SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins jumped out to a three-goal lead in the first period and maintained their momentum as they overpowered the Syracuse Crunch, 5-1, tonight at the War Memorial Arena.
Michael Bournival was the only player able to find the back of the net for the Crunch as the team moves to 32-22-6-5 on the season. Syracuse finishes the six-game season series with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at 1-4-1-0.
Kristers Gudlevskis made four saves for the Crunch before being relieved by Mike McKenna in the first period. McKenna went on to stop 23-of-25. Tristan Jarry made 27 saves in net for the Penguins. Syracuse was unable to convert on the five power-play opportunities, but successfully shut down all eight Wilkes-Barre/Scranton man-advantages.
The Penguins built a three-goal in the first period, beginning at the 5:22 mark. Jean-Sebastien Dea passed over to Thomas Di Pauli at the wing to open scoring from the left circle. Halfway through the frame, Kevin Porter came down the right side before cutting towards the slot to double the lead. With 5:44 remaining in the first, Zach Aston-Reese redirected Porter’s pass in front of the cage.
The Crunch finally solved Jarry with a shorthanded marker late in the first period. Cory Conacher and Bournival skated in one a 2-on-0. After centering a pass to Conacher, Bournival received the puck back and chipped it in from the right post.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton went back up by three just 1:09 into the second stanza. Barry Goers netted an unassisted slap shot from the right point.
At the 1:34 mark of the third period, the Penguins made it 5-1. Ryan Haggerty fired a shot on net that was tipped by Dominik Simon and trickled past McKenna to secure a victory.
You must be logged in to post a comment.