Penguins try to keep the ball rolling after statement win
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (14-7-1-1) comes off of 4-1 victory at Hershey to face Springfield for first time
Weekly Rewind
Wednesday, Dec. 6 – PENGUINS 0 at Lehigh Valley 5
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was shut-out for the first time this season. Wednesday marked the first time this season that the Penguins outshot their opponent and didn’t come away with the win (39-35).
Friday, Dec. 8 – PENGUINS 1 vs. Charlotte 2
Sean Maguire made his first start of the season for the Penguins and performed admirably, making 28 saves in defeat. Daniel Sprong scored early in the third period, notching his team-leading 11th goal and sixth power play goal.
Sunday, Dec. 10 – PENGUINS 4 at Hershey 1
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton erupted for a three-goal first period to defeat its I-81 rival. Sprong scored again, tightening his grip on the team lead in goals (12) and power play goals (7). Zach Trotman scored a man advantage marker for the Pens, too, his first AHL goal since Feb. 14, 2015.
The Week Ahead
Wednesday, Dec. 13 – PENGUINS vs. Springfield
The Thunderbirds face the Penguins for the first time this season. Springfield ranks last in the AHL (10-17-1-0), but beat Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in four of six meetings last year.
Friday, Dec. 15 – PENGUINS at Hartford
The Penguins are 1-0-0-0 against the Wolf Pack this season, a come-from-behind 3-2 shootout triumph on Oct. 21. Hartford scored two power play goals in that game, and its power play remains the best in the Eastern Conference today (20.5%).
Saturday, Dec. 16 – PENGUINS at Bridgeport
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton takes on Bridgeport for the second time this season. The Penguins put forth a commanding 5-2 victory in their last visit to Webster Bank Arena on Oct. 28.
Ice Chips
– Daniel Sprong is tied for the most goals among rookies (12) and also tied for most power play goals by a rookie (7). His seven power play goals also ranks second overall in the league.
– Sprong leads all AHL rookies with 70 shots on goal.
– Including the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs, nine of Sprong’s 17 career AHL goals have come on the power play.
– The Penguins have won the past six games in which Thomas Di Pauli scored a goal.
– Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has yet to lose to Hershey in regulation this season, going 3-0-1-1 against its I-81 rival.
– Andrey Pedan played in his 200th AHL game on Friday.
– Lukas Bengtsson is three points shy of his 100th point as a pro.
DIVISION STANDINGS
TEAM
GP
W
L
OTL
SOL
PTS
Pt%
1. Providence
24
16
6
2
0
34
.708
2. Charlotte
25
16
8
0
1
33
.660
3. PENGUINS
23
14
7
1
1
30
.652
4. Lehigh Valley
26
15
8
1
2
33
.635
5. Bridgeport
24
12
10
1
1
26
.542
6. Hershey
27
12
12
0
3
27
.500
7. Hartford
27
10
12
3
2
25
.463
8. Springfield
28
10
17
1
0
21
.375
TEAM LEADERS
SKATERS
GP
G
A
PTS
Daniel Sprong*
22
12
7
19
Dominik Simon^
20
3
13
16
Jean-Sébastien Dea
23
6
8
14
Kevin Czuczman^
22
1
13
14
Ryan Haggerty
13
9
4
13
GOALIES
GP
W-L-OT
GAA
SV%
Shutouts
Casey DeSmith^
12
9-2-1
2.29
.924
1
Tristan Jarry^
5
3-2-0
3.18
.897
0
* = rookie
^ = currently with Pittsburgh
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
Wed, Dec. 13 Springfield Mohegan Sun Arena 7:05 p.m.
Fri, Dec. 15 Hartford XL Center 7:15 p.m.
Sun, Dec. 16 Bridgeport Webster Bank Arena 7:00 p.m.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Fri, Dec. 8 (C) Jarrett Burton Reassigned to WHL
Sat, Dec. 9 (D) Kevin Czuczman Recalled by PIT
Sat, Dec. 9 (D) Frank Corrado Reassigned by PIT
Sun, Dec. 10 (D) Ethan Prow Reassigned by PIT from WHL
