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| Denver Manderson (pictured above) along with Barry Goers were added to the WBS roster this week from Wheeling. Photo credit: @ItsJacki. |
After going 5-0-1 in the first six meetings against the Bears, the Penguins haven't fared well against their East Division rival. The Bears have won the last five meetings between the two teams and no matter what side you look at it from (Bears are 6-4-0-1 against the Penguins or the Penguins are 5-3-2-1 against the Bears) its pretty even.
Follow all of tonight's action on Twitter with in-game updates on @H_P_Hockey. Check back shortly following the conclusion of the game for a recap of events on Highland Park Hockey: The Town & Country Gazette's source for American Hockey League Coverage.
A stab at lines, the expected goaltenders and a look at the two teams after the jump.
Four of the games went to overtime, with the Bears winning three of the four (one in a shootout). Both teams have earned 13 points out of a possible 22 points against each other.
A win by the Penguins on home ice in a rare Tuesday night game moves them from their current 9th place standing in the conference into a tie for 6th place with Providence. Any kind of point by the Penguins will move them back into the playoffs in an 8th place tie with Norfolk, who plays Charlotte tomorrow night.
I'm planning to have an update on the Eastern Conference after this weekend's games, so be on the lookout for that in addition to the usual previews and recaps of games. The WBS February Grades post kicks off next weeks schedule, for those wanting a look at how the Pens AHL prospects have been performing.
By The Numbers
WBS: 28-19-3-4 = 63 points, Fourth Place East Division (9th - East)
Last Ten Games: 2-5-2-1
HER: 29-18-3-3 = 64 points, Third Place East Division (7th - East)
Last Ten Games: 6-4-0-0
WBS Leading Scorers: Tom Kostopoulos (19G-18A), Nick Drazenovic (11G-21A), Harry Zolnierczyk (17G-12A)
HER Leading Scorers: Jeff Taffe (15G-20A), Ryan Stoa (10G-20A), Nicolas Deschamps (12G-16A
Expected Starting Goaltenders
WBS - Eric Hartzell: 10-7-1, 2.19 GAA, .897 SV%, 3 SO
HER - David Leggio: 15-13-2, 2.70 GAA, .912 SV%, 1 SO
ROSTER NOTES
WBS
With the Olympics over and the roster freeze lifted, Simon Despres and Brian Gibbons were recalled to Pittsburgh with the injuries to Paul Martin, Kris Letang, Beau Bennett, Chris Conner and Pascal Dupuis limiting Pittsburgh to just 11 healthy forwards and six healthy defensemen.
Subsequently, the WBS Penguins recalled Denver Manderson and signed Barry Goers to a PTO from the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers to bolster the depth in the AHL, bringing WBS active roster to 14F/7D in addition to the injured Brian Dumoulin and Zach Sill.
HER
Leading scorer Brandon Segal was suspended for two games as a result of a boarding incident in the Bears game last Saturday against Syracuse. He will serve the first of a two game suspension starting tonight.
The Capitals also re-assigned defenseman Jack Hillen on a conditioning assignment. He is expected to be in the lineup.
Expected Lines
WBS
Uher - Ebbett - Mahacek
Zolnierczyk - Drazenovic - Kostopoulos
Payerl - Manderson - Megna
Leblond - Carman - Farnham
Samuelsson - McNeill
Harrington - Mikkelson
D’Agostino - Goers
Expected Scratches: Brian Dumoulin (lower body), Zach Sill (upper body), Tom Kuhnhackl (healthy) Anton Zlobin (healthy), Harrison Ruopp (healthy).
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