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AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

DeSmith Backstops Pens to 3-2 Win in Hartford

January 3, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release


HARTFORD, Conn. - Rookie goalie Casey DeSmith joined the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on a professional tryout contract on Dec. 18, 2015. Sixteen days later, DeSmith went between the pipes for his first AHL start and skated away with his first career win on Sunday afternoon in Hartford.

DeSmith made 22 saves as the Penguins downed the Hartford Wolf Pack, 3-2, at XL Center, improving Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's overall record to 23-8-0-1.

"I thought [DeSmith] played great," said Penguins head coach Clark Donatelli. "He made some big saves early in the first period. He was on his game... He's a fine goaltender and he has a fine future ahead of him."

Another Penguins rookie, Dominik Simon, stunned the Wolf Pack by lifting a backhand shot over the shoulder of Magnus Hellberg and off the back bar with a mere 12 seconds remaining in the first period. Simon's 12th goal of the season put the Penguins in front, 1-0.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton built on the spark lit by Simon late in the first by scoring twice in first minute of the second period, taking a 3-0 lead. Jean-Sébastien Dea picked the top corner from the half wall 41 seconds into the period, and Bryan Rust banked a pass off of a Hartford defender and into the net 15 seconds after Dea's marker.

After a series of end-to-end exchanges, Hartford's Nick Tarnasky cut the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton lead to 3-1 when he stuffed a shot under the equipment of DeSmith and into Penguins net at 7:34 of the middle frame.

Chad Nehring beat DeSmith while the Wolf Pack had their goalie pulled for an extra attacker to make it 3-2, but the goal came with only six seconds left in regulation.

The Penguins went unscathed during the Wolf Pack's four power plays over the course of the game. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton only had one man advantage in the game and did not score.

The Binghamton Senators serve as the Penguins' next test, coming to Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza on Tuesday, Jan. 5 for the two teams' fourth meeting of the season. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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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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