The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have forced a winner-take-all Game Seven tomorrow night at 6 p.m. EST after a 4-2 win over the St. John's IceCaps. Only fitting the series comes down to just one game. A truly Grade A series.
After the teams came out for the third period tied at two, the Penguins got a greasy goal from Zach Sill, tipping a puck past Eddie Pasquale early in the third period, giving the Pens a 3-2 lead. Paul Thompson beat Pasquale with 3:30 to play on a nifty backhander to make the 4-2 final.
Highlights courtesy of Eric (@ericp55)
More after the jump.
With Ben Maxwell off for hooking, the Penguins went to their 2nd power play of the game just 8:26 in. Eric Tangradi fed Jason Williams on the point and Williams' shot bounced in past Pasquale off of IceCaps penalty killer Spencer Mahachek. Pens took the 1-0 lead 9:48 into the first period on a Williams' 3rd goal of the playoffs from Tangradi and Colin McDonald.
The Penguins played hard in the first period, out shooting the IceCaps 8-7 and had an edge in chances as as well as power plays (3-1 WBS). They took the 1-0 lead into the second period but the power plays would start to even out in the middle frame.
While on the penalty kill, Bryan Lerg lost his stick and Paul Postma made him pay, blasting a shot from the point. Patrice Cormier tipped it in and tied the game at 1 just 4:31 into the 2nd period.
While Brian Gibbons was in the box for a tough tripping call, the IceCaps took the lead on their third power play of the period. Ray Sawada knocked a rebound past Thiessen to make it a 2-1 IceCaps lead 8:51 to play in the period.
At that point, the IceCaps had the momentum and controlled play with 11 shots about halfway through the period. Then, the penalty parade at the end of the period made things interesting. Four minor penalties in the last 2:01, including Tangradi's second penalty of the period as well as three IceCaps infractions.
The result, Cal O'Reilly slamming home a rebound over Pasquale with 9 seconds. Game tied at two after two with a fourth straight overtime game of the series looming.
But the Penguins came out and battled back after a poor performance in the middle period. They got the gritty goal from the 4th line and Thompson capitalized on a turnover and that's your difference tonight.
It all comes down to one game. Both teams' seasons are on the line tomorrow, a shame one of these teams won't be playing hockey after tomorrow night. Two good teams have battled the last six games. One team will move on to the Eastern Conference Finals.
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