AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Penguins Carry Five-Game Winning Streak Into This Week's Action

Published on February 10, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release


UPCOMING GAMES:

Wednesday, February 11 vs. Lake Erie Monsters, 7:05pm - The Monsters (21-25-1-5, 48 points, sixth in North Division) are in the midst of a season-high nine-game road trip, which began Saturday in Grand Rapids and continued Sunday in Hamilton. Lake Erie is one of the least penalized teams in the league (776 penalty minutes, fourth fewest), but also one of the lowest scoring squads (123 goals for, 28th of 29 teams). The Monsters have only two players with 10 goals or more this season (Chris Durno - 12, Philippe Dupuis - 10), but are solid on defense with goaltender Tyler Weiman (16 wins, 2.27 goals against average, .924 save percentage) ranking in the top five among AHL netminders.

Saturday, February 14 vs. Hamilton Bulldogs, 7:05pm - The Bulldogs (30-19-2-0, 62 points, third in North Division) rank fourth overall in goals scored this season (174 in 51 games), trailing only Grand Rapids, Hershey and the Penguins. Yanick Lehoux paces the team with 30 assists and 45 points, while Mike Glumac leads the squad with 21 goals on the year. The Bulldogs will play in Hershey (Wednesday) and Norfolk (Friday) before heading to Wilkes-Barre for a Valentine's Day meeting.

Sunday, February 15 vs. Worcester Sharks, 5:05pm - The Sharks (27-22-0-2, 56 points, fourth in Atlantic Division) have allowed 153 goals on the season - the fifth highest total in the AHL so far this season. They do feature one of the highest scoring forwards in the league though in Ryan Vesce (16+37=53, tied for fifth in points) and a dynamic rookie duo of Steven Zalewski (11+19=30) and Jamie McGinn (16+10=26), both of whom rank in the top 20 among first year skaters in scoring.

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

Date Player Transaction

2009-02-08 Bryan Ewing (F) Recalled from loan to Wheeling (ECHL)

2009-02-07 Alex Goligoski (D) Loaned from Pittsburgh (NHL)

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)

LEAGUE LEADERS

JEFF TAFFE is tied for fifth in points (53), tied for 17th in goals (18), tied for sixth in assists (35), tied for 13th in game-winning goals (4) and tied for 14th in plus-minus (plus-15)

JANNE PESONEN is tied for 13th in points (46), tied for 16th in assists (31)

BEN LOVEJOY is tied for 13th in defenseman scoring (26) and first in the league in plus-minus (plus-33)

CONNOR JAMES is tied for the league lead in shorthanded goals (4) and shorthanded points (5)

DUSTIN JEFFREY is tied for the league lead in shorthanded points (5)

JOEY MORMINA is second in the league in plus-minus (plus-27)

JOHN CURRY is seventh in goals against average (2.40), tied for ninth in save percentage (.919), tied for fourth in wins (19) and tied for sixth in shutouts (3)

ADAM BERKHOEL is 18th in goals against average (2.54), tied for third in shutouts (4)

FIVE IN A ROW FOR PENS: The Penguins carry a five-game winning streak (Jan. 30-Feb. 8) into Wednesday night's game against the Lake Erie Monsters, tying the team's season-high for consecutive wins (Dec. 20-30).

CURRY WINS WEEKLY AWARD: The American Hockey League announced on Monday that John Curry has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Feb. 8, 2009. Curry was 3-0-0 in three appearances last week, stopping 80 of 84 shots (1.30, .952) and running his personal win streak to eight games, tying his career best.

Curry (19-7-0) is tied for fourth in the AHL in wins and ranks among the top 10 in goals-against average (2.40) and save percentage (.919) through 27 appearances with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season. The second year pro has moved into second place on the team's all-time wins list (43) and third place on the team's all-time shutout list (6) this season.

PENGUINS ALL-TIME WINS LEADERS

1. Sebastien Caron 48

2. JOHN CURRY 43 (19)

3. Marc-Andre Fleury 39

4. Dany Sabourin 38

5. Andy Chiodo 31

PENGUINS ALL-TIME SHUTOUT LEADERS

1. Sebastien Caron 10

2. Andy Chiodo 7

3. JOHN CURRY 6

4. Marc-Andre Fleury 5

Dany Sabourin 5

The Shorewood, MN native made his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this season, posting a 2-1-0 record in three outings. Since being reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on December 12, Curry has posted a 16-3-0 record with three shutouts, a .929 sv% (511 of 550) and a 2.02 goals against average (39 GA, 1155:50mp).

In 2007-08, Curry was named to the AHL's All-Rookie Team and backstopped the Penguins to the Calder Cup Finals. The 24-year-old has a career record of 43-19-3 with six shutouts in 67 career AHL games.

GOOSE IS BACK: The Pittsburgh Penguins reassigned defenseman Alex Goligoski to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on February 7. The second-year pro has appeared in 44 games with Pittsburgh this season, leading all Penguins defensemen with 20 points (6+14).

The former second round draft pick (61st overall in 2004) spent the entire 2007-08 campaign with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, leading all Pens defenders with 28 points (10+28) in 70 games. He added 28 points (4+24) in 23 playoff games and ranked second overall in AHL playoff scoring, and tied the AHL record for points in a playoff season by a rookie, set by Mike Sillinger of Adirondack in 1989.

EWING MOVES UP FROM WHEELING: The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have recalled forward Bryan Ewing from the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL), it was announced on Sunday. Ewing, 23, leads the Nailers with 29 goals and 60 points in 44 games this season. He ranks second overall in the league in points and third in goals.

The rookie forward spent four seasons at Boston University (2004-2008), recording 108 points (48+60) in 143 games with the Bulldogs. The 5-10, 175 native of Wheeling, West Virginia was signed by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as a free agent on August 29, 2008.

CASHING IN: Reid Cashman recorded his first career AHL goal on February 3 @ Philadelphia. That tally, which came in his 26th career AHL game, was also the game-winning goal, and came at 11:11 of the third period for the defenseman who wears #11. It also broke a 1-1 tie.

Cashman wasted little time in picking up his second goal, netting the overtime winner on February 6 vs. San Antonio, giving him goals in back-to-back games.

CONNOR CLOSING IN ON 100: Connor James carries a four-game scoring streak (1+4=5, Jan. 30-Feb. 6) into Sunday's game. His goal on February 6 vs. San Antonio gave him 99 points (35+64) in 182 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

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-31 rating while appearing in 48 games, while Mormina is plus-27 in 42 games. The Penguins single season record for best plus-minus is plus-24, set by Alain Nasreddine in 2005-06.

GREAT DEALS FROM THE PENGUINS

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

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

Check out the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from February 10, 2009


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