Penguins take on rivals Bears, Phantoms after All-Star Break
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (26-12-3-1) still holds first place in the Atlantic Division
Weekly Rewind
Wednesday, Jan. 24 – PENGUINS 4 at Hershey 0
Anthony Peters recorded the first shutout of his AHL career as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton improved to 5-0-1-1 against their I-81 rival this season. Zach Aston-Reese started the scoring at 3:40 of the first period, and it eventually stood as the game-winner as the Penguins defense allowed a season-low 18 shots on goal.
Friday, Jan. 26 – PENGUINS 2 at Lehigh Valley 5
All-Star Daniel Sprong kicked things off on the right foot, scoring 54 seconds into the game. However, after Aston-Reese’s second tally of the week sparked a first period goaltending change, the Phantoms rattled off four unanswered tallies.
Saturday, Jan. 27 – PENGUINS 4 vs. Binghamton 3 (OT)
The Penguins entered the All-Star Break on a high note thanks to Teddy Blueger’s continued overtime heroics. Blueger, who leads the AHL with three overtime game-winning goals, switched roles and set up Aston-Reese for the deciding goal in OT. Tristan Jarry played in his first game with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton since Oct. 28.
The Week Ahead
Friday, Feb. 2 – PENGUINS vs. Hershey
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton welcomes Hershey to Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza for the first time since Nov. 5. The Penguins have not suffered a regulation loss to the Bears this season. The Bears’ Chris Bourque is currently in a four-way tie for the league lead in points (43).
Saturday, Feb. 3 – PENGUINS vs. Lehigh Valley
The Penguins get a chance to avenge their loss to the Phantoms from a week prior and that opportunity will come on home ice. In Lehigh Valley’s five previous visits to Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza this season, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has failed to score four or more goals only once.
Ice Chips
– Daniel Sprong participated in the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic on Sunday and Monday. Sprong recorded two assists in the Atlantic Division’s three games.
– Zach Aston-Reese has goals in three-straight games and has 19 points (7G-12A) in his last 19 games.
– Ryan Haggerty posted 13 points (5G-8A) in 11 games during the month of January.
– Tom Kostopoulos’ next game will be his 700th in the AHL.
– Since signing his second PTO with the Penguins this season, goalie Anthony Peters has a 1.69 goals against average and .935 save percentage in that time.
DIVISION STANDINGS
TEAM
GP
W
L
OTL
SOL
PTS
Pt%
1. PENGUINS
42
26
12
3
1
56
.667
2. Lehigh Valley
45
26
13
3
3
58
.644
3. Providence
44
25
15
3
1
54
.614
4. Charlotte
44
24
18
0
2
50
.568
5. Bridgeport
44
22
16
4
2
50
.568
6. Hartford
46
20
20
3
3
46
.500
7. Springfield
47
21
24
1
1
44
.468
8. Hershey
45
17
21
3
4
41
.456
TEAM LEADERS
SKATERS
GP
G
A
PTS
Daniel Sprong*
32
19
13
32
Ryan Haggerty
32
16
15
31
Zach Aston-Reese*
40
9
19
28
Teddy Blueger
42
12
13
25
Jean-Sébastien Dea^
37
10
14
24
GOALIES
GP
W-L-OT
GAA
SV%
Shutouts
Anthony Peters
13
7-4-2
2.33
.916
1
Casey DeSmith^
19
12-5-2
2.53
.915
2
* = rookie
^ = currently with Pittsburgh
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
Fri, Feb. 2 Hershey Mohegan Sun Arena 7:05 p.m.
Sat, Feb. 3 Lehigh Valley Mohegan Sun Arena 7:05 p.m.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Mon, Jan. 23 (D) Jeff Taylor Reassigned by PIT to WHL
Mon, Jan. 24 (G) Tristan Jarry Reassigned by PIT
Mon, Jan. 25 (G) Charles Williams Released from PTO
Mon, Jan. 25 (LW) Freddie Tiffels Reassigned by PIT to WHL
Mon, Jan. 26 (C) Jean-Sébastien Dea Recalled by PIT
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