Winners in five of last six, Penguins will face big tests to close out January
PENGUINS WEEKLY – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (14-16-1-3) looks to conquer Hershey at Giant Center tonight
Penguins Weekly Rewind
Wednesday, Jan. 19 – PENGUINS 1 vs. Lehigh Valley 3
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton did not allow a goal at even strength but was still bested by its turnpike rival’s three-goal third period. Jordy Bellerive notched the Penguins’ lone goal.
Friday, Jan. 21 – PENGUINS 5 vs. Toronto 1
The Penguins bounced back from Wednesday’s loss with an all-around dominant performance. They received a pair of goals and an assist from Alex Nylander, while Alex D’Orio earned his long overdue first win of the season with 21 saves.
Saturday, Jan. 22 – PENGUINS 3 vs. Toronto 2 (OT)
Alex Nylander stole the headlines again as Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton pulled off a dramatic comeback win. Down 2-0 going into the third period, Valtteri Puustinen started his team’s rally early in the final frame. Nylander scored late in regulation to force OT, then won the game during a power play in extra time.
Monday, Jan. 24 – PENGUINS 5 vs. Cleveland 1
A trio of first-period goals by Matt Bartkowski, Félix Robert and Kyle Olson chased veteran goalie J-F Bérubé. Rookie reliever Jet Greaves fared no better, having been bested by Anthony Angello and Kasper Björkqvist in the middle frame.
The Week Ahead
Tuesday, Jan. 25 – PENGUINS at Hershey
Playing on limited rest, the Penguins will be put to the test against the Bears. Hershey has owned the season series thus far, 7-1-0-0, and it is a perfect 4-0-0-0 at Giant Center.
Friday, Jan. 28 & Saturday, Jan. 29 – PENGUINS at Cleveland
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Cleveland quickly meet again after the Monday meeting, with the Penguins hoping to carry the momentum from that win into this back-to-back set. The Penguins are 9-2-0-0 all-time against the Monsters franchise, but both of their losses have come in Cleveland.
Ice Chips
– Monday’s win maintained Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s undefeated record at home against the Monsters franchise (5-0-0-0).
– Alex Nylander has 10 points (6G-4A) in 10 games since joining the Penguins in a trade on Jan. 5.
– All six of Nylander’s goals as a Penguin have come at home.
– Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is 6-1-0-0 all-time when Kyle Olson scores a goal.
– Called on for three starts in four days (Friday, Saturday, Monday), Alex D’Orio denied 74 of 78 shots faced (.949 sv%).
DIVISION STANDINGS
TEAM GP W L OTL SOL PTS Pts%
1. Providence 31 17 10 3 1 38 .613
2. Springfield 34 18 11 3 2 41 .603
3. Hartford 36 19 12 4 1 43 .597
4. Hershey 36 19 12 3 2 43 .597
5. Charlotte 36 19 15 2 0 40 .553
6. Lehigh Valley 33 12 13 6 2 32 .485
7. PENGUINS 34 14 16 1 3 32 .471
8. Bridgeport 40 15 18 3 4 37 .463
TEAM LEADERS
SKATERS GP G A PTS
Valtteri Puustinen 34 13 13 26
Alex Nylander 33 14 8 22
Félix Robert 30 9 10 19
Pierre-Olivier Joseph 26 3 13 16
Jordy Bellerive 32 5 10 15
GOALIES GP W-L-OT GAA SV% Shutouts
Matt Jurusik*x 2 1-1-0 2.00 .926 1
Louis Domingue^ 10 3-4-2 2.69 .918 0
Filip Lindberg* 7 4-2-0 2.76 .915 0
Alex D’Orio* 9 3-5-0 2.93 .892 0
Tommy Nappier* 9 3-4-2 3.22 .883 0
* = rookie
^ = currently with Pittsburgh X = no longer in the organization
Wed, Jan. 19 (G) Tistan Côté-Cazenave Signed to PTO
Fri, Jan. 21 (D) Niclas Almari Reassigned by PIT to WHL
PENGUINS WEEKLY – Individual game tickets and season-ticket packages for the 2021-22 season are on sale now. Full-Season, 22-game, 12-game, Flexbook and Premium Seating plans are available by reaching out to the Penguins directly at (570) 208-7367.
