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WILKES-BARRE — The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins roster will undergo a drastic change this weekend when several familiar faces return to the lineup.
Defenseman David Warsofsky and forwards Oskar Sundqvist and Josh Archibald were reassigned from Pittsburgh on Thursday, and winger Garrett Wilson will return from a six-week absence due to injury.
The moves come as the Penguins enter their second consecutive weekend of three games in three days, and at a time when Wilkes-Barre/Scranton can clinch a playoff spot.
The Penguins need five points to earn a postseason spot for the 15th straight year — the longest active streak in the AHL. Wilson is happy to be back and help accomplish the goal.
“It feels good. It’s been a long time,” he said.
Wilson, who suffered an upper body injury after being shoved into the boards during a game against Lehigh Valley on Feb. 14, said he could’ve returned last weekend but opted for another week to heal.
“I didn’t want to rush it. We still had a bit of time before playoffs,” Wilson said. “It’s feeling good now. I’m happy with the decision to wait an extra week.”
While Wilson knew he would be back before the postseason began, the timing of the injury potentially cost him a call-up to Pittsburgh, which had injuries to several forwards over the last several weeks.
“You can’t say for sure, but a lot of wingers were going down,” Wilson said. “It was kind of upsetting.”
Head coach Clark Donatelli said he’s looking forward to getting Wilson and his physical presence back on the ice. Just how much he’ll play this weekend remains to be seen, but it’s possible Wilson. Sundqvist and Archibald could be reunited as a line.
“We might see that on Friday,” Donatelli said.
A Hobey Hat Trick for Aston-Reese
Zach Aston-Reese was named as one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker award on Thursday. He led the nation with 31 goals and and was tied for the most points with 63 in 38 games with Northeastern University.
“It’s pretty exciting. It’s something I’ll probably call my parents about,” Aston-Reese said. “There was a lot of good guys in the top 10 that made it further with their teams. It does come as a bit of a surprise.”
Speaking of Aston-Reese
With two goals and six points in his first four games with the Penguins, Aston-Reese carried his scoring success from college into the pro ranks.
“I still think I have some things to work on. You kind of have that adrenaline rush at the start of things, but I’m starting to get settled in,” Aston-Reese said.
Playoffs within reach
The Penguins need five points to clinch a playoff spot, and they can accomplish the feat this weekend. The face Springfield on the road on Friday and return home to host Lehigh Valley and Utica on Saturday and Sunday.
“That’s one of our goals. We know it’s within reach,” Donatelli said. “Hopefully we just keep playing the same way.”
Gaunce a good guy
Cameron Gaunce has been named the team’s winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Northeast Pennsylvania community during the 2016-17 season.
Ever since Gaunce joined the Penguins in October of 2016, he showed an instant initiative in supporting the community in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Gaunce introduced the “Tickets for Teachers” program, which supplied free tickets to local educators who go above and beyond the call of duty in their jobs. The 27-year-old defenseman also made a point to travel to the selected teachers’ classrooms and deliver tickets to the winners in person.
This is Gaunce’s first selection as IOA/American Specialty Man of the Year in his seven-year pro career.
NOTES
• The Penguins reassigned defenseman Ryan Segalla to the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) on Thursday. Segalla, playing in his first season of pro hockey, made his AHL debut in the Penguins’ 4-0 win at Lehigh Valley on March 25. In one AHL game, the Hanover, Mass. native did not earn any points. The 22-year-old defenseman has posted three goals and eight assists for 11 points in 57 games with the Nailers this season.
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