Now I wouldn't claim to talk about everything sports, if I didn't actually talk about everything sports. Tonight I am going to go over a team that I know, not a lot of people probably talk about. That team would be the Wilkes-Berre/Scranton Baby Penguins. Yes that's right, I will be talk about the AHL Affiliate to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Penguins are the hottest team in the AHL, they are now on a 5 game winning streak and aren't looking back. Their winning streak started on April 2 as they defeated the Admirals 3-2, but the game was a dog fight till the end. Trevor Smith notched his 21st goal of the season just four minutes into the first period. Kolarik added just his second assist of the night with a goal from Riley Holzapfel at the 15:09 mark of the second period, and just a short 3:30 seconds later Chris Collins added a 3rd goal giving the Penguins a 3-0 lead going into the third. The Admirals took away the shutout hopes just 5 minutes into the third period though, with a goal from Kyle Bonis, and a second goal by Devante Smith-Pelly with a PP goal at the 14:24 mark in the third. But the Penguins goaltender, Jeff Zatkoff made 17 saves after that third goal to give the Penguins the win.
April 5th, the Wilkes-Berre would be in another dog fight as they took the Adirondack Phantoms into OT, to pick up yet another 3-2 win. This was a great win as it gave Wilkes-Berre a 4-0-0-0 record over the Phantoms in the season series. The scoring in this game didn't get started until the 5:25 mark of the second period by the Phantoms' Garrett Roe, but was quickly answered back with a PP goal less than four minutes later. Both teams would get one more goal a peace from Riley Holzapfel (Penguins) and Shane Harper (Phantoms). The game would be won in the first 2 minutes of the OT period with Alex Grant putting the puck behind the goaltender at the 1:19 mark in OT.
To make this a little quicker for you guys, on April 6th Wilkes-Berre shutout the Devils, and on April 7th beat the Bears 4-3 in yet another close game.
Wilkes-Berre has tied Milwaukee for the most one point victories in the AHL. Also an amazing mark would be that of goaltender Jeff Zatkoff has not allowed more than 2 goals in seven consecutive starts, and has gone 6-1-0. He has a league leading 1.95 goals against average and has now won 5 in a row.
All in all, from what the numbers show me, the Baby Penguins are looking very good in their last 4 games. They've fought back from being down, held a lead, and were able to show their might against another team. They have league leaders on their team in Zatkoff, and all have a chance to make the Pittsburgh Penguins during the season, as they are having injury problems, or even next season as they may lose players due to trades, contracts ending, or even retirement. I like what I'm seeing from these kids trying to make it to the NHL and they certainly are playing like it. Let's just hope that if they do make it up to the Big Leagues that they keep this level of play up and help the Pens to yet another Stanley Cup Championship.
Until next time,
You keep doing what you do, and I'll keep you up to date with everything sports
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