Grant's Big Night Leads Penguins Over Crunch
Published on January 21, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - Alex Grant recorded a team-season high five points and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's power play converted five times during a 6-2 win over the Syracuse Crunch in front of a sold-out Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday.
Down by a score of 2-1 in the second period, the Penguins took the lead for good as they notched goals on both ends of a two-man advantage. Grant's bomb from the blueline was blocked in front of the Syracuse net, but Bryan Lerg swooped in at 12:39 to deposit his team-leading 17th goal of the season.
On the ensuing 5-on-4, Grant sent a breakaway pass that got Ben Street behind the Crunch defense for a backhand shot that trickled through the five-hole of goalie Marco Cousineau.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's man-advantage unit continued to find the back of the net in the third period as Geoff Walker put his team ahead, 4-1, swatting home the rebound at 8:43 off of another Alex Grant point shot.
With 5:45 left in regulation, Grant rifled home his second of the night and third of the season when he pinged a slapshot off the near post and into the back of the cage. His two goals and three assists tie an AHL season best for points in a game. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton also tied the league season high with its five power play goals.
The Penguins scored first for just the second time in their last 13 home games as they enjoyed a 5-on-4 advantage. Grant blasted his second of the season past a screened Cousineau for the 1-0 lead.
Luca Caputi needed only 24 seconds to even the score for the Crunch, sending a snapshot from the far boards through traffic and under the blocker of Munroe. Munroe made 21 saves to raise his record to 9-3-2 this season and also win for the seventh time in his last eight starts.
Syracuse took its first lead of the contest at 7:52 of the second period after a failed clearing attempt by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. A quick shot from the point was stopped by Munroe, but Patrick Maroon outmuscled the defense to nudge the loose puck across the goal line to put his team up 2-1.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton went 5-for-12 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are next at home on Wednesday, January 25 versus the Providence Bruins. The puck drops at 7:05 PM. For tickets and more information, call the Penguins at (570) 208-PENS or visit www.wbspenguins.com.
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