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WBS Pens vs. Philadelphia Phantoms Series Preview

Eric Politowski | WBS "Baby" Penguins

Apr 29, 09:23 PM | Hype this story!

Finally, after the Philadelphia Phantoms defeat the Albany River Rats in game 7, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Baby Penguins know that they will face a bitter rival in the East Division Finals.

SERIES PREVIEW

Welcome to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins vs. Philadelphia Phantoms series preview. First, here’s a look back at the 2007-2008 season, and how the two teams matched up against one another.

In regular season play, the Phantoms have had the advantage on the scoreboard for the most part. Against Philadelphia, the Pens have won 2, lost 5 in regulation, lost 1 in overtime, and lost 1 in a shootout.

The hottest scorers against the Phantoms this year from the Pens have totaled up to be F Tim Brent with 6 points (2 g, 4 a). Not to mention, D Alain Nasreddine has netted 2 of his 6 season goals against them.

The Baby Penguins finished the season with 101 points leading the East Divison. The Phantoms were a close second, with 99 points.

Everyone knows that this is going to be a tough, hard-hitting, physical series. The Phantoms and Pens have battled all year long, so here’s a look at the fighting leaders against Philadelphia.

Dennis Bonvie led the way with 4 fights. LW/D Paul Bissonnette and Ryan Stone both had 2 fights each, and D Deryk Engelland and Nathan Smith had 1 fight each.

TRANSACTIONS

RW Jean-Michel Daoust, who came to the Pens mid-season, has been loaned to his ECHL team, the Cincinnati Cyclones for the playoffs. The Cyclones own the rights to Daoust’s contract, and we probably won’t see any of Daoust with the Pens this year, unless major injuries occur.

Yet another player, fresh out of the OHL was signed to an amateur professional tryout contract. C Dustin Jeffrey, from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds agreed to terms with the Penguins. Jeffrey put up excellent numbers this season, as he finished with 97 points (38 g, 59 a) in 56 games. Jeffrey was the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 6th round pick of the 2007 NHL Draft. He was assigned to wear the #21.

NOTES

Penguins’ captain C Nathan Smith was arrested yesterday. He was charged with public drunkenness, disorderly conduct, open lewdness and indecent exposure for his role in a streaking incident early Sunday morning. Head Coach Todd Richards decided to suspend Smith for one game. Smith will miss the opening game in the series against Philadelphia.

Smith formally apologized the next day for his actions. Several people believe that he should be stripped of his captaincy. RW Dennis Bonvie said the following.

“Does he deserve to be the captain? Yeah, he does. Other people will say, ‘Well, look what he did.’ Yeah, he did that, but he’s dealt with it head on and he’s dealt with it face up. Is he still the captain of our hockey club? As far as we’re concerned he is. He’s definitely the captain of our hockey club.”

Smith deserves to keep his role as the captain. He is a genuinely nice person, and a hard worker, and that has showed this season.

To add, RW Ryan Stone was also involved in the incident, while being charged with public drunkenness. Coach Richards said that Stone will undergo some sort of disciplinary action, because suspending him earlier in the year didn’t seem to get the message across.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

The Baby Pens play their first two games at home, at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza.

Game 1 — Thursday, May 1

Game 2 — Saturday, May 3

Game 3 — Monday, May 5 @ PHI

Game 4 — Wednesday, May 7 @ PHI
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Game 5 — Friday, May 9

Game 6 — TBA @ PHI

Game 7 — Tuesday, May 13