PENGUINS WEEKLY – 1/17/23

 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton continues to thrive in adversity

WEEKLY – Penguins (18-11-2-3) building momentum despite injuries, call-ups

Penguins Weekly Rewind

Wednesday, Jan. 11 – PENGUINS 4 at Hershey 3 (OT)
Jonathan Gruden led the way offensively with his second-straight two-goal game, but this time, he delivered the overtime game-winner. Lukas Svejkovsky and Raivis Ansons both tallied their first AHL goals during the second period.

Saturday, Jan. 14 – PENGUINS 1 at Charlotte 3
Gruden scored again, but his continued hot streak was the only positive to come out of the Penguins’ loss to the Checkers. Taylor Gauthier started his sixth game in a row for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton but left with an injury after the first period.

Sunday, Jan. 15 – PENGUINS 3 at Charlotte 2 (SO)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton bounced back and pulled off a gritty, shootout win in the second game of its back-to-back in Charlotte. Down 2-1 in the third period, a power-play goal in from Valtteri Puustinen forced OT, then Alex Nylander and Svejkovsky scored on both of the team’s shootout attempts. Filip Lindberg finished with 29 spectacular saves.

The Weekly Ahead

Wednesday, Jan. 18 – PENGUINS vs. Syracuse
For the first time this season, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goes head-to-head with Syracuse. The Crunch boast a high-octane offense, averaging 3.76 goals per game and two top-5 scorers (Alex Barré-Boulet, Darren Raddysh; 41 points).

Friday, Jan. 20 – PENGUINS vs. Lehigh Valley
The Penguins are 3-0-1-0 against their PA Turnpike rival this season and welcome them back to town for an Eyewitness News Fan Friday; select $2 beers on sale from 6:00–7:30.

Saturday, Jan. 21 – PENGUINS at Bridgeport
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton hasn’t beaten Bridgeport yet this season, but the Islanders are trying to course correct after an extended skid. From Dec. 14–Jan. 11, the Isles lost 11 games in a row.

Ice Chips

– Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has appeared in 12 overtime games this season, tied for most in the AHL (Providence, Hartford).

– Jonathan Gruden was recalled to Pittsburgh on Sunday and made his NHL debut with the Penguins on Monday vs. Anaheim.

– Filip Lindberg leads the AHL with three shootout wins.

– Valtteri Puustinen has 10 points in his last 10 games (5G-5A).

– Seven of Mitch Reinke’s 14 assists this season have come in his last eight games.

– Before Raivis Ansons, the last Penguin to record his first AHL goals as a shorthanded goal was Brian Gibbons (Oct. 8, 2011).

DIVISION STANDINGS

TEAM LEADERS

* = rookie
x = currently with Pittsburgh