AHL’s first Fathers’ Trip ends with Penguins winning seven-straight
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (23-10-2-1) tries to extend its season-best win streak against division rivals
Weekly Rewind
Friday, Jan. 12 – PENGUINS 6 at Belleville 2
Ryan Haggerty kicked off the Penguins’ Fathers’ Trip with a bang, scoring his first pro hat trick and setting a new career high with 16 goals this season with his dad, Roger, in attendance. The Penguins also saw Christian Thomas find the back of the net for the fourth-straight game, and Jean-Sébastien Dea added an empty netter to seal the Pens’ sixth win in a row.
Saturday, Jan. 13 – PENGUINS 4 at Laval 3
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was powered to its seventh win in a row once again on the back of a hat trick. This time, it was D-man Andrey Pedan tallying three times for his first career hatty. The Penguins surrendered early period goals twice to the Rocket, but responded in less than three minutes both times. The Penguins also got their special teams going with two power play goals from Pedan, including the game-winner.
The Week Ahead
Wednesday, Jan. 17 – PENGUINS vs. Lehigh Valley
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s season-best seven-game win streak began after back-to-back losses to Lehigh Valley on Dec. 23 and 27. The Penguins look to avenge those defeats to keep their current streak alive. The Phantoms lead the season series with a 4-2-0-1 record against the Penguins in seven meetings.
Friday, Jan. 19 – PENGUINS at Providence
The Penguins visit the Bruins for the first time this season. In these two clubs’ only match-up this season, Providence came to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Nov. 11 and were met with a 4-3 overtime loss on a Ryan Haggerty snipe.
Sunday, Jan. 21- PENGUINS at Hartford
In three games between the Penguins and Wolf Pack this season, the home team has won every time. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton hopes to end that streak at XL Center in a 5:00 p.m. showdown.
Ice Chips
– Christian Thomas was named to Canada’s men’s hockey roster for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games on Thursday.
– Ryan Haggerty and Andrey Pedan’s hat tricks marked the first back-to-back hat tricks in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton history.
– Pedan became only the second defenseman in Penguins history to record a hat trick (Alex Picard: Mar. 17, 2012).
– After posting a hat trick and five points (3G-2A) along with a plus-5 rating in last weekend’s games, Pedan was named CCM/AHL Player of the Week on Monday.
– Since signing his second PTO with the Penguins this season, goalie Anthony Peters has won five straight starts with a 1.79 goals against average and .929 save percentage in that time.
DIVISION STANDINGS
TEAM
GP
W
L
OTL
SOL
PTS
Pt%
1. PENGUINS
36
23
10
2
1
49
.681
2. Lehigh Valley
40
23
12
2
3
51
.638
3. Providence
38
22
12
3
1
48
.632
4. Bridgeport
37
18
13
4
2
42
.568
5. Charlotte
38
21
16
0
1
43
.566
6. Hershey
40
17
17
3
3
40
.500
7. Springfield
40
17
21
1
1
36
.450
8. Hartford
40
15
19
3
3
36
.450
TEAM LEADERS
SKATERS
GP
G
A
PTS
Daniel Sprong*^
29
18
10
28
Ryan Haggerty
26
16
11
27
Jean-Sébastien Dea
36
9
14
23
Teddy Blueger
36
11
11
22
Zach Aston-Reese
34
5
16
21
Kevin Czuczman
32
1
20
21
GOALIES
GP
W-L-OT
GAA
SV%
Shutouts
Casey DeSmith^
19
12-5-2
2.53
.915
2
Anthony Peters
8
5-2-1
2.83
.900
0
* = rookie
^ = currently with Pittsburgh
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
Wed, Jan. 17 Lehigh Valley Mohegan Sun Arena 7:05 p.m.
Fri, Jan. 19 Providence Dunkin’ Donuts Center 7:05 p.m.
