WBS Penguins Game Day Report: Penguins vs. Crunch

WBS Penguins Pregame Report: Penguins vs. Crunch

By: Ali Myers

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Penguins Last Game Recap:

Chris Conner scored two power play goals in the first period and the Penguins outshot the Springfield Falcons 17-9, but the Pens could not keep up the momentum after an excellent start. Led by Chad Wiseman, the Falcons came back to win the game by a score of 6-3. Dustin Jeffrey had a third period shorthanded goal to cut the Falcons’ lead to 5-3, but the Penguins would not come any further and dropped their fourth straight game. Adam Berkhoel took the loss in net.

Three Stars of the Game:

3. Jean-Philippe Levasseur (Springfield): 34 saves on 37 shots

2. Liam Reddox (Springfield): 2 points (1+1); +1

1. Chad Wiseman (Springfield): 6 points (4+2); +3

WBS Player Movement:

Luca Caputi and Ben Lovejoy were returned to Wilkes-Barre on Monday following recalls to Pittsburgh

Dustin Jeffrey and Nick Johnson were recalled to Pittsburgh; presumably to fill in for Max Talbot and Pascal Dupuis who will miss the game with injuries. Jeffrey has 43 points (13+30) in 39 WBS games this season. Johnson has 22 points (7+15) in 26 WBS games. 

Author's note: Jeffrey and Johnson were re-assigned to Wilkes-Barre this morning. Johnson scored his first NHL goal in last night's loss to the Capitals.

Casey-Pierro Zabotel was recalled to Wilkes-Barre from the Wheeling Nailers. “CPZ” has 33 points (9+24) in 38 games with the Nailers.

John Curry remains in Pittsburgh due to Marc-Andre Fleury being placed on injured reserve with a broken finger.

Notables:

Dustin Jeffrey had one goal and two assists to help lead Team Canada to a 10-9 shootout win over Planet USA in Tuesday’s AHL All Star Game in Portland Maine.

Jonathan Bombulie reports that Wade Brookbank has an elbow injury and is unlikely to play in tomorrow’s game.

Next Matchup:

Who: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins vs. Syracuse Crunch

When: Friday, January 22, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Onondaga War Memorial at Oncenter (Syracuse, NY)

Last Meeting Recap:

Dustin Jeffrey, Mark Letestu, and Nick Johnson all had multi-point nights as the Pens defeated Syracuse by a score of 5-2 at the Onondaga War Memorial. Jeffrey and Johnson had two goals apiece and Luca Caputi sweetened the deal with a goal at 17:05 of the third period. John Curry earned the win with 24 saves on 26 shots.

About the Crunch:

Syracuse currently has a record of 16-21-3-3 for 38 points and sixth place in the East Division. The Crunch joined the Eastern Conference this year after spending the last several years in the North Division of the Western Conference. Last season they missed the North Division playoffs by last two points.

Like WBS, Syracuse is also looking to rebound from a loss tonight. In their last game, they fell 4-3 to the Hershey Bears. Jordan LaVallee-Smotherman was named the third star of the game after tallying a first period power play goal. Brendan Bell led the way for the Crunch with two assists.

The Penguin Connection:

Both of the assistant coaches for Syracuse have spent time with the Baby Penguins at some point during the Penguins’ 11 year existence. Trent Cull was a member of the 2000-2001 squad that went to the Calder Cup Finals for the first time in team history. During that season, he had 11 goals, 15 assists, and 166 penalty minutes.

Karl Goehring, a first year assistant coach, briefly joined the Penguins as a goaltender on a PTO during the 2007-2008 season. He played two games and had a 2.11 GAA and .909 save percentage.

Crunch Players to Watch:

Syracuse enforcer Jon Mirasty is always up for a fight when his team meets up with the Penguins. He is third in the AHL with 150 penalty minutes this season. Check out his fight with WBS hero Dennis Bonvie here.

Defenseman Brendan Bell is Syracuse’s leading scorer with 27 points (7+20). His seven goals put him in a fourth place tie among defensemen in the AHL in goals scored.

Projected WBS Penguins Lines:

Caputi-Letestu-Conner

Bayda-Smith-Wallace

Tangradi-Vitale-Pushkarev

Sill-Zabotel-Boulerice

Lee-Engelland

Strait-Lovejoy

Guenin-Bortuzzo

Berkhoel-Theissen

Posted in: WBS Penguins