Penguins Deliver Big, 5-2 Win over Phantoms
March 19, 2023 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins came up with a clutch, 5-2 victory against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Sunday evening at PPL Center.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (25-26-5-5) picked up five out of a possible six standings points over its three-in-three weekend, thanks in large part to Drake Caggiula and Jonathan Gruden's three-point performances on Sunday.
The Penguins wasted no time getting on the board, scoring exactly one minute into the game. Gruden swooped behind the Phantoms' net to force a turnover, and Valtteri Puustinen quickly shuffled the pass backdoor to Caggiula for the finish.
Caggiula found the back of the net again early in the second period, granting Wilkes-Barre/Scranton a 2-0 lead with a shorthanded goal.
The Penguins ultimately survived four-straight trips to the penalty kill, but the Phantoms finally broke through with 2:02 left in the second period. Jackson Cates' centering pass caromed off of a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defender and across the goal line.
However, the Penguins responded and reestablished their two-goal lead before the second intermission. Caggiula set-up Gruden at the side of the Phantoms' net with 36.4 seconds left to go in the middle frame.
Justin Addamo scored for the third-straight game by burying a rebound opportunity with 4:36 left in regulation, making it 4-1. The Phantoms countered with a breakaway goal from Bobby Brink 18 seconds later, but that tally only served to embolden Lehigh Valley to pull its goalie for an extra attacker. Filip Hållander scored into that empty net, securing the Penguins' win.
Dustin Tokarski delivered 36 dazzling saves for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, while Sam Ersson posted 25 stops for Lehigh Valley.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's next game is next Saturday, Mar. 25, another tilt against Lehigh Valley for the Penguins' annual STAR WARS NIGHT. Puck drop for the Penguins and Phantoms will be 6:05 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.
Individual game tickets for the Penguins' remaining home games, as well as season-ticket packages for the 2023-24 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.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2023
- Tucson Roadrunners Road Ahead: Going to Work Against the Reign - Tucson Roadrunners
- Coachella Valley Doubles-Up on San Diego - San Diego Gulls
- Cates and Brink Score for Phantoms - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Griffins Drop Second of the Weekend to Milwaukee - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Ads Finish Weekend with Win - Milwaukee Admirals
- Not as Easy this Time, but Moose Take Another Win from Chicago - Manitoba Moose
- Penguins Deliver Big, 5-2 Win over Phantoms - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Belleville Sens Fall in Cleveland - Belleville Senators
- Wolves Earn Point with 4-3 Shootout Loss to Moose - Chicago Wolves
- Monsters Grab Exciting 5-3 Win over Senators - Cleveland Monsters
- Zherenko Stops 57 in Valiant Effort to Earn Point - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Koppanen Scores Two Goals and Shootout Winner in Victory over T-Birds - Providence Bruins
- Panthers Recall Alex Lyon, Assign Mack Guzda to Charlotte - Charlotte Checkers
- Ads Sign Two to PTOs - Milwaukee Admirals
- RRTV in the Community: First Responders Fire Drill - Tucson Roadrunners
- Roadrunners Win 3-2 Shootout Thriller on Saturday Over First-Place Calgary Wranglers - Tucson Roadrunners
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.
