BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins dropped the second game of a back-to-back, home-and-home series with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, falling 3-2 on Sunday at Webster Bank Arena.
Shavertown native Patrick McGrath and recent call-up Adam Krause both turned in assists for their first career AHL points, but the extra energy provided by the first-time scorers couldn’t match the hat trick by Bridgeport’s Justin Florek.
A chaotic scrum in front of the Penguins crease resulted in Florek diving at a loose puck and knocking it past Tristan Jarry for the first goal of the game with 44.4 seconds remaining in the first period.
With the Penguins buzzing to start the second period, Carter Rowney finally got Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on the board by ripping a wrist shot past Stephon Williams, tying the game, 1-1, 4:53 into the second.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton took its first lead of the game thanks to Tim Erixon’s third goal of the season coming 2:30 into the third period. Assists on Erixon’s go-ahead goal went to Krause and McGrath.
Florek scored his second of the game, tying things up at two goals apiece at 9:01 of the final frame of regulation.
Florek completed the hat trick at 15:47 of the third period, giving the Sound Tigers a 3-2 lead and the eventual win.
One night removed from making 30 saves in a win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Williams made 23 stops for Bridgeport on Sunday. Jarry put forth a 31-save performance in the loss.
The Penguins’ penalty kill was perfect in the contest, killing off all four of the Sound Tigers’ man advantage opportunities. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was unsuccessful on its three power plays, as well.
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