Chirps from Center Ice

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Who: Lehigh Valley Phantoms

 Where: PPL Center

When: 7:05 p.m.

Last Game: Last night at home against Binghamton, the Pens won 4-0. John Muse had a 33 save shutout. For Lehigh Valley, the Phantosm were last in action in Charlotte on Wednesday and lost 6-2. Connor Bunnaman and David Kase scored gals in a losing effort for the Phantoms.

Last Meeting: March 23 in Allentown, the Penguins snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a last minute goal by Sam Lafferty and then an overtime goal by Ryan Haggerty to stun the Phantoms and win 5-4 in overtime.

Record: For WBS: 35-26-7-3 (80 pts., 5th place Atlantic Division) // For LV: 34-30-4-3 (75 pts., 6th place Atlantic Division)

Referees: Mike Dietrich / Michael Duco

Linesmen: Tom DellaFranco / Tom George

Why You Should Care: Pens need to keep winning just to keep pace and hope they close ground on Providence for fourth in the division. Lehigh Valley won’t make it easy on the Penguins tonight at home for them.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV is new and improved and a lot cheaper.

Other Game to Watch: Bridgeport and Providence rematch at Webster Bank Arena. The Sound Tigers clinch with a win and will be looking to payback the loss the Bruins laid on them last night. We Penguins fans want a Sound Tigers win.

Remaining Games: @ LV 4/7, @ UTI 4/12, vs. BRI 4/13, vs. BNG 4/14

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Who: Binghamton Devils

 Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m.

Last Game: Tuesday morning in Bridgeport, the Penguins won 3-1. Ryan Haggerty scored twice and Tristan Jarry stopped 32 shots. For Binghamton, the Devils were in action last Saturday where they lost to the Rochester Americans at home 6-4. Blake Pietila had a goal and an assist and John Quenneville had three assists.

Last Meeting: January 26 in Binghamton the Penguins won 5-4 in overtime. Teddy Blueger scored :41 into overtime for the win.

Record: For WBS: 34-26-7-3 (78 pts., 5th place Atlantic Division) // For BNG: 26-38-6-0 (58 pts., 8th place North Division)

Referees: Michael Duco / Andrew Howard

Linesmen: Tom DellaFranco / Jud Ritter

Why You Should Care: Big two points available for the Penguins tonight against a last place Binghamton team who ate 2-7-1 in their last ten games. Wilkes-Barre is three points out of a playoff spot and need to win to keep pace. Playing the right way, like they did Tuesday in Bridgeport, should get them past the Devils this evening.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV is new and improved and a lot cheaper.

Promotion(s): EYEWITNESS NEWS FAN FRIDAY – Enjoy great hockey at a great price with $14 lower bowl tickets, courtesy of our friends at Eyewitness News.  Fans ages 21 and over can enjoy select draft beers for just $2 from 6-7:30pm.  And everyone is invited to stick around after the game for our Citizens Voice / Scranton Times Tribune postgame autograph session, featuring a pair of Penguins players.*

Other Game to Watch: Bridgeport and Providence start a home and home series tonight in Rhode Island. Cheer for a Pens win tonight and a Sound Tigers regulation win.

Next Five Games: @ LV 4/6, @ LV 4/7, @ UTI 4/12, vs. BRI 4/13, vs. BNG 4/14

* – promo information credit to wbspenguins.com/promo-schedule

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Who: Bridgeport Sound Tigers

 Where: Webster Bank Arena

When: 10:30 a.m.

Last Game: Saturday at home against Springfield, the Penguins lost 4-1. Ryan Haggerty had the only goal for the Penguins in the second period. For Bridgeport, the Sound Tigers lost to the Hershey Bears Sunday in a shootout, 2-1. Steve Whitney scored in regulation for the Sound Tigers, Christopher Gibson turned aside 25 shots.

Last Meeting: February 2 in Wilkes-Barre, the Penguins lost 2-1. Jeremy Smith stymied the Penguins, stopping 25 shots being bested only once by Ethan Prow.

Record: For WBS: 33-26-7-3 (76 pts., 5th place Atlantic Division) // For BRI: 40-21-6-3 (89 pts., 2nd place Atlantic Division)

Referees: Reid Anderson / Jordan Deckard

Linesmen: Kevin Briganti / Nick Briganti

Why You Should Care: Wilkes-Barre pretty much needs to win all of its’ remaining games just to keep pace and hope that the Providence Bruins get cold. Now the Bruins aren’t in action today, but the Penguins can close to with three points of the Bruins with a win today. However, Bridgeport is a strong Atlantic Division team and this morning’s game is not going to be easy.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV is new and improved and a lot cheaper.

Other Game to Watch: Later, but Lehigh Valley travels to Charlotte for a two game series against the Checkers. The Checkers are gunning for the Atlantic Division crown and the Phantoms are as desperate as the Penguins are at this point.

Next Five Games: vs. BNG 4/5, @ LV 4/6, @ LV 4/7, @ UTI 4/12, vs. BRI 4/13

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Who: Springfield Thunderbirds

 Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m.

Last Game: Wednesday at home against Providence, the Penguins won 2-0. Tristan Jarry made 23 saves to pick up his first shutout of the season. For Springfield, they were in Binghamton last night and lost 4-3 in overtime. Blaine Byron had a pair of goals in the loss.

Last Meeting: This past Sunday in Wilkes-Barre, the Pens won 3-2. Ex-Penguin J-S Dea supplied all the offense for the visitors and Joseph Cramarossa’s late goal gave the Penguins the full regulation two points. John Muse picked up the win in net for Wilkes-Barre.

Record: For WBS: 33-25-7-3 (76 pts., 5th place Atlantic Division) // For SPR: 28-27-9-5 (70 pts., 7th place Atlantic Division)

Referees: Dan Kelly / Anthony Tapper

Linesmen: Jim Harper / Tyler Loftus

Why You Should Care: Pens still need points as they are outside still looking in the playoff picture. Big two points comes tonight with the only weekend action coming against Springfield. Wilkes-Barre needs and is expected to have their full effort tonight in order to beat the Thunderbirds.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV is new and improved and a lot cheaper. Also, tonight’s game will be televised locally on WBRE-NBC.

Promotion(s): STAR WARS NIGHT / BOY SCOUT NIGHT — It will be a night of intergalactic fun when the Penguins host their fourth annual Star Wars night. The players will be wearing specially produced Star Wars jerseys for the game, featuring a unique clone design with the team’s familiar yellow triangle crest. The jersey was designed by Dave Filoni, executive producer of Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and the head of Lucasfilm Animation Ltd. LLC.  The jerseys will be auctioned off, with the proceeds benefiting the Allied Services Foundation. We’ll also be welcoming Boy Scouts from across NEPA on the night. A special package gets scouts a ticket to the game and special scout patch.*

Other Game to Watch: Hershey hosts Providence in the biggest game of the weekend in the Atlantic Division. As a Penguins fan, cheer for a regulation decision either way.

Next Five Games: vs. BRI 4/2, vs. BNG 4/5, @ LV 4/6, @ LV 4/7, @ UTI 4/12

* – promo information credit to wbspenguins.com/promo-schedule

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Who: Providence Bruins

 Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m.

Last Game: Sunday at home against Springfield, the Penguins scored a late goal off of the stick of Joseph Cramarossa to defeat the Thunderbirds 3-2. For Providence, the Bruins defeated the Binghamton Devils 3-1 on Saturday. Dan Vladar stopped 22 of 23 shots in net. Paul Carey figured in on every goal, scoring twice and assisting on another.

Last Meeting: March 16 in Wilkes-Barre, the Penguins won 2-1 in overtime. Tristan Jarry stopped 36 shots and Adam Johnson scored 1:09 into overtime.

Record: For WBS: 32-25-7-3 (74 pts., 5th place Atlantic Division) // For PRO: 34-22-8-3 (79 pts., 3rd place Atlantic Division)

Referees: Brandon Schrader / Ward Pateman

Linesmen: Jud Ritter / Tom DellaFranco

Why You Should Care: Probably the biggest game of the season for the Penguins who sit five points out of a playoff spot. This is the last head to head meeting with the Bruins and with a win tonight in regulation can close to three points for the fourth and final spot in the Atlantic. The Penguins need to use home ice to their advantage and not make too many mistakes against a dangerous Providence team.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV is new and improved and a lot cheaper.

Promotion(s): None

Other Game to Watch: Lehigh Valley is in Rochester tonight looking to make up ground themselves. Rochester is coming off of an impressive sweep of Toronto this past weekend, looking to carry the momentum into a midweek game with the Phantoms.

Next Five Games: vs. SPR 3/30, vs. BRI 4/2, vs. BNG 4/5, @ LV 4/6, @ LV 4/7

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Who: Springfield Thunderbirds

 Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m.

Last Game: Last night in Allentown, the Penguins won 5-4. Sam Lafferty had a hat trick and an assist, Ryan Haggerty scored the game winning goal in overtime. For Springfield, the Thunderbirds hosted the Laval Rocket Saturday and lost 3-2 in overtime. Ex-Penguin J-S Dea figured into both goals, scoring one and assisting on another for the Thunderbirds in the loss.

Last Meeting: These two teams haven’t played each other since December 12, a game that the Penguins won 2-1 in a shootout. All three Penguins scored in the shootout round.

Record: For WBS: 31-25-7-3 (72 pts., 5th place Atlantic Division) // For SPR: 28-26-8-5 (69 pts., 7th place Atlantic Division)

Referees: Tim Mayer / Guillaume Labonte

Linesmen: Ryan Knapp / Bill Lyons

Why You Should Care: Same verse as yesterday against the Phantoms, another must win game for the Penguins tonight who burn off their game in hand on the Providence Bruins. They can cut the deficit to five with a win this afternoon against the Thunderbirds. Springfield won’t make it easy. Both teams are playing their third game of the weekend.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV is new and improved and a lot cheaper.

Promotion(s): KIDS FREE SUNDAY / TUX’S BIRTHDAY — Celebrate the big bird’s birthday with Tux and some of his furry friends. Fans ages 14 and younger can get into the game for FREE when accompanied by a paying adult (one free kids ticket per paid adult ticket).  NO POSTGAME SKATING SESSION THIS SUNDAY.*

Other Game to Watch: Hershey, on the same point total as Providence, rematch against the Cleveland Monsters who beat the Bears Saturday night.

Next Five Games: vs. PRO 3/27, vs. SPR 3/30, vs. BRI 4/2, vs. BNG 4/5, @ LV 4/6

* – promo information credit to wbspenguins.com/promo-schedule

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Who: Lehigh Valley Phantoms

 Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m.

Last Game: Tuesday in Hershey, the Pens lost 1-0 in overtime. Tristan Jarry stopped 38 shots. For Lehigh Valley, they hosted Toronto on Saturday and won 4-3. Chris Conner scored with under a second left to play in regulation to give the Phantoms the full two points.

Last Meeting: March 13 in Allentown, the Pens won 4-1. Jimmy Hayes had a hat trick.

Record: For WBS: 30-24-7-3 (70 pts., 5th place Atlantic Division) // For LV: 31-27-3-3 (68 pts., 6th place Atlantic Division)

Referees: Kenny Anderson / Stephen Reneau

Linesmen: Tyler Loftus / Tom DellaFranco

Why You Should Care: Very important game tonight for both teams who see the other as a chance to get into the playoff picture here late on in March due to the fact that the teams face off against each other again Saturday and after this twice more. Who wants it more becomes the question? Expect Tristan Jarry in goal tonight, making his twelves straight start.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV is new and improved and a lot cheaper.

Promotion(s): EYEWITNESS NEWS FAN FRIDAY /  BAYARD PRINTING – TIMES TRIBUNE & CITIZENS VOICE TEAM PHOTO — Enjoy great hockey at a great price with $14 lower bowl tickets, courtesy of our friends at Eyewitness News. Fans ages 21 and over can enjoy select draft beers for just $2 from 6-7:30pm.  And everyone is invited to stick around after the game for our Citizens Voice / Scranton Times Tribune postgame autograph session, featuring a pair of Penguins players. All fans in attendance can take home a 2018-19 Penguins team photo, courtesy of Bayard Printing, the Times Tribune & Citizens Voice.*

Other Game to Watch: Both teams will be interested in the Providence Bruins, who play host to the Belleville Senators tonight.

Next Five Games: @ LV 3/23, vs. SPR 3/24, vs. PRO 3/27, vs. SPR 3/30, vs. BRI 4/2

* – promo information credit to wbspenguins.com/promo-schedule