Friday, January 08, 2010
Damian Romano
By Ali Myers
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The Matchup:
Who: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins vs. Lowell Devils
When: Tonight, January 8th, 2010 at 7:05 p.m.
Where: Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, PA
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins look to rebound from a 5-4 loss to the Norfolk Admirals on Wednesday night when they host the Lowell Devils. In the previous game, Norfolk took a 3-1 lead at the end of the first period and although the Penguins persisted in the following periods, it proved to be too little too late. Former Pittsburgh Penguin Adam Hall sealed the Baby Penguins’ fate with two goals and two assists on the night to earn the game’s first star. John Curry was pulled in the first period after allowing three goals on six shots. Adam Berkhoel stopped 13 out of 15 shots in relief.
The Admirals are proving to be a challenge for the Pens these days, but there is still plenty to be positive about in Wilkes-Barre. The team is 5-2-0-0 since coming back from the Christmas break and come into Friday’s game with a record of 19-16-1-1, which puts them in third place in the East Division. If the Albany River Rats lose in regulation to the Manchester Monarchs tonight, WBS would move into second place.
Penguins to Watch:
Top prospect and Canadian AHL All-Star starter Dustin Jeffrey is third in the AHL in scoring with 40 points (11 goals; 29 assists). He contributed a goal and an assist in the Norfolk game.
Mark Letestu is currently on a six game point streak and also had a goal and an assist on Wednesday.
Projected WBS Penguins lines:
Conner-Smith-Wallace
Lee-Engelland
Strait-Lovejoy
Guenin-Bortuzzo
Berkhoel-Curry
The Lowell Devils, the AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, come into Wilkes-Barre following a 3-2 victory over the Hartford Wolfpack on Wednesday night at the Prudential Center. They are looking to win their third consecutive game. The Devils have struggled in their first three seasons in the league, but this year is proving to be very different. They are currently in second in the Atlantic Division with a record of 22-14-3-0. Their power play is also first overall in the AHL, converting at a 23.6% rate.
Devils to Watch:
Rookie Nick Palmieri scored two goals in Wednesday’s victory. He is currently second on Lowell in scoring with 24 points (14+10).
Louis Robitaille, a former nemesis of the Penguins while a member of the Hershey Bears, has 169 penalty minutes in 33 games; second overall in the AHL in this category. Robitaille and Engelland were teammates on the Bears for the 2007 Calder Cup Finals.
Follow the Action:
AHL Live (Must pay $6 to watch the game)
Pens flagship station: 102.3 The Mountain (click on listen live)
Conner-Smith-WallaceJeffrey-Letestu-Johnson
Tangradi-Vitale-Pushkarev
Haddad-Spurgeon-Boulerice/Boogaard
Lee-EngellandStrait-Lovejoy
Guenin-Bortuzzo
Berkhoel-Curry
Devils to Watch:
Rookie Nick Palmieri scored two goals in Wednesday’s victory. He is currently second on Lowell in scoring with 24 points (14+10).
Louis Robitaille, a former nemesis of the Penguins while a member of the Hershey Bears, has 169 penalty minutes in 33 games; second overall in the AHL in this category. Robitaille and Engelland were teammates on the Bears for the 2007 Calder Cup Finals.
Follow the Action:
AHL Live (Must pay $6 to watch the game)
Pens flagship station: 102.3 The Mountain (click on listen live)
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