It’s not easy to be an AHL franchise, about as soon as things go well then everything changes. Wilkes-Barre has had to deal with three of their top five scorers (Danton Heinen, Ville Koivunen, Ryan Graves) getting called up and then they lost AHL October goalie of the month Sergei Murashov on top of that.
That’s life in the minor leagues and the beat goes on just the same. WBS was able to go 1-1-1 last week to get somewhat back on track. When players go out the door, it opens room for others; and Wilkes
was able to see that come through with players like Maxim Pavlenko coming up from ECHL Wheeling in place of Murashov and earning a shutout in his first AHL start. Here’s Nick Hart’s weekly recap of the action:
Wednesday, Nov. 5 – PENGUINS 3 vs. Toronto 4 (OT)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton put on a clinic in the first 40 minutes of regulation, dominating possession and racking up three-straight goals. Tristan Broz scored 16 seconds in, the third-fastest goal in team history. However, the Marlies rallied in the third period and stole the win late in overtime.Friday, Nov. 7 – PENGUINS 4 at Rochester 6
This time, it was the Penguins’ turn to rally, but their thrilling comeback fell short in the end. The Americans snatched a 4-1 lead going into the first intermission, only for Alex Alexeyev, Broz and Sam Poulin to bring the Pens level at 4-4. Third-period power-play and empty-net goals led Rochester to victory.Saturday, Nov. 8 – PENGUINS 4 vs. Utica 0
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton put forth a top-to-bottom solid outing in front of a 20-save shutout by rookie Maxim Pavlenko. Matty De St. Phalle and Poulin scored for the second-straight game, while Broz logged his team-leading seventh tally of the year.
Coach Kirk MacDonald talked after the Utica win.
As far as prospect watch goes for some of the most notable names on the NHL radar:
- Tristan Broz has an active three-game goal streak and scored four points in his last three games
- Avery Hayes has picked up a minor injury and hasn’t played since November 1st
- Owen Pickering has an assist in three games since re-joining the AHL club. Pickering is playing first pair minutes with Philip Kemp, as he was prior to his NHL promotion
- Pittsburgh gets to bring an extra goalie over to Sweden, so Filip Larsson has re-joined Murashov for a few days. Pens GM Kyle Dubas stated that Joel Blomqvist should be returning soon to game action for WBS after suffering a preseason injury
The week ahead, from Hart:
Wednesday, Nov. 12 – PENGUINS at Bridgeport
It’s an early, 10:30 a.m. start for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s mid-week visit to Connecticut. The Penguins are 2-0-0-0 so far this season against the Islanders and have won eight-straight at Total Mortgage Arena.Friday, Nov. 14 – PENGUINS vs. Bridgeport
The script flips when the Islanders trek to NEPA for a rematch on a 28/22 News Fan Control Friday. The Isles have been known to start fast, accruing a league-leading 17 first-period goals.Saturday, Nov. 15 – PENGUINS vs. Springfield
The Penguins take on the Thunderbirds for their first of four clashes. Springfield has only one win on the year thus far, but recently added long-time NHL veteran Milan Lucic on a PTO.
