A pair of special-teams goals allowed the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to pull away for a 3-1 win over the St. John’s IceCaps on Wednesday at Mile One Centre.
The victory by the Penguins tied the teams’ Eastern Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.
The score in Game 2 was also tied at 1-1 as the two teams entered the third period. St. John’s enjoyed an early power play opportunity, but it was Wilkes-Barre/Scranton getting the go-ahead marker. Cal O’Reilly led a shorthanded rush and hit Joey Mormina in front of the IceCaps net for a snap shot that found the top corner at 2:38.
The Penguins were able to build a two-goal cushion just over two minutes later with their own man advantage. O’Reilly skated to the far circle and drew the defense down low before setting up Jason Williams, who blasted a slapshot from the point past IceCaps goalie Eddie Pasquale for his second of the playoffs. Williams has recorded points in all seven games so far in the playoffs (2-8-10).
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton got the start they wanted in this game, outshooting St. John’s 11-0 at one point in the first period and eventually taking the 1-0 lead. Seventeen seconds after a power play expired, Eric Tangradi worked the puck out of a scramble in the IceCaps crease and fluttered a shot over Pasquale.
St. John’s evened the score with 4:18 left until the first break while skating on the power play. Ben Maxwell was left alone in front to tip Derek Meech’s point shot through the pads of Brad Thiessen.
The Penguins received 22 saves from Thiessen as he upped his postseason record to 4-3. Pasquale made 35 saves for the IceCaps.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was 1-for-6 on the power play and 6-of-7 seven on the penalty kill.
The Penguins host Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal versus St. John’s on Saturday at 7:05 ET (AHL Live). For tickets and more information, call the Penguins at (570) 208-PENS or visit www.wbspenguins.com.
