Penguins Win 3-2 Nail-Biter with Overtime SHG

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Bryan Lerg scores in overtime to beat the Bears. Photo by Kyle Mace

What a game!

We already know that both teams will be going to playoffs this season. Despite the troubles that Hershey has had with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this year, it would be a fun series if these teams met up during the post-season.

After shutting out the Montreal Canadiens last night, Braden Holtby returned to Hershey and allowed a goal on the second shot of the game. The Penguins got the first lead of the night on the power play while Perreault was in the box for tripping. They only needed four seconds of the man advantage before they scored.

Hershey tied it up during the second period. They came rushing into the offensive zone and Brian Willsie passed to Mathieu Perreault. He got a shot off and John Curry stopped it but the rebound bounced back out to Francois Bouchard who didn’t miss.

Unfortunately, the Penguins regained their lead in the same period. Yet again, it was on the power play. This time it took them 37 seconds on the power play to score.

With their backs against the wall in the third period, the Bears had to kill off a penalty to Boyd Kane for elbowing with the final few minutes of the period dwindling. The Bears stood tall and interrupted the Penguins offense. There was a two-on-one but Wilkes-Barre broke that up. Perreault collected the puck and dished a perfect pass to Keith Aucoin, who was crashing the net: tie game thanks to a short-handed goal.

With the crowd roaring, this game would need overtime to end it. Steve Pinizzotto was whistled for tripping just 29 seconds in and fans held their breath. But they were excited again when Brett Sterling took a penalty of his own almost two minutes later.

Unfortunately, that wouldn’t slow down the Penguins. They scored short-handed to cement the win and their East Division Championship. Bears lose 3-2 (OT).

Tonight’s Notes:

• Kyle Greentree was a scratch tonight after he came down with the flu. Additionally, Patrick Wellar did not play. Mark French said that he’s been dealing with a lower body injury and they gave him the night off to heal.
• Just a note from Tim Leone about yesterday’s game: With a win yesterday, Mark French passed Bruce Boudreau on Hershey’s all-time wins list.
• Not a good night for Hershey power play unit. They did not score on all six man advantages and allowed a short-handed goal. The penalty kill unit killed five of seven penalties and scored a short-handed goal.

Video Highlights:

Lines and Pairings:

Kane – Aucoin – Gordon
Bouchard – Perreault – Willsie
Carroll – Joudrey – Pinizzotto
Kozek – Lacroix – Kugryshev

McNeill – Collins
Orlov – Fahey
Yeo – Miskovic

Actual three stars of the game:

1. Bryan Lerg (WBS)
2. Andrew Hutchinson (WBS)
3. Mathieu Perreault (HER)

Sweetest Hockey On Earth’s three stars of the game:

1. Aucoin: scored game-tying goal to push the game to overtime
2. Perreault: two primary assists
3. Bouchard: scored the first game-tying goal

More Photos from Kyle Mace

Bouchard comes crashing in and capitalizes on a rebound.

The Bears celebrate the tie game with Bouchard.

Holtby can’t get across the crease in time.

And the Penguins rejoice.

Aucoin celebrates tying the game up late in the game.

What a face!

The overtime game-winning shot.