AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Pens take 3-1 series lead with 2-0 win over Philadelphia

Published on May 11, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release


WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (Monday, May 10, 2004) - Rookie goaltender Andy Chiodo made 32 saves to earn his second straight shutout as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defeated the Philadelphia Phantoms, 2-0, before a crowd of 7,554 at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza.

With the win, the Penguins now lead the best-of-seven East Division final series, three games to one. The Penguins will look to close out the series in Philadelphia on Wednesday in Game 5 at the Wachovia Center (7:05 p.m.). If necessary, Game 6 would be played back in Wilkes-Barre on Friday (7:05 p.m.).

Chiodo, who has not allowed a goal in three games at home during the playoffs, made 32 saves, including 12 in the second period when the Penguins were outshot, 12-2. Overall, the Penguins were outshot, 32-17, for the game.

Chiodo's scoreless streak at home now stands at 208:49, as he has not allowed a goal at Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza since March 27, when Albany's Phil Cole scored at 11:11 of the second period. Also, the Penguins have not allowed a goal at home since Game 3 of the East Division Semifinals, when Bridgeport's Jeff Hamilton scored at 18:17 of the third period.

Despite playing without Kris Beech, Ross Lupaschuk and Toby Petersen - all out with injuries - the Penguins got all of the scoring they would need for Andy Chiodo in the first period as Shane Endicott scored a goal for the third straight game to give the Pens' a 1-0 lead.

With the Penguins on a 5-on-3 power play, goaltender Antero Niittymaki made a pad save on Ryan Whitney's slap shot from the right circle, but Endicott was there in the slot to tap in the rebound for his fourth goal of the playoffs at 8:02 of the opening period.

Late in the third period, Philadelphia coach John Stevens pulled Niittymaki for an extra skater, but Tom Kostopoulos sealed the win with an empty net goal with 12 seconds left in regulation. With the goal, the Kostopoulos extended his point streak to eight games.

The Penguins were 1 for 6 on the power play, while the Phantoms were scoreless on four chances. The Penguins have successfully killed off Philadelphia's last 11 power play attempts.

GAME NOTES

Scratches for the Penguins were Kris Beech (injury), Marc-Andre Fleury (healthy), Matt Hussey (injury), David Koci (injury), Ross Lupaschuk (injury), Ondrej Nemec (healthy) and Toby Petersen (injury) ... The Penguins have a lifetime record of 14-6 in home playoff games, including a 4-1 mark in the 2004 playoffs ... The Penguins have a lifetime record of 3-4 in Game 4 of a playoff series, including a 2-2 record at home ... The Penguins have outshot the opposition in eight of the 11 playoff games this year and hold a 341-272 edge in shots ... The Penguins have a record of 6-7 in the playoff when outshot ...The Penguins are 16-8 lifetime when outshooting the opposition and 1-0 when the shots are even in the playoffs ... Right wing Konstantin Koltsov had a five-game point streak snapped in tonight's game ... Tom Kostopoulos extend his point streak to eight games with a goal tonight ...Kostopoulos, who leads the team in playoff scoring with 13 points (5+8), has recorded 10 points (4+6) in the last eight playoff games. With injuries forcing Eric Meloche and Toby Petersen to miss games in the playoffs, Kostopoulos is now the only Penguin player to appear in all 38 playoff games in team history. In 38 games, he has recorded 28 points (9+19) and has collected a point in 22 of 38 games. Kostopoulos has five multiple-point games, including one multiple-goal game and two multiple-assist games. Not only is he the team's all-time regular season point leader, but he is also the team's all-time leader in playoff scoring ... Rookie defenseman Ryan Whitney has a four-game assist streak and point streak in progress with 0-4-4 totals ... Whitney has recorded six assists in 10 playoff games ... Center Shane Endicott has a three-game goal streak and four-game point streak in progress with 3-1-4 totals ... Endicott recorded his first multiple-point game of the postseason tonight with a goal and an assist ... In 11 playoff games, he has recorded seven points (4+3).

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American Hockey League Stories from May 11, 2004


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