PENGUINS WEEKLY – 2/6/24

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in third place at All-Star break

WEEKLY – Penguins (24-16-6-0) looks forward to another rivalry matchup with Phantoms

Penguins Weekly Rewind

Wednesday, Jan. 31 – PENGUINS 1 vs. Toronto 4

In the first-ever meeting between father and son, Penguins forward Jonathan Gruden scored his team’s only goal, but Marlies head coach John Gruden for the last laugh with the win. After Jonathan Gruden tied the game in the third period, the Marlies scored 18 seconds later to reestablish the lead followed by a pair of empty-net goals.

Friday, Feb. 2 – PENGUINS 4 at Hartford 5

A three-goal Penguins’ comeback fell just short on Friday night in Hartford. Down 4-1 in the second period, Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton received tallies from Peter Abbandonato and two from Vinnie Hinostroza to force overtime. Hartford’s Brett Berard scored 49 seconds into OT to take the win.

Saturday, Feb. 3 – PENGUINS 3 at Lehigh Valley 1

In the final game before the break, Joel Blomqvist once again proved why he was chosen as the team’s All-Star. Blomqvist notched 20 saves and came within 1:54 of pitching his first AHL shutout. Ty Smith opened the scoring in the first period, and Joona Koppanen gathered the game-winner with a third-period shorthanded goal.

Monday, Feb. 5 – AHL ALL-STAR CLASSIC

Joel Blomqvist and the Atlantic Division went 2-1 in round robin play but lost in the final seconds of the final to the host Pacific Division, 3-2. Blomqvist was credited with two assists across his team’s four games.

The Weekly Ahead

Friday, Feb. 9 – PENGUINS at Lehigh Valley

The Penguins resume play exactly where they left off, at PPL Center. The Penguins have collected five of a possible six points in their season series against the Phantoms thus far, and the road team has won all three games. Sam Poulin leads the rivalry series with four points (2G-2A).

Ice Chips

– On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Penguins signed forward Jesse Puljujärvi to a two-year contract. In 13 games on a PTO with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Puljujärvi earned 9 points (4G-5A).

– Joel Blomqvist ranks second in the league in goals against average (2.08) and third in save percentage (.922).

– Alex Nylander has six points (1G-5A) in his last seven games.

– Sam Poulin has six points (3G-3A) in his last six games.

– Ty Smith is tied for the fifth-most points by AHL defensemen with 29 (7G-22A).

– Peter Abbandonato’s next game will be his 200^th AHL game.

DIVISION STANDINGS

TEAM LEADERS

* = rookie
X = not on current roster

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

DATE                  OPPONENT       LOCATION                             TIME      

Fri, Feb. 9             Lehigh Valley        PPL Center                         7:05 p.m.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Sun, Feb. 4      (D) John Ludvig                               Recalled by PIT

Sun, Feb. 4      (RW) Jesse Puljujärvi                        Signed by PIT