Faceoff Factor

WBS Pens vs. Phantoms Game 3 Preview

Eric Politowski | WBS "Baby" Penguins

May 5, 06:09 PM | Hype this story!

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Penguins (E1) vs. Phantoms (E2) Game 3
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Series Score: Penguins 1 – Phantoms 1
Game Time: 7:05 EST
Location: Wachovia Center, Philadelphia
Television: B2 Networks

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Preview
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The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Baby Penguins are playing in an arena owned by Wachovia tonight, but they’re not playing at the Wachovia Arena. The Pens play game 3 tonight against the Philadelphia Phantoms at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.

With the series tied 1-1, the Pens could take a ton of momentum with them by winning at least one of the next two games on the road.

History is on the Pens sides tonight, as they have a record of 11-5 in game threes, plus a 5-2 record for away games.

A key to victory for the Penguins tonight against a tough checking team like the Phantoms is to score the first goal of the game. The Pens have not scored the first goal of the game since game 3 of last round against the Hershey Bears. They need to come out firing from the opening face-off, rather than attempt another comeback in the third period.

To add, the Phantoms have had a 3-goal lead in each of the first two games against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this series. Strong defense is going to be another major key if they expect to pick up a win.

By the way, the Pens have accomplished all this with a rookie starting goalie, John Curry. Curry has been nothing but excellent in the playoffs this year, so look for him to have another strong game tonight.

The Penguins hot scorers need to stay hot. F Tim Brent keeps finding the scoresheet game after game. He leads the AHL with 13 points, is tied for 1st in goals with 7, and is tied for 4th in assists.

LW Chris Minard is tied with Brent for 1st in goals, and has two overtime winning goals these playoffs. D Alex Goligoski is also on a 6-game scoring streak, and leads all rookies and defensemen with 11 points (2g, 9a).

Which organization will get away with the bragging rights? The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers are in for a series of their own starting Friday, and the Baby Pens and Phantoms series is already underway.

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Injuries
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Penguins: Jonathan Filewich (DTD)

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Schedule
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