Chirps from Center Ice

@  

–

Who: Syracuse Crunch

Where: Upstate Medical University Arena

When: 7:00 p.m.

Last Game: Wednesday at home, the Penguins were humbled by the Providence Bruins 6-2. Riley Barber scored his first goal as a Penguins since being acquired in a trade with the Laval Rocket. For Syracuse, the Crunch were defeated in overtime Sunday 3-2. The Crunch were up 2-0, but Springfield chipped away and won in overtime.

Last Meeting: The Penguins won 2-0 November 9 in Wilkes-Barre. Andrew Agozzino and Zach Trotman, two players currently not on the team, scored the goals. Casey DeSmith made 35 saves.

Record: For WBS: 27-22-3-5 (62 pts., 6th place Atlantic Division) // For SYR: 26-22-4-5 (61 pts., 4th place North Division)

Referees: Brandon Blandina / Tyson Stewart

Linesmen: Jason Brown / Adam Tobias

Why You Should Care: Penguins have got to do something to break out of this three game slump they are on. Wednesday showed no signs of that stopping, but Syracuse is a different team who has struggled at times with consistency. Good litmus test here against an opponent Wilkes-Barre doesn’t see that often anymore these days.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV is back for another season and better than ever.

Other Game to Watch: I mean all eyes have to be on Springfield who host last place Bridgeport tonight.

Next Five Games: @ HER 2/29, @ BNG 3/6, vs. BRI 3/7, vs. BNG 3/8, @ LV 3/11

vs.   

–

Who: Providence Bruins

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m.

Last Game / Last Meeting: Sunday in Providence, the Penguins lost 2-1. Cole Cassels scored the only goal for the Pens in the loss. Zach Senyshyn and Steven Kampfer scored for the Bruins.

Record: For WBS: 27-21-3-5 (62 pts., 6th place Atlantic Division) // For PRO: 31-18-3-3 (68 pts., 3rd place Atlantic Division)

Referees: Conor O’Donnell / Miek Campbell

Linesmen: Jonathan Deschamps / Ryan Knapp

Why You Should Care: Wilkes-Barre should (hopefully) have the services of Phil Varone tonight and also will be rested unlike they were on Sunday. You should expect to see what type of Penguins team you have under you for the stretch run here against the Bruins tonight.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV is back for another season and better than ever.

Other Game to Watch: Utica visits Rochester in a North Division matchup which pits two playoff teams presently against each other.

Next Five Games: @ SYR 2/28, @ HER 2/29, @ BNG 3/6, vs. BRI 3/7, vs. BNG 3/8

@  

–

Who: Providence Bruins

Where: Dunkin Donuts Center

When: 3:05 p.m.

Last Game: Last night in Hartford, the Penguins won 4-3 in overtime. Adam Johnson’s penalty shot in overtime gave the Penguins the win. For Providence, the Bruins throttled the Springfield Thunderbirds 7-4. Paul Carey and Brendan Gaunce both scored a pair of goals and chipped in with an assist.

Last Meeting: February 14 in Providence, the Penguins lost 4-2. Adam Johnson and Jordy Bellerive scored goals for the Pens in the loss. Max Lagace stopped 28 shots for the win in goal for the Bruins.

Record: For WBS: 27-20-3-5 (62 pts., 6th place Atlantic Division) // For PRO: 30-18-3-3 (66 pts., 3rd place Atlantic Division)

Referees: Ryan Hersey / Terry Koharski

Linesmen: Bob Bernard / Jack MIllea

Why You Should Care: Wilkes-Barre looks to sweep the weekend in Providence against a very tough Bruins team. Last time the Penguins were in Rhode Island they looked listless and lost. If this weekend is any indicator, they were unfazed at anything that the Bears on Friday and the Wolf Pack Saturday threw at them. They need that again Sunday afternoon against the Bruins.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV is back for another season and better than ever.

Other Game to Watch: Springfield hosts Syracuse. They are both on 60 points and pushing for a playoff spot.

Next Five Games: vs. PRO 2/26, @ SYR 2/28, @ HER 2/29, @ BNG 3/6, vs. BRI 3/7

@  

–

Who: Hartford Wolf Pack

Where: XL Center

When: 7:00 p.m.

Last Game: Last night at home against Hershey, the Pens won 2-1. Kevin Roy and Kevin Czuczman scored for the Pens and Casey DeSmith made 35 saves. For Hartford, the Wolf Pack were in Springfield last night and lost 4-1. Ryan Gropp scored the only goal for Hartford in the defeat.

Last Meeting: February 12 in Hartford, the Penguins won 2-1. Pierre-Olivier Joseph scored both goals for Wilkes-Barre. Casey DeSmith made 25 saves.

Record: For WBS: 26-20-3-5 (60 pts., 6th place Atlantic Division) // For HFD: 29-14-5-5 (68 pts., 2nd place Atlantic Division)

Referees: Michael Sheehan / Robert Hennessy

Linesmen: Brent Colby / Glen Cooke

Why You Should Care: Pens look to keep the momentum going this weekend in Hartford. They beat the Wolf Pack at their home the last time they played there, just the second time all season where a visitor has come in and done that. Look for Dustin Tokarski to possibly get the start against his old team.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV is back for another season and better than ever.

Other Game to Watch: Springfield are in Providence taking on the Bruins. You just want the game to end in regulation if you are a Pens fan watching this playoff race.

Next Five Games: @ PRO 2/23, vs. PRO 2/26, @ SYR 2/28, @ HER 2/29, @ BNG 3/6

vs.  

–

Who: Hershey Bears

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m.

Last Game: Saturday sun Bridgeport, the Pens lost 3-2. Jamie Devane and Joseph Blandisi scored goals. For Hershey, the Bears played this past Sunday at home and beat Lehigh Valley 5-3. Five different Bears scored a goal.

Last Meeting: February 7 in Wilkes-Barre, the Penguins were shutout 3-0. Pheonix Copley had a 31 save shutout.

Record: For WBS: 25-20-3-5 (58 pts., 6th place Atlantic Division) // For HER: 32-16-3-3 (70 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division)

Referees: Alex Ross / Michael Sheehan

Linesmen: Bill Lyons / Tom DellaFranco

Why You Should Care: Pens need a win here too keep pace. Plain and simple. They must find a way to beat Hershey tonight. Limit mistakes, turnovers and see where you are at at the end.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV is back for another season and better than ever.

Promotion(s): It’s another EYEWITNESS NEWS FAN FRIDAY when the Hershey Bears visit the Mohegan Sun Arena.  Lower bowl tickets are available for just $15, grab select draft beers for just $2 from 6:00-7:30pm, and enjoy postgame autographs from a pair of Penguins players.*

Other Game to Watch: Springfield host Hartford. The Wolf Pack are looking to keep pace with the Bears at the top of the division and Springfield look to hang on as a contender.

Next Five Games: @ HFD 2/22, @ PRO 2/23, vs. PRO 2/26, @ SYR 2/28, @ HER 2/29

* – promo information courtesy of http://www.wbspenguins.com/promo-schedule/

@ 

–

Who: Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Where: Webster Bank Arena

When: 7:00 p.m.

Last Game: Last night in Providence, the Pens lost 4-2. Adam Johnson scored a power play goal, Jordy Bellerive scored too. For Bridgeport, the Sound Tigers were in Lehigh Valley and lost 3-2 in overtime. Travis St. Denis and Simon Holmstrom scored for the Sound Tigers in the loss.

Last Meeting: Bridgeport won in a shootout February 1 in WIlkes-Barre. It lasted seven rounds. Jake Lucchini and Joseph Blandisi scored in regulation. Josh Ho-Sang scored in regulation for the Sound Tigers.

Record: For WBS: 25-19-3-5 (58 pts., 5th place Atlantic Division) // For BRI: 18-27-5-1 (42 pts., 8th place Atlantic Division)

Referees: Brandon Schrader / Beau Halkidis

Linesmen: Jonathan Deschamps / Patrick Dapuzzo

Why You Should Care: Pens need to capitalize tonight against a Bridgeport team that got in late from their travels from Allentown last night. The Sound Tigers always play the Pens tough, so Wilkes-Barre needs to be careful.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV is back for another season and better than ever.

Other Game to Watch: Springfield, their playoff chances on the ropes here, host Charlotte.

Next Five Games: vs. HER 2/21, @ HFD 2/22, @ PRO 2/23, vs. PRO 2/26, @ SYR 2/28

@ 

–

Who: Providence Bruins

Where: Dunkin’ Donuts Center

When: 7:05 p.m.

Last Game: Wednesday in Hartford, the Penguins won 2-1. P-O Joseph scored both goals, Casey DeSmith made 25 saves. For Providence, the Bruins lost Sunday at home in overtime to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Zach Senyshyn scored the only goal for the Bruins in the loss.

Last Meeting: December 20 in Wilkes-Barre, the Penguins won 1-0. Anthony Angello scored, Dustin Tokarski made 23 saves.

Record: For WBS: 25-18-3-5 (58 pts., 5th place Atlantic Division) // For PRO: 26-18-3-3 (58 pts., 4th place Atlantic Division)

Referees: Beau Halkidis / Casey Terreri

Linesmen: Jared Waitt / Michael Zyla

Why You Should Care: Big match up tonight in the Rhode Island capital. Both teams deadlocked at 58 points looking to solidify themselves as playoff teams. Providence has hit a bit of a skid of late, 4-3-2-1 in their last ten and the Penguins, but for a sour weekend at home last, have been one of the hottest teams in the AHL’s Eastern Conference. Which team is catching the other at the right time? We don’t have long to wait.

Listen: Nick Hart on the call on WILK.

Watch: AHLTV is back for another season and better than ever.

Other Game to Watch: Bridgeport, coming off of a positive weekend, visits Lehigh Valley who is coming off of the same.

Next Five Games: @ BRI 2/15, vs. HER 2/21, @ HFD 2/22, @ PRO 2/23, vs. PRO 2/26