPlex
5:30 p.m.
Physicals
Sunday, Sept. 24
10:30 a.m.
Practice
Toyota SportsPlex
Monday, Sept. 25
10:30 a.m.
Practice
Toyota SportsPlex
Tuesday, Sept. 26
10:30 a.m.
Practice
Toyota SportsPlex
Wednesday,Sept. 27
10:00 a.m.
Pre-Game Skate
Mohegan Sun Arena
7:05 p.m.
Game vs. Hershey Bears
Thursday, Sept. 28
10:00 a.m.
Group A Practice
Mohegan Sun Arena
11:30 a.m.
Group B Practice
Mohegan Sun Arena
Friday, Sept. 29
10:00 a.m.
Pre-Game Skate
Mohegan Sun Arena
7:05 p.m.
Game vs. Binghamton Devils
Saturday, Sept. 30
10:00 a.m.
Pre-Game Skate
Mohegan Sun Arena
7:00 p.m.
Game at Hershey Bears
Sunday, Oct. 1
10:30 a.m.
Practice
Mohegan Sun Arena
5:00 p.m.
Game at Binghamton Devils
* – Players assigned to Group A and Group B will be determined the day of practice.
** – All dates and times subject to change
The Penguins take the ice for their first preseason game when they host the Binghamton Devils at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 7:05 p.m. The Penguins will battle the Hershey Bears in their second home contest of the exhibition schedule on Friday, Sept. 29 at 7:05 p.m.
Individual tickets for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton home games can be purchased at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza box office, through all Ticketmaster outlets, or by contacting the Penguins offices at (570) 208-7367.
Season ticket packages for the 2017-18 season of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey, including full season, 22-game, 12-game and Flexbook plans, are available by contacting the Penguins directly.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned eight players, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Jim Rutherford.
Forwards Tom Kostopoulos, Ryan Haggerty, Reid Gardiner, Gage Quinney; defensemen Dylan Zink and Jeff Taylor; and goaltender Sean Maguire have all been re-assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League.
Forward Jordy Bellerive, an 18-year-old undrafted free agent who signed his entry-level contract with Pittsburgh during training camp, has been returned to his junior club, the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League.
The Penguins have 47 players remaining in camp (28 forwards; 15 defensemen; 4 goalies). Attached is an updated roster.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins fans weren’t the only ones left with sour tastes in their mouths after the team was ousted in the first round of the playoffs by the Providence Bruins.
The club’s captain was equally as upset, if not more so.
“I think the way it ended was kind of disappointing,” said Tom Kostopoulos. “We had a great regular season. It was something to finish in first place [in the AHL], with all of the changes and movement on the team this year. Then to go out in the first round was kind of disappointing.
“I didn’t want to leave the game that way.”
The franchise’s all-time lead in just about every offensive category, Kostopoulos signed a one-year contract on Monday to return to the Penguins for what will be his 19th season of professional hockey.
And if he had his way, the 2017-18 season would be starting today.
“It’s boring right now,” said Kostopoulos as he stood in an empty locker room at the Toyota Sportsplex on Monday morning. “I like coming to the rink every day. I like being around the guys and being around the sport. So I’m happy to be signed and playing another year.”
Kostopoulos is coming off of one of the best seasons in his long and storied career. The most senior member of the Penguins led the team in goals (24) and points (54) this past season, his highest single-season totals in more than a decade.
“I felt pretty good about my regular season,” recounted Kostopoulos, who has appeared in 149 of 152 regular season games with the club over the past two seasons. “I was kind of disappointed with my personal playoffs. So I think both of those played a part about coming back here.
“But for the most part I had fun. I think I can still compete at this level, and I still enjoy it.”
Kostopoulos’ accomplishments are well documented across the hockey world:
He’s one of just four players to appear in 600 games at both the NHL and AHL levels.
He captained the Eastern Conference squad at the 2015 AHL All-Star Classic.
He was named the 2016 recipient of the AHL’s Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award, for sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey
This past season he recorded his 200th AHL goal and 500th AHL point.
And after his club captured the Atlantic Division, Eastern Conference and AHL regular season championships this year, about the only significant piece of hardware eluding Kostopoulos is a Calder Cup.
Laying claim to the AHL’s ultimate trophy is important to the Mississauga, Ontario native. But it isn’t the only reason he’s sticking around with the Penguins.
“I’d like to win,” he said. “[But] I don’t want to put everything on that, because there’s a lot more things going on here.
“A big part of this team is moving guys up to the next level and developing guys. A championship would be huge and that would be great. But it’s not the only thing.”
During the past several seasons, Kostopoulos has played a big part in helping to develop a bumper crop of Pittsburgh regulars, including Conor Sheary, Bryan Rust, Tom Kuhnhackl, Carter Rowney and Jake Guentzel.
“I really get a kick out of it, watching guys excel in Pittsburgh now that were in Wilkes-Barre at one time,” he said. “I feel like half of that Pittsburgh team developed here in Wilkes-Barre. So it’s neat to see that.”
And at the ripe old age of 38, Kostopoulos is looking forward to helping yet another crew of youngsters – including Zach Aston-Reese, Troy Josephs and Teddy Blueger, to name just a few – achieve their dreams of playing in the NHL.
“I think it’s important to have a fun atmosphere here. Have an atmosphere where the guys can develop and move up and guys are learning,” he said. “With that, we’ll try to win again next year.”
Season ticket packages for the 2017-18 season are on sale now, and available by calling the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 570-208-7367.
To have a Penguins representative contact you with more information, please fill out the form below.
The numbers are too daunting to ignore. Tom Kostopoulos, at 38-years old, racked up 24 goals, 54 points and played in 74 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this past season.
All of those figures led the team.
However, when Kostopoulos was contemplating on whether or not to return for the 2017-18 campaign, it wasn’t all about the stats. Kostopoulos’ family weighs in on the decision just as heavily on his mind as his on-ice performance.
Clearly, he has their blessing to play a 19th season of pro hockey,
“I think if it didn’t work for them, I would hang ‘em up,” Kostopoulos said. “But they’re all for it, and that keeps it fun for me.”
Kostopoulos’ wife, Lisa, and children, Lily and Luc, are often seen around Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza and the Penguins practice facility at the Toyota SportsPlex during the season. For the kids, there hasn’t been a time in their lives when dad wasn’t playing hockey. Even though a life around the rink has become status quo for them, he still seeks their opinion and wants to know how they feel about living half their years in Canada and the other half in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
“When we’re here, we’re keeping our kids away from their grandparents and a lot of their friends, too,” Kostopoulos said. “I also try and explain to them that this lifestyle gives me time with them most afternoons, although I miss a lot of their sports games and activities on the weekends when [the Penguins] play. I get most weeknights with then, I can pick them up from school and stuff like that, but when hockey ends, that can change.”
All of these factors play into Kostopoulos and his family’s thought process when they sat down to discuss what the next step for him was going to be. A verdict was met, and now Lily and Luc will be seen hanging around with their dad after games for at least one more year.
The family isn’t the only one that grabs Kostopoulos’ attention, either. When he’s not at home, Kostopoulos is spending serious quality time forming bonds with his teammates. Hard practices, long bus rides and grinding through three-in-threes with one another fosters another family atmosphere for the Penguins’ captain.
Tom Sestito said after Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s final playoff game that he’d be in Kostopoulos’ ear to try and convince him to come back. Barry Goers claimed that whenever someone presses for an answer on Kostopoulos’ future, the veteran has “one of the best poker faces” around. Those two and many others got a chance to make their pitch to T.K. before everyone dispersed for the summer.
“Once our season was over, we got together a few times as a team. Tom was in my ear a little bit, and some of the other guys were saying why quit now? My teammates’ perspective weighs a lot in my decision.
“If they were looking at me like, ‘Eh, maybe it’s time to go,’ I’d probably give it up. But it’s great to have their support.”
So with the support of his two families, Kostopoulos made it official on Monday morning that he’d be returning for another year with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The challenge now becomes waiting for his 19th season to start.
“It’s boring right now, now that hockey’s over,” he lamented. “I like coming to the rink every day, I like being around the guys and being around the sport. I’m happy to be signed to back.”
Season ticket packages for the 2017-18 season are on sale now, and available by calling the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 570-208-7367.
To have a Penguins representative contact you with more information, please fill out the form below.
Tom Kostopoulos is the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins all-time leader in regular season games played (627), goals (181), assists (269) and points (450).
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have re-signed forward Tom Kostopoulos to an American Hockey League contract for the 2017-18 season, it was announced on Monday morning.
Kostopoulos enters his 19th season of professional hockey and 11th year with the Penguins organization. The 38-year-old native of Mississauga, Ontario had his most productive season in a decade in 2016-17, leading Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in goals (24), points (54) and games played (74). His 24 goals were the most he’d scored with the Penguins since his 27 tallies during the 2001-02 season.
A six-time captain for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Kostopoulos is the club’s all-time leader in games played (627), goals (181), assists (269) and points (450). He is also first in the Penguins’ postseason rankings with 91 games played, 23 goals, 44 assists and 67 points.
Since beginning his pro career in 1999-2000 as a member of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins inaugural team, Kostopoulos has played in 1321 regular season matches between the AHL and National Hockey League. On Mar. 6, 2016, Kostopoulos played his 600th career AHL game, making him the fourth player in hockey history to reach both 600 NHL games and 600 AHL games.
On Jan. 28, 2017, Kostopoulos became the 91st player in AHL history to reach 500 career points, and on Feb. 4, 2017, he became the 14th player in league history to have played in 600 games with one club.
In 630 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, Montréal Canadiens, Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils, Kostopoulos has totaled 61 goals, 96 assists, 157 points and 723 penalty minutes.
Kostopoulos was originally drafted by Pittsburgh in the seventh round (204th overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.
Season ticket packages for the 2017-18 season are on sale now, and available by calling the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 570-208-7367.
To have a Penguins representative contact you with more information, please fill out the form below.
There’s no way around it. Tom Sestito is a one of a kind individual.
His wit is sharper than an infomercial knife set and his verbal barbs come quicker than a swarm of angry yellow jackets. He’ll let you know exactly what he’s thinking at any time, and his unapologetic brazenness only adds to the big man’s charm.
You could travel all around the world for 10 years and never meet another Tom Sestito.
The Rome, N.Y. native has been a part of four different organizations over the course of his 10-year career, played for four different NHL teams, four different AHL teams, and even spent time overseas in the United Kingdom’s pro hockey league. He’s seen a lot. He’s never seen anyone like Tom Kostopoulos.
“He’s the best captain I’ve had in pro hockey,” Sestito said. “I’ve had a lot of captains and I’ve been on a lot of teams, too. He’s the best.”
Sestito, a one in a millions personality himself, is always appreciative of the unique attributes that personify his teammates. That’s why he’s going to be trying his hardest to tilt Kostopoulos’ offseason decision on his playing future back towards a return with the black and gold.
“Oh, I’ll be in his ear trying to get him to play another year,” Sestito said. “There’s no doubt about it. Hopefully, I’m back here too, but you can’t say enough about the guy.”
While Kostopoulos’ future is still unknown at this point, Sestito brings up the fact that he’s not exactly a sure thing to return either. An unrestricted free agent this summer, the 29-year-old forward has his pick of the litter when it comes to where he’ll play next. That list isn’t limited to the NHL and AHL either, mind you. Europe always remains a viable option to these players, as well.
Sestito doesn’t anticipate flipping through many brochures, though. Speaking his mind as always, he’s made it very clear that he’d want to return to the Penguins organization
“This has been my favorite place to play. The way they handle your family, my wife, my kid, it’s been great. It’s been home. It’s a first class organization.
“As an older guy, I don’t like waiting too long. Hopefully, we can get to it and get something ironed out.”
While the rest of us have no choice but to wait and see what his next move is, there’s one certainty he’s shown Penguins fans through his first two seasons with the team: You’ll never be left waiting for a response from Tom Sestito, no matter the subject.
Season ticket packages for the 2017-18 season are on sale now, and available by calling the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 570-208-7367.
To have a Penguins representative contact you with more information, please fill out the form below.
It’s never easy to see your season come to an end. It’s even more difficult when you have high expectations. And after a 51-win regular season, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins certainly thought they had the ability to advance deep into the Calder Cup Playoffs.
But a 2-1 Game Five defeat at the hands of the Providence Bruins on Sunday ended the Pens’ hopes for a run at a postseason championship.
“I thought we did absolutely everything in our power [Sunday] to try to win that game,” said forward Oskar Sundqvist.
Falling in the first round is undoubtedly disappointing. And when you take into account that the Atlantic Division featured four of the top eight teams in the entire league, any opening series matchup was going to present challenges – on both sides of the puck.
“Overall, yeah, we’re disappointed we’re not in the playoffs. We’re disappointed that we have a good enough team here that we could of made a good run,” said head coach Clark Donatelli. “If you look at the whole broad picture of what we did as a group, there are a lot of positives that came out of it.”
So before we close the book for good on the 2016-17 season, let’s take a look back at some of those positives and high points for the Penguins.
GREAT GUENTZEL
Jake Guentzel’s first goal of the season was among the best in the AHL this season.
Jake Guentzel wasted little time in establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in the AHL, recording four points (1+3) in the Penguins’ season-opening 6-2 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack on October 15.
The rookie forward recorded 17 points (7+10) in his first 16 games of the season, before receiving his first recall by the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 21. He made his NHL debut that night at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers, and announced his arrival with authority, scoring goals on his first two shots in a Pittsburgh uniform.
Guentzel returned to Wilkes-Barre in early December, recorded his first career hat trick on December 27 against the Springfield Falcons, and posted 42 points (21+21) in just 31 teams with the AHL club. He was recalled once again on January 16, and has been a fixture in the Pittsburgh lineup ever since.
SUNNY RISING
Oskar Sundqvist capped his hat trick with a fourth goal against the Hershey Bears
Oskar Sundqvist’s second season can’t be considered anything except a success. The native of Sweden recorded his sixth goal of the campaign in his 16th game, eclipsing his mark from the 2015-16 season. He had 16 points by December 4 (one fewer than his entire tally from last year), and blew past his first-year total on December 10, when he tied a team record with four goals in a game against the Hershey Bears.
Sundqvist hit the 20-goal mark on April 7, one of just three Penguins skaters to see that total this season, and his 46 points (20+26) in 63 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tied him for third on the team.
Additionally, he saw action in 10 games with Pittsburgh this season, giving him 28 NHL contests in his first two years in North America.
ARCHIE ON THE ATTACK
Josh Archibald tied for the AHL lead with four short-handed goals this season, a total which included this beauty.
Josh Archibald came into his own this season, setting new career highs in goals (16), assists (13) and points (29). He also paced the AHL with four short-handed tallies, and finished sixth in the league with a plus-25 mark in 61 games. The fourth-year pro also thrilled with Pittsburgh, scoring his first two NHL goals in his first game of the season, February 11 against the Arizona Coyotes.
MILESTONE MAN
Tom Kostopoulos picked up his 500th AHL point with this tally against the Binghamton Senators
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton captain Tom Kostopoulos showed few signs of slowing down in his 18th season of professional hockey, leading the Penguins with 24 goals and 54 points while appearing in a team-high 74 games.
Along the way, TK hit memorable marks by recording his 400th point with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (November 4); hitting the 500 point plateau in the AHL (January 28); appearing in his 600th game with the Pens (February 4); and recording his 200th AHL goal (February 10).
DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
The Penguins goaltending duo of Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith posted the lowest goals against average in the league at 2.15, earning the tandem the Harry ‘Hap’ Holmes award.
Jarry finished the season with 28 wins, third most in the league and the fourth-highest single season total in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton history. The AHL All-Star moved into a tie for fourth place on the team’s all-time wins list with Matt Murray (45) by year’s end, and his three shutouts this season evened Jeff Zatkoff’s career total of eight, tied for fifth in the Pens record book.
DeSmith posted an impressive 21 wins in 29 appearances, and led the entire AHL with a 2.01 goals against average. He stopped 26 shots to record his first AHL shutout on April 1 against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and allowed two goals or fewer in 10 of his final 11 regular season appearances.
Additionally, David Warsofsky proved to be one of the most reliable defenseman in the league, finishing third overall with a plus-30 ranking, ranking seventh among blue liners with 47 points, and tied for fourth among defensemen with nine power play goals. A member of the Atlantic Division squad at the AHL All-Star Classic, Warsofsky’s totals of 16+31=47 established new career highs across the board for the seventh-year pro.
FANTASTIC FIRSTS
Nine different Penguins skaters recorded their first career AHL goals during the 2016-17 season:
Reid Gardiner – November 5 at Bridgeport
Thomas DiPauli – November 16 at Lehigh Valley
Teddy Blueger – December 11 at Bridgeport
Lukas Bengtsson – December 16 vs Rochester
Ethan Prow – February 3 vs St. John’s
Zach Aston-Reese – March 21 vs Hartford
Troy Josephs – April 1 vs Lehigh Valley
Pat McGrath – April 8 at Hartford
Cody Wydo – April 9 at Providence
Also, goaltender Sean Maguire picked up his first AHL victory with a22 save performance against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the Pens regular season finale on April 15.
GOING TO THE SHOW
In addition to Guetnzel, three other Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins made their NHL debuts with Pittsburgh this season.
Carter Rowney, suited up for the big club for the first time on January 31 against the Nashville Predators, and netted his first NHL goal on March 17 against the New Jersey Devils.
Tristan Jarry and Jean-Sebastien Dea both appeared in Pittsburgh’s regular season finale on April 9 against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
ADDITIONAL HONORS AND AWARDS
Jake Guentzel captured the CCM / AHL Rookie of the Month honors for December with 17 points (11+6) in 10 games during the month.
Guentzel and DeSmith were named to the AHL’s All-Rookie Team at season’s end.
Warsofsky earned All-AHL Second Team honors.
The Penguins clinched their 15th consecutive playoff appearance – the longest current stream in the AHL – on April 2.
The Penguins laid claim to the Emile Francis (Atlantic Division Champion) and Frank Mathers (Eastern Conference Champion) trophies following a 2-1 win over the Providence Bruins on April 9.
The Penguins finished the season with a record of 51- 20-3-2 (107 points) and captured the MacGregor Kilpatrick Trophy as the league’s regular season champion on April 15.
Penguins have division, conference wrapped up for regular season
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (50-19-3-1) captures fourth division title by sweeping three-in-three weekend
Weekly Rewind
Friday, Apr. 7 – PENGUINS 3 at Lehigh Valley 0
The Penguins blanked the Phantoms for the third-straight game with Tristan Jarry’s 21-save performance. Oskar Sundqvist put up three points (2G-1A) as the Penguins took a 7-4-0-0 advantage in the season series.
Saturday, Apr. 8 – PENGUINS 2 at Hartford 1
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton completed the season sweep of Hartford by securing its eighth win in the eighth and final meeting of the season. Shavertown native Patrick McGrath registered his first AHL goal.
Sunday, Apr. 9 – PENGUINS 2 at Providence 1
Cody Wydo and Jarrett Burton both recorded first period goals, giving the Penguins enough cushion to defeat the Bruins and lock up the top seed in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference. Wydo’s opening tally was his first AHL goal.
The Week Ahead
Wednesday, Apr. 12 – PENGUINS vs. Lehigh Valley
The closing chapter of the Penguins’ 12-game season series with Lehigh Valley kicks off Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s three-game homestand. The Penguins have not allowed a goal to the Phantoms in 215:38 of game time.
Friday, Apr. 14 – PENGUINS vs. Hershey
The Bears will come into the last Eyewitness News Fan Friday desperately clinging to their playoff hopes. Since being acquired by Hershey at the NHL trade deadline, goalie Pheonix Copley is 10-5-0 and has a .929 save percentage.
Saturday, Apr. 15 – PENGUINS vs. Bridgeport
It’s Fan Appreciation Night for the final game of the 2016-17 campaign. Much like the Bears, the Sound Tigers are scratching and clawing for playoff contention.
Ice Chips
– Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is headed to the Calder Cup Playoffs for the 15th year in a row, the AHL’s active record.
– The Penguins outscored the Wolf Pack 40-14 over the course of their eight-game season sweep.
– Saturday was the first game Tom Kostopoulos did not dress for this season. The Penguins captain had not missed a game since Dec. 6, 2015, a streak of 136 games including playoffs.
– Wilkes-Barre/Scranton boasts the best penalty kill in the league (87.3%) and the top team save percentage (.922).
– The Penguins are the only team in the league with more than one goalie ranked in the top 10 in both save percentage and goals against average.
DIVISION STANDINGS
TEAM
GP
W
L
OTL
SOL
PTS
Pt%
1. PENGUINS – y
73
50
19
3
1
104
.712
2. Lehigh Valley
73
45
23
5
0
95
.651
3. Providence
73
43
21
5
4
95
.651
4. Hershey
74
41
22
8
3
93
.628
5. Bridgeport
74
44
26
3
1
92
.622
6. Springfield
73
29
33
9
2
69
.473
7. Hartford
73
24
43
4
2
54
.370
TEAM LEADERS
SKATERS
GP
G
A
PTS
Tom Kostopoulos
72
24
30
54
David Warsofsky
56
16
31
47
Kevin Porter
67
11
35
46
Oskar Sundqvist
60
20
25
45
Dominik Simon
67
14
31
45
GOALIES
GP
W-L-OT
GAA
SV%
Shutouts
Casey DeSmith*
27
21-4-2
2.05
.925
1
Tristan Jarry^
45
28-15-2
2.15
.925
3
* = rookie
^ = currently with Pittsburgh
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
Fri, Apr. 12 Lehigh Valley Mohegan Sun Arena 7:05 p.m.
Sat, Apr. 14 Hershey Mohegan Sun Arena 7:05 p.m.
Sun, Apr. 15 Bridgeport Mohegan Sun Arena 7:05 p.m.
