Penguins get back in win column

Colby Armstrong and Matt Hussey scored 20 seconds apart early in the third period, breaking a scoreless deadlock and leading Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to a 3-1 win over Philadelphia in Saturday’s Game 3 of the East Division Final.

The Phantoms still own a 2-1 series lead, with Game 4 set for Tuesday night.

Andy Chiodo made 19 saves on the evening, allowing only a Patrick Sharp power-play goal with 2:45 left in regulation.

The Penguins improved to 4-0 on home ice this postseason, winning in front of a crowd of 7,924 at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza.

Wilkes-Barre held three of Philadelphia’s top offensive threats — Jon Sim, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards — without a point. The trio was a combined minus-5 on the night.

Chiodo is now 5-2 during the 2005 Calder Cup Playoffs with a 1.76 GAA. He has stopped 114 of 118 shots at home.

LOWELL 4, PROVIDENCE 0
Chuck Kobasew scored twice and Cam Ward made 27 saves as Lowell rebounded from a disappointing Game 1 effort with a 4-0 victory over Providence on Saturday, squaring the Atlantic Division Final at one win apiece.

It was the second shutout of the postseason for Ward, who came back strong after allowing five goals in Friday’s loss.

Kobasew, a minus-3 in Game 1, opened the scoring 7:20 into the first period, and added a big shorthanded goal late in the second to squash any hopes of a Bruins rally.

Eric Staal added a third-period goal on a penalty shot, beating Hannu Toivonen, who made 33 saves on the night.

Game 3 of the series is Wednesday in Providence.

CHICAGO 2, CINCINNATI 1
Karl Stewart scored shorthanded with 44 seconds left in regulation to give Chicago a 2-1 win over Cincinnati and a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven West Division Final.

The Mighty Ducks got a golden opportunity to even the series when Cory Larose was sent off for roughing at the 18:31 mark of the third period. But it was the Wolves who capitalized, with Stewart getting his second straight game-winning goal and fourth goal on seven shots this postseason.

Larose and Aaron Rome traded power-play goals 1:11 apart in the second period for the other offense on the night.

Michael Garnett got the call in net for Chicago and made 35 saves in his Calder Cup Playoff debut.

Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 30 shots in defeat.