WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins suffered just their second loss in regulation this season on Friday night, dropping a 3-0 decision to the Toronto Marlies at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.
The Penguins (8-2-1-0, first in the Atlantic Division) saw their eight-game point streak come to an end at the hands of the Marlies, who now tie Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto opened the scoring with a power play goal 7:33 into the game when Rychel finished a cross-crease feed from Kasperi Kapanen.
Rychel notched his second of the contest and doubled the Marlies’ lead at 16:47 of the first with a wrist shot right in the slot that beat Tristan Jarry low to his glove side.
Frédérik Gauthier tapped in a rebound for the Marlies at 4:30 of the second period, extending their lead to 3-0.
Later in the middle frame, Josh Archibald had a chance to get one for the Penguins after intercepting a pass and attacking all alone with a shorthanded breakaway. Archibald’s five-hole attempt was denied by Toronto goalie Antoine Bibeau, one of 19 saves Bibeau made on the evening.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton came close to chipping away at Toronto’s three-goal lead with early third period chances from the likes of Jake Guentzel and Carter Rowney, but either Bibeau shut the door or the chances whizzed wide of the post.
Bibeau earned his league-leading third shutout of the season, stopping all 19 shots that came his way. Jarry, who was called “a shining light” by Penguins head coach Clark Donatelli after the game, made 32 saves on 35 shots faced.
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