Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins (3-2-0)
*Top prospect Eric Tangradi has missed the past two games with a shoulder injury and while the injury is not serious, it’s believed he won’t be cleared for contact until early next week.
Therefore, he is expected to miss both games this weekend against Hershey and Bridgeport. Tangradi is eyeing a return against Manitoba next weekend. Tangradi has one assist in three games.
*Last week Wilkes Barre benefited greatly from the return of Mark Letestu and their defensive corps will get a boost this week. Defenseman Ben Lovejoy who has been held out of game action since the second week of the pre-season with a shoulder injury, has been cleared for contact and is expected to play this weekend.
* Through five games Wilkes Barre’s top defenseman has been Robert Bortuzzo not veterans Nate Guenin or Deryk Engelland. Both have struggled in the defensive zone.
*The organization has been very pleased with the aggressiveness Luca Caputi is playing with in the offensive zone.
*What could earn goaltender John Curry a spot in the Penguins organization as Marc Andre Fleury’s backup for years to come? His work ethic….. Very hard worker on and off the ice.
After signing a two year deal this off-season, Curry is motivated to earn that spot next year.
Curry is 3-2 with a 2.56 Goals Against Average.