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WILKES-BARRE — Things couldn’t have gone much better for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins during their weekend trip to Canada to play the St. John’s IceCaps.
The Penguins returned to the ice at the Toyota Sportsplex Wednesday after taking three of a possible four points — a 6-2 victory and a 3-2 overtime loss — during against St. John’s. Now the Penguins turn their focus to three games in three days this weekend, with back-to-back home games Friday and Saturday against the Hershey Bears before traveling to Bridgeport for a 5 p.m. tilt against the Sound Tigers on Sunday.
“We had a couple days off — a long travel day and then a day off yesterday — but got out there. Was a good practice today,” Wilkes-Barre/Scranton center Kevin Porter said after Wednesday’s practice. “Got a good sweat in. It’s good to get back out on the ice.”
If anything, the Penguins are coming away from the trip to Newfoundland and Labrador with a strong confidence in their power play. Four of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s eight goals on the trip were scored on the power play.
“I think we kept it simple,” Porter said of the power play. “We started to get more shots to the net, and guys are starting to get to the net and banging rebounds. We’re not looking for the pretty play, we’re just looking to score goals and just bang in rebounds and get those crappy goals that no one wants to get in front of the net where you’re getting slashed and cross-checked. We’re starting to get those and we’re just working hard.”
The Penguins are looking forward to getting back on home ice for the first time since Nov. 26, a 1-0 victory against Bridgeport.
“We haven’t seen Hershey at home yet, which is nice,” Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defenseman Chad Ruhwedel said. “We’re excited to be back out in front of our own fans and let them help us to a couple big wins.”
Familiar faces back
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is got a pair of difference-makers back on Wednesday in forward Jake Guentzel and defenseman Derrick Pouliot. The two were re-assigned by Pittsburgh in the morning.
“Those guys will be coming down and obviously they’re really good players, and we’ll inject them into the lineup for sure,” Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coach Clark Donatelli said.
Guentzel, who is Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s points leader, returns after a five-game stint with Pittsburgh. The forward scored a pair of goals in his Nov. 21 debut against the New York Rangers, and finished with three goals and an assist.
Pouliot has played three games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season. The defenseman was activated from injured reserve after suffering a lower-body injury in his lone NHL action on Oct. 20 against the San Jose Sharks.
Sestito set to debut
Winger Tom Sestito was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday after starting the season with the parent club, and is expected to make his debut this weekend against Hershey.
The 6-foot-5 left wing played a large role in the Penguins’ Calder Cup playoffs run last season, registering four points in seven games. Donatelli is expecting Sestito to play a big role while with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
“He’s down, he’s in great shape,” Donatelli said of Sestito. “He had a fresh practice here with us and worked extremely hard and had a good conversation with him. He’s ready to go. He’s going to help up us. He’s a big guy with really great hands and in great shape.
“We’re looking for more the same when he came down last year in the playoffs and played really well for us.”
Injury update
Donatelli provided an update on right wing Carter Rowney, who suffered an upper-body injury during the Nov. 25 win at Bridgeport. He’s considered week-to-week and is not expected to play this weekend.
“Maybe next week we can get him, but if not we’ll get him after break,” Donatelli said of Rowney. “No re-aggravation, just hit or miss on it. We’re still waiting to see.”
Donatelli also shined the light on Thomas Di Pauli’s situation. The center recently underwent back surgery and his recovery is expected to take 10-12 weeks.
“He was going day-to-day and he was playing with it, and we decided to have it done. He ended up going to Pittsburgh and ended up getting it done,” Donatelli said.
