AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Penguins Weekly

March 11, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release


LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Friday, March 8: Penguins 0, BRUINS 2

Providence Bruins goaltender Michael Hutchinson made 20 saves for his first shutout of the season and a 2-0 win over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Dunkin' Donuts Center.

After a scoreless forty minutes of hockey, Craig Cunningham's power play goal put the Bruins ahead at 5:58 of the third period. Providence would strike again on the man-advantage with 4:09 left in regulation as Graham Mink recorded the insurance marker.

Jeff Zatkoff stopped 23-of-25 shots for the Penguins. Both teams only managed three shots each in the first period.

Saturday, March 9: Penguins 4, PIRATES 3 (OT)

Though the Penguins were unable to hold on to a two-goal, first-period lead, Chad Kolarik's power play goal 38 seconds into overtime ensured a 4-3 win for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton against the Portland Pirates at Cumberland County Civic Center.

Joe Morrow and Jayson Megna each tallied their fourth goal of the season 2:03 apart to help the Penguins stake a 2-0 edge in the first period. Portland battled back and eventually took a 3-2 lead at 1:37 of the third on Chris Brown's second goal of the match.

Just over two minutes later, Zach Sill was able to knot the contest once again and force overtime. Brad Thiessen made 21 saves to record the win. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton went 2-for-7 on the man-advantage.

Sunday, March 11: Penguins 5, MONARCHS 4 (SO)

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton rallied from 3-0 down to defeat the Manchester Monarchs in the shootout, 5-4, at Verizon Wireless Arena.

After Andy Andreoff had put Manchester ahead, 4-2, 5:28 into the third, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton got back within a goal thanks to Zach Sill's goal at the midway point of the period. Dylan Reese then potted the equalizer with 4:10 left in regulation to send the game to the shootout.

Jeff Zatkoff denied all four Monarchs shooters, while Riley Holzapfel and Trevor Smith were able to get the puck past goalie Martin Jones. Sill and Chad Kolarik each notched a goal and an assist. Trailing 3-0 in the second period, Kolarik and Bobby Farnham scored 28 seconds apart to cut Manchester's lead down to one.

UPCOMING GAMES

Wednesday, March 13, 7:00 PM - Penguins at SHARKS - 102.3 the Mountain

Friday, March 15, 7:30 PM: Penguins at SHARKS- 102.3 the Mountain

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton quickly wraps up the road segment in its season series against Worcester (27-23-1-4). The Sharks have gone 5-4-0-1 to stay in the playoff race as they are in fourth place in the Atlantic Division and just three points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins blanked Worcester, 3-0, in the first meeting on Jan. 5 at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Saturday, March 16, 7:00 PM: Penguins at PIRATES - 102.3 the Mountain

The Penguins and Pirates (33-21-3-2) will meet for the final time this regular season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton holding 2-0-0-1 advantage in the season series. Portland is looking to a recover from a weekend that saw them go 0-1-2-1 and fall four points behind the Providence Bruins for the Atlantic Division lead. Chris Brown is second among rookies with 22 goals scored.

PENGUINS TEAM LEADERS as of 3/11/13...

PLAYER GP G A PTS

Chad Kolarik 61 22 28 50

Trevor Smith 60 17 20 37

Riley Holzapfel 60 16 30 36

xBeau Bennett 35 7 18 25

Paul Thompson 42 14 9 23

GOALIE GP REC SO GAA SV%

Jeff Zatkoff 38 19-17-0 3 1.96 .919

Brad Thiessen 26 13-10-1 4 2.57 .905

EAST DIVISION STANDINGS as of 3/11/13...

TEAM GP W L OTL SOL PTS

1. Syracuse Crunch 60 36 17 3 4 79

2. Binghamton Senators 59 36 17 1 5 78

3. PENGUINS 60 32 25 2 1 67

4. Hershey Bears 60 28 24 3 5 64

5. Norfolk Admirals 58 27 26 4 1 59

ICE CHIPS...

- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has won 10 of its last 11 shootout games, dating back to a 7-6 win versus Manchester on Feb. 23, 2012.

- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is now 21-6-0-1 versus non-East Division opponents.

- Friday's loss to the Providence Bruins was the Penguins' first in regulation this season against an Atlantic Division foe (8-1-0-1).

- In WBS's shootout win on Sunday versus Manchester, Jeff Zatkoff allowed more than two goals for only the second time since Jan. 9 - a span of 16 appearances.

- Zatkoff has won six straight shootout decisions. His last loss came on Nov. 5, 2012 against Providence while a member of the Manchester Monarchs.

- Saturday's OT game-winner for Chad Kolarik was his second with the Penguins since being acquired on Jan. 24. He also scored in overtime against the Hershey Bears on Feb. 3 at GIANT Center.

PENGUINS RECENT TRANSACTIONS...

03/06/2013 Tom Kostopoulos RW DEL Released from PTO

03/05/2013 Beau Bennett LW DEL Recalled from loan by Pittsburgh (NHL)

Check out the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from March 11, 2013


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