New Assistant coach named

Wikes-Barre Scranton news:

Chris Cichocki (chih-CHOCK-ey) has been named interim assistant coach of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, it was announced on Monday.

Cichocki, 45, spent three-plus seasons as head coach of the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL, compiled a 93-121-33 record in 267 games behind the bench, and guided the Thunder to back-to-back Kelly Cup Playoff appearances in 2006-07 and 2007-08.

A right wing during his playing days, Cichocki spent parts of four seasons in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils, compiling 23 points (11+12) and 27 penalty minutes in 68 career NHL contests.

PENGUINS NEWS AND NOTES

MIXING IT UP: The Penguins saw 16 different players score goals during their nine-game winning streak (Wallace, Caputi, Jeffrey, Engelland, Cashman, Mormina, Pesonen, James, Johnson, Daoust, Letestu, Taffe, Bissonnette, Cote, Goligoski, Henrich).

HOME COOKING: The Penguins 20 wins at the Wachovia Arena this season are the secnd-highest total by any team, and their 42 home points (20-5-0-2) are second highest, behind only Grand Rapids' 49 (21-4-3-4).

OVERALL EFFORT: The Penguins have allowed 149 goals against this season, the fourth lowest total in the AHL, and have scored 198 goals, the second-highest total in the league behind only Hershey (217).

FIRST TAKE: The Penguins have posted a 25-8-0-1 record when they score first. Those 25 wins are tied for the fourth-highest total in the league this year (Hershey - 28; Hamilton - 26; Rockford - 26).

PK IS OK AWAY: The Penguins rank tied for first in penalty killing on the road, stopping 87.8 percent (122 of 139) opponent attempts. The Penguins have also scored six shorthanded goals on the road, tied for second most in the league (Rochester - 7).