Sprong, DeSmith Steal the Show as Pens Beat Bears, 4-0
May 4, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release
HERSHEY, Pa. - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins took Game 1 of their Atlantic Division Final series with the Hershey Bears thanks to the continued strong play of two rookies.
Daniel Sprong found the back of the net twice for his fourth and fifth goals of the season, and goalie Casey DeSmith put forth a 33-save shutout in het for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Daniel Sprong sniped the top corner on a breakaway just 45 seconds into the game, giving the Penguins an early 1-0 lead.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton scored even quicker into the second period, as Carter Rowney redirected a shot past Justin Peters a mere 14 ticks into the middle frame for a 2-0 Penguins lead.
Sprong picked his spot on a high rising shot again with a power play goal that put the Penguins up 3-0.
The Penguins captain, Tom Kostopoulos, sealed the victory with a shorthanded empty net goal with 2:53 to go in the game.
DeSmith's shutout comes on the heels of him setting the franchise record for saves in a game, 59, in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's last game. The rookie's clean sheet was the 13th shutout in Penguins history.
The Penguins and Bears will face off in Game 2 of the Atlantic Division Final at Giant Center on Friday, May 6. From there, the series comes to Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza for Games 3 and 4 on Saturday, May 7 and Monday, May 9. Monday's contest is a Kids Get in Free game, for which children age 14 and under can see the Penguins take on the Bears free of charge with the purchase of an adult ticket.
Individual game tickets for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton home playoff games as well as postseason ticket packages can be purchased at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza box office, through all Ticketmaster outlets, or by contacting the Penguins directly at (570) 208-7367.
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