Faceoff Factor

WBS Pens defeat Bears in Game 3, lead series 3-0

Eric Politowski | WBS "Baby" Penguins

Apr 20, 07:08 PM | Hype this story!

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Baby Penguins took on the Hershey Bears in game 3 of the playoff series, at home again. The Hershey Bears couldn’t generate any scoring last game, and it proved to be the same thing tonight.

GAME RECAP:

It didn’t take long for the Pens to make their way onto the scoring sheet. Only 1:54 into the 1st period, D Alain Nasreddine scored his 1st goal of the playoffs on a powerplay, when he put the puck through Hershey goaltender Daren Machesney’s five hole, from a sharp angle.

About 6 minutes later, D Mark Ardelan also scored his 1st goal of the playoffs from the point, on the power play.

After two more minutes passed, F Tim Brent fired a snap shot from the right wing into the net, getting his 3rd goal of the playoffs. The first three goals by the Penguins were with the man advantage.

Hershey looked to generate a spark, as Hershey’s LW Louis Robitaille finally dropped the gloves with RW Dennis Bonvie. The two fighters stared down for about thirty seconds, and then Bonvie dropped him with two rights. The Wilkes-Barre crowd went nuts after this, and started chanting “Turtle”, referring to Robitaille.

The Pens would take a 3-1 lead into the 2nd period, but that didn’t last long. One minute and thirty seconds in, LW Tim Wallace followed up a rush by C Dave Gove, and backhanded in his 1st of the playoffs. Wallace would also later get into a fight with Hershey’s C Steve Pinizzotto.

Scott Stuccio, the voice of the WBS Penguins, was fortunate enough to have Pittsburgh Penguins’ hall of fame broadcaster Mike Lange on the intermission show, on The Q. Lange talked about how many fans in Pittsburgh follow the Baby Pens and are proud to follow the minor league system they have.

The Pens would go on to score one more goal late in the 3rd period, when captain C Nathan Smith beat Hershey’s goalie Freddy Cassivi like a rented mule. This was also Smith’s 1st goal of the playoffs.

Penguin’s goaltender John Curry played excellent once again, winning his 3rd career post season game, earning him the 3rd star of the game. Curry made 23 saves on 24 shots. The 2nd star of the game was Tim Brent, and the 3rd star was D Alex Goligoski, who tallied 3 assists.

The Baby Pens now lead the series 3-0, and look to sweep the Bears on Wednesday on the road, at 7:00pm. I wonder if an NHL team (Pittsburgh Penguins) and their AHL affiliate (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins) have ever both swept their opponents in the first round of the playoffs. Wednesday could make for a great day in Penguins history.

LINE-UP NOTES:

LW Paul Bissonnette, C Mark Letestu, and RW Nick Johnson were dressed.

RW Jonathan Filewich was scratched. None of the newly signed players have been dressed yet.

Final Score of Game 3: WBS 5 – Hershey 1

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Game 4 – Wednesday, April 23 @ Giant Center – 7:00pm

Game 5 – Friday, April 25 @ Wachovia Arena – 7:05pm

Game 6 – Saturday, April 26 @ Giant Center – 7:00pm

Game 7 – Sunday, April 27 @ Wachovia Arena – 5:05pm

Games 5, 6, and 7 if necessary