Faceoff Factor

Some Thoughts From the WBS Penguins Skills Competition

Kyle Dreibelbies | WBS "Baby" Penguins

Dec 12, 09:55 PM | Hype this story!

As most of you know, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins held their team skills competition this past weekend, a charity event that is based on the skills competitions that are done as part of the AHL and NHL All-Star games.

Skating
Alex Goligoski is an underrated skater. He won the 1-on-1 puck control relay against one of the fastest skaters on the team, Connor James.

There is quite a bit of speed on this team, with James (despite a slip in the last turn), Chris Minard, and Jonathan Filewich all topping the time of the AHL’s fastest skater at the All-Star game last year. Joe Jensen can move, too, but he was sent down to Wheeling yesterday.

Shooting/Passing
Jeff Taffe showed why he has spent time in the NHL when he tagged all four foam plates in his eight shots. Jensen matched that feat.

Mark Ardelan is a very good passer from the blue line.

Goaltending
The injury to Marc-Andre Fleury in Pittsburgh is having a trickle-down effect. Ty Conklin had been carrying this team and now it is left to two rookie goalies.

John Curry was horrendous in the rapid fire. He over-compensated repeatedly when moving laterally, which made it impossible to get back into the rhythm. However, he is a very athletic goaltender, frerquently sprawling to make impossible saves on the breakaway competition.

It was a very fun event, although it was scarcely-attended due to a light ice storm in the area.