Pouliot, Penguins Pull out 6-5 OT Win to Even Series
April 23, 2017 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Derrick Pouliot's goal at 7:49 of overtime was the difference, as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins won a thriller, 6-5, over the Providence Bruins on Sunday afternoon at Dunkin' Donuts Center.
Pouliot picked up a loose puck and skated through the neutral zone, eventually banking a shot off of the back of goaltender Zane McIntyre to even the best-of-five series 1-1. Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday night back in Wilkes-Barre.
The Penguins controlled much of the play in the early going, outshooting the Bruins 18-9 in the first period, but couldn't beat netminder Zane McIntyre during the opening frame.
That changed quickly in an offense-filled second period.
Chris Casto's errant clear found its way into the stands, giving Wilkes-Barre/Scranton a power play just 20 seconds into the middle period. Warsofsky made sure the opportunity wasn't wasted with a blast from the point which opened the scoring for the Pens.
The former Bruins defenseman made it a 2-0 contest just 23 seconds later with another shot from the near boards.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton captain Tom Kostopoulos was sprung from the penalty box after an interference call and corralled a Penguins clear in the Providence zone. He then fed Tom Sestito at the far post, and Sestito deposited the puck in the net to make it a 3-0 game.
Chris Porter got the Bruins on the board 14 seconds after Sestito's goal, as the teams played four-on-four hockey after offsetting roughing minors to Sestito and Tyler Randell were handed out.
Porter picked up his second of the night at 17:11, banging in a loose puck from a scrum in front of the Pens' net. And Tommy Cross, recently reassigned from the Boston Bruins, went top shelf from the right face-off circle with 1:46 left in the period.
The Penguins went back in front when Josh Archibald picked up his first of the playoffs at 3:58 of the third period. But Danton Heinen notched his second of the series as a Tom Sestito hooking penalty was about to expire at 7:38 to tie the game, before Peter Mueller picked up a loose puck in a scrum and beat DeSmith at 12:48.
With time running down, the Pens pulled DeSmith for the extra attacker, and the move paid off as Archibald's shot deflected off a skate and into the Bruins net with 1:03 left in regulation to force overtime.
DeSmith stopped 28 shots to pick up the victory for the Penguins, while McIntyre made 38 saves in the loss.
The best-of-five series now moves to Wilkes-Barre where the Penguins will play host to the Bruins in Game Three on Thursday night at 7:05pm. Individual tickets for Thursday night's game are available at the Mohegan Sun Arena box office, online at TicketMaster.com, or by calling 570-208-7367.
Penguins postseason ticket packages, which include tickets to every home contest during the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs, are on sale now. With the purchase of a postseason ticket package, fans will receive a $6 food/merchandise voucher for every home game in the playoffs, as well as their same seat guaranteed. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton fans can secure their seats for every home game on the Cup run by contacting the Penguins directly at (570) 208-7367.
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