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Home Game: 34

AHL Game: 1026

Who: Utica Comets

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 3:05 p.m.

Media Kit

Last Game: Last night against Lehigh Valley, the Pens beat the Phantoms 3-0. It was the first regulation shutout for Casey DeSmith, who stopped all 26 shots faced. Troy Josephs scored his first professional goal as well…. For Utica, the Comets hosted Rochester and won 5-3. Jake Virtanen scored twice and was named first star of the game.

Lat Meeting: Last Sunday at home, Casey DeSmith backstopped Wilkes-Barre to a 2-1 win over the Comets with 45 saves. Sahir Gill and Dominik Simon scored for the Penguins.

Record: For WBS: 47-19-3-0 (97 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division) — For UTI: 32-28-7-2 (73 pts., 5th place North Division)

Why you should care: Win and you are in. If the Penguins win this game this afternoon in any form or fashion, they are the first Eastern Conference team registered for the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs. Utica poses a threat because they are in fifth place and still have a lot to play for.

Referee(s): Tim Mayer / Dave Lewis

Linesmen: Luke Murray / Scott Pomento

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @WBSGameDay // @UticaComets

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /UticaComets

Instagram: wbspenguins / uticacomets

Beat Writers: @CVSethLakso and @TomVenesky / @CometsTales and @OD_Birnell

Broadcasters: WBS: Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS and Nick Hart @_NickHart / UTI: Andy Zilch @Andy_Zilch

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep / @CometsArmy

Radio: For WBS: WILK Newsradio / For Utica: 94.9 K-Rock

Television: AHL Live

Promotion(s): Pirates & Princesses, Kids 14 and Under Free (with paid adult ticket), $2 Hot Dogs (while supplies last) & Postgame Kids Skate

Other Game to Watch: Lehigh Valley visits Hershey.

Next Five Games: @ LV 4/7, @ HFD 4/8, @ PRO 4/9, LV 4/12, HER 4/14

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Away Game: 34

AHL Game: 1002

Who: Springfield Thunderbirds

Where: MassMutual Center

When: 7:05 p.m.

Media Kit

Last Game: Last Sunday at home against Utica, the Penguins won 2-1. Dominik Simon’s third period goal and Casey DeSmith’s 45 saves were enough of the Penguins to squeak past the Comets. For Springfield, the Thunderbirds were defeated Wednesday by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3-2. Adam Wilcox took the loss in net, stopping 25 of 28 shots.

Last Meeting: February 18 in Springfield, the Thunderbirds beat the Penguins 2-1. David Warsofsky scored the goal for the Penguins in the loss.

Record: For WBS: 46-18-3-0 (95 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division) — For SPR: 27-30-9-2 (65 pts., 6th place Atlantic Division)

Why you should care: Penguins look to sew up a spot to the Calder Cup Playoffs and it starts tonight in Springfield. The Penguins received reinforcements in the form of the aforementioned Warsofsky, Oskar Sundqvist and Josh Archibald from Pittsburgh ad Garrett Wilson will be available coming of of his injury. Adam Wilcox for Springfield was recalled to NHL Florida Thursday.

Referee(s): Keith Kaval / Andrew Wilk

Linesmen: Brent Colby / Luke Galvin

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @WBSGameDay // @thunderbirdsahl

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /thunderbirdsahl

Instagram: wbspenguins / thunderbirdsahl

Beat Writers: @CVSethLakso and @TomVenesky

Broadcasters: For WBS: Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / For SPR: Ryan Smith @RyanSmithHockey

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep

Radio: For WBS: WILK Newsradio / For Springfield: WHYN News Talk 560

Television: AHL Live

Other Game to Watch: Bridgeport visits Allentown to pay another visit to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The result of this game will affect the Penguins either way. Ideally, you just want the game to finish in regulation.

Next Five Games: LV 4/1, UTI 4/2, @ LV 4/7, @ HFD 4/8, @ PRO 4/9

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Home Game: 32

AHL Game: 982

Who: Utica Comets

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 3:05 p.m.

Media Kit

Last Game: Last night in Allentown, the Penguins shutout the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 4-0. Tristan Jarry had 35 saves for the shutout and the Penguins penalty kill went 9-for-9. For Utica, the Comets were in Syracuse last night and lost 5-1. Mike Zalewski scored for Utica.

Lat Meeting: February 21 in Utica, the Pens lost 2-1. Tom Kostopoulos had the goal for the Pens in the loss.

Record: For WBS: 45-18-3-0 (93 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division) — For UTI: 31-26-7-2 (71 pts., 5th place North Division)

Why you should care: Comets are going to come in today and look to take down the Eastern Conference’s best team after suffering a setback to their biggest rivals in Syracuse last night. Utica is presently outside of a playoff spot at the moment and need all the wins they can get. Wilkes-Barre will look to complete a perfect weekend.

Referee(s): Mike Sheehan / Terry Koharski

Linesmen: Francois Dussureault / J.P. Waleski

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @WBSGameDay // @UticaComets

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /UticaComets

Instagram: wbspenguins / uticacomets

Beat Writers: @CVSethLakso and @TomVenesky / @CometsTales and @OD_Birnell

Broadcasters: WBS: Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS and Nick Hart @_NickHart / UTI: Andy Zilch @Andy_Zilch

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep / @CometsArmy

Radio: For WBS: WILK Newsradio / For Utica: 94.9 K-Rock

Television: AHL Live

Promotion(s): Superhero Night, (with paid adult ticket), Postgame Kids Skate

Other Game to Watch: Bridgeport visits Lehigh Valley. As a Penguins fan you really don’t care who wins, but want to see that game end in regulation.

Next Five Games: @ SPR 3/31, LV 4/1, UTI 4/2, @ LV 4/7, @ HFD 4/8

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Away Game: 33

AHL Game: 964

Who: Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Where: PPL Center

When: 7:05 p.m.

Media Kit

Last Game: Last night in Syracuse, the Penguins won 5-1. Zach Aston-Reese had a goal and an assist, giving the rookie three points in his first two professional games. For Lehigh Valley, the Phantoms were last in action this past Wednesday in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Anthony Stolarz stopped 42 of 44 shots and was named second star of the game.

Last Meeting: Last Saturday in Wilkes-Barre, the Phantoms beat the Penguins 3-2. Chris McCarthy had two assist for first star honors, Tom Kostopoulos and Oskar Sundqvist scored for the Penguins in the loss.

Record: For WBS: 44-18-3-0 (91 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division) — For LV: 42-19-4-0 (88 pts., 2nd place Atlantic Division)

Why you should care: What path do the Penguins want to take here? The Phantoms have the toughest strength of schedule in the Atlantic Division out of all playoff contending teams. A big majority of that equation is four more meetings with the Penguins on the schedule. A win tonight puts the Penguins up five points on the Phantoms. A loss puts Lehigh Valley one point behind. The road team has won the last four meetings between these two teams.

Referee(s): Jake Brenk / Michael Sheehan

Linesmen: Tim Lyons / Matt McNulty

Twitter: @WBSPenguins and @WBSGameDay / @LVPhantoms

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins / /LehighValleyPhantoms

Instagram: wbspenguins / lehighvalleyphantoms

Beat Writers: @CVSethLakso and @TomVenesky / @SteveGrossMCall

Broadcasters: WBS: Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS and @_NickHart / For Lehigh Valley: Bob Rotruck @BobRotruck

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep / @KRAM209

Radio: For WBS: WILK Newsradio / For Lehigh Valley: Fox 1470

Television: AHL Live

Other Game to Watch: Bridgeport, without the services of Jaroslav Halak in net, head north to Hartford to take on the Wolf Pack. Bridgeport is fifth in the Atlantic, two off of Providence for the final playoff spot.

Next Five Games: UTI 3/26, @ SPR 3/31, LV 4/1, UTI 4/2, @ LV 4/7

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Away Game: 32

AHL Game: 958

Who: Syracuse Crunch

Where: Onondaga County War Memorial Arena

When: 7:00 p.m.

Media Kit

Last Game: Tuesday at home against Hartford, the Penguins won 5-3. Zach Aston-Reese made his pro debut and his first period goal stood up as the game winning goal. Casey DeSmith improved to 17-4. For Syracuse, the Crunch hosted Albany last Saturday and beat the Devils 2-1 in overtime. Matt Peca scored the overtime goal and Kristers Gudlevskis stopped 41 of 42 shots.

Last Meeting: January 25 in Wilkes-Barre, the Penguins won 3-2 in overtime. David Warsofsky scored the overtime game winner and Tristan Jarry stopped 39 of 41.

Record: For WBS: 43-18-3-0 (89 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division) — For SYR: 32-21-6-5 (75 pts., 1st place North Division)

Why you should care: Penguins start an important three in three weekend against the Syracuse Crunch. It’s an important weekend for both teams who look to be playoff bound but aren’t just yet. Both of these division leaders will be looking to shrink that magic number tonight.

Referee(s): Evgenii Romasko / Furman South

Linesmen: Kory Nagy / Francois Dussureault

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @WBSGameDay / @SyracuseCrunch

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /syracusecrunch

Instagram: wbspenguins / officialsyracusecrunch

Beat Writers: @CVSethLakso / @TomVenesky // @syrhockey

Broadcasters: For WBS: Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / For SYR: Dan D’Uva @Dan_DUva

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep / @CrunchSyracuse

Radio: For WBS: WILK NewsRadio / For Syracuse: ESPN Radio Central New York

Television: AHL Live

Other Game to Watch: Light night in the East, so out West, Iowa is in Cleveland  and holds the final playoff spot in the Central. Cleveland is out of a playoff spot right now looking to get in with a win over the Wild.

Next Five Games: @ LV 3/25, UTI 3/26, @ SPR 3/31, LV 4/1, UTI 4/2

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Home Game: 31

AHL Game: 940

Who: Hartford Wolf Pack

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m.

Media Kit

Last Game: Saturday at home against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Penguins lost a close one 3-2. Oskar Sundqvist scored a late shorthanded goal that brought the Penguins to within one. For Hartford, the Wolf Pack were in Hershey this past Saturday and lost 6-4. Taylor Beck scored a goal and assisted on two others in the loss and picked up third star honors.

Last Meeting: March 10 in Wilkes-Barre, the Penguins won 8-1. Derrick Poulkiot had a goal and three assists. Barry Goers had two goals and one assist. Taylor Beck scored for Hartford.

Record: For WBS: 42-18-3-0 (87 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division) — For HFD: 21-36-4-2 (48 pts., 8th place Atlantic Division)

Why you should care: Points are at a premium as we are in the final stretch of the season. The Penguins cannot take the Wolf Pack lightly as they gave the Hershey Bears a fight in the two games down in Chocolatetown this past weekend. Two points are for the taking for the Penguins is they stick to the game plan and execute.

Referee(s): Cameron Voss / Chris Schlenker

Linesmen: Francois Dussureault / Jud Ritter

Twitter: @wbspenguins  and @WBSGameDay / @WolfPackAHL

Facebook:  /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /HartfordWolfPack

Instagram: wbspenguins / hartford_wolfpack

Beat Writers: @CVSethLakso and @TLTomVenesky / @HowlingsToday

Broadcasters: For WBS: Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS and Nick Hart @_NickHart // For HFD: Bob Crawford  @HawkCrawford

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep

Radio: For WBS: WILK NewsRadio / For Hartford: Fox Sports Radio 1410

Television: AHL Live

Promotion(s): None.

Other Game to Watch: Lehigh Valley visits the Rock and take on the St. John’s IceCaps. The IceCaps are trying to fend off a hard charge by the Utica Comets.

Next Five Games: @ SYR 3/24, @ LV 3/25, UTI 3/26, @ SPR 3/31, LV 4/1

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Away Game: 31

AHL Game: 906

Who: Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Where: PPL Center

When: 7:05 p.m.

Media Kit

Last Game: Barry Goers’ two assists earned him first star honors as the Penguins beat the Providence Bruins 3-2 at home last Saturday. For Lehigh Valley, the Phantoms coughed up a 4-3 lead late in the third Wednesday at home against two man short Syracuse and lost 5-4 in overtime. Danick Martel scored twice.

Last Meeting: March 8 in Wilkes-Barre, Lehigh Valley goaltender Alex Lyon stopped all 31 shots faced as the Phantoms shut out the Penguins 3-0.

Record: For WBS: 41-17-3-0 (85 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division) — For LV: 39-18-4-0 (82 pts., 2nd place Atlantic Division)

Why you should care: If the Penguins are to win the division this season, it is going to come at the expense of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms whom they must fend off here in the final stretch of the season where they play the Phantoms six more times starting tonight in Allentown.

Referee(s): Cameron Voss

Linesmen: Tom DellaFranco / Jason Mandroc

Twitter: @WBSPenguins and @WBSGameDay / @LVPhantoms

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins / /LehighValleyPhantoms

Instagram: wbspenguins / lehighvalleyphantoms

Beat Writers: @CVSethLakso and @TomVenesky / @SteveGrossMCall

Broadcasters: WBS: Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS and @_NickHart / For Lehigh Valley: Bob Rotruck @BobRotruck

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep / @KRAM209

Radio: For WBS: WILK Newsradio / For Lehigh Valley: Fox 1470

Television: AHL Live

Other Game to Watch: Bridgeport visits Providence in the other key battle in the division among playoff contending teams.

Next Five Games: LV 3/18, HFD 3/21, @ SYR 3/24, LV 3/25, UTI 3/26