The Penguins Have All-Star Performers Throughout The Organization

The Pittsburgh Penguins rolled into the All-Star break winners of 7-straight games and sending 3 of their own to Ottawa for the festivities.  Those 3 were NHL leading point getter Evgeni  Malkin, star defenseman Kris Letang, and the winger having the season of his career James Neal.  Malkin scored a highlight-real goal and added an assist while logging 15:34 of ice time for victorious Team Chara.  Letang and Neal both recorded an assist while on the losing end for team Alfredsson. 

In their first game after the All-Star break Tuesday January 31^st, the Pens looked to be in trouble.  They trailed Toronto 4-1 in the third period and the fans were about to give up on the game, however the team on the ice was not.  Steve Sullivan raced in alone and hammered home a slapper to cut the Leafs lead to 2, and then Joe Vitale sent home a rebound to make it 4-3 and give the pens life.  It didn’t look promising as the clock wound down to under ten seconds to go with Toronto still leading but an All-Star duo was about to change that.  James Neal fired a shot that hit Malkin up high and deflected into the net to tie the game at 4 with 6.6 seconds remaining.  Malkin, who has emerged as the Penguins hero time and time again scored the shootout game winner to complete the amazing comeback.  The next night the winning streak would end at 8 when the Leafs beat the Pens 1-0 in a game where Penguins net minder Brent Johnson played really solid.  The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins leading point getter, Colin McDonald earned a trip to the AHL All-Star game.  McDonald has 38 points in 41 games with the Baby Pens this year.  The fifth year pro and Providence College product was a 40+ goal scorer a year ago with the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons and has seen NHL action with the Oilers in the past and this season with the Penguins. In fact, he was recalled to the Penguins following the AHL All-Star game. 

The Penguins ECHL affiliate in Wheeling received a familiar face from their parent clubs January 25^th.  Last year’s team leading point getter and Penguins 2009 4^th round draft pick Nick Petersen is a Nailer again.  Before turning pro, Petersen played 3 seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He spent 2 seasons with the Shawinigan Cataractes and finished his junior career with the Saint John Sea Dogs.  His highest point total came in his second season with Shawinigan when he recorded 90 points and was a +56.  He set his career high in goals his final season with the Sea Dogs when he scored 39 times.  Last season with Wheeling he scored 24 goals and 33 assists for 57 points and was a +17 before joining Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for 23 games, scoring 14 points (5 goals – 9 assists) and registering a +7 rating.  This season Petersen has 6 goals and 6 assist for 12 points and a +6 rating in 28 games with the Baby Pens.  In his first 6 games with Wheeling, Petersen has 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points and is a +5.  Since joining the Nailers Petersen’s game has looked really good as he works hard to get back to the next level.  

-           Andrew Grimm

                                   

The Latest on the Penguins Organization

Remember not that long ago when the Penguins had lost 6-straight games and the fans were ready to doom the season?  Those thoughts have since been silenced by 6-straight wins, including victories over the 1^st place New York Rangers and the hated rival Washington Capitals.  Undoubtedly a huge part of the turnaround is the stellar play of All-Star center Evgeni “Geno” Malkin.  Malkin has an ability rarely seen; he can take complete control of a game like few others.  “Geno” has taken the team on his back, become a favorite for the Hart Trophy, and has left players, coaches, and fans scratching their heads wondering how did he do that?  Throughout the years, Pittsburgh has been blessed with players with this ability such as Lemieux, Jagr, and a healthy Crosby. Now Malkin continues to show why he belongs on that list.  Malkin has propelled into the NHL scoring lead with 58 points (26 goals-32 assists).  Although Crosby’s season is still in question, the return of All-Star defensemen Kris Letang should help the Pens continue to climb in the standings as they currently sit 6^th in the East.

The Pittsburgh Penguins weren’t the only Penguins winning 6-straight games.  Their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have not only won 6 in a row, they’ve also won 8 of their last 10.  During those 10 games, Defensemen and Pens 2007 4^th round draft pick Alex Grant racked up 2 goals and 12 assists and was a +3.  Grant (22) only played in 4 AHL games last season but was part of the Wheeling Nailers run to the ECHL conference Finals.  Alex isn’t the only player emerging for the Pens.  Second year pro and former Wisconsin Badger Ben Street has been outstanding.  Street was the ECHL rookie of the year a season ago, tallying 51 points in 38 games before joining the Wilkes-Barre and racking up 23 points in 36 games.  So far this season Street is third on the team with 31 points (15 goals-16 assists).  The “Baby” Pens are currently tied for 1^st place in the East Division. 

The Penguins ECHL affiliate, the Wheeling Nailers are also having a good season.  The Nailers are 5-3-2 in their last 10 and currently sit 2^nd in the Atlantic Division, 8 points back of Elmira.  Wheeling plays Elmira 8 more times which gives them plenty of opportunity to retake 1^st place and better solidify their playoff position.  The Nailers are led by rookie forward Chris Barton who leads the team and is second among ECHL rookies with 38 points (21 goals-17 assists).  The Nailers are backstopped by Canadians prospect Peter Delmas and Penguins 2008 6^th round pick Patrick Killeen.  Killeen notched his first shutout of the season and 4^th of his ECHL career Friday January 20^th against Toledo in a 3-0 win.  The ECHL All-Star of a year ago is 10^th in the ECHL with 12 wins and is 11^th with a 2.83 GAA.    Off the ice, the team is for sale and its future is uncertain but on the ice the Nailers continue to impress.  

By Andrew Grimm