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AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Penguins Losing Streak Reaches Five Games

November 14, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release


WILKES-BARRE, PA (November 13, 2002)- Goaltender Mathieu Garon made 36 saves and forwards Benoit Gratton and Jason Ward each had a goal and an assist as the Hamilton Bulldogs handed the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins their fifth straight loss with a 3-0 win before a crowd of 8,217 at the First Union Arena at Casey Plaza.

The Bulldogs, who were making their first appearance to Wilkes-Barre since March 18, 2001, took an early 1-0 lead on Benoit Gratton's power play goal at 9:29 of the opening period.

Hamilton increased its lead to 2-0 on Marcel Hossa's fourth goal of the season with 17 seconds left in the second period and then added a power play goal early in the third period to take a commanding 3-0 lead.

The Bulldogs, who had eight power play chances in the third period, scored on their first power play opportunity in the third period as Ward knocked home his sixth goal of the season on a two-man advantage at 1:34.

The Penguins' power play woes continued, as they were scoreless on all 10 power play chances in the game. The Penguins, who are scoreless on their last 34 power play opportunities, have not registered a power play goal since Toby Petersen's power play tally 1:20 of the third period vs. Utah on November 3. Overall, in 14 games this season, the Penguins have converted on only 16 of 119 power play chances (13.4%).

The Penguins, who were shutout for the second consecutive game and 18th time in franchise history, have not scored a goal since Matt Hussey's goal with 3:45 left in the first period on November 8 against the Bulldogs. The Penguins' scoring drought has now reached 163 minutes and 45 seconds.

Garon recorded his first shutout of the season as he improved his record to 2-1 on the season. Sebastien Caron stopped 26 of 29 shots in a losing effort for the Penguins. The loss dropped Caron's record to 3-8-1. The win improved the Bulldogs' record to 8-3-1-1 (18 points) on the season and extended their winning streak to three games. With the win, they also moved ahead of Manitoba into sole possession of first-place in the Canadian Division.

The Penguins (4-9-1-0; 9 points) will look to end their five-game losing streak on Friday as they travel to Norfolk, Virginia to play two games against the first-place Norfolk Admirals (11-1-1-2; 25 points). The Penguins will play the Admirals on Friday and Saturday, before returning home to host the Hershey Bears a week from today (Wednesday, November 20). Game time for both games this weekend is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Norfolk Scope.

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