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By SCOTT REINARDY sreinardy@leader.net
Friday, January 28, 2000 Page: 1B
The message is relatively clear.
If a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins player accumulates 12 points in four
games, there’s a strong possibility he’ll receive a call from Pittsburgh.
Defenseman John Slaney did just that, and in return was invited to play
Thursday night’s game for Pittsburgh against Atlanta.
Slaney returns to the NHL for the first time since Oct. 31. After recording
four points (one goal, three assists) in eight Pittsburgh games, Slaney was
assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Nov. 1.
“There is no question it’s nice to be back here,” Slaney said from his
Pittsburgh hotel room Thursday. “I’ve always said my goal was to get back to
the NHL.”
Slaney is not expected to return to the AHL Penguins by tonight’s 7:35 game
at Hartford.
Slaney has been Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s top player for most of the season,
but since representing the team at the AHL All-Star Game, he has been nearly
unstoppable.
To generate more offense, Slaney has been playing center since Dec. 26. In
the past four games, he’s scored eight goals and had four assists. That
included a four-point game (two goals, two assists) against Rochester, and a
five-point game (one goal, four assists) against Hershey last week.
“You’re certainly going to miss a guy who has 12 points in four games,”
coach Glenn Patrick said. “When you have 12 points in four games, you get an
opportunity.”
Goalie Jean-Sebastien Aubin was also recalled by Pittsburgh because starter
Tom Barrasso is again bothered by a strained groin and hip. It’s Aubin’s sixth
call-up this season. Aubin started three games for the local Penguins since
arriving on Jan. 19, but left Tuesday’s 8-4 victory at 11:01 in the first
period with a slight knee injury.
Slaney’s departure leaves a huge hole in the Penguins’ offense. He leads
the team with 44 points (20 goals, 24 assists) in 34 games. His 12-point
stretch is more points than eight other Penguins have had while playing 20
games or more.
“It’s tough when you lose your best player, and one of the best players in
the league,” defenseman Chris Kelleher said. “We can’t replace him with one
guy or two guys. It’s going to have to be the whole team playing better.”
Tom Kostopoulos and Martin Sonnenberg are tied for second on the team with
31 points each. Coincidentally, they played on the same line with Slaney.
Patrick on Thursday said he had not decided who will center the
Kostopoulos-Sonnenberg line, but is confident the team will play fine without
Slaney.
“When I look down our lineup, I think we have a pretty good team here. We
have a good attitude and some good players who are starting to peak. The guys
are really starting to play well. There’s a lot of confidence.”
Slaney said he was not told how long he’ll remain in Pittsburgh.
ICE SHAVINGS: Goalie Ryan Bach is expected to start tonight against
Hartford. … The Penguins have 18 skaters and two goalies and expected to
dress everyone tonight. Eleven of the 20 players are AHL rookies this season.