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Away Game: 28

AHL Game: 793

Who: Portland Pirates

Where: Cross Insurance Arena

When: 7:00 p.m.

Media Kit

Last Game: Tuesday at home against Hershey, the Penguins lost 4-1. Carter Rowney scored the only goal for the Pens in the loss. For Portland, the Pirates were in Hartford Wednesday and beat the Wolf Pack 1-0. Sena Acolytes scored the only goal in the contest and Mike McKenna had a 35 save shutout.

Last Meeting: February 14 in Wilkes-Barre, the Penguins lost in overtime 3-2 to the Pirates. Will O’Neill had a goal and an assist in that game.

Record: For WBS: 32-16-4-1 (69 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division) — For POR: 30-20-2-0 (62 pts., 3rd Atlantic Division)

Why you should care: The Penguins simply need to win. Standing in their way is a Portland Pirates team that is third in the division and looking to get by the Bears in second and the Penguins in first. Wilkes-Barre should be bolstered by the return of Oskar Sundqvist, who was returned from his NHL recall by Pittsburgh Thursday.

Referee(s): Mark Lemelin / Jamie Koharski

Linesmen: Joe Ross / Brendan Blanchard

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @WBSGameDay / @portlandpirates

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /PortlandPirates

Instagram: wbspenguins / piratesahl

Beat Writers: @CVSethLakso / @TLTomVenesky // @Chris_MHJ

Broadcasters: WBS: Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / POR: Jeff Mannix @JeffMannix

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep 

Radio: For WBS: WILK NewsRadio / For Portland: News Talk 1310 WLOB

Television: AHL Live

Other Game to Watch: Toronto hosts Hershey tonight. This matchup should be a great test for both clubs.

Next Five Games: @ SPR 2/27, @ PRO 2/28, @ LV 3/4, @ HER 3/5, HER 3/6

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Home Game: 26

AHL Game: 780

Who: Hershey Bears

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m.

Media Kit

Last Game: Sunday in Rochester, the Penguins lost in overtime 3-2. The line of Tom Kostopoulos, Sahir Gill and Carter Rowney all had two points each. For Hershey, they hosted the Providence Bruins and lost 6-3 on Sunday. Connor Carrick and Jakub Vrana were both -3.

Last Meeting: December 26 in Hershey, the Bears pounded the Penguins 5-0. Brian Foster started the game and stopped 16 of 21 shots. Casey Desmith was brought in on relief and stopped all 7 shots faced. Dan Ellis recorded a 22 save shutout. Carter Camper had three assists.

Record: For WBS: 32-15-4-1 (69 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division) — For HER: 29-15-3-7 ( pts., 2nd place Atlantic Division)

Why you should care: Get ready for a lot of these Gameday setups that preview Hershey and Wilkes-Barre. These rivals meet 12 times this season. Tonight is just the fifth of the dozen times these teams meet. Hershey is coming in 7-2-0-1 in their last ten, the Penguins are 3-3-4-0 in that same span. The Bears have significantly closed what once was a nearly insurmountable lead that the Penguins had on the Atlantic Division. No matter what happens tonight, the Penguins will remain in first place in the division. With a win, the Pens open up some breathing room on Hershey for tops in the division. With a loss, the Bears draw one step closer, with six more meetings to come.

Referee(s): Geno Binda / Cameron Voss

Linesmen: Francois Dussureault / Jud Ritter

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @WBSGameDay / @TheHersheyBears

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /TheHersheyBears

Instagram: wbspenguins / thehersheybears

Beat Writers: @CVSethLakso / @TLTomVenesky // @davesottile

Broadcasters: WBS: Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / HER: Scott Stuccio @ScottStuccio

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep / @ChocHockey

Radio: For WBS: WILK News Radio / For Hershey: 1460 The Ticket 

Television: AHL Live

Promotion(s): None

Other Game to Watch: We are one of three games in the AHL today. Grand Rapids and Chicago already played a kids day game so by process of elimination San Antonio plays Bakersfield later on tonight in a battle of two teams mired at the bottom of the Pacific Division.

Next Five Games: @ POR 2/26, @ SPR 2/27, @ PRO 2/28, @ LV 3/4, @ HER 3/5

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Away Game: 27

AHL Game: 774

Who: Rochester Americans

Where: Blue Cross Arena

When: 5:05 p.m.

Media Kit`

Last Game: Friday night in Toronto, the Penguins were up 2-0 going into the third period but lost 4-2 to the Toronto Marlies 4-2. Kael Mouillierat and Anton Zlobin scored goals for the Penguins in the loss. For Rochester, they were in Syracuse last night and won 6-2. Tim Schaller had a hat trick, plus an assist and was named first star of the game.

Last Meeting: November 14 in Wilkes-Barre, the Pens won 3-1. Wilkes-Barre dominated the Americans in all facets, outshooting them 42-16.

Record: For WBS: 32-15-3-1 (68 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division) — For RCH: 25-24-2-1 (53 pts., 5th place North Division)

Why you should care: The Penguins need to close out opponents again. They have simply failed in the last three games. Back-to-back overtime losses to the Portland Pirates last weekend and getting smoked 4-2 after leading 2-0 after two periods in Toronto this past Friday. Rochester probably isn’t making playoffs t his year, so this could be a good start.

Referee(s): Darcy Burchell / Dave Lewis

Linesmen: Peter Feola / Derek Sylvester

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @WBSGameDay / @AmerksHockey 

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /RochesterAmericans

Instagram: wbspenguins / amerkshockey

Beat Writers: @CVSethLakso / @TLTomVenesky // @KevinODandC

Broadcasters: For WBS: Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / For RCH: Don Stevens @DonStevensAmerk

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep / @LetsGoAmerks

Radio: For WBS: WILK NewsRadio / For Rochester 1280 AM WHTK

Television: AHL Live

Other Game to Watch: The Providence Bruins and Hershey Bears rematch today again in Hershey. Last night the Hershey beat the Bruins 3-2 so you know Providence is looking for revenge in the quick turnaround.

Next Five Games: HER 2/23, @ POR 2/26, @ SPR 2/27, @ PRO 2/28, @ LV 3/4

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Away Game: 26

AHL Game: 754

Who: Toronto Marlies

Where: Ricoh Coliseum

When: 7:00 p.m.

Media Kit

Last Game: Sunday at home against Portland, the Pens lost in overtime 3-2 to the Portland Pirates. Tom Kostopoulos had a power play goal. For Toronto, the Marlies were in St. John’s Sunday and won 2-1. Brett Findlay had two goals and was named first star of the game.

Last Meeting: December 18 in Wilkes-Barre the Pens lost to the Marlies 3-2 in a shootout. Scott Wilson had a goal and an assist in the loss. This has been the only game the Penguins have played this season that has gone to a shootout.

Record: For WBS: 32-14-3-1 (68 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division) — For TOR: 38-94-0 (80 pts., 1st place North Division)

Why you should care: Much like December 18 back in Wilkes-Barre, tonight is a battle of the two best teams in the American Hockey League. Should be a ice measuring stick for the Penguins facing off against the consistently best team in the AHL all season and equally as so facing off against with Matt Murray or Tristan Jarry in net.

Referee(s): Dave Lewis / Furman South

Linesmen: Jordan Browne / Justin Knaggs

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @WBSGameDay / @TorontoMarlies

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /TorontoMarlies

Instagram: wbspenguins / torontomarlies

Beat Writers: @CVSethLakso and @TLTomVenesky / @KyleTheReporter

Broadcasters: For WBS: Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / For TOR: Todd Crocker @HockeyCrock

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep

Radio: For WBS: WILK Newsradio / For Toronto: TSN 1050

Television: AHL Live

Other Game to Watch: Utica / Syracuse is a rivalry as deep as Wilkes-Barre / Hershey. These two teams square off tonight in Syracuse.

Next Five Games: @ RCH 2/21, HER 2/23, @ POR 2/26, @ SPR 2/27, @ PRO 2/28

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Home Game: 25

AHL Game: 734

Who: Portland Pirates

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 4:05 p.m.

Media Kit

Last Game / Last Meeting: Last night in Wilkes-Barre, the Pens lost 2-1 in overtime. Mike Matheson scored the overtime game winner and Dominik Simon scored in regulation. Tristan Jarry made 34 saves.

Record: For WBS: 32-14-2-1 (67 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division) — For POR: 28-18-1-0 (57 pts., 3rd Atlantic Division)

Why you should care: Pens know that if they play the same way they did last night but just score some goals that they can win this afternoon based off of how they played the night before. Look for that and some changes on defense for Wilkes-Barre this afternoon.

Referee(s): Keith Kaval / Tim Mayer

Linesmen: Tom DellaFranco / Luke Murray

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @WBSGameDay / @portlandpirates

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /PortlandPirates

Instagram: wbspenguins / piratesahl

Beat Writers: @CVSethLakso / @TLTomVenesky // @Chris_MHJ

Broadcasters: WBS: Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / POR: Jeff Mannix @JeffMannix

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep 

Radio: For WBS: WILK NewsRadio / For Portland: News Talk 1310 WLOB

Television: AHL Live

Promotion(s): Tux’s Birthday Celebration | Kids FREE (14 and under, with paid adult ticket) | $2 hot dogs

Other Game to Watch: Can Bridgeport make it nine in a row this afternoon in Albany?

Next Five Games: @ TOR 2/19, @ RCH 2/21, HER 2/23, @ POR 2/26, @ SPR 2/27

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Home Game: 24

AHL Game: 723

Who: Portland Pirates

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m.

Media Kit

Last Game: Last night in Hartford, the Pens won 3-1. Kael Mouillierat had a goal and an assist in the contest. For Hartford, they were in Allentown last night against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and won 3-1. Goaltender Mike McKenna stopped 45 of 46 Phantoms shots. McKenna also had two assists.

Last Meeting: January 23 in Portland, the Penguins won 5-0. Tristan Jarry picked up the shutout with a 34 save shutout. Will O’Neill had two assists. Both Scott Wilson and Tom Sestito both had a goal and an assist in the game.

Record: For WBS: 32-14-1-1 (66 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division) — For POR: 27-18-1-0 (55 pts., 3rd Atlantic Division)

Why you should care: Pens welcome in the Portland Pirates for the first of two this weekend. Pirates are riding high after a great win yesterday as are the Penguins. Wilkes-Barre will need to maximize home ice advantage in front of a sold out crowd on television on a Saturday if they want to make it three out of four wins.

Referee(s): Terry Koharski

Linesmen: Matt McNulty / Jud Ritter

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @WBSGameDay / @portlandpirates

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /PortlandPirates

Instagram: wbspenguins / piratesahl

Beat Writers: @CVSethLakso / @TLTomVenesky // @Chris_MHJ

Broadcasters: WBS: Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / POR: Jeff Mannix @JeffMannix

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep 

Radio: For WBS: WILK NewsRadio / For Portland: News Talk 1310 WLOB

Television: AHL Live / MyNetwork TV local in Wilkes-Barre and also in Pittsburgh.

Promotion(s): Military Appreciation, presented by Metlife | Camo Jersey Auction

Other Game to Watch: I like the Grand Rapids / Iowa rematch tonight. Iowa beat Grand Rapids 4-2 last night.

Next Five Games: @ PRO 1/24, HFD 1/27, @ LV 1/29, vs. LV 1/30, @ SPR 2/5

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Away Game: 25

AHL Game: 703

Who: Hartford Wolf Pack

Where: XL Center

When: 7:15 p.m.

Media Kit

Last Game: Tuesday in Utica, the Penguins won 4-3 in overtime. Carter Rowney scored the overtime game winning goal for the Penguins. For Hartford, the Wolf Pack were shutout by the Albany Devils by a score of 3-0 last Saturday in New York.

Last Meeting: January 27 in Wilkes-Barre, the Pens lost 3-1. Magnus Hellberg stopped 27 of 28 shots; Jayson Megna had a goal and an assist. Niclas Andersen scored the only goal for the Penguins.

Record: For WBS: 31-14-1-1 (64 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division) — For HFD: 24-21-2-0 (50 pts., 6th place Atlantic Division)

Why you should care: Penguins looked good Tuesday in Utica then for whatever reason the 3-0 lead that they had evaporated. That was probably a sticking point in practice this week. Look for the Pens to, if they get the lead, that they keep the lead.

Referee(s): Terry Koharski / Furman South

Linesmen: Frank Murphy / Paul Simeon

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @WolfPackAHL

Facebook:  /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /HartfordWolfPack

Instagram: wbspenguins / hartford_wolfpack

Beat Writers: @CVSethLakso and @TLTomVenesky / @HowlingsToday

Broadcasters: For WBS: Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / For HFD: Bob Crawford / @HawkCrawford

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep

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

Television: AHL Live

Other Game to Watch: Hershey and Providence are the two hottest teams in the division and they are set to do battle tonight in Rhode Island.

Next Five Games: POR 2/13, POR 2/14, @ TOR 2/19, @ RCH 2/21, HER 2/23