vs. 

–

–

Home Game: 23

AHL Game: 651

Who: Manchester Monarchs

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m. EST

Media Kit

Last Game: Saturday in Toronto, the Penguins won 3-1. Jeff Zatkoff stopped 27 of 28. For Manchester, they were in Portland Saturday and lost 3-1. All-Star Tyler Toffoli scored the only goal for the Monarchs in the loss.

Last Meeting: November 2 in Manchester, the Penguins won 3-0. Jeff Zatkoff stopped all 33 shots faced and was named first star of the game.

Record: For WBS: 21-18-2-1 (45 pts., 3rd place East Division) For MCH: 21-19-2-2 (46 pts., 3rd place Atlantic Division)

Why you should care: It’s your first chance to see All-Star Chad Kolarik, NHL defenseman Mark Eaton and Tom Kostopoulos, playing his 1,000th regular season. It’s basically a new look Penguins team, trending is what looks like the right direction.

Referee(s): Jon McIsaac

Linesmen: Leo Boylan / Jud Ritter

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @MonarchsHockey

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /MonarchsHockey

Beat Writers: @CVBombulie 

Broadcasters: WBS: Tom Grace @TGracePens and Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / MCH: Ken Cail

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep 

Radio: For WBS: 102.3 The Mountain / For MCH: Monarchs Webcast

Television: AHL Live

Promotion(s): Football Friday – McCarthy Tire All-Star Poster (first 5,000 fans)

Other Game to Watch: Syracuse is in Springfield, which is a battle of two of the Eastern Conferences best teams.

Next Five Games: ADK 2/2, @ HER 2/3, @ NOR 2/8, @ NOR 2/9, BNG 2/12

@ 

–

–

Away Game: 20

AHL Game: 633

Who: Toronto Marlies

Where: Ricoh Coliseum

When: 5:00 p.m. EST

Media Kit

Last Game: Last night in Rochester, the Pens lost 4-2. Newcomer Chad Kolarik scored a goal in his first shot on his first shot in the first period. For Toronto, Thursday they were in Lake Erie and lost 4-2. Tim Connolly and Nicolas Deschamps scored the goals for the Marlies in the loss.

Last Meeting: November 24 in Wilkes-Barre, the Pens won 2-1. Paul Thompson had a goal and Jeff Zatkoff stopped 31 of 32 shots.

Record: For WBS: 20-18-2-1 (43 pts., 3rd place East Division) — For TOR: 23-12-2-2 (50 pts., 2nd place North Division)

Why you should care: The Marlies are one of the elite teams in the Western Conference. The Penguins skate in looking to all of a sudden get back into the win column after winning five straight before last night’s setback to Rochester. They will need a full 60 minute effort in order to win tonight.

Referee(s): Tim Mayer / Mark Lemelin

Linesmen: Jason Finley / Matt Traub

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @TorontoMarlies

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /TorontoMarlies

Beat Writers: @CVBombulie // @KyleTheReporter

Broadcasters: For WBS: Tom Grace @TGracePens and Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / For TOR: Jon Abbott @HockeyAbbs

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep

Radio: For WBS: 102.3 The Mountain / For Toronto: TSN 1050

Television: AHL Live

Other Game to Watch: Hershey travels to Binghamton to take on the Eastern Conference leading Binghamton Senators. B-Sens on a bit of a roll, Bears floundering. Should be an interesting matchup.

Next Five Games: MCH 2/1, ADK 2/2, @ HER 2/3, @ NOR 2/8, @ NOR 2/9

@ 

–

–

Away Game: 19

AHL Game: 616

Who: Rochester Americans

Where: Blue Cross Arena

When: 7:05 p.m. EST

Media Kit

Last Game: Wednesday at home vs. St. John’s, the Penguins won 3-0. Brad Thiessen stopped all 26 shots faced. For Rochester, they hosted the Hamilton Bulldogs on Monday and won 6-3. Kevin Porter had a goal and an assist and was named first start of the game.

Last Meeting: October 26 in Wilkes-Barre, the Pens won 5-4 in overtime. Paul Thompson scored the game winner capping of a three point night and was named the first star of the game. It was the Penguins first win of the season.

Record: For WBS: 20-17-2-1 (43 pts., 3rd place East Division) — For RCH: 21-15-2-1 (45 pts., 4th place North Division)

Why you should care: The Penguins take to the road for a game vs. the Rochester Americans. They can, with another solid effort, win their sixth game in a row. Brad Thiessen is on fire right now. Does he get the start or does Jeff Zatkoff?

Referee(s): Mark Lemelin

Linesmen: Brian Lemon / Chris Woodworth

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @AmerksHockey

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /RochesterAmericans

Beat Writers: @CVBombulie / @KevinODandC

Broadcasters: For WBS: Tom Grace @TGracePens and Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / For RCH: Don Stevens @DonStevensAmerk

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep / @AmerksSinBin

Radio: For WBS: 102.3 The Mountain / For Rochester 1280 AM WHTK

Television: AHL Live

Next Five Games: @ TOR 1/26, MCH 2/1, ADK 2/2, @ HER 2/3, @ NOR 2/8

Other Game to Watch: Binghamton and Syracuse are at the top of the East Division. They don’t like each other. One point separates the East Division leading B-Sens and the Crunch. They play tonight in Syracuse. That’s the other game to pay attention to.

vs. 

–

–

Home Game: 22

AHL Game: 606

Who: St. John’s IceCaps

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m. EST

Media Kit

Last Game: Sunday in Hershey at the AHL Outdoor Classic, the Penguins won 2-1 in overtime. Paul Thompson scored his 13th goal of the season and was named the first star of the game. For St. John’s, they were in Binghamton Monday and won 3-2. Eddie Pasquale stopped 32 of 34 and was named first star of the game.

Last Meeting: December 1 in Wilkes-Barre, the Penguins won 5-3. Dylan Reese had a goal and an assist and was named the games first star.

Record: For WBS: 19-17-2-1 (41 pts., 4th place East Division) — For STJ: 18-20-1-2 (39 pts., 5th place Atlantic Division)

Why you should care: The Penguins have won four straight in the post-lockout AHL. They look to make it five against a St. John’s team which has struggled recently.

Referee(s): Trevor Hanson / Chris Cozzan

Linesmen: Bob Fyrer / John Everett

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @IceCapsAHL

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /stjohnsicecaps

Beat Writers: @CVBombulie / @telyrobinshort / @telybrendan

Broadcasters: For WBS: Tom Grace @TGracePens and Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / For STJ: Brian Rodgers

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep

Radio: For WBS: 102.3 The Mountain / For St. John’s: CJYQ 930

Television: AHL Live

Promotion(s): None

Other Game to Watch: Providence is in Manchester. One point separates these teams in the Atlantic Division.

Next Five Games: @ RCH 1/25, @ TOR 1/26, MCH 2/1, ADK 2/2, @ HER 2/3

@ 

–

–

Away Game: 18

AHL Game: 593

Who: Hershey Bears

Where: Hersheypark Stadium

When: 5:00 p.m. EST

Media Kit

Last Game: Tuesday in Norfolk, the Pens won 4-2. Alex Grant and Riley Holzapfel both had a goal and two assists in the win. For Hershey, Friday they hosted the Lake Erie Monsters and lost 3-2. Boyd Kane recorded a goal in the contest, his 200th point as a Hershey Bear.

Last Meeting: January 11 in Wilkes-Barre, the Pens won 1-0. Brian Dumoulin had the goal and Brad Thiessen stopped all 23 shots faced.

Record: For WBS: 18-17-2-1 (39 pts., 4th place East Division) For HER: 20-18-1-1 (42 pts., 3rd place East Division)

Why you should care: I shouldn’t have to answer this. It’s the AHL Outdoor Classic! Games like these don’t come around often.

Referee(s): Chris Ciamaga / Chris Brown

Linesmen: Bob Goodman / Scott Pomento

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @TheHersheyBears

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /TheHersheyBears

Beat Writers: @CVBombulie / @timleone

Broadcasters: WBS: Tom Grace @TGracePens and Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / HER: Scott Stuccio @ScottStuccio and Randy “Rock” Johnson @RRJ_Hockey

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep / @SweetestHockey

Radio: For WBS: 102.3 The Mountain / For Hershey: 1460 The Ticket

Television: AHL Live

Other Game to Watch: Tough sell with this being the marquee matchup of the weekend. Springfield travels to Bridgeport in a battle of two teams at the top of the Northeast Division.

Next Five Games: STJ 1/23, @ RCH 1/25, @ TOR 1/26, MCH 2/1, ADK 2/2

@ 

–

–

Away Game: 17

AHL Game: 557

Who: Norfolk Admirals

Where: Norfolk Scope

When: 7:15 p.m. EST

Media Kit

Last Game: Saturday at home vs. Adirondack, the Pens won 2-1. Paul Thompson and Brian Dumoulin had the goals. For Norfolk, the Admirals were in Binghamton Saturday and lost 4-2. Ryan Lasch and Josh Brittain had the goals in the loss.

Record: For WBS: 17-17-2-1 (37 pts., 4th place East Division) For NOR: 14-18-2-0 (31 pts., 5th place East Division)

Why you should care: Pens look to ride the momentum from the two wins at home this weekend at Norfolk. Offense remains a concern though, as the Penguins only scored three goals in two games this past weekend.

Referee(s): Fred Leblanc / Steve Patafie

Linesmen: Kyle DeMaggio / Mike Sheehan

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @NorfolkAdmirals / @AdsGameUpdates

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /NorfolkAdmirals

Beat Writers: @CVBombulie

Broadcasters: For WBS: Tom Grace @TGracePens and Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / For NOR: Pete Michaud @AdmiralsVoice

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep / @VBKen

Radio: For WBS: 102.3 The Mountain / For Norfolk: 102.1 The Game

Television: AHL Live

Other Game to Watch: Light night in the league tonight. Nothing divisionally. Manchester hosts Springfield. Connecticut is in Portland and Abbotsford hosts Hamilton. Take your pick.

Next Five Games: @ HER 1/20*, STJ 1/23, @ RCH 1/25, @ TOR 1/26, MCH 2/1

* – AHL Outdoor Classic at Hersheypark Stadium – Hershey, PA

vs. 

–

–

Home Game: 20

AHL Game: 532

Who: Hershey Bears

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m. EST

Media Kit

Last Game: Wednesday at home vs. Binghamton, the Pens lost 3-1. Paul Thompson had the only goal for the Pens in the loss. For Hershey, they were in Bridgeport on Tuesday and won in overtime. Tomas Kundratek scored the overtime game winning goal.

Last Meeting: December 27 in Wilkes-Barre, the Pens lost 4-1. Paul Thompson scored the lone goal for the Pens and Penguin killer Garrett Mitchell had a goal and an assist and was named the first star of the game.

Record: For WBS: 15-17-2-1 (33 pts., 4th place East Division) For HER: 17-16-1-1 (36 pts., 3rd place East Division)

Why you should care: Could be the make or break game for the Penguins. Lose, and you are five points back of the Bears and spiraling out of control. Rare that “must win” comes out this early, but the Pens must win this game to stay relevant in the discussion for playoff contention.

Referee(s): Dave Lewis

Linesmen: Ryan Daisy / Brian Oliver

Twitter: @wbspenguins / @TheHersheyBears

Facebook: /WilkesBarreScrantonPenguins // /TheHersheyBears

Beat Writers: @CVBombulie / @timleone

Broadcasters: WBS: Tom Grace @TGracePens and Mike O’Brien @MikeOBrienWBS / HER: Scott Stuccio @ScottStuccio and Randy “Rock” Johnson @RRJ_Hockey

Fan Bloggers: @nafsnep / @SweetestHockey

Radio: For WBS: 102.3 The Mountain / For Hershey: 1460 The Ticket 

Television: AHL Live

Promotion(s): None

Other Game to Watch: Two points separate the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and the Providence Bruins in the Eastern Conference standings. The two teams faceoff tonight in the Rhode Island capital.

Next Five Games: ADK 1/12, @ NOR 1/15, @ HER 1/20*, STJ 1/23, @ RCH 1/25

* – AHL Outdoor Classic at Hersheypark Stadium – Hershey, PA