PENGUINS WEEKLY – 1/16/24

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton keeps rolling with season-long, six-game point streak

WEEKLY – Penguins (20-12-5-0) remain unbeaten in regulation in 2024, but have challenging week in store

Penguins Weekly Rewind

Friday, Jan. 12 – PENGUINS 2 at Providence 3 (OT)
Goals by Sam Poulin and Ty Smith put Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in a 2-0 lead entering the second intermission. Despite an inspired, five-for-five showing on the penalty kill, the Penguins couldn’t stave off the Bruins. An empty-net, extra-attacker tally by the P-Bruins forced OT, where Ian Mitchell won the game.

Saturday, Jan. 13 – PENGUINS 4 at Bridgeport 3
The Penguins took off early and bullied the Islanders to take a 3-0 lead. However, Bridgeport clawed back into the game and eventually tied things up. Jonathan Gruden delivered the winner for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with 1:45 left in regulation. Corey Andonovski notched a career-high three points (1G-2A)

Monday, Jan. 15 – PENGUINS 3 at Springfield 2
This time, it was the Penguins’ turn to come from behind, as they erased a two-goal deficit in the second period then pulled ahead in the third. Will Butcher started the rally with a power-play goal, followed by Jesse Puljujärvi’s first goal in Black and Gold. Poulin capped the comeback at 6:49 of the third period.

The Weekly Ahead

Wednesday, Jan. 17 – PENGUINS vs. Providence
The Penguins and Bruins wrap up their six-game season series. Providence has a narrow edge in the series, three-wins-to-two, and has won nine-straight at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.

Saturday, Jan. 20 – PENGUINS at Hershey
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goes toe-to-toe with their bitter rival who still stands atop the league standings. However, the Bears have lost three of their last four games, including back-to-back losses for the first time all season.

Sunday, Jan. 21 – PENGUINS vs. Springfield
A Kids Free Sunday is the setting for the season series finale between the Penguins and T-Birds. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is 4-0-1-0 in its season series with Springfield, but 11 of the last 17 games between the clubs were settled by one goal.

Ice Chips

– On Wednesday, Joel Blomqvist was named to the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Tech CU in San Jose, California.

– Joel Blomqvist ranks third in the league in goals against average (2.19) and seventh in save percentage (.920).

– All six of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s games in the New Year have been decided by one goal (4-0-2-0).

– The Penguins’ penalty kill is 19-for-20 over the team’s six-game point streak.

– Sam Poulin has scored a goal in four-straight games.

– With an assist on Monday, Vinnie Hinostroza achieved 100 career AHL points.

DIVISION STANDINGS

TEAM LEADERS

* = rookie
X = not on current roster

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

DATE                  OPPONENT       LOCATION                             TIME      

Wed, Jan. 17      Providence        Mohegan Sun Arena            7:05 p.m.

Sat, Jan. 20        Hershey              Giant Center                         7:00 p.m.

Sun, Jan. 21       Springfield         Mohegan Sun Arena            3:05 p.m.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Sat, Jan. 15     (LW) Jordan Frasca         Reassigned by PIT from WHL

Sat, Jan. 15     (C) Colin White                                         Recalled to PIT

Sat, Jan. 15     (D) Ryan Shea                                     Reassigned by PIT