Monarchs Edge Penguins, 3-2
November 22, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins rallied from an early two-goal deficit against Manchester only to have Jordan Weal notch the decisive tally that lifted the Monarchs to a 3-2 win at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. The loss was the Penguins' (11-8-1-0, 22 points, first in East Division) fourth straight on home ice versus the Monarchs (12-5-1-0, 25 points, first in Atlantic Division), who have won nine of their last 11 contests.
Trailing by a score of 2-1 heading into the middle frame, the Penguins would strike on the power play for a second time to even the score, 2-2, at 4:56 of the period. Conor Sheary weaved across the Monarchs blueline and into the high slot before letting loose a wrist shot that clipped off the glove of Berube and into the top right corner.
It took only 31 seconds for Manchester to regain the lead after an icing call on the Penguins. The ensuing face-off was won by the Monarchs and while Justin Auger's shot was initially blocked by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defense; Weal was in perfect position to fire home the rebound and make the score, 3-2.
On Friday night in Albany, some quick scoring by the Penguins helped them to a victory over the Devils. In Saturday's game, it was the Monarchs scoring back-to-back goals over a span of 73 seconds midway through the first period to jump out to a 2-0 lead. Skating on the power play, Michael Mersch accepted a pass at the corner of the crease and tucked the puck through the five-hole of Jeff Zatkoff at 9:37 of the period. Just over a minute later, David Van der Gulik led a 2-on-1 rush for Manchester and was able to slide a shot under the Zatkoff's pads.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton would respond a short time later during a 5-on-3 advantage. Derrick Pouliot set up Jean-Sebastien Dea for a one-timer from the left dot at 15:48 that beat Jean-Francois Berube to the blocker side for his fifth goal of the season. Andrew Ebbett gathered an assist on Dea's for his team-leading 16th point in 16 appearances for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Zatkoff prevented Manchester from building on its one-goal lead with pad saves on point-blank one-timers on Brian O'Neill in the second period and Nick Shore in the third. Zatkoff would go on to make 18 saves on 21 shots as he fell to 5-5-0 on the season.
The Penguins had a chance to pick up the equalizer during a man-advantage late in regulation. With the net empty for a 6-on-4 power play, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton would be unable to get another past Berube, who turned aside 21-of-23 to record his AHL-leading ninth win of the year.
The Penguins head to Hershey on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving for a battle against the Bears. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is back on home ice next Saturday, Nov. 29 as they host the St. John's IceCaps at 7:05 p.m.
Individual tickets for all Penguins home games are available at the Mohegan Sun Arena Box Office, online at TicketMaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.
Penguins season tickets, including full season, 22-game, 12-game and 10-ticket flex vouchers, are available directly through the Penguins ticket offices at 570-208-7367.
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American Hockey League Stories from November 22, 2014
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