
Penguins Cruise to 5-1 Win on O'Connor's Three Points
November 4, 2022 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - Drew O'Connor led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton offense with two goals and three points, as the home team extended their win streak to four by defeating the Cleveland Monsters, 5-1, on Wednesday night at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza.
Drew O'Connor for the Win
While O'Connor led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (4-0-1-0) offense, the Penguins' penalty kill was just as spectacular, stymying the No. 2 power play unit the AHL on five of its six opportunities.
The first period was quite the start for the Penguins, as Ty Smith and O'Connor both found the net in short order. Smith notched his second goal of the season four minutes into the first period. O'Connor soared to a breakaway and used a silky, backhand move to beat Jet Greaves through his five-hole midway through the frame.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton maintained its two-goal lead by holding Cleveland's vaunted power play at bay on all three of its first-period attempts.
The Penguins extended their lead to 3-0 when Alex Nylander tipped in his fourth goal of the season at 4:32 of the second period. However, the Monsters responded by converting on their fourth man advantage of the night. Cole Fonstad was awarded the power-play tally 12:49 into the second stanza.
The Penguins staved off two more Monsters power plays in the second and third periods, and then went back on the offensive. Valtteri Puustinen scored in his second-straight game for a man-advantage marker eight minutes into the frame. Two minutes later, O'Connor knocked in a rebound to round out his three-point effort.
Cleveland's frustration started to bleed through in the third period, and the heightened tensions culminated in Penguins forward Kyle Olson and Monsters defenseman Cole Clayton dropping the gloves for a spirited fight. The rest of the game cruised along without incident, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton walked away with the win.
Penguins goalie Dustin Tokarski continued his impressive start to the season by stopping 32 shots. Greaves recorded 23 saves for the Monsters.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is now 12-2-1-0 all-time against the Cleveland/Lake Erie Monsters franchise, including a 6-0-1-0 record on home ice.
The Penguins are back on the ice for their next game on Friday, Oct. 28 against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Puck drop between the Penguins and Phantoms is slated for 7:05 p.m. at PPL Center.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's next home game is Saturday, Nov. 5, as they welcome the Hershey Bears to Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza. Saturday's game is also WWE Night, featuring a VIP Meet & Greet with WWE Superstar Johnny Gargano. Fans who wish to purchase tickets to the game and the Johnny Gargano VIP Meet & Greet can visit this link.
Individual game tickets and season-ticket packages for the 2022-23 season are on sale now. Full-Season, 22-game, 12-game, Flexbook and Premium Seating plans are available by reaching out to the Penguins directly at (570) 208-7367.
American Hockey League Stories from November 4, 2022
- Belleville Sens Return To Win Column With 3-2 Win Over Lehigh Valley - Belleville Senators
- Iowa Rallies, Falls to Grand Rapids in Overtime 5-4 - Iowa Wild
- Third-Period Surge Helps Amerks Take Down Comets - Rochester Americans
- Khudobin Stands Tall as Texas Takes First Game in Manitoba - Texas Stars
- Monsters' Homecoming Spoiled by 5-2 Loss to Wolves - Cleveland Monsters
- Phantoms Rally in 3rd But Fall Short - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Leivo Debuts with Hat Trick as T-Birds Roll Past Hartford - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Josh Leivo's Hat-Trick Sinks Wolf Pack in First Installment of I-91 Rivalry - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Zac Dalpe Scores Twice as Checkers Beat Syracuse - Charlotte Checkers
- Josh Leivo's Hat-Trick Sinks Wolf Pack in First Installment of I-91 Rivalry - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Brendan Perlini Hat Trick Leads Wolves Past Monster 5-2 - Chicago Wolves
- Crunch Edged by Checkers, 3-2 - Syracuse Crunch
- Comets Lose on the Road the Americans, 5-3 - Utica Comets
- ROADRUNNERS' WINNING STREAK ENDS AT FIVE GAMES WITH 3-2 LOSS TO CALGARY WRANGLERS - Tucson Roadrunners
- Florida Recalls Aleksi Heponiemi - Charlotte Checkers
- Admirals Recall Bouchard from Norfolk - Milwaukee Admirals
- Toronto Marlies Face off against Laval Rocket for Second Straight Matchup - Toronto Marlies
- Minnesota Wild Reassigns Fogarty to Iowa - Iowa Wild
- Game #8 - Roadrunners at Wranglers - Tucson Roadrunners
- Game Preview: Iowa Wild vs. Grand Rapids Griffins - Iowa Wild
- Remp'd Up: Rempal off to Strong Start with HSK - Henderson Silver Knights
- Abbotsford Canucks vs Coachella Valley Firebirds Series Preview - Abbotsford Canucks
- Series Preview VS. BAK: November 4 & 5 - Henderson Silver Knights
- Penguins Cruise to 5-1 Win on O'Connor's Three Points - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Wolf Pack Head to Springfield to Renew I-91 Rivalry with Thunderbirds - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Blue Jackets Assign Defenseman Gavin Bayreuther to Monsters - Cleveland Monsters
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
- Penguins Sign Goaltender Maxim Pavlenko
- Penguins Add Brad Malone as Assistant Coach
- Penguins Sign Forward Brayden Edwards
- Raivis Ansons Signs with Penguins for 2025-26
- Penguins Re-Sign Jack Beck for Next Season

