AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Pens' Push Not Enough in 3-1 Loss to Lehigh Valley

Published on December 4, 2015 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release


WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - Anthony Stolarz and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms were able to fend off a second-half push by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to hand the Pens a 3-1 loss, their first on home ice this season.

Stolarz came up huge for the Phantoms, making 35 saves as the Penguins outshot Lehigh Valley 36-22 over the course of the game, and doubled Lehigh Valley's shot total in the second (16-8) and third periods (10-5).

"Five-on-five, I thought we played hard," Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said after the game. "We were constantly pushing the play... This wasn't a lack of effort, I just think we were a little sloppy in areas that for most of the season have been fairly strong."

One of the areas Sullivan was likely alluding to was special teams. The Penguins were shut out on six power plays, including a six-on-four for the final 1:59 of the game, and allowed one goal while playing shorthanded.

"Our special teams let us down tonight," Sullivan said. "We let up one on that stretch pass on the penalty kill- on their power play- which led to a break. For me, that's just too easy."

Conor Sheary struck first 2:58 into the game by stuffing a loose puck past Stolarz. Assists were awarded to Scott Wilson and Kael Mouillierat as Sheary took sole possession of the team lead in points and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton went up 1-0.

The Phantoms tied things up, 1-1, when Aaron Palushaj scored on a man advantage breakaway after taking a home run feed from defenseman Andrew MacDonald at 5:35 of the second period.

Lehigh Valley's Mark Alt scored his first goal of the season and put his team into the lead, 2-1, at 9:48 of the second.

Taylor Leier potted a shorthanded empty net goal with 21 seconds left in the game to seal the victory for the Phantoms, 3-1.

The loss dropped Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to 10-1-0-0 at home and 16-3-0-0 overall.

With little time to dwell on the loss, the Penguins get right back at it Saturday night against the Hartford Wolf Pack.

"I wish we could play right now, to be honest with you," Sullivan said. "Nobody likes to lose. This team so far to this point, they believe they can win every night. And we have high expectations for this group."

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is 2-0-0-0 so far this season against Hartford. Puck drop between the Pens and the Pack is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.

Check out the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from December 4, 2015


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