PENGUINS WEEKLY – 12/17/24

Family rivalry comes to town before intense, in-state rivalry weekend

Penguins (14-7-1-0) look to gain separation in tight division race before holiday break

 

Weekly Rewind

Wednesday, Dec. 11 – PENGUINS 6 vs. Charlotte 4
Boris Katchouk lit up Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza with four goals as the Penguins raced past the Checkers with a dynamite third period. Charlotte held a 2-1 lead going into the final frame, but four tallies in five minutes swung the game in the Penguins’ favor.

Friday, Dec. 13 – PENGUINS 0 vs. Charlotte 4
Charlotte got their revenge on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday with a shutout victory. The Checkers’ held the Pens’ vaunted power play off the board on five opportunities.

Saturday, Dec. 14 – PENGUINS 5 vs. Springfield 4 (OT)
Emil Bemström capped off a hat trick with the overtime-winning goal at the end of a thrilling night in Northeast PA. Rutger McGroarty started the scoring with the fastest Teddy Bear Toss goal in team history, 1:53 into the contest. Springfield rallied in the third to force OT, but the Penguins’ third man-advantage marker of the evening sealed the W (and hat trick for Bemström.)

 

The Week Ahead

Wednesday, Dec. 18 – PENGUINS vs. Toronto
Year two of the “Gruden Bowl” starts on Wednesday. Marlies head coach John Gruden is the father of Penguins forward Jonathan Gruden. Last year, the Marlies beat the Pens in NEPA, but Wilkes-Barre/Scranton bested Toronto in Canada two weeks later. Jonathan Gruden scored in both games against his dad.

Saturday, Dec. 21 – PENGUINS vs. Lehigh Valley
Fan Controlled Friday is back, and a fan vote has resulted in the return of the WHITE OUT for this rivalry showdown. The Pens went 3-1-1-0 against the Phantoms in their five early-season matchups.

Sunday, Dec. 22 – PENGUINS at Hershey
The last game before the holiday break is a trip to the division-leading Bears. The PA rivals have split their season series at one win apiece, with both victories belonging to the visiting team.

 

Ice Chips

– Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has scored multiple power-play goals in a game six times this season.

– The Penguins have posted three hat tricks in their last five games (Dec. 7, V. Ponomarev; Dec. 11, B. Katchouk; Dec. 14, E. Bemström).

– Last Wednesday, Boris Katchouk recorded the fourth four-goal game in team history, and the Pens’ first in eight years.

– Prior to Emil Bemström on Saturday, the last time a Penguin completed a hat trick in OT was Apr. 13, 2013 (Chad Kolarik).

– Filip Král has eight points in his last six games (2G-6A).

– Mac Hollowell has 15 assists, tied for fourth among AHL D-men.

 

DIVISION STANDINGS

TEAM LEADERS

* = rookie
x = not on current roster

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

DATE                    OPPONENT              LOCATION                                TIME        

Wed, Dec. 18      Toronto                     Mohegan Arena                    7:05 p.m.

Sat, Dec. 21         Lehigh Valley           Mohegan Arena                    6:05 p.m.

Sun, Dec. 22       Hershey                     Giant Center                          7:05 p.m.

 

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

DATE                  PLAYER                                                              TRANSACTION

Tue, Dec. 10      (D) Justin Lee                                        Recalled from WHL

Tue, Dec. 10      (D) Mats Lindgren                                Recalled from WHL

Wed, Dec. 11     (D) Chris Ortiz                                                 Signed to PTO

Fri, Dec. 13        (D) Chris Ortiz                                          Released from PTO

Tue, Dec. 17      (D) Nate Clurman                                            Recalled to PIT

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