WBS Penguins Gameday: Penguins vs. Phantoms

Weekend Recap:

Friday:
Penguins defeat Norfolk 3-1.
WBS Goals: Tim Wallace (two goals; power play and empty net) and Eric Tangradi (power play)
Norfolk Goal: Matt Lashoff (power play)
Winning Goaltender: Brad Thiessen (26 saves on 27 shots)

Three Stars of the Game:
3. Matt Lashoff (Norfolk): third period power play goal
2. Brad Thiessen (WBS): 26 saves
1. Tim Wallace (WBS): two goals, +1

Scratches:
Alex Grant
Ryan Bayda
Keven Veilleux
Joey Haddad

Saturday:
Penguins fall to Hershey by a score of 4-2
WBS Goals: Tim Wallace (shorthanded) and Eric Tangradi
Hershey Goals: Zach Miskovic, Karl Alzner, Alexandre Giroux, Andrew Joudrey
Winning Goaltender: Jason Bacashihua (23 saves on 25 shots)

Three Stars of the Game:
3. Alexandre Giroux (Hershey): one goal
2. Jason Bacashihua (Hershey): 23 saves
1. Keith Aucoin (Hershey): three assists; +1

Scratches:
Zach Sill
Alex Grant
Ryan Bayda
Keven Veilleux

Sunday:
Penguins lose to Worcestser 2-1
WBS Goal: Joey Haddad (first professional goal)
Worcester Goals: Dan DaSilva, Ryan Vesce
Winning Goaltender: Frank Doyle (27 saves on 28 shots)

Three Stars of the Game:
3. Joey Haddad (WBS): goal; +1
2. Brad Thiessen (WBS): 37 saves on 39 shots
1. Frank Doyle (Worcester): winning goaltender

Scratches:
Zach Sill
Alex Grant
Ryan Bayda
Keven Veilleux

WBS Current Record: 38-31-2-3 (81 points; third in East Division)

Scoreboard Watch: The Penguins currently sit in third place in the East Division; three points ahead of Norfolk. However, they are one point behind Bridgeport; who has 82 points and are in fifth place in the Atlantic. If the playoffs started today, the Penguins would be playing Hershey in the division semifinals. Neither Bridgeport or Norfolk are playing tonight.

News and Notes:
Zach Sill missed Saturday’s and Sunday’s games with a charley horse sustained in Friday night's game. He has a 50-50 chance of playing tonight.

Brad Thiessen was named AHL Player of the Week for his play from the week of March 22-28.
In three games, he stopped 94 of 97 shots and earned his third shutout of the season against Norfolk.

With the Nailers eliminated from playoff contention, Casey Pierro-Zabotel was recalled on Monday.

The Penguins concluded their regular season series with Hershey on Saturday night. The Bears won the series ten games to two.

Next Game:
Who: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins vs. Adirondack Phantoms
When: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 7:05 p.m.
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

Last Meeting Recap:
The Phantoms took a 2-1 overtime win back on March 14 thanks to a goal by former Penguin defenseman Joey Mormina. Mark Letestu had a 5 on 3 power play goal for the Penguins in the second period. Brad Thiessen was the losing goaltender with 22 saves on 24 shots.

About the Phantoms:

NHL Affiliate: Philadelphia Flyers
ECHL Affiliate: Kalamazoo Wings

Key Statistics/Rank in AHL:
Record: 31-36-3-4 (sixth place; East Division)
Goals For/Against: 183/230
Power Play Away: 12.6% (28th)
Power Play Overall: 14% (27th)
Penalty Kill Away: 81.1% (15th)
Penalty Kill Overall: 82.9% (13th)

Last Game:
The Phantoms dropped their third straight game on Saturday with a 4-3 loss to Manchester. David Laliberte scored two goals; while Phantoms leading scorer Jonathan Matsumoto had three points (1+2).

Ali’s Analysis:
With Norfolk idle, the Penguins have a chance to strengthen their hold on third place by earning a win over the Phantoms. However, after losing Sunday’s game with eight seconds left, the team cannot let up their focus until the final buzzer. There are only six games left to prove they are a solid playoff contender, and a convincing win over Adirondack would help their case.

Posted in: AHL,game day,pregame,WBS Penguins