Penguins Go North of the Border for Trio of Games Before Holiday Break
December 20, 2022 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release
Weekly Rewind
Friday, Dec. 16 - PENGUINS 3 vs. Hershey 1
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton raced out to an early, two-goal lead with strikes from Jonathan Gruden and Tyler Sikura. Sam Houde delivered a clutch insurance marker in the early stages of the third period. Dustin Tokarski made 29 saves, but had his shutout spoiled in the last minute of regulation.
Saturday, Dec. 17 - PENGUINS 1 vs. Hershey 2 (OT)
The Bears leveled the season series at four wins apiece thanks to a pair of goals by Mike Sgarbossa. The Penguins held their annual Teddy Bear Toss, resulting in over 3000 stuffed toys being donated to charity when Alex Nylander tallied the Penguins' goal at 18:48 of the second period.
The Week Ahead
Tuesday, Dec. 20 - PENGUINS at Toronto
The Penguins being their first and only Canadian road trip against the North Division-leading Toronto Marlies. The Marlies own the league's second-best power play at 28.3%. Toronto captain Logan Shaw leads the team with 29 points (9G-20A), which is tied for the seventh-highest total in the league.
Wednesday, Dec. 21 - PENGUINS at Belleville
Wednesday is the Penguins' third-ever visit to Belleville, and the team is 2-0-0-0 in its previous stops. The Senators have lost eight of their last 12 games, but Egor Sokolov has 12 points (3G-9A) in those dozen contests.
Friday, Dec. 23 - PENGUINS at Laval
A Christmas Eve Eve showdown between the Penguins and Rocket closes out the Black and Gold's Canadian excursion. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defeated Laval, 2-1, on its home ice back on Oct. 21. The Penguins have three native Québécois with a chance to play in their home province: Sam Houde, Nathan Légaré and Xavier Ouellet.
Ice Chips
- From Dec. 4-16, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton scored 18 total goals in three games, tied for the highest three-game mark in franchise history.
- The Penguins have killed 15-straight opponent power plays, and the team's penalty kill is 89.7% in its last nine games.
- Valtteri Puustinen has 11 points (6G-5A) in his last 11 games.
- Taylor Fedun is two points shy of 200 AHL points.
- Friday will be Xavier Ouellet's first game in Laval as a visitor. From 2018-22, Ouellet served as captain of the Rocket.
- Before Jordan Frasca on Friday, the last Penguin to receive a 10-minute misconduct in his AHL debut was Patrick McGrath (Dec. 27, 2014).
DIVISION STANDINGS
TEAM GP W L OTL SOL PTS Pts%
1. Hershey 28 19 6 2 1 41 .732
2. Providence 26 16 4 4 2 38 .731
3. Bridgeport 27 14 8 5 0 32 .611
4. PENGUINS 23 13 6 2 2 30 .652
5. Lehigh Valley 25 12 10 2 1 27 .540
6. Charlotte 26 12 11 2 1 27 .519
7. Springfield 27 10 12 1 4 25 .463
8. Hartford 25 9 11 1 4 23 .460
TEAM LEADERS
SKATERS GP G A PTS
Drew O'Connor^ 20 8 14 22
Alex Nylander 23 9 10 19
Valtteri Puustinen 24 9 10 19
Filip Hållander 19 7 11 18
Xavier Ouellet 24 0 14 14
GOALIES GP W-L-OT GAA SV% Shutouts
Dustin Tokarski 14 8-3-3 1.97 .933 1
Filip Lindberg* 10 5-3-1 2.45 .915 0
* = rookie
^ = currently with Pittsburgh
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
Tue, Dec. 20 Toronto Coca-Cola Coliseum 7:00 p.m.
Wed, Dec. 21 Belleville CAA Arena 7:05 p.m.
Fri, Dec. 23 Laval Place Bell 7:00 p.m.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Thu, Dec. 15 (D) Colin Swoyer Reassigned by PIT from WHL
Fri, Dec. 15 (LW) Jordan Frasca Reassigned by PIT from WHL
Mon, Dec. 19 (RW) Sean Josling Recalled from WHL
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