
After Enjoying a Merry Christmas, Penguins Look Forward to a Happy New Year
December 26, 2023 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release
Penguins (15-10-3-0) visit Hershey on Wednesday, then hosts Charlotte for back-to-back home games
Weekly Rewind
Thursday, Dec. 21 - PENGUINS 5 at Belleville 1
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's special teams were on fire, scoring three times on the power play en route to an impressive win at Belleville. After first-period goals by Jonathan Gruden and former Senator Colin White, Rem Pitlick and Sam Poulin tacked on man-advantage markers in the second. Poulin notched another power-play goal in the third.
Friday, Dec. 22 - PENGUINS 1 at Laval 5
The Penguins' last game before the holiday break came with few good tidings, as Laval turned the tables on Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton with a trio of power-play goals. Alex Nylander tallied the Penguins' lone goal, his team-leading 10th goal of the season. Goaltender Magnus Hellberg appeared in his 200th AHL game.
The Week Ahead
Wednesday, Dec. 27 - PENGUINS at Hershey
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton resumes its rivalry with Hershey, a club on a five-game winning streak. The Bears have the edge in the season series thus far, taking four of six decisions so far. Joe Snively has scored six goals in six games against the Penguins.
Friday, Dec. 29 - PENGUINS vs. Charlotte
The Checkers fly up from North Carolina for an extended stay in Northeast PA, starting with a Fan Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. From 6:00-7:30 p.m., select draft beers will be on sale for $5 courtesy of Coors Light. The season series between these two division foes is even at two wins apiece.
Saturday, Dec. 30 - PENGUINS vs. Charlotte
The Penguins will try and kickstart a celebratory mood by seizing a year-ending win over the Checkers. This weekend series will also feature two of the AHL's top offensive threats from the backend. Charlotte's Lucas Carlsson has eight goals, tied for second among AHL defensemen. Pens blueliner Ty Smith is tied for the second-most points by defensemen (22).
Ice Chips
- After its last five games, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has a 6-2-1-0 record (.722) against North Division teams.
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has scored 39 third-period goals, tied with Texas for most in the league.
- Ty Smith leads AHL defensemen with 11 power-play assists and 12 power-play points.
- Rem Pitlick has 11 points (4G-7A) in his last 10 games.
- Alex Nylander has eight points (5G-3A) in his last seven games.
- Since returning from injury on Dec. 16, Sam Poulin has three goals and one assist for four points in three games.
- Nylander is four points away from 200 AHL points.
DIVISION STANDINGS
TEAM GP W L OTL SOL PTS Pts%
1. Hershey 30 24 6 0 0 48 .800
2. Hartford 26 15 6 5 0 35 .673
3. PENGUINS 28 15 10 3 0 33 .589
4. Springfield 27 15 9 2 1 33 .611
5. Providence 30 14 12 2 2 32 .533
6. Charlotte 27 14 10 3 0 31 .574
7. Lehigh Valley 28 12 11 4 1 29 .518
8. Bridgeport 26 8 16 2 0 18 .346
TEAM LEADERS
SKATERS GP G A PTS
Rem Pitlick 28 8 14 22
Ty Smith 27 4 18 22
Alex Nylander 21 10 8 18
Sam Houde 12 4 8 12
Peter Abbandonato 22 4 8 12
Xavier Ouellet 25 1 11 12
GOALIES GP W-L-OT GAA SV% Shutouts
Joel Blomqvist* 16 8-4-2 2.40 .910 0
Magnus Hellberg 9 5-4-0 2.80 .910 0
* = rookie
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
Wed, Dec. 27 Hershey Giant Center 7:00 p.m.
Fri, Dec. 29 Charlotte Mohegan Sun Arena 7:05 p.m.
Sat, Dec. 30 Charlotte Mohegan Sun Arena 6:05 p.m.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Tue, Dec. 19 (RW) Lukas Svejkovsky Reassigned by PTI to WHL
Tue, Dec. 19 (RW) Tanner Laderoute Released from PTO
Tue, Dec. 19 (C) Vinnie Hinostroza Reassigned from PIT
Tue, Dec. 19 (D) Ryan Shea Assigned from PIT
American Hockey League Stories from December 26, 2023
- Transactions: Petersen Returns, Gahagen to Reading - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Phantoms Power Play Presented by Provident Bank - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Bears Return from Break - Hershey Bears
- Detroit Recalls Berggren, Czarnik and Edvinsson - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Belleville Sens earn another Boxing Day Classic win in Toronto - Belleville Senators
- Jett Woo's Defensive Acumen, Dedication Propel Abbotsford's Blue Line - Abbotsford Canucks
- Ads Home for Two During the Holidays - Milwaukee Admirals
- Tom Willander Will Show his Skating Skill at First World Junior Championships - Abbotsford Canucks
- Jonathan Lekkerimäki Returns for his Third and Final Year at the World Juniors - Abbotsford Canucks
- Elias Pettersson Ready to be a Trusted Defender at his Second World Junior Championships - Abbotsford Canucks
- Eagles' Jason Polin Suspended for Three Games - AHL
- After Enjoying a Merry Christmas, Penguins Look Forward to a Happy New Year - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Texas's Mavrik Bourque Named Howies Hockey Tape/AHL Player of the Week - AHL
- Stars Forward Mavrik Bourque Named AHL Player of the Week - Texas Stars
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Stories
- Penguins Sign Goaltender Maxim Pavlenko
- Penguins Add Brad Malone as Assistant Coach
- Penguins Sign Forward Brayden Edwards
- Raivis Ansons Signs with Penguins for 2025-26
- Penguins Re-Sign Jack Beck for Next Season

