Pens Even Series, Win Game Two 3-1

The Penguins dominate the IceCaps tonight and win Game Two 3-1, sending the series back to Wilkes-Barre for three straight home games starting Saturday. The best of seven series is evened up at one apiece and is now a best of five.

In the playoffs, you need your best players to play their best hockey. And right now Cal O'Reilly and Jason Williams are certainly living up to expectations. O'Reilly had the primary assist on two third period goals, the second of which was an absolute cannon of a shot from Williams. Williams leads the Pens with 10 points (2G-8A) through the team's first seven playoff games. O'Reilly has four points (2G-2A) in his last three games.

Recap of Game Two after the jump!


The Penguins came out firing, drew two penalties and took a 1-0 lead when Eric Tangradi fought off a hook to score his 2nd of the playoffs from Alex Grant at the 9:48 mark of the first period.

The IceCaps were held without a shot to that point, until two undisciplined Penguins penalties gave them life. Bryan Lerg took a slashing minor behind the play and Alex Grant dropped his gloves to stick up for teammate Brian Gibbons after Gibbons was flattened by Garth Murray. Murray skated away from the confrontation and drew a power play that his team would tie up the game with.

Brock Trotter fed a puck to Derek Meech, whose point shot went off Ben Maxwell's leg and past Thiessen with 4:18 left in the period.

The Penguins were out shooting the IceCaps 9-0 at one point, but the IceCaps drew even on the scoreboard and the shots department at 11-6 for WBS at the first break.

The Penguins continued to out play the IceCaps in the second period, outshooting them 17-5. Unfortunately the Pens were unable to score on two power plays. A real solid period by the Penguins, dictating the play.

The pressure by the Pens continued in the third period until Tangradi took a hooking minor 1:40 into the final frame, sending the IceCaps to a power play. But a nice steal by Zach Sill led to a 2-on-1 for O'Reilly and Mormina and a great pass from O'Reilly to Mormina gave the Pens a shorthanded goal and a 2-1 lead.

After the Penguins penalty, the IceCaps took a minor of their own and Jason Williams made them pay with a cannon blast slap shot goal and a 3-1 lead. O'Reilly with another assist and Walker with the secondary assist.