
Playoff Push in Full Effect as Penguins Prepare for Three-In-Three Weekend
April 2, 2024 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (33-22-8-1) won its only game last week to shrink magic number to four
Weekly Rewind
Saturday, Mar. 23 - PENGUINS 4 vs. Lehigh Valley 3 (OT)
A thrilling game ended with an appropriate finish, as Corey Andonovski dazzled with a highlight reel tally to cap overtime. Lehigh Valley struck first, but Radim Zohorna and Austin Rueschhoff scored less than two minutes apart late in the second period to take a 2-1 lead. The Phantoms briefly took back the lead, but Avery Hayes notched his first AHL goal to force OT. Evan Vierling, who was making his AHL debut, set up Hayes with a bank pass off the end boards with 3:32 left in regulation.
The Week Ahead
Friday, Mar. 22 - PENGUINS vs. Cleveland
The Penguins start their three-in-three at home by taking on the Monsters for the final time this season. Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton is 2-0-1-0 this season against Cleveland and 16-2-3-0 (.833) all-time against the Monsters franchise. Friday is also a Fan Friday featuring select domestic draft beers on sale for $2 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. presented by Coors Light.
Saturday, Mar. 23 - PENGUINS at Bridgeport
A 22-hour turnaround puts the Penguins in Connecticut to take on the Islanders at 5:00 p.m. Bridgeport ranks last in the Atlantic Division, but has won three of its last four games.
Sunday, Mar. 24 - PENGUINS vs. Lehigh Valley
Another 22-hour turnaround brings Wilkes-Barre/Scranton back home for another faceoff with its Turnpike rival. The Penguins are 6-1-2-1 against the Phantoms this season with six games decided by one goal four games requiring overtime. Children ages 14 and under can attend the game for free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Furthermore, this Kids Free Sunday will feature $5 ride books courtesy of Knoebels Amusement Park handed out to the first 1,000 kids in attendance.
Ice Chips
- In March, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton went 11-for-47 (23.4%) on the power play and 28-for-34 (84.8%) on the penalty kill.
- Joel Blomqvist now owns sole possession of the fourth-most wins by a rookie in Penguins history (22), eclipsing Casey DeSmith.
- Radim Zohorna has 18 points (7G-11A) in his last 15 games.
- Each of Austin Rueschhoff's last four goals have been power-play goals.
- On Monday, the Penguins signed forward Mathieu De St. Phalle to a two-year AHL contract starting in 2024-25. De St. Phalle led the Badgers in goals in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
DIVISION STANDINGS
TEAM GP W L OTL SOL PTS Pts%
1. Hershey 64 47 12 0 5 99 .773
2. Providence 64 38 19 4 3 83 .648
3. Charlotte 65 35 23 7 0 77 .592
4. PENGUINS 64 33 22 8 1 75 .586
5. Hartford 64 30 24 7 3 70 .547
6. Lehigh Valley 63 28 26 6 3 65 .516
7. Springfield 64 29 30 3 2 63 .492
8. Bridgeport 64 23 34 6 1 53 .414
TEAM LEADERS
SKATERS GP G A PTS
Ty Smith 60 9 29 38
Alex NylanderX 43 17 15 32
Vasily Ponomarev 45 9 21 30
Vinnie Hinostroza 36 13 15 28
Sam PoulinX 36 13 14 27
GOALIES GP W-L-OT GAA SV% Shutouts
Joel Blomqvist* 40 22-10-6 2.15 .920 1
Magnus HellbergX 19 9-8-2 2.92 .905 0
Ludovic Waeber 16 6-7-0 3.10 .886 1
* = rookie
X = no longer on roster
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
Fri, Apr. 5 Cleveland Mohegan Sun Arena 7:05 p.m.
Sat, Apr. 6 Bridgeport Total Mortgage Arena 5:00 p.m.
Sun, Apr. 7 Lehigh Valley Mohegan Sun Arena 3:05 p.m.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Fri, Mar. 29 (C) Jonathan Gruden Reassigned by PIT
Fri, Mar. 29 (D) Ryan Shea Recalled to PIT
Mon, Apr. 1 (RW) Mathieu De St. Phalle Signed to ATO
Tue, Apr. 2 (C) Justin Addamo Reassigned to WHL
American Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2024
- IceHogs Clinch Playoff Berth with 2-1 Shootout Win Over Admirals - Rockford IceHogs
- Caamano's Four Goals Lead Texas Past Colorado - Texas Stars
- Ads Get Point in Shoot-Out Loss - Milwaukee Admirals
- Caamano's Four-Goal Night Drives Stars To 5-3 Win Over Eagles - Colorado Eagles
- Bears Claim Atlantic Division In 1-0 Win Over Phantoms - Hershey Bears
- Bears Survive in Goalie Battle - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Couldn't Have Been Planned Better: A Season of Growth for Brendan Brisson - Henderson Silver Knights
- Tucson Roadrunners Road Ahead: I Wish They All Could be California - Tucson Roadrunners
- Blue Jackets Recall Defenseman David Jiricek from Monsters - Cleveland Monsters
- Allan Expected to Miss 3-4 Weeks - Rockford IceHogs
- Wolf Pack Sign D Victor Mancini to Amateur Tryout Agreement (Ato) - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Foley Entertainment Group Arena in Henderson Renamed Lee's Family Forum - Henderson Silver Knights
- Rangers Assign Defenseman Brandon Scanlin to Wolf Pack - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Wolves/Vitalant Blood Drive to be Held April 13 - Chicago Wolves
- Jefferies' Goal Only Offense in Morning Setback - Bridgeport Islanders
- Syracuse Crunch Weekly - Vol. 30, No. 25 - Syracuse Crunch
- Kolosov Arrives - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Comets Use Second Period to Topple Islanders in 4-1 Victory - Utica Comets
- San Diego Gulls Sign Andrew Lucas to Amateur Tryout - San Diego Gulls
- Tampa Bay Lightning Add Goaltender Matt Tomkins on Emergency Recall - Syracuse Crunch
- Blue Jackets Assign Defenseman Jake Christiansen to Monsters - Cleveland Monsters
- Preview: Tuesday Matchup with Admirals up Next for IceHogs - Rockford IceHogs
- Playoff Push in Full Effect as Penguins Prepare for Three-In-Three Weekend - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Cooper Black, Gracyn Sawchyn and Kai Schwindt Join Checkers Roster - Charlotte Checkers
- Game Preview: Bears vs. Phantoms, 7 p.m. - Hershey Bears
- Rangers Reassign Olof Lindbom to Cyclones, Wolf Pack Loan Zach Berzolla to Florida Everbaldes - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Griffins Battle Rivals Rockford and Chicago in Three-Game Week - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Bridgeport Islanders Host Comets at 10:30 a.m. Today - Bridgeport Islanders
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

