Rookies Nino Musitelli and Elgin Reid were credited with goals as the visiting Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins posted a 2-1 win over the Binghamton Senators in preseason action on Friday night at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.
Seeing his first action for the Pens was goaltender Adam Berkhoel, who was signed as a free agent in July. The former Grand Rapids Griffins netminder stopped all 14 shots he faced during the first two periods to pick up the win, and to make a case for a spot on the Wilkes-Barre roster ahead of David Brown.
The Penguins took a 1-0 lead 11 minutes into the game, when Musitelli swooped in from behind the net to pounce on a loose puck. His backhand smack sent the biscuit fluttering over a prone Mitch O’Keefe.
Dustin Jeffrey was hauled down on his way to the Binghamton net five minutes into the second frame, and was awarded a penalty shot for his efforts. His attempt was blocked by O’Keefe’s right leg pad as he attempted to go wide on the first year pro, and the score remained 1-0.
The visitors eventually did go in front by two goals, as Reid was credited with a shorthanded tally at the 7:23 mark of the second period, although Luca Caputi appeared to get a piece of the puck as it made its way through traffic from the point.
Curtis Darling replaced Berkhoel at the beginning of the third period, allowing a rebound goal to Benoit Doucet at the 6:36 mark for the Senators’ only score of the night.
The Penguins were perfect on the penalty kill, snuffing all 11 disadvantages they faced.
The Penguins and Senators will face off again on Saturday evening at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre.
