PENGUINS WEEKLY – 12/30/25

New Year approaches with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in pole position

Penguins (22-7-1-2) host Charlotte to close 2025, visit Syracuse to open 2026

 

Weekly Rewind

Saturday, Dec. 27 – PENGUINS 5 vs. Hershey 2
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton came roaring out of the holiday break, burying five goals in the first period of its first game back. The scoring started early, with Nolan Renwick potting his first of the season two minutes in. Raivis Ansons lit the lamp 92 seconds later, followed by a pair of strikes by Gabe Klassen and a late power-play goal from Phil Tomasino.

Sunday, Dec. 28 – PENGUINS 3 at Lehigh Valley 4 (SO)
Rafaël Harvey-Pinard had a day, but the Penguins ultimately fell in a shootout to their turnpike rival. Harvey-Pinard tucked in a slick feed from Valtteri Puustinen three minutes into the game, then went coast-to-coast for a snipe on the rush early in the second period. David Breazeale notched his first AHL goal swiftly after the Phantoms took the lead in the third period, where Harvey-Pinard picked up an assist. However, Lehigh Valley scored on both of its shootout attempts, whereas Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton was shut down.

The Week Ahead

Tuesday, Dec. 30 – PENGUINS vs. Charlotte
The Penguins do battle with the Checkers for the fifth time this season and the third time this month. The season series is even at two wins apiece, but the visiting team has emerged victorious each time. Charlotte is at the end of a three-in-three, having successfully defeated both Hershey and Lehigh Valley on Sunday and Monday, respectively.

Saturday, Jan. 3 – PENGUINS at Syracuse
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton opens the New Year by clashing with one of the top teams in the North Division. Syracuse has lost three in a row, but is still second in the North and averages an Eastern Conference-leading 3.40 goals for per game. Crunch forward Jakob Pelletier has 33 points (15G-18A) this season, tied for second overall in the AHL.

Ice Chips

– Rafaël Harvey-Pinard was named the Howie’s Hockey Tape/AHL Player of the Week after posting two goals and two assists for four points in two games.

– Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is on a five-game point streak (3-0-0-2).

– Valtteri Puustinen ranks fourth all-time in Penguins franchise history in career assists (97) and fifth in career points (167).

– Puustinen is also one goal away from tying Michel Ouellet for seventh all-time in franchise history for career goals.

– Joona Koppanen has seven points (3G-4A) in his last seven games.

 

DIVISION STANDINGS

TEAM LEADERS

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

DATE                  OPPONENT         LOCATION                                    TIME        

Tue, Dec. 30     Charlotte             Mohegan Arena                        7:05 p.m.

Sat, Jan. 3         Syracuse              Upstate Medical Univ. Arena  7:00 p.m.

 

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

DATE                   PLAYER                                        TRANSACTION

Thu, Dec. 18       (D) David Breazeale                Reassigned to WHL

Sat, Dec. 27        (D) David Breazeale                Recalled from WHL

Sun, Dec. 28      (D) Brent Johnson                    Recalled from WHL

Sun, Dec. 28      (D) Tommy Budnick                 Recalled from WHL

Mon, Dec. 29     (C) Danton Heinen                  Reassigned from PIT

Mon, Dec. 29     (C) Danton Heinen                   Traded by PIT to CBJ

Tue, Dec. 30       (LW) Max Graham                   Recalled from WHL

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