Year Of Adversity Toughens Lions 
Penn State's Seniors Reflect On A Season Of Disappointments And Challenges As
They Prepare For Their Final Game Today.

Above, Wilkes-barre/scranton's Jason Mcdonald,

By STEVE SEMBRAT steves@leader.net
 Friday, November 17, 2000 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1C 





It's called playing angry. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Done correctly, it can be very effective. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It helped Andrew Ference get a promotion to Pittsburgh. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Eventually, this attitude could help a few Wilkes-Barre/Scranton players
reach the National Hockey League. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For now, it can keep the local Penguins winning. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton takes its 12-game unbeaten streak to Rochester today,
where it will play the Americans (7:35 p.m. faceoff, Blue Cross Arena). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It's a key game as the Penguins (11-3-2-0, 24 points) look to stay on top
in the American Hockey League. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 They have the most points of any AHL team heading into today's play, just
ahead of Quebec, 23; Cincinnati, 22 points; and Hartford, 22. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton leads Cincinnati in the AHL's Western Conference. In
the Mid-Atlantic Division, the Penguins lead Hershey (19 points) and Rochester
(8-6-0-1, 17 points). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 So Wilkes-Barre/Scranton hits the road trying to cope with the problems
that success creates. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Problems? Yes, winning creates challenges for players and coaches,
especially at the minor league level. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Penguins are off to a great start, in part, because they have some
excellent players. All things considered, these players would rather be in
Pittsburgh. It's the goal of any player in the minors to make it to the top. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ference made no secret of that after failing to make Pittsburgh's roster to
start the season. Instead of sulking, Ference ``played angry,'' as
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton head coach Glenn Patrick described it. Ference stayed on
top of his game, and was called up Saturday because of a rash of injuries. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 On Wednesday, it was John Slaney who played angry. He took it personally
when, on Tuesday, Pittsburgh acquired two defensemen to compensate for
injuries instead of calling him up. Slaney responded with perhaps his best
game as a Penguin, scoring twice in Wednesday's 3-3 tie with Springfield. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If Wilkes-Barre/Scranton continues its level of success, a number of
Penguins are going to seem as if they are ready to become prime time players.
In addition to Slaney, forwards Billy Tibbetts and Greg Crozier and goalie
Rich Parent quickly come to mind as individuals who are on the cusp of making
it to the NHL. Dennis Bonvie, who was recently sent down from Pittsburgh, is
eager to return to the NHL. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Playing angry will allow them and others to adhere to the team-first
concept, which has been a big reason for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's success, and
at the same time maintain their individual aspirations. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 So angry isn't a bad thing, as long as it doesn't deteriorate into a pout. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As for Rochester, it's pretty much the same team that played here Nov. 4.
Center Jason Cipolla (four goals, eight assists), defenseman Doug Houda (2,
10), center Jeremy Adduono (5, 6) and right wing Norm Miller (3, 8) are the
leading scorers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Tom Askey (2.01 goals-against average) and Mika Noronen (4.01 gaa) are the
Americans' two goalies after a turbulent week. Buffalo, Rochester's parent
club, recalled Martin Biron early in the week and sent former Pittsburgh
goalie Peter Skudra to the Americans. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 However, Skudra had to clear waivers before he could go back to Rochester,
and Boston claimed him. Ironically, Buffalo acquired Skudra from Boston off
waivers earlier this season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 So with Skudra gone, Askey and Noronen are Rochester's goalies. Noronen was
in goal for the Americans when Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defeated them on Nov. 4,
and Askey was the backup for that contest. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS at ROCHESTER AMERICANS &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Faceoff: 7:35 p.m. today, Blue Cross Arena, Rochester &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 TV/Radio: The game can be heard on Oldies 92 and 100 (FM). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ticket reminder: Remember that tickets for the AHL All-Star game go on sale
at noon tomorrow at the First Union Arena box office. Any tickets left after 1
p.m. will be available through Ticketmaster. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Internet: The broadcast can be found at www.oldiesfm.com and
www.wbspenguins.com. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Series: The Penguins won the first meeting of the season, 5-4, on Nov.
4 at the First Union Arena. The Americans lead the series, 5-2-2. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 What's next: The Penguins host the Albany River Rats tomorrow (7:05 p.m.
faceoff, First Union Arena, 96 tickets remaining). They host the St. John's
Maple Leafs on Sunday (5:05 p.m. faceoff, First Union Arena, 691 tickets
remaining). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

`snubbed' Penguins Motivated By Anger 
Some Players Have Learned To Channel The Disappointment Of Not Getting The
Call To The Nhl Into Stellar Play In The Ahl.

`snubbed' Penguins Motivated By Anger Some Players Have Learned To Channel The Disappointment Of Not Getting The Call To The Nhl Into Stellar Play In The Ahl.