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Monday, 19 December 2011 07:03

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

Penguins

-The NHL Penguins' issues on defense are having a heavy impact on the AHL's Penguins' defense.

-Cody Chupp, Paul Crowder and Denver Manderson each had a goal and an assist for the Wheeling Nailers in a 4-1 win against the Chicago Express. Tim Priamo recorded two assists for the Nailers while teammate Patrick Killeen made 26 saves.

-Happy 68th birthday to former Penguins captain Ron Schock (right). Acquired in the 1969 offseason along with Craig Cameron and a draft pick in a deal which sent Lou Angotti and a draft pick to the Blues, Schock spent eight seasons with the Penguins. In 1969-70, Schock appeared in 76 games and scored 29 points. During the franchise's first postseason appearance in 1970, Schock played in 10 games and netted seven poitns. He followed that up in 1970-71 by playing in 71 games and recording 41 points. During 1971-72, Schock played in 77 games and scored 46 points. In that spring's postseason, Schock played in four games and recorded one assist. Dressing for 78 games in 1972-73, Schock compiled 49 points. Named the franchise's third captain in 1973-74, Schock played in 77 games and netted 43 points. Schock's best season was 1974-75 when he set career highs for games (80), goals (23), assists (63) and points (80). In nine games that postseason, he recorded four points. The 1975-76 campaign, Schock appeared in 80 games and scored 62 points. In the playoffs, he recorded one assist in three games. Schock's final season in Pittsburgh was 1976-77. He played in 80 games and scored 49 points.  During the postseason, he appeared in three games and netted on assist. In the 1977 offseason, he was traded to the Sabres in exchange for Brian Spencer. Schock appeared in 619 games with the Penguins, (sixth-most), scored 404 points (12th-most) and 14 shorthanded goals (second-most). Arguably the most durable player in franchise history, Schock holds the franchise record for consecutive games with 313. In 29 postseason games, he scored 14 points.

-Happy 41st birthday to former Penguins forward Robert Lang (right). Claimed off waivers from the Bruins early in the 1997-98 season, Lang spent parts of five seasons with the Penguins. He finished 1997-98 by appearing in 51 games for the Penguins and scoring 22 points. During that spring's playoffs, he appeared in six games and recorded six assists. He followed that up in 1998-99 by playing in 72 games and recording 44 points. In the 1999 postseason, he saw action in 12 games and recorded two assists. In 1999-2000, Lang played in 78 games and scored 65 points. The 2000 playoffs saw him appear in 11 games and score six points. Lang's best season was 2000-01. Playing primarily on a line with Alex Kovalev and Martin Straka, Lang set career highs for games (82), goals (32), assists (48) and points (80). During that spring's postseason, Lang appeared in 16 games and scored eight points. In 2001-02, Lang appeared in 62 games and scored 50 points. During the 2002 offseason, Lang joined the Capitals as a free agent. In 345 regular season games with the Penguins, Lang scored 261 points, 27th-most in franchise history. In 45 postseason games, he scored 19 points.

Atlantic Division

-Flyers forward Claude Giroux resumed practicing for the first time since suffering a concussion Dec. 10.

-The Flyers recalled forward Ben Holmstrom from Adirondack of the AHL.

-The Rangers recalled defenseman Stu Bickel from Connecticut of the AHL.

Northeast Division

-Bruins forward Milan Lucic is scheduled to have a disciplinary hearing today for a hit from behind against Flyers forward Zac Rinaldo Saturday:

-Meanwhile, Canadiens forward Erik Cole will not be disciplined for this hit to the head of Devils defenseman Adam Larsson Saturday:

-Canadiens fans are mad the team promoted Randy Cunneyworth because he doesn't speak French.

Southeast Division

-An overtime goal by Kris Versteeg gave the Panthers a 3-2 win against the Hurricanes. Ed Jovanovski recorded two assists for Florida while teammate Jose Theodore made 24 saves.

-Versteeg's goal:

-Panthers forward Sean Bergenheim left the game due to an apparent groin injury.

-The Lightning demoted defenseman Evan Oberg to Norfolk of the AHL.

-The Capitals demoted forward Cody Eakin to Hershey of the AHL.

Central Division

-A goal and an assist by Marian Hossa led the Blackhawks to a 4-2 win against the Flames. Ray Emery made 22 saves for Chicago which has won five consecutive games. Curtis Glencross and Olli Jokinen each had a goal and an assist for Caglary.

-Check out this boomer of a one-timer by Jokinen:

-Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook was injured on this hit from behind by Flames forward Rene Bourque:

-Scary times for Seabrook:

-Calgary's Cory Sarich and Chicago's Bryan Bickell had issues:

-In their past eight games, the Blackhawks have earned 15 of a possible 16 points.

-Blackhawks coach Joel Quennevillle earned his 600th career win.

-T.J. Oshie had a goal and an assist for the Blues in a 6-4 win against the Blue Jackets. Captain David Backes, Jamie Langenbrunner and David Perron each recorded two assists for St. Louis while teammate Jaroslav Halak made 28 saves. Derrick Brassard had a goal and an assist for Columbus.

-Pass of the Night: St. Louis' Matt D'Agostini setting up Kevin Shattenkirk for a goal:;

-The Blackhawks recalled forward Jeremy Morin from Rockford of the AHL.

-The Predators recalled defenseman Jonathan Blum from Milwaukeee of the AHL.

Northwest Division

-The Wild recalled forwards Jed Ortmeyer and Chad Rau from Houston of the AHL.

Pacific Division

-The Ducks demoted forward Maxime Macenauer to Syracuse of the AHL.

Norris Division

-Those numbers on the players' helmets you don't like? Blame TV.

-It seems like goaltenders are open targets these days.

(Photos: Schock-Penguins Hockey Cards; Lang-Ian Tomlinson/Allsport/Getty Images; Flames/Blackhawks-Charles Cherney/Associated Press)

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