Faceoff Factor

WBS Pens Weekly Report - 4/19

Eric Politowski | WBS "Baby" Penguins

Apr 19, 01:52 PM | Hype this story!

Welcome to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins weekly report for this week. The Pens began their first series in the 2008 AHL playoffs against the Hershey Bears, and signed a few more players, one who could be Sidney Crosby’s future left wing. Read all about it here.

TRANSACTIONS:

The Pens have signed the following three players out of junior leagues to amateur try out contracts. None have yet to play in a game for WBS.

LW Luca Caputi finally signed with the Baby Pens on Wednesday. Known for his power forward style, gritty work in the corners, and right-handed shot, Caputi looks to have a great future in the Pens organization for himself. He racked up 111 points (51 g, 60 a) in merely 66 games this season in the OHL. He was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 4th round last year. Caputi arrived in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday and has gotten in two practices with the team so far. Think he could be Crosby’s future left wing in Pittsburgh? We’ll see how he performs at the pro level. General Manager, Chuck Fletcher was on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton radio today, and mentioned that they are close to signing him to an NHL deal. Caputi has been assigned to wear the #19.

C Keven Veilleux has also been signed by the Pens. Veilleux put up 64 points (17 g, 47 a) in 61 games this year in the QMJHL. Veilleux has been known for his great passing ability (note 47 assists), and has been described by scouts as the next right-handed Jordan Staal. Veilleux was Pittsburgh’s 2nd round draft pick last year. He arrived on Friday to get his first pro practice in with the team. He will sport the jersey #25.

F Casey Pierro-Zabotel is the third and final ATO signing this week. Pierro-Zabotel, or “Zabby” as he is nicknamed, began the 2007-2008 season in the BCHL where he recorded 27 points (15 g, 12 a) in only 17 games. After picking up numerous MVP awards, Pierro-Zabotel headed to the WHL where he would finish the year with 48 points (19 g, 29 a) in 49 games. Pittsburgh drafted him in the 3rd round. He will don the #37 on his jersey.

GAME RECAPS:

As we take a look back at the previous Pens-Bears playoff match-ups, Hershey has had the upper hand. In 2005-2006, the Bears swept the Pens in the 2nd round, 4-0. Last year, again in the 2nd round, they defeated the Pens 4 games to 1. This year, the higher-seeded Penguins won the home-ice advantage over the Bears, but due to a job fair going on in the Wachovia Arena, they were forced to play their first playoff game of the year on the road.

Both teams played strong defensively all night long, causing not either team to score a goal until early in the 3rd period. F Connor James tipped a shot taken by C Nathan Smith past Hershey goaltender Freddy Cassivi, giving the Pens the 1-0 lead, only 17 seconds into the period.

Hershey answered about ten minutes later, when LW Chris Bourque scored his 1st of the playoffs on the Pens starting goalie John Curry. The score remained tied at 1-1 as the 3rd period ran out.

About five minutes into the overtime period, the Pens took advantage of the Bears when one of their defensemen broke his stick. LW Chris Minard blasted a one-timer slap shot into the net to win the game. The Pens leading season scorer, C Tim Brent made a perfect pass, setting up the game-winner. The Pens would lead the series 1-0 at this point.

Final Score of Game 1: WBS 2 – Hershey 1 (OT)

The Pens traveled home to Wilkes-Barre to begin game 2. The crowd was in “white-out” mode, in which they encouraged the fans to wear all white to support the team.

Early in the 1st, forwards Tim Brent, Kurtis McLean, and Chris Minard found themselves on a 3-on-1, and Brent finished off a perfect tic-tac-toe play to pick up his 1st of the playoffs. Nearing the end of the 1st period, LW Chris Minard blasted a heavy slap shot that found its way to the top shelf to get his 2nd of the playoffs.

In the 2nd period, the Bears tied it, making it 2-2. D Alex Goligoski ripped a slap shot home from the point that trickled its way through the 5-hole, to put the Pens up by a score of 3-2.

During the 3rd period, the Baby Pens went on fire, scoring goal after goal. C Dave Gove buried a snap shot into the net, five minutes in. C Tim Brent scored his 2nd goal of the game, and 2nd of the playoffs after getting a great pass from F Kurtis McLean. Only 34 seconds later, F Ryan Stone dangled his way through two Hershey defenders and scored, picking up his 1st of the playoffs as well.

The Wachovia Arena faithful were definitely the 7th man tonight as they were loudly into the game from the drop of the puck. Penguins goaltender John Curry was strong once again, earning his 2nd career AHL postseason victory. Tempers flared, as Hershey’s agitator LW Louis Robitaille started trouble with Nathan Smith. Smith and Robitaille had a good spirited fight, and they both received game misconducts. Ryan Stone also fought Hershey’s Jason Morgan. This was one of the best games the Pens have played in recent memory, and now lead the series 2-0, going into game 3 at home tomorrow, at 5:05pm.

Final Score of Game 2: WBS 6 – Hershey 2

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Game 3 – Sunday, April 20 @ Wachovia Arena – 5:05pm

Game 4 – Wednesday, April 23 @ Giant Center – 7:00pm

Game 5 – Friday, April 25 @ Wachovia Arena – 7:05pm

Game 6 – Saturday, April 26 @ Giant Center – 7:00pm

Game 7 – Sunday, April 27 @ Wachovia Arena – 5:05pm

Games 5, 6, and 7 if necessary