Chirps from Center Ice

@     

–

Who: Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Where: Webster Bank Arena

When: 3:00 p.m.

Last Game: Last night at home against Lehigh Valley, the Pens won 5-2. Ryan Haggerty had a hat trick, Teddy Blueger and Sam Lafferty also scores shorthanded goals. For Bridgeport, the Sound Tigers hosted the Springfield Thunderbirds and won 5-3. Michale Del Colle scored two goals.

Last Meeting: Last Saturday in Wilkes-Barre, the Pens won 3-1. Teddy Blueger, Ethan Prow and Jeff Taylor scored for the Penguins. Anthony Peters stopped 21 of 22, getting beat by Otto Koivula only.

Record: For WBS: 14-10-3-1 (32 pts., 4th place Atlantic Division) // For BRI: 16-8-3-1 (36 pts., 2nd place North Division)

Referees: Peter Tarnaris / Peter Schlittenhardt

Linesmen: Nick Briganti / Brian Pincus

Why You Should Care: Sound Tigers have taken a point in their last 13 games at home. The Penguins sit four points behind Bridgeport coming into this afternoons affair. They can cut it to two with a solid effort like the one that carried them to a win last night against Lehigh Valley. Big test for both sides coming in this afternoon.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

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

Other Game to Watch: Tucson visits Chicago as the class of the Pacific Division faces off against a very good Wolves team.

Next Five Games: vs. BRI 12/19, @ HER 12/21, @ SYR 12/22, vs. LV 12/26, vs. HER 12/28

vs.     

–

Who: Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m.

Last Game: Wednesday in Springfield, the Penguins won 2-1 in a shootout. Adam Johnson scored a goal in regualtion and also in the shootout. Tristan Jarry returned from Pittsburgh and stopped 34 shots. For Lehigh Valley, the Phantoms hosted the Belleville Senators on Friday night and won 4-1. Carsen Twarynski had a pair of goal, Chris Conner had two assists and Carter Hart stopped 25 of 26 shots.

Last Meeting: October 20 in Wilkes-Barre, the Phantoms won 6-3. German Rubtsov scored two goals for the Phantoms. Sam Miletic scored tow goals for the Penguins. Both players are currently injured and will not play tonight.

Record: For WBS: 13-10-3-1 (30 pts., 5th place Atlantic Division) // For LV: 15-8-1-1 (32 pts., 3rd place North Division)

Referees: Andrew Bruggeman / Alex Normandin

Linesmen: Jud Ritter / Jason Mandroc

Why You Should Care: Penguins should have the upper hand tonight with being well rested after being off Friday and with Lehigh Valley missing key forwards up front. However, that doesn’t automatically guarantee two points for the Pens Wilkes-Barre will need to do exactly what they did in the last four games that they have now won, in a row, to get them past a very good Lehigh Valley team.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

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

Promotion(s): For Season Ticket Holders: Your glove voucher. Support the Tobyhanna Teddy Bear Toss  by bringing a new, unwrapped, stuffed animal to the game and toss it onto the ice after the Penguins first goal.  All toys will be collected and distributed to children in need throughout northeast Pennsylvania.

Other Game to Watch: Springfield visits Bridgeport in a game among two very good Atlantic Division teams.

Next Five Games: @ BRI 12/16, vs. BRI 12/19, @ HER 12/21, @ SYR 12/22, vs. LV 12/26

@     

–

Who: Springfield Thunderbirds

Where: MassMutual Center

When: 7:05 p.m.

Last Game: Sunday in Hershey, the Pens go down 4-1 and storm back and win 5-4 in a shootout. Ethan Prow scored in regulation to tie it, John Muse stopped nine shooters and Joseph Cramarossa scored in the bottom of the ninth to win it for the Pens. For Springfield, the Thunderbirds defeated the Binghamton Devils 5-1. Five different Thunderbirds scored and Michael Hutchinson stopped 42 of 43 shots.

Last Meeting: November 23 in Springfield, the Pens lost 4-3 in overtime. Ethan Prow had a goal and an assist in the loss but Jacob MacDonald scored an overtime power play goal to win it for the Thunderbirds.

Record: For WBS: 12-10-3-1 (28 pts., 5th place Atlantic Division) // For SPR: 13-7-2-2 (30 pts., 3rd place North Division)

Referees: Mitch Dunning / Geoff Miller

Linesmen: Robert St. Lawrence / Kevin Briganti

Why You Should Care: Penguins look to continue the momentum off of the perfect weekend that they had against Cleveland, Bridgeport and Hershey. It won’t be easy against a tough opponent in Springfield. What lineup does Wilkes-Barre bring? Does new acquisition Ben Sexton play? Does John Muse start in goal? Springfield has scored a power play goal in every contest against the Pens so far this season. Does the streak continue?

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

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

Other Game to Watch: Colorado and Tucson is the game tonight. Eagles are fun upstarts, the Roadrunners are a very tough opponent and have been the class of the Pacific for a few years now.

Next Five Games: vs. LV 12/15, @ BRI 12/16, vs. BRI 12/19, @ HER 12/21, @ SYR 12/22

@     

–

Who: Hershey Bears

Where: Giant Center

When: 5:05 p.m.

Last Game: Saturday afternoon against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the Penguins won 3-1. Jeff Taylor scored his first goal as a professional and was named first star of the game. For Hershey, the Bears hosted the Hartford Wolf Pack and won 6-3. Liam O’Brien and Mike Sgarbossa had two goals. Colbv Williams had three assists.

Last Meeting: November 28 in Hershey, the Pens won 3-1. Thomas DiPauli had a pair of goals. Ex-Penguin Jayson Megna scored for Hershey.

Record: For WBS: 11-10-3-1 (26 pts., 6th place Atlantic Division) // For HER: 11-13-0-1 (23 pts., 8th place North Division)

Referees: Andrew Howard / Corey Syvret

Linesmen: Jud Ritter / Richard Jondo

Why You Should Care: Wilkes-Barre can sweep the weekend with the same effort they have brought with them the last two games they have played. Expect John Muse in net and the Penguins to come with some pep looking to jump on the Bears early. Bears won’t be looking to make it easy, though.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

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

Other Game to Watch: Light Sunday. Bakersfield heads into San Jose for a good test against the Pacific Division’s best.

Next Five Games: @ SPR 12/12, vs. LV 12/15, @ BRI 12/16, vs. BRI 12/19, @ HER 12/21

vs.     

–

Who: Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 3:05 p.m.

Last Game: Last night against the Cleveland Monsters, the Pens won 1-0. John Muse had a 32 save shutout, Ryan Haggerty scored a power play goal. For Bridgeport, the Sound Tigers were off Friday but played on Wednesday and beat the Hartford Wolf Pack at home 2-1. Chris Bourque struck on the power play and Sebastian Aho had two assists for the win.

Last Meeting: November 4 in Bridgeport was a wild game. Zach Aston-Reese had a hat trick and an assist, Ethan Prow had three assists, Garrett Wilson had two goals and an assist but the Penguins lost 8-5. Josh Ho-Sang had four assists.

Record: For WBS: 10-10-3-1 (24 pts., 7th place Atlantic Division) // For BRI: 14-7-3-1 (32 pts., 2nd place North Division)

Referees: Chris Waterstradt / Corey Syvret

Linesmen: J.P. Waleski / Jason Mandroc

Why You Should Care: Wilkes-Barre will be looking to ride the momentum from last night’s gritty win over Cleveland against a divisional foe in Bridgeport this afternoon. Expect Anthony Peters in goal for the Pens. The Penguins used a conservative approach against the Monsters Friday, will the same approach work against the Sound Tigers?

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

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

Promotion(s): PENGUINS TRADING CARD STRIP #1 — The first 4,000 fans will receive a Penguins card strip, featuring five different players. Stick around after the Penguins game to watch the Wilkes University Colonels in action against Nazareth College.

Other Game to Watch: Hartford visits Hershey tonight which should be a good measuring stick game for both teams.

Next Five Games: @ HER 12/9, @ SPR 12/12, vs. LV 12/15, @ BRI 12/16, vs. BRI 12/19

vs.     

–

Who: Cleveland Monsters

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m.

Last Game: Saturday in Toronto, the Penguins jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period but here defeated by the Toronto Marlies 7-4. J-S Dea had a pair of assists in the loss. For Cleveland, the Monsters were in Allentown on Wednesday and defeated the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 5-1. Sonny Milano led the attack for the Monsters with a goal and two assists.

Last Meeting: October 13 in Cleveland, the Penguins won 4-1. Garrett Wilson had two assists and Anthony Peters stopped 32 of 33 shots. Kevin Stenlund scores for the Monsters.

Record: For WBS: 9-10-3-1 (22 pts., 7th place Atlantic Division) // For CLE: 12-8-3-0 (27 pts., 2nd place North Division)

Referees: Alex Ross / Chris Waterstradt

Linesmen: Tyler Loftus / J.P. Waleski

Why You Should Care: The Penguins need to snap out of the funk that they are in or else the season will get away from them in a hurry. It starts this weekend against a team they had early success with in Cleveland. The Monsters have been a good team all season and the Penguins seemed to have peaked in that weekend in Cleveland and it has been a struggle since. Look for the Pens will be keeping things simple against Cleveland tonight.

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: Providence, on a tear of recent, heads to Rochester for a Friday night matchup in Western New York against the Americans.

Next Five Games: vs. BRI 12/8, @ HER 12/9, @ SPR 12/12, vs. LV 12/15, @ BRI 12/16

@     

–

Who: Toronto Marlies

Where: Coca-Cola Coliseum

When: 4:00 p.m.

Last Game: Last night in Rochester, the Pens lost 1-0. Scott Wedgewood recorded a 35 save shutout for the Americans. For Toronto, the Marlies were last in action on Wednesday when they defeated the Cleveland Monsters on the road 5-4 in overtime. Chris Mueller scored the overtime game winning goal for the Marlies.

Record: For WBS: 9-9-3-1 (22 pts., 6th place Atlantic Division) // For TOR: 8-7-2-2 (20 pts., 5th place North Division)

Referees: Mike Campbell / Olivier Gouin

Linesmen: Matt Mannella / Jean Menard

Why You Should Care: I would have to guess that the Penguins were upset at the lack of offense last night in Rochester so we will see if anything turns up north of the border this afternoon in Toronto against a rested Marlies team. If the Pens implement the same defensive approach as they did last night in Rochester, they should be OK.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

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

Other Game to Watch: Hartford has been on the ascent of recent and host the class of the Atlantic, the Charlotte Checkers later on tonight in the Connecticut capital.

Next Five Games: vs. CLE 12/7, vs. BRI 12/8, @ HER 12/9, @ SPR 12/12, vs. LV 12/15