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AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Aubin, Scuderi Lead Pens to Huge Win Over Ducks

April 3, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release


(story written by Will Beekman)

WILKES-BARRE, PA. -- Tom Kostopoulos scored the equalizer, Rob Scuderi notched the game-winner, and Jean-Sebastien Aubin made 26 big saves as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins beat the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, 2-1, Wednesday at First Union Arena.

Scuderi's fourth goal of the season was not exactly a laser, but it will look like one in the box score.

The Pens were controlling the puck, with the game knotted at 1-1 late in the second period. Center Ryan Malone fed Scuderi with a pass near the blue line, and the second-year defenseman let a long, weak shot go on net.

He was most likely hoping for a helpful rebound, but, instead, Scuderi got a helpful bounce as the puck skipped past Ducks goalie Ilja Bryzgalov at the 15:58 mark.

Malone racked up the primary assist on the goal, giving him his first career point. The 23-year-old center and son of Pittsburgh Penguins head scout Greg Malone, was added to the Pens line-up earlier in the day.

While it was the Penguins who had the final say on Wednesday, it was the Ducks who drew first blood early in the middle period.

The Penguins, who seemed to control the puck all night long, had possession behind their own net, but the Ducks forced a turnover. The puck then bounced in front of the net, where Cincinnati right wing Jonathan Hedstrom was able to backhand a shot past Aubin at 6:37. Defenseman Rob Scuderi notched his fourth goal of the season in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Cincinnati Knowing that every game is a big game at this point in the season, Penguins fans moved to the edge of their seats. But the home team did not worry. Nor did it falter.

Instead, the Pens got a huge goal from Captain Kostopoulos less than eight minutes later.

With two ducks in the box, the Penguins were working with a two-man advantage. Micki DuPont slid a pass to Milan Kraft near the left face off circle, and Kraft fired a shot on net. Kostopoulos was screening the goalie and got a stick on the puck to redirect it home at the 14:06 mark.

But Kostopoulos' goal would not have mattered too much, and Scuderi's would not have been the game-winner, if it was not for the stellar goaltending of Aubin. The Penguins no. 1 netminder made big saves from the drop of the puck to the final horn and helped the Pens earn a much-needed victory.

Bryzgalov was nearly as impressive between the pipes for Cincinnati, and he faced 22 more shots. The Pens, who controlled the action for most of the night, out-shot the Ducks 49-27.

Still, it was Cincinnati that had most of the chances down the stretch.

The Mighty Ducks had three power play opportunites in the third period but came up empty each time. Their final chance was actually a six-on-four, with Bryzgalov pulled for the extra skater. And, as a result, the Ducks spent the final minute of the contest slapping shot after shot on Aubin.

But he simply made save after save.

The 2-1 triumph was obviously a big one for the Pens, who look to solidify a spot in the AHL's Western Conference playoff race. But there are three big games remaining.

The Penguins will return to the ice this Friday to take on the Norfolk Admirals beginning at 7:05 PM.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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