Sports stats



AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Penguins and Senators Battle to 2-2 Tie

September 29, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release


BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (Saturday, September 28, 2002) - With the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins' East Coast Hockey League affiliate the Wheeling Nailers in need of goaltender to complement David Chant, Nailers' head coach John Brophy might have found his man tonight with the performance by Mike Valley. A free agent training camp invitee, Valley went out and made 50 saves as the Penguins tied the Binghamton Senators, 2-2, at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. The Senators came out firing and outshot the Penguins, 13-4 in the first period. But as he did throughout the game, Valley came up with a big saves to keep the game scoreless. He made two pad saves on scoring chances by Chris Kelly and thwarted a 3-on-1 short-handed break with a save late in the period.

After a scoreless first period, the Penguins struck for the game's first goal early in the second period as Zenon Konopka scored his first goal of the preseason 1:57 into the period. The goal was set-up by Steve Crampton who skated out from behind the Binghamton net and found Tim Preston at the top of the right face off circle. Preston threw a centering pass in front that Konopka re-directed past goaltender Mathieu Chouinard.

Binghamton had a number of great scoring chances throughout the period, but Valley made the saves including a point-blank by Chris Lynch with 1:22 left in the period. After two periods of play, the Senators held a commanding 29-9 edge in shots, but had nothing to show for it on the scoreboard, thanks to Valley's play between the pipes.

However, Valley's shutout bid came to an abrupt halt early in the third period as Jeff Szwez evened the game at 1-1 with his first goal 14 seconds into the period.

The game was tied until the 8:31 mark as Brian McGrattan's power play goal gave Binghamton their first lead of the game. With Aprad Mihaly's penalty for kneeing winding down, McGrattan beat Valley with a wrist from the high slot with seven seconds left on the man advantage to give the hometown Senators a 2-1 advantage.

Although they now trailed, Valley kept the Penguins in the game and came up with a big save as he stopped Chris Kelly's short-handed bid at 11:12. That save proved to be huge as the Penguins tied the game a short time later. The Penguins answered back with a power play tally as former RPI Engineer Matt Murley took a feed from Mario Larocque at the bottom of the right face off circle and snapped a wrist shot past goaltender Ray Emery at 12:03 for the game-tying goal.

The Senators outshot the Penguins, 3-1, in overtime and finished with a 52-15 edge in shots for the contest.

Despite the tie, the Penguins remain unbeaten in the preseason with a record of 1-0-1. Binghamton is now 0-1-1 in the preseason.

The Penguins will continue training camp tomorrow morning at the First Union Arena at Casey Plaza. Prior to tomorrow's session, coach Patrick will announce a number of roster cuts.

Following a week of practice, the Penguins will resume their preseason schedule next Saturday, October 5, when the defending Eastern Conference champion Bridgeport Sound Tigers visit the First Union Arena at Casey Plaza. Game time is at 7:05 p.m.

Check out the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Statistics

• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...

American Hockey League Stories from September 29, 2002


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.

Other Recent Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central