It Feels Like The First Time - Pens Take Care Of Sound Tigers

Tristan Jarry was stellar in his regular season pro debut in Bridgeport Sunday. Photo from Jarry's preseason appearance in Lehigh Valley, courtesy Nina Weiss.

It was a night of firsts for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (3-1-0-0) tonight in a 5-1 win against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

The Penguins handed the Sound Tigers (5-1-0-0) their first loss of the season, while Tristan Jarry picked up the win in his 1st start of the season. The Pens got goals from five different players - Kael Mouillierat, Oskar Sundqvist, Tom Sestito, Conor Sheary and Carter Rowney - with all five of those players picking up their first tallies of the season, respectively.

Tristan Jarry was very sharp in his pro debut, stopping all but one of the 36 shots he faced. The only goal he allowed was a 4-on-3 power play goal that was deflected past him off a teammate's stick by mistake.

Penguins Power Past Phantoms in Home Opener

Penalties and injuries plagued the Phantoms in Wilkes-Barre tonight.

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms got off to a fast start, taking a 3-0 lead in the first five minutes, but penalties plagued the Phantoms and allowed the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to get right back into the game as the home team ratted off five straight goals in route to a 6-4 win in a game between rivals.

The Phantoms got goals from Petr Straka, Jay Rosehill and Tim Brent to open the scoring, but it seemed every time the Phantoms took a penalty they paid for it. The Penguins finished the game 4-for-7 with the man advantage.

Will O'Neill and Tom Kostopoulos tallied two goals each and the Penguins team captain also added an assist, while rookie forward Dominik Simon had a game-high four point night including his first pro goal and three assists to pace the Penguins attack.

The Phantoms were also plagued by injuries, both before and during the game. They dressed a lineup that featured 11 forwards and seven defensemen after Danick Martel and Andrew MacDonald were injured last night in Springfield. Robert Hagg was dressed, but didn't play a single shift. Forwards Cole Bardreau and Michael Parks both left the game and didn't return, which saw the Phantoms play most of the third period with just nine healthy forwards.

Saturday's Morning Skate 3/21

Lehigh Valley Phantoms conclude their five-game road trip tonight in Worcester.

It's getting down to crunch time in the American Hockey League, as teams on the bubble in the playoff picture are starting to make their push for the postseason. All 30 AHL teams are in action tonight, with several important match ups among teams fighting for playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

Last night, I was in Hartford, Connecticut as the 5th seeded Hartford Wolf Pack hung on for a 3-2 win over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (11th in the East). If you missed last night's exclusive game recap with quotes from Blair Jones - who made his return to the lineup after a 24-game absence due to injury - you can see that here.

Tonight, I'll be at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass., to see the Phantoms' final game of the five-game road trip against a Worcester Sharks team that enters today just one point out of the eighth and final playoff spot.

You can catch full coverage of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms game tonight both on Twitter -> @TonyAndrock_TCG for LIVE in-game updates as well as here online after the game for a full RECAP of the action and post-game player reaction.

East Division Standings (through 3/20's games)

1. Hershey: 12 games remaining, 39-18-5-2 = 85 points
2. W-B/Scranton: 13 games remaining, 36-20-3-4 = 79 points
3. Lehigh Valley: 15 games remaining, 29-25-6-1 = 65 points

4. Binghamton: 13 games remaining, 27-28-7-1 = 62 points

5. Norfolk: 12 games remaining, 23-33-5-3 = 54 points

Eastern Conference Playoff Picture

*1. Manchester: 14 games remaining, 39-15-6-2 = 86 points
*2. Hershey: 12 games remaining, 39-18-5-2 = 85 points
*3. Syracuse: 14 games remaining, 37-17-8-0 = 82 points
4. W-B/Scranton: 13 games remaining, 36-20-3-4 = 79 points
5. Providence: 12 games remaining, 34-21-7-2 = 77 points
6. Hartford: 13 games remaining, 34-21-5-3 = 76 points
7. Portland: 14 games remaining, 35-22-4-1 = 75 points
8. Springfield: 12 games remaining, 33-24-7-0 = 73 points9. Worcester: 14 games remaining, 33-23-4-2 = 72 points
10. St. John's: 11 games remaining, 29-28-6-2 = 66 points
11. Lehigh Valley: 15 games remaining, 29-25-6-1 = 65 points
12. Albany: 13 games remaining, 27-25-5-6 = 65 points

Monday's Catch Up & Links 3/16

Lehigh Valley Phantoms inching back into playoff picture with three straight road wins.

Phantoms Dialed In For Postseason Push On Five-Game Road Trip

A 3-0 start on their season-high five game road trip has given the Lehigh Valley Phantoms a glimpse of hope for a postseason push - now eight points behind current 8th place Springfield with three games in hand on the Falcons entering this week's games.

The biggest difference in the past seven games has been overall team defense. Stay tuned tomorrow for more on the improved overall team defense with thoughts from stay-at-home defender Oliver Lauridsen. But here's a simple self-explanatory stat below:

In their last seven games, the Phantoms allowed 16 goals and have a record of 5-2-0-0.

In the nine games prior to that seven game stretch, the Phantoms allowed 37 goals and went 3-4-2-0.

The road ahead is no easy task. After playing the 7th and 9th place teams in the Eastern Conference in Hartford and Worcester this weekend on Friday and Saturday nights, respectively, the Phantoms finish the month of March with two games against 4th place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and a game each against the top seeded Manchester Monarchs and third place Syracuse Crunch.

The positives of playing teams ahead of them in the standings is that this stretch of games the rest of the month will shape up the playoff picture and determine whether the Phantoms can make a run at the postseason in April or play the role of spoiler for other bubble teams looking to get in.

Up Next:

Friday (3/20) at Hartford, 7:00 p.m. ET
Saturday (3/21) at Worcester, 7:00 p.m. ET
Sunday (3/22) vs W-B/Scranton, 5:05 p.m. ET

ROSTER NOTES - Phantoms

Anthony Stolarz (38 saves - 40 shots) drew the start in net for the Phantoms Saturday against Bridgeport with Rob Zepp backing him up after getting the Friday night in Providence (33 saves - 34 shots, stopped 3-of-3 in shootout).

With four goals, two assists and his first NHL call up of his pro hockey career last week, the league named forward Nick Cousins as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the week ending on March 15th.

No lineup changes for the Phantoms again tonight, though the forward line combos were changed a bit from Friday's game in Providence.

Steven Delisle remains a healthy scratch as he missed his third straight game. Petr Straka (upper body) missed his third straight game while head coach Terry Murray said Blair Jones (lower body since mid-January) still isn't ready to return to the lineup.

Scratches: Steven Delisle (healthy), Shayne Gostisbehere (ACL injury), Blair Jones (lower body since 1/16), Petr Straka (upper body since 3/7).

Recent Transactions

Nick Cousins called up to Philadelphia after 3/14's game vs. BST
Maxim Lamarche called up to Lehigh Valley (AHL) on 3/10.
Brandon Manning called up to Philadelphia on 3/7.

Lines from 3/14's game vs. Bridgeport

Taylor Leier - Scott Laughton - Zack Stortini
Jason Akeson - Nick Cousins - Andrew Gordon
Jay Rosehill - Austin Fyten - Brett Hextall
Darroll Powe - Kevin Goumas - Derek Mathers

Adam Comrie - Mark Alt
Robert Hagg - Jesper Pettersson
Oliver Lauridsen - Maxim Lamarche

Anthony Stolarz - Rob Zepp


Weekly Links

It wouldn't be a weekly links post without Eric Majeski's weekly "Talking To Myself" post. This week's piece takes a look at some serious knowledge dropped by friend Jesse Marshall on Trib Live Radio.

My friends at Pens Initiative caught up with Pens-prospects extraordinaire Ian Altenbaugh to talk about the incredible rookie season Matt Murray is having with the WBS Penguins.

Mike Colligan is another great writer who provides great insights in the Penguins hockey media. Here's his weekly piece at The Pensblog. Colligan also launched a new website of his own lately at ColliganHockey.com that you should also check out.

From Saturday afternoon, my conversation with Phantoms forward Scott Laughton about re-adjusting to the AHL and getting his energy level back up after battling the flu.

Last week at The Home News, my Lehigh Valley Phantoms feature on the Phantoms' final push to make a run at the postseason, with quotes from Brett Hextall and Brandon Manning. Stay tuned for this week's piece on the Phantoms hot start to their five-game road trip featuring defenseman Adam Comrie, who is in the midst of a four-game point streak (three goals, three assists).

Saturday's Morning Skate 3/14

Phantoms look to continue their success on the road on this trip tonight in Bridgeport.

The intensity of the games are picking up as teams outside of the playoff race are making what is a last ditch effort to get into the playoffs with less than 20 games left on teams' respecitve regular season schedules. All three games involving East Division teams Friday night were 2-1 final scores including two thrilling victories extended past regulation.

Last night, I was at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, RI as the Lehigh Valley Phantoms snuck past the PBruins in a shootout. Tonight, it's the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT as the Phantoms look to make it three straight wins on their current five game road trip.

You can follow all of the action with the latest live in-game updates on Twitter by following me -> @TonyAndrock_TCG.

East Division Standings (through 3/13's games)

1. Hershey: 15 games remaining, 37-17-5-2 = 81 points
2. W-B/Scranton: 16 games remaining, 35-19-2-4 = 76 points
3. Lehigh Valley: 17 games remaining, 28-24-6-1 = 63 points
4. Binghamton: 16 games remaining, 25-27-7-1 = 58 points
5. Norfolk: 16 games remaining, 22-30-5-3 = 52 points

Eastern Conference Standings

* = Division leaders

*1. Manchester: 16 games remaining, 37-15-6-2 = 82 points
*2. Hershey: 15 games remaining, 37-17-5-2 = 81 points
*3. Syracuse: 17 games remaining, 34-17-8-0 = 76 points
4. W-B/Scranton: 16 games remaining, 35-19-2-4 = 76 points
5. Providence: 15 games remaining, 32-20-7-2 = 73 points
6. Portland: 16 games remaining, 34-22-3-1 = 72 points
7. Springfield: 15 games remaining, 32-22-7-0 = 71 points
8. Worcester: 16 games remaining, 32-22-4-2 = 70 points
9. Hartford: 16 games remaining, 31-21-5-3 = 70 points
10. St. John's: 13 games remaining, 29-26-6-2 = 66 points
11. Albany: 16 games remaining, 27-23-5-5 = 64 points
12. Lehigh Valley: 17 games remaining, 28-24-6-1 = 63 points

Penguins Sweep Springfield In Season Series, Murray Re-Writes AHL Record Books

Before Dana Tyrell's goal with 1:11 left in the third period ended Matt Murray's shutout streak, Murray had successfully shut out Springfield all season long - a perfect 3-0 with 3 shutouts against the Falcons this season. Overall, Murray entered the game just 22:56 of shutout hockey away from the American Hockey League's all-time shutout streak record. He did more than break the record, nearly earning his 6th straight shutout in the Penguins 4-1 win this afternoon and setting the new record at 304 minutes and 11 seconds.

Murray made AHL history in the second period, breaking Barry Brust's record of 268:17 of consecutive shutout hockey 2:56 into the middle frame. He earned it, having to stop a breakaway on the opening shift of the 2nd and a half dozen shots in the first three minutes to seal the deal on the record, which he increased to 304:11 before allowing a goal with 1:11 left in the 3rd period to Dana Tyrell.

Saturday's Morning Skate 3/7

Phantoms trying to climb Eastern Conference Standings.

All five East Division teams were in action last night and while the top two teams in the division both lost their respective games, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms won another thrilling overtime game at the PPL Center and the Binghamton Senators completed a sweep of the Norfolk Admirals to extend their unbeaten streak to four games (2-0-2).

Last night I was at the PPL Center in downtown Allentown, Pa. as the Phantoms pulled through with a big two points in a 2-1 overtime win over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Tonight, I'll be back at PPL Center as the Phantoms host Philip Samuelsson and the Portland Pirates. You can follow all the latest on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Twitter -> @TonyAndrock_TCG.

The Penguins take on Manchester this afternoon on a rare 3 p.m. EST Saturday face-off in a rematch of last night's game in New Hampshire. I'll have some in-game updates on Twitter @H_P_Hockey.

East Division Standings (through 2/27's games)

1. Hershey Bears: 57GP, 35-15-5-2, 77 points
2. W-B/Scranton: 57GP, 32-19-2-4, 70 points
3. Lehigh Valley: 56GP, 26-23-6-1, 59 points
4. Binghamton: 58GP, 24-26-7-1, 50 points
5. Norfolk: 58GP, 22-29-4-3, 50 points

Eastern Conference Standings

*1. Manchester: 56GP, 35-14-5-2, 77 points
*2. Hershey: 57GP, 35-15-5-2, 77 points
*3. Syracuse: 57GP, 33-16-8-0, 75 points

4. W-B/Scranton: 57GP, 32-19-2-4, 70 points
5. Springfield: 58GP, 32-20-6-0, 70 points
6. Worcester Sharks: 56GP, 31-19-4-2, 68 points
7. Hartford: 57GP, 30-19-5-3, 68 points

8. Providence: 58GP, 30-20-7-1, 68 points
9. Portland: 57GP, 31-22-3-1, 66 points
10. St. John's: 60GP, 28-24-6-2, 64 points
11. Albany: 58GP, 25-23-5-5, 60 points
12. Lehigh Valley: 56GP, 26-23-6-1, 59 points

Mid-Week Catch Up & Links 3/4

AHL Penguins roster stays intact through the trade deadline.

The Penguins organization didn't do anything drastic on trade deadline day, but made two small trades Monday afternoon to re-tool their defensive core, trading youth for experience heading down the stretch.

Bortuzzo/Cole swap, another trade with St. Louis

PIT Gets - D Ian Cole ($825,000 - RFA this summer)
Cole's 2014-15 Stats: 54GP, 4G-5A, +15, 44 PIM

STL gets - D Robert Bortuzzo ($600,000 - RFA this summer) & PIT's 2016-Seventh Round Pick 
Bortuzzo's 2014-15 Stats: 38GP, 2G-4A, -6, 68 PIM

*EDIT - In order to keep the Penguins salary cap compliant, the Blues are retaining some of Cole's salary.

The Penguins lose a physical presence in Bortuzzo, but gain a much more steady two-way defender in Cole from St. Louis and a guy that Pens assistant coach Gary Agnew - a former Blues assistant - is very familiar with. Cole isn't as physical as Bortuzzo, but he's not soft by any means. From what I've seen and read about him, Cole looks and reads like a two-way puck moving defenseman who plays defense first and can add the occasional tally from the back end too.

Another Defense Swap Sees Homecoming For Lovejoy

PIT Gets - D Ben Lovejoy
Lovejoy's 2014-15 Stats: 40GP, 1G-10A, +3, 17 PIM

ANA Gets - D Simon Despres
Despres' 2014-15 Stats: 59GP, 2G-15A, +9. 64 PIM

After the deadline had passed, Pens GM Jim Rutherford said at his media presser at Consol Energy Center that this trade was based on the need for more experience on the back end. Despres fell out of favor with the management and coaching staff with the Pens last season and despite being brought back was traded at the deadline this year for a familiar face in Lovejoy, who needs no explaining to the player he is.

Two AHL Roster Moves

The Pens also re-assigned defenseman Derrick Pouliot to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) yesterday, but just for the day as insurance that Derrick Pouliot could play in the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs in the AHL if the WBS Penguins outlast the Pittsburgh Penguins. Frankly, Pouliot's AHL days are done minus a Calder Cup Finals appearance in June by all estimations - he's playing well in Pittsburgh.

Other than that, the only player movement that really affected the AHL Penguins was that defenseman Alex Boak was re-assigned to Wheeling as the Nailers played back-to-back games on Monday and Tuesday. The AHL Penguins don't leave for Manchester until after their Thursday morning practice, so it was a chance for ice time for Boak - a guy that has been mostly the AHL Pens' 7th defenseman this season.

LIVE BLOG: 2015 NHL Trade Deadline Day 3/2

What does the future hold for Brian Dumoulin? Photo credit: @ItsJacki

It's that time of year again. It's Trade Deadline Day in the NHL. Every year is a different story and entering the day this year's story is that most of the big names that were talked about as being available to trade have already been moved.

Starting with the Evander Kane blockbuster trade on February 11th, there have already been 20 trades involving 44 players and 20 draft picks exchanging hands between 24 NHL organizations. Here's a list of all the trades made this season from the TSN Trade Tracker.

The Penguins organization themselves has made several moves already. It started with Philip Samuelsson being traded to Arizona for Rob Klinkhammer back on December 5th, who was later traded from the Penguins along with their 2015-First Round pick to Edmonton for David Perron not even a month later on January 2nd.

Then there was the Marcel Goc/Maxim Lapierre swap with St. Louis on January 27th and most recently it was Zach Sill (along with a 2016-Second Round and 2015-Fourth Round pick) to Toronto for Daniel Winnik on Febraury 25th. The two draft picks were necessary to send to the Maple Leafs as it was the bargaining chip to get the Maple Leafs to retain half of Winnik's $1.3 million cap hit this season. Winnik is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) at the end of the season.

What the Penguins are left with is $349,167 in salary cap space, with no first, third or fourth round picks in this summer's 2015 NHL Entry Draft and no second round pick in 2016. Any further trades to help Pittsburgh down the stretch will almost have to include NHL roster players and prospects with enough salary heading out (or retained by the trading partner) to cover the salary coming in. I wrote about the basics and some possibilities the Penguins could pursue to save some cap space on Friday, and to add to that some further thoughts/insights in case it's a slow morning/afternoon.

Follow @H_P_Hockey on Twitter for the latest AHL Penguins related trade news and @TonyAndrock_TCG for trades in the Philadelphia Flyers organization affecting the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Some things the Penguins should consider at the deadline after the jump, including making decisions on the future plans of three upcoming restricted free agents, acquiring some draft picks lost in trades this season and more.

Penguins Blowout Sound Tigers, Murray Continues To Shine

Matt Murray is turning in an impressive rookie season between the pipes for the AHL Penguins.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins now have points in each of their last ten games following a 7-0 blowout of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Sunday afternoon in Connecticut.

Matt Murray has been quite a story for the Penguins lately. He picked up his AHL league-leading 8th shutout this season with 18 saves - breaking an AHL Penguins single-season record for shutouts formerly held by Brad Thiessen (7). Murray now has shutouts in three straight starts and in five of his last seven starts dating back to January 30th. His goals-against average of 1.65 and save percentage of .936 are also tops in the AHL.

Murray now has a personal shutout streak of 185:22 after today's game but realistically, Murray could have given up a half dozen goals and the Pens would have still come away with two points.

In his first game back in the AHL since January 21st - after a brief stint in Wheeling - Josh Archibald tallied a game-high two goals for the Pens this afternoon. Brian Dumoulin and Andrew Ebbett added a goal and two assists each in the win.

The Penguins as a team now have points in ten straight games and are 12-1-1-1 in their last 15 games. Recap of the numerous goals after the jump.

Saturday's Morning Skate (2/28)

The Phantoms are still on the outside looking in.

While the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Lehigh Valley Phantoms enjoyed a Friday night off, the rest of the East Division was in action - including Binghamton and Hershey squaring off in the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena.

I didn't cover any live hockey last night, but instead got plenty of writing done on various AHL-related topics. Yesterday, I mapped out all the Penguins trade deadline basics into one clear and concise post here online, along with some small cap-saving moves the Pens should look into before dealing away the farm system for a rental forward or defenseman.

Tonight, I'll be live from the PPL Center in Allentown as the Lehigh Valley Phantoms host the Binghamton Senators in a season series that has been downright nasty at times. Two of the league's most penalized teams clash at 7:05 p.m. EST. Full coverage of the tilt with in-game updates on Twitter -> @TonyAndrock_TCG as well as a post-game recap of the action online complete with insights/analysis, roster updates and player reaction.

The AHL Penguins take on the Hartford Wolpack up in Connecticut at the XL Center tonight at 7:00 p.m. EST. Follow @H_P_Hockey on Twitter for in-game updates of that contest.

East Division Standings (through 2/27's games)

1. Hershey Bears: 54GP, 33-14-5-2, 73 points
2. W-B/Scranton: 54GP, 30-18-2-4, 66 points
3. Lehigh Valley: 53GP, 24-22-6-1, 55 points
4. Binghamton: 54GP, 22-26-5-1, 50 points
5. Norfolk: 55GP, 22-27-3-3, 50 points

Eastern Conference Standings

*1. Manchester: 53GP, 33-13-5-2, 73 points
*2. Hershey: 54GP, 33-14-5-2, 73 points
*3. Syracuse: 55GP, 32-15-8-0, 72 points
4. Springfield: 56GP, 31-19-6-0, 68 points
5. Hartford: 55GP, 30-18-4-3, 67 points
6. Worcester Sharks: 53GP, 30-17-4-2, 66 points
7. W-B/Scranton: 54GP, 30-18-2-4, 66 points
8. Providence: 56GP, 28-20-7-1, 64 points
9. Portland: 54GP, 28-22-3-1, 60 points
10. St. John's: 58GP, 26-24-6-2, 60 points
11. Albany: 55GP, 24-22-4-5, 57 points
12. Lehigh Valley: 53GP, 24-22-6-1, 55 points   

A Look At Trade Deadline Possibilities For the Penguins

John Hynes stopped the team mid-drill on the practice before a trip to Hartford today displeased with the team's intensity in the corners and net front.

A day after Jagr Watch seemingly comes to an end, the Pittsburgh Penguins organization doesn't seem content on standing pat through Monday's trade deadline and if a deal presents itself, why not?

Truth be told, however, the Penguins are in a bit of a tricky spot both close to the salary cap (estimated $349,167 in space, my math being what it is) and thin on draft picks in upcoming years - with no 1st, 3rd, or 4th round picks in this summer's 2015 NHL Draft and no 2nd round pick next season.

Any further trades by the Penguins will almost have to include NHL roster players being moved and possibly even salary retained by their trading partner, unless the Penguins use some of the prospects in their system to sweeten the pot. They're only in possession of two top-60 draft picks in the next two NHL Entry Drafts combined.

A quick AHL Penguins practice update from Toyota SportsPlex today - Bobby Farnham participated in a regular practice jersey today and rotated with recently recalled Josh Archibald on a line with Scott Wilson on the left and Jayson Megna in the middle.

The only players missing from the skate were injured forwards Nick Drazenovic (upper body) and Bryan Rust (lower body).

Lines/D-Pairings at Friday's Practice

Conor Sheary - Andrew Ebbett - Tom Kostopoulos
Dominik Uher - Carter Rowney - Tom Kuhnhackl
Scott Wilson - Jayson Megna - Bobby Farnham/Josh Archibald
Pierre-Luc Leblond - Matia Marcantuoni - Adam Payerl

Brian Dumoulin - Taylor Chorney
Reid McNeill - Scott Harrington
Nick D'Agostino - Barry Goers
Alex Boak

Matt Murray - Jeff Zatkoff

After the jump, a look at the organization's players, contracts & basics as well as some moves to consider heading into the weekend and Monday's trading deadline. For my readers who are fans of the AHL Penguins who aren't traveling to either of the team's games in Connecticut this weekend, you might have very well seen some players currently on the team for the last time.

Monday's Catch Up & Links (2/23)

The Phantoms' home woes at PPL Center have continued and Lehigh Valley remains on the outside looking in when talking about the postseason race.

 Only eight weeks left in the AHL's 2014-15 regular season, and with less than 25 games remaining on every team's schedule - the pressure and intensity gets ramped up heading into March.

While the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are comfortably in 4th place in the Eastern Conference, earning points in 12 of their last 13 games, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms are entering the week seven points out of the final playoff spot in the conference - continuing to lose on home ice.

Both teams have Friday night off, but the Penguins are in the midst of a six-game road trip that sees them in the Northeast this weekend. The Phantoms are in the midst of mostly home games, where they look to end their losing skid at the PPL Center.

Ebbett Powers Penguins Past WolfPack

Andrew Ebbett's first of two goals this afternoon was his 100th career AHL goal.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins used timely goals from Andrew Ebbett in the first and third periods and a dominant middle frame to power past the Hartford Wolfpack 4-1 in the first of four meetings between the two teams this season.

The first of Ebbett's two goals, coming 5:48 into the contest, was his 100th career AHL goal and it gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead after the WolfPack had dominated play from the opening face-off. His second of the night, just 10 seconds into the third, gave the Penguins all the insurance they would need at a 3-1 advantage.

It was a good afternoon for fourth line enforcers as Hartford's Nick Tarnasky scored his first of the season to tie things up at 1-1 late in the first period. The Penguins' Pierre-Luc Leblond also tallied his first goal of the season Sunday in what turned out to be the eventual game winner.

While Scott Wilson has been the rookie in the spotlight lately, and deservedly so with nine points (four goals, five assists) in his last eight games - including three game-winning goals - Conor Sheary extended his points scoring streak to eight games with a secondary assist on Ebbett's goal on the opening shift of the third period.

Jeff Zatkoff kind of quietly put together a strong performance in net, with 22 saves on 23 shots - particularly sharp in the opening minutes of play when Hartford was all over the Penguins. The win is just Zatkoff's 2nd in the calendar year of 2015, though he is 2-0-2 in his four starts in February.

There could be some bad blood between the Penguins and WolfPack when they next play again this upcoming Saturday up in Hartford after a questionable second period hit by Dylan McIlrath on Bobby Farnham knocked the WBS fan favorite out of the game. Farnham first went to the WBS bench but later retreated to the locker room with trainer Kyle Moore and did not return.

Saturday's Morning Skate 2/21

Anthony Stolarz has just two wins in his last 11 appearances.

Points are at a premium with less than nine weeks left in the AHL's 2014-15 regular season. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins enjoyed a Friday night off, but the rest of the East Division was in action.

Last night I was in Allentown at the PPL Center as the Lehigh Valley Phantoms dropped their sixth straight game at home, a 5-1 decision to the Providence Bruins - a team they are chasing in the Eastern Conference's playoff race.


Tonight, I'm back inside PPL Center as the Phantoms hope for a better result against the Hartford Wolfpack at 7:05 p.m. EST. I'll have full coverage with in-game updates via Twitter at @TonyAndrock_TCG and a post-game recap here online shortly following the game.

For in-game updates of tonight's Penguins home game against the PBruins, make sure you are following @H_P_Hockey.

East Division Standings (through 2/20's games)

1. Hershey: 51GP, 30-14-5-2, 67 points
2. W-B/Scranton: 52GP, 28-18-2-4, 62 points
3. Lehigh Valley: 48GP, 24-22-5-1, 54 points
4. Binghamton: 52GP: 22-24-5-1, 50 points
5. Norfolk: 48GP, 21-25-3-3, 48 points

Eastern Conference Standings (through 2/20's games)

*1. Manchester: 50GP, 31-13-5-2, 69 points
*2. Syracuse: 51GP, 30-13-8-0, 68 points
*3. Hershey: 51GP, 30-14-5-2, 67 points
4. Hartford: 52GP, 29-16-4-3, 65 points
5. Springfield: 53GP, 29-18-6-0, 64 points
6. W-B/Scranton: 52GP, 28-18-2-4, 62 points
7. Providence: 53GP, 27-19-6-1, 61 points
8. Worcester Sharks: 50GP, 27-17-4-2, 60 points
9. Portland: 51GP, 27-21-3-0, 57 points
10. St. John's: 54GP, 24-23-5-2, 55 points
11. Lehigh Valley: 52GP, 24-22-5-1, 54 points   
 
* = Division leader

Monday's Catch Up & Links 2/16

Phantoms bounce back with two straight wins to end last week.

There's only nine weeks left in the regular season, and points are getting harder to come by as teams outside of the playoff picture are starting to feel the heat of near must-win games in mid-February.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Lehigh Valley Phantoms both won two of their three games last week, with the Pens only loss coming in the shootout on Saturday night to the Phantoms. The Phantoms finished their three-game weekend with two wins and are creeping back into the playoff picture.

This week both teams play all of their respective games at home, and both face the same teams from the Northeast Division - the Providence Bruins and Hartford Wolfpack.

Snowstorm Shootout - Phantoms Prevail Over Penguins

Phantoms defeat rival Penguins and look to stay in win column tomorrow in Springfield.

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms climbed their way back in the third period and completed the comeback with a 5-4 shootout victory over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins tonight - another big win for the Phantoms at Mohegan Sun Arena in a game they were out-gunned in the first 40 minutes.

Taylor Leier opened the scoring 4:54 into play and tallied the winner in the bottom half of the fourth round after a surprise 4th round shooter of Nick D'Agostino for the Penguins missed the net on his attempt. Leier now has seven points in his last nine games and is a perfect 2-for-2 in the shootout with both of his shootout goals coming against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. That's not the only thing interesting about Leier shootout goals this year after catching up with him post-game.

Jason Akeson tied the game with 9:04 left in regulation on his second power play goal of the night in what was, for the most part, a dominant third period for the Phantoms. Akeson's first goal was also a big one, not only because it tied the game at 3-3 midway through the 2nd, but because it was Akeson's 200th career AHL point, all with the Phantoms - making him just the 5th player in the franchise's history to reach that plateau in scoring.

I overheard Andrew Gordon saying that everything that Nick Cousins touched turned into gold and that he should buy a lottery ticket. It's true, Cousins had a hand in scoring three of the Phantoms' four goals tonight with three assists. The AHL's Player of the Month for January isn't cooling off in February either, now with nine points (2G-7A) in five February games.

The only goal Cousins didn't figure in on was a highlight reel slap shot blast from Adam Comrie off a turnover in the Penguins defensive zone. It was one of those right place right time moments for Comrie, who had just hopped over the boards for his shift and skated towards the offensive blue line when a loose puck glided towards him. Comrie met the puck and destroyed it, beating Penguins goaltender Jeff Zatkoff high to the glove side.  He joked after the game that it was better than any kind of scenario he could of drawn up himself.

Both goaltenders faced series of high-pressure, defenders on their heels type situations. Zatkoff fended off the Phantoms half of the third period and only allowed one goal as the Phantoms were out shooting the Pens 13-4 at one point. For the Phantoms, Rob Zepp kept his team in the game in the first period after Leier opened the scoring when the Penguins were tilting the ice in their favor. Zepp only allowed a power play deflection goal by Pens team captain Tom Kostopoulos 13:18 into the period, stopping 13 of the 14 shots he faced.

The Phantoms are hopping on the bus and heading roughly four hours (likely more because of the snowstorm in the Northeast) to Springfield, Massachusetts - the site of their final game of the three-game weekend against the Falcons () on a Sunday at 5:00 p.m. EST.

They are expected to meet up with recently re-assigned forward Scott Laughton, who couldn't make it in time for the game tonight because of the inclement weather. Head coach Terry Murray said after the game tonight that Laughton will be in the lineup and be playing a lot of minutes in all situations, which is critical in his development at this point in his career - his first full season at the pro level.

Latest roster news and notes for both teams after the jump.

Saturday's Morning Skate (2/14)

Phantoms in Wilkes-Barre tonight for a meeting with the Penguins.

Happy Valentines Day puck heads! It was another busy Friday night in the American Hockey League (AHL) as all five teams in the East Division were in action.

Last night I was in Allentown at the beautiful PPL Center, where the Lehigh Valley Phantoms came up short against the Binghamton Senators.


Tonight, I'm live from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre as the Penguins host rival Phantoms at 7:05 p.m. EST. I'll have full coverage of tonight's game with a post-game recap here and live in-game updates on Twitter -> @H_P_Hockey starting around 6:00 ET.

East Division Standings (through 2/13's games)

1. Hershey: 48GP, 28-13-5-2, 63 points
2. W-B/Scranton: 51GP, 28-18-2-3, 61 points
3. Lehigh Valley: 48GP, 22-21-4-1, 49 points
4. Norfolk: 49GP: 20-24-3-2, 45 points
5. Binghamton: 48GP, 19-23-5-1, 44 points

More Photoshop Fun (Part 2 - Penguins)

For that special someone this Valentines Day.

A week without live hockey leaves things sparse in terms of coverage this week, but things will look to pick up as the Penguins host Portland tonight and Lehigh Valley tomorrow night, while the Phantoms kick-off a three-game weekend of their own starting tonight at home against Binghamton.

In the meantime, check out some Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins themed Valentines Day cards. Which one is your favorite?

See all six after the jump.

Fourth Line Leads Penguins Past Senators

Dominik Uher (left) tallied a career high three points (2G-1A) while fan favorite Bobby Farnham added a goal and an assist in the Penguins' win.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins seem to have a different line contributing offensively every night and tonight it was the fourth line of Dominik Uher, Matia Marcantuoni and Bobby Farnham leading the way offensively, as the trio combined for three goals and three assists in a 4-1 win over the Binghamton Senators.

Goaltender Jeff Zatkoff quietly had a strong game, stopping all but one of the 27 shots he faced - an Aaron Johnson breakaway with 3:25 left before the third. The win was Zatkoff's first in the calendar year of 2015 - he had gone 0-4-2 in his last six starts, including a goals-against average of 3.63 and a save percentage of .842 in six appearances in January.

Conor Sheary tallied his team-leading 15th of the season to give the Penguins a 3-0 lead they would never look back in the second period. In his return to the AHL lineup, Scott Harrington was solid with an assist and a plus three rating playing on the second pairing with Reid McNeill.

The win moves the Penguins (27-18-2-3) two points behind Hershey for first place in the East Division, though the Bears now have three games in hand on the Penguins as they did not play tonight. The Pens finish the week with two more home games this weekend, Friday night vs. Philip Samuelsson and the Portland Pirates and Saturday night on Valentines Day with a rivalry match up with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.