BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins ended 2018 on a high note, defeating the Binghamton Devils, 5-2, at Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena on Monday night.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (17-14-4-1) received two goals from Teddy Blueger and a strong performance by its penalty killers in this New Year’s Eve showdown.
The first period was a fast paced frame, and the Devils’ Ryan Schmelzer opened the scoring early at 4:13. From there, the penalty minutes started to accumulate. After stepping out of the penalty box for serving roughing penalty, Penguins captain Garret Wilson took the puck and stormed down the ice to even things up, 1-1, with 3:50 left in the first period.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton took its first lead of the game when Wilson delivered a picture perfect pass to Teddy Blueger, who sent the puck flying to the back of the net 4:01 into the second stanza. Blueger earned his 14th goal of the season on that strike, and wasn’t done there.
Colton White buried another one for the Devils at 8:52 of the second period on a two-man advantage, but the Penguins stormed right back and scored less than two minutes later on a ripper from the stick of Ben Sexton. Anthony Angello made it 4-2, Penguins, at 13:13 of the middle frame by tapping in a rebound during a delayed penalty, extra attacker situation.
Trying to cling to their two-goal lead, the Penguins went to the P.K. three times in the third period, including a five-minute major power play that the Devils were awarded. Binghamton only mustered one shot on goal during the entire five-minute major, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton finished the night six-for-seven on the penalty kill.
Blueger tacked on an insurance marker with an empty net goal for his team-leading 15th tally of the season.
Tristan Jarry managed 23 saves for the Penguins, while Cam Johnson put up 20 stops on 24 shots faced for the Devils.
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