The last time the Penguins won more than five straight home games was Dec. 17, 2005 through Jan. 18, 2006, when they captured seven consecutive victories on home ice.

SKILLS ON DISPLAY SUNDAY
The second annual Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Skills Competition, presented by Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep will take place this Sunday, February 11, beginning at 5:00pm at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza. Gates will open to the public at 4:15pm.

The competition will be run by JRP Group, Inc., the same company which ran the skills contests at the 2007 Rbk Hockey AHL All-Star Classic, and feature two teams of Penguins players competing in events including Fastest Skater, Puck Control Relay, Rapid Fire, Hardest Shot and Accuracy Shooting.

Additionally, youth hockey players will compete during the event, with their point totals being added to those of their Penguins’ counterparts.

Tom Grace, the Voice of the Penguins, will serve as emcee of the event, conducting on-ice interviews during the competition.

Tickets for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Skills Competition, presented by Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep are on sale now. Ticket price is $11.50 for non-season ticket holders ($10.00 for season ticket holders) and all proceeds from the event will benefit the Penguins/United Way Charity Fund, the Multiple Sclerosis Society and area youth hockey organizations.

For more information, please contact the Penguins ticketing office at 570-208-7367.

DUBNYK DROPS DOGS IN HOME DEBUT
Rookie netminder Devan Dubnyk posted his first career AHL victory in Saturday’s 5-4 shootout win against the Hamilton Bulldogs. Recently recalled from the Stockton Thunder (ECHL) due to Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers’ suspension, Dubnyk turned aside 23 shots during regulation and overtime, then snuffed seven of nine Hamilton chances in the shootout to record the victory. The 6-5, 220 pound goalie was the Edmonton Oilers’ first round pick (14th overall) in the 2004 Entry Draft.

BONVIE IS JUST GRAND - ALMOST
Penguins’ tough guy Dennis Bonvie needs just three penalty minutes to eclipse the 1,000 penalty minute mark in a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton uniform. Bonvie is the AHL’s all-time leader in career penalty minutes with 4,206 in 793 games. He also currently ranks first among active AHL players in games played, and is just six games shy of tying former Hershey Bears great Frank Mathers for 27th place on the league’s all-time list.

FILEWICH LEADING THE WAY
Jonathan Filewich netted his team-high 21st goal of the season in Saturday night’s game against the Hamilton Bulldogs, leaving him just one goal shy of his 2005-06 total, set in 73 games. Filewich currently leads the Penguins with 39 points, three more than he posted in all of last season. He represented the Penguins at the 2007 Rbk Hockey AHL All-Star Classic, and won the fastest skater competition at the 2007 CCM Hockey AHL All-Star Skills Competition.

NASREDDINE FIGURINE GIVEAWAY THIS FRIDAY
The first 5,000 fans entering the gates for Friday night’s contest between the Penguins and Portland Pirates will receive a limited edition, numbered Alain Nasreddine Figurine, courtesy of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Highmark Blue Shield. Nasreddine served as Penguins captain for two-plus seasons before being recalled by the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this year. For ticket information please call 570-208-7367.

PENGUINS LEAGUE LEADERS
- Jonathan Filewich is tied for 16th with 21 goals, tied for 15th with two shorthanded goals and tied for 18th with eight power play goals.
- Tyler Kennedy is tied for 11th among rookies with 35 points (12+23=35).
- Micki DuPont is tied for seventh among defensemen with 27 points (8+19=27).
- Kyle Brodziak is tied for 11th with four game-winning goals.
- Daniel Carcillo is tied for third with 157 penalty minutes.
- Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers is eighth in the AHL with a 2.45 GAA, is tied for 17th in the league with 13 wins, tied for 13th with a .912 save percentage and tied for sixth in the league with two shutouts
- Andrew Penner is tied for seventh with 16 wins and tied for fourth in the league with three shutouts.

POWER PLAY
The Penguins currently have the second ranked power play in the American Hockey League, striking at a 22.0% rate (60 goals/273 attempts).
The Penguins home power play is first in the league at 27.7% (36 goals/130 attempts).
The Pens road power play ranks 11th at 16.8% (24 goals/143 attempts).

PENALTY KILL
The Penguins rank seventh overall with an 85.2% penalty kill rate (40 goals against/270 attempts).
The Pens home penalty kill is 11th in the league at 84.5% (20 goals against/129 attempts).
The Pens road penalty kill is fourth at 85.8% (20 goals against/141 attempts).

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Tues., February 6 – Practice at Wachovia Arena (10:30am)
Wed., February 7 – Morning Skate at Wachovia Arena (10:30am) - Game at Philadelphia (7:00pm)
Thur., February 8 – Practice at Wachovia Arena (11:00am)
Fri., February 9 – Morning Skate at Wachovia Arena (10:30am) - Game vs. Portland (7:05pm)
Sat., February 10 – Morning Skate at Wachovia Arena (10:30am) - Game vs. Binghamton (7:05pm)
Sun., February 11 – Practice at Wachovia Arena (11:00am) - Penguins Skills Competitions, Sponsored by Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep (5:00pm)
Mon., February 12 – Day Off