PENGUINS WEEKLY – 4/2/24
Playoff push in full effect as Penguins prepare for three-in-three weekend
WEEKLY – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (33-22-8-1) won its only game last week to shrink magic number to four
Penguins Weekly Rewind
Saturday, Mar. 23 – PENGUINS 4 vs. Lehigh Valley 3 (OT)
A thrilling game ended with an appropriate finish, as Corey Andonovski dazzled with a highlight reel tally to cap overtime. Lehigh Valley struck first, but Radim Zohorna and Austin Rueschhoff scored less than two minutes apart late in the second period to take a 2-1 lead. The Phantoms briefly took back the lead, but Avery Hayes notched his first AHL goal to force OT. Evan Vierling, who was making his AHL debut, set up Hayes with a bank pass off the end boards with 3:32 left in regulation.
The Weekly Ahead
Friday, Mar. 22 – PENGUINS vs. Cleveland
The Penguins start their three-in-three at home by taking on the Monsters for the final time this season. Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton is 2-0-1-0 this season against Cleveland and 16-2-3-0 (.833) all-time against the Monsters franchise. Friday is also a Fan Friday featuring select domestic draft beers on sale for $2 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. presented by Coors Light.
Saturday, Mar. 23 – PENGUINS at Bridgeport
A 22-hour turnaround puts the Penguins in Connecticut to take on the Islanders at 5:00 p.m. Bridgeport ranks last in the Atlantic Division, but has won three of its last four games.
Sunday, Mar. 24 – PENGUINS vs. Lehigh Valley
Another 22-hour turnaround brings Wilkes-Barre/Scranton back home for another faceoff with its Turnpike rival. The Penguins are 6-1-2-1 against the Phantoms this season with six games decided by one goal four games requiring overtime. Children ages 14 and under can attend the game for free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Furthermore, this Kids Free Sunday will feature $5 ride books courtesy of Knoebels Amusement Park handed out to the first 1,000 kids in attendance.
Ice Chips
– In March, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton went 11-for-47 (23.4%) on the power play and 28-for-34 (84.8%) on the penalty kill.
– Joel Blomqvist now owns sole possession of the fourth-most wins by a rookie in Penguins history (22), eclipsing Casey DeSmith.
– Radim Zohorna has 18 points (7G-11A) in his last 15 games.
– Each of Austin Rueschhoff’s last four goals have been power-play goals.
– On Monday, the Penguins signed forward Mathieu De St. Phalle to a two-year AHL contract starting in 2024-25. De St. Phalle led the Badgers in goals in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
DIVISION STANDINGS
TEAM LEADERS
| TIME | OPPONENT | LOCATION | TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Apr. 5 | Cleveland | Mohegan Sun Arena | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sat, Apr. 6 | Bridgeport | Total Mortgage Arena | 5:00 p.m. |
| Sun, Apr. 7 | Lehigh Valley | Mohegan Sun Arena | 3:05 p.m. |
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
| TIME | OPPONENT | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Mar. 29 | (C) Jonathan Gruden | Reassigned by PIT |
| Fri, Mar. 29 | (D) Ryan Shea | Recalled to PIT |
| Mon, Apr. 1 | (RW) Mathieu De St. Phalle | Signed to ATO |
| Tue, Apr. 2 | (C) Justin Addamo | Reassigned to WHL |
* = rookie
X = not on current roster
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