PENGUINS WEEKLY – 3/26/24

Margaritaville Night stands alone as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s only game this week

WEEKLY – Penguins (32-22-8-1) finish three-in-three on high note to reclaim third place in the Atlantic

Penguins Weekly Rewind

Friday, Mar. 22 – PENGUINS 2 at Syracuse 5
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton won the special teams battle but were outrun by Syracuse in the third period. Austin Rueschhoff and Joona Koppanen notched power-play goals for the Penguins while the penalty kill went four-for-four. Syracuse broke a 2-2 tie in the final frame before adding a pair of empty netters in Penguins goalie Joel Blomqvist’s sixth-consecutive start.

Saturday, Mar. 23 – PENGUINS 0 vs. Utica 3
The Penguins were shut-out on Star Wars Night despite generating 39 shots on goal. It also marked the first time the team suffered back-to-back losses in March. Goalie Ludovic Waeber posted 19 saves in his Wilkes-Barre/Scranton debut.

Sunday, Mar. 24 – PENGUINS 3 at Lehigh Valley 1
The Penguins took control of their season series against the Phantoms by closing out their three-in-three with a win. Taylor Fedun scored his first goal of the season 76 seconds after Lehigh Valley took a first-period lead. Xavier Ouellet put the Penguins on top 44 seconds into the third period, followed by a power-play goal by Vinnie Hinostroza. Blomqvist dazzled throughout the afternoon with 34 saves.

The Weekly Ahead

Saturday, Mar. 30 – PENGUINS vs. Lehigh Valley
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s only game this week is another matchup with its turnpike rival. The Penguins are 5-1-2-1 in its previous nine meetings with the Phantoms, and Vinnie Hinostroza leads the season series with eight points (2G-6A). Sam Poulin has also produced at a point-per-game pace against the Phantoms with three goals and four assists. Saturday also marks the Penguins’ first ever Margaritaville Night. There will be a Penguins Koozie giveaway for fans, perfect for your favorite beverage at the beach.

Ice Chips

– Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is 10-for-43 on the power play in  March, good for 23.3%.

– The Penguins rank third overall in the league in penalty killing (86.8%).

– Joel Blomqvist ranks third in the league with a 2.13 goals against average. His 21 wins are also tied for most among rookies.

– Radim Zohorna has 16 points (6G-10A) in his last 14 games.

– Both of Xavier Ouellet’s goals this season have been game-winning goals.

– Ouellet is three points away from reaching 200 in his AHL career.

DIVISION STANDINGS

TEAM LEADERS

* = rookie
X = not on current roster

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

DATE                  OPPONENT         LOCATION                             TIME      

Sat, Mar. 30       Lehigh Valley      Mohegan Sun Arena             6:05 p.m.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Wed, Mar. 20  (D) Scooter Brickey                          Signed to ATO

Thu, Mar. 21    (C) Jonathan Gruden                Reassigned by PIT

Thu, Mar. 21    (C) Jack St. Ivany                             Recalled to PIT

Tue, Mar. 26    (C) Sam Poulin                                Recalled to PIT