AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Penguins Back To Action Tonight In Philadelphia

Published on February 3, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release


UPCOMING GAMES:

Tuesday, February 3 @ Philadelphia, 7:05pm - The Phantoms (26-20-1-1, 54 points, fifth in East Division) have been one of the hottest teams in the East Division lately, posting a 6-2-0-0 record in their past eight games. Leading scorer Jared Ross (19-23-42) was recently named the MVP at the 2009 AHL All-Star Game, sponsored by Charter Communications, after recording an all-star record seven points (1-6-7) for the PlanetUSA All-Stars. Philadelphia defenseman Danny Syvret leads all AHL blueliners with 41 points (6-35-41), and his 35 assists are third overall in the league. The Penguins have a record of 3-3-0-0 against the Phantoms in six meetings this season, and have won two straight against Philadelphia (6-4 on December 30 in Wilkes-Barre; 4-0 on December 26 in Philadelphia).

Friday, February 6 vs. San Antonio Rampage, 7:05pm - The Rampage (21-29-0-1, 43 points, eighth in West Division) pay their first visit to Wilkes-Barre since February 8, 2003. After starting the season with a dismal 2-20-0-1 record, which included a 17-game winless streak, San Antonio has posted a 19-9-0-0 record since December 1. Rampage netminder Josh Tordjman was recently named the Reebok X-Pulse/AHL Goaltender of the Month for January, after posting a 9-4-0 record with a 2.02 goals against average and .933 save percentage. Former Penguin Ryan Lannon has four assists in 45 games with San Antonio this season, but is currently out of the lineup due to injury.

Sunday, February 8 vs. Norfolk, 5:05pm - The Admirals (18-22-2-5, 43 points, seventh in East Division) have the worst road record in the league this season at 6-13-0-3 (15 points), and are paying their first of four visits to Wilkes-Barre this season on Sunday. The Penguins have posted two wins and dropped an overtime decision in the first three meetings this year. Norfolk features a balanced scoring attack, with Brandon Bochenski, Blair Jones, Zenon Konopka and Brandon Segal all sitting between 30 and 33 points entering this week's action. Before Sunday, the Admirals will have played 11 of 12 games on home ice.

All Penguins games can be heard live on 102.3 the Mountain and on-line at www.wbspenguins.com. Penguins games can also be viewed on-line at www.ahllive.com, the official video provider of the American Hockey League.

Date Player Transaction

2009-02-03 Luca Caputi (F) Recalled from loan by Pittsburgh (NHL)

2009-02-02 Paul Bissonnette (LW) Returned on loan from Pittsburgh (NHL)

2009-01-30 Tommy Goebel (F) Recalled from loan by Wheeling (ECHL)

2009-01-26 Bill Thomas (RW) Recalled from loan by Pittsburgh (NHL)

2009-01-26 Chris Minard (LW) Recalled from loan by Pittsburgh (NHL)

2009-01-26 Paul Bissonnette (LW) Recalled from loan by Pittsburgh (NHL)

2009-01-24 Jordan Morrison (LW) Returned on loan to Wheeling (ECHL)

2009-01-23 Tommy Goebel (F) Returned on loan to Wheeling (ECHL)

LEAGUE LEADERS

JEFF TAFFE is tied for eight in points (48), tied for 17th in goals (18), tied for 13th in assists (30), tied for 11th in game-winning goals (4)

JANNE PESONEN is tied for 18th in points (42), tied for 16th in assists (28)

BEN LOVEJOY is tied for 14th in defenseman scoring (24) and first in the league in plus-minus (plus-28)

LUCA CAPUTI is tied for first in rookie scoring (35)

CONNOR JAMES leads the league in shorthanded goals (4)

JOEY MORMINA is second in the league in plus-minus (plus-24)

JEAN-PHILLIPE COTE is tied for 15th in plus-minus (plus-15)

JOHN CURRY is tied for eighth in wins (16)

ADAM BERKHOEL is tied for third in shutouts (4)

CURRY NOW NUMBER TWO: Penguins netminder John Curry made 21 saves on January 31 to record a 4-1 win over the Syracuse Crunch. That was Curry's 40th career win with the Penguins, and moved him into second place on the team's all-time wins list:

PENGUINS ALL-TIME WINS LEADERS

1. Sebastien Caron 48

2. JOHN CURRY 40 (16)

3. Marc-Andre Fleury 39

4. Dany Sabourin 38

5. Andy Chiodo 31

Curry also ranks third on the team's all-time shutout list:

PENGUINS ALL-TIME SHUTOUT LEADERS

1. Sebastien Caron 10

2. Andy Chiodo 7

3. JOHN CURRY 5

Marc-Andre Fleury 5

Dany Sabourin 5

Curry has 12 wins in his past 14 starts dating back to December 13, posting a 2.16 goals against average (35 goals against, 971:32 mp) and a .925 save percentage (431 saves, 466 shots) with two shutouts in that time.

ENGELLAND ENDS DROUGHT: Pens defenseman Deryk Engelland netted his first goal of the season on January 31 @ Syracuse, snapping a 52-game goalless streak. His last goal prior to January 31 came on April 4, 2008 against the Springfield Falcons.

DEFENSE A PLUS: Penguins defensemen Ben Lovejoy and Joey Mormina rank first and second respectively in the league in plus-minus rating. Lovejoy has posted a plus-28 rating while appearing in 46 games, while Mormina is plus-24 in 40 games. The Penguins single season record for best plus-minus is plus-24, set by Alain Nasreddine in 2005-06.

MARK ON MARK: Mark Letestu has recorded eight points (5+3) in his past seven games, and has posted 21 points (9+12) in 18 games dating back to December 26, with at least one point in 15 of those 18 contests.

LUCA ON THE LOOSE: After a slow start to the season, Luca Caputi has found his scoring touch during the past two months. He posted just eight points (4+4) combined in October and November, but recorded 13 points (5+8) in 12 games during December, and 14 points (14+10) in 13 games during January.

In his past 22 games played, Caputi has recorded 23 points (7+16) to move into a tie for first place among rookie scorers with 35 points (13+22) as of February 2. He was recalled by Pittsburgh on February 3.

GREAT DEALS FROM THE PENGUINS

DOLLAR HOT DOG NIGHT THIS FRIDAY - The Pens 10th Anniversary celebration continues on Friday, February 6th with our FIRST EVER DOLLAR HOT DOG NIGHT courtesy of SMG and Aramark. There's no limit to how many hot dogs you can buy, but be sure to get there early while supplies last! Bring the whole family and cheer on your Pens as they take on the San Antonio Rampage. All the action starts at 7:05 and great seats are still available!

GET LUCKY'S THIS VALENTINE'S DAY - Wanna get Lucky this Valentine's Day? The Penguins and Lucky's Sporthouse have teamed up to offer you and your sweetheart the perfect date night out! The Pens Sweetheart Package is the perfect Valentine's Day gift. For just $70 you get two red zone tickets to the Pens game on Saturday, Feb. 14th or Sunday, Feb. 15th, dinner for two at Lucky's Sporthouse and two movie passes to Wilkes-Barre Theatres 14 - all at a savings of $47.00. This is a limited time offer and valid at the Penguins Team Store only. Call 208-PENS for more info.

HOCKEY AND HEELS MARCH 7 - Ladies, want to become an expert on all things hockey? If so, be sure to attend our Hockey N' Heels event sponsored by Sorella Hair Salon and Day Spa on Saturday, March 7th starting at 3PM. For just $25 you will receive a ticket to game, an off-ice Hockey 101 clinic, Q&A with the coaches' wives & women in sports, gift bag, tour of the Arena and pre-game social mixer. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the Domestic Violence Service Center. Stop by the Fan Assistance center in Section 108 on the concourse during any home game or call 208-PENS for more details! Tickets are available through the Penguins Team Store only.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Friday February 6 San Antonio Rampage Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep Game Worn Jersey Card Giveaway #3 (first 5,000 fans)

Saturday February 14 Hamilton Bull Dogs Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania John Slaney Bobblehead (first 5,000 fans)

Check out the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2009


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