Hats Off to Zatkoff, Pens Win 3-0

Jeff Zatkoff returned to Manchester in the visiting locker room with the Penguins tonight and stole the spotlight, stopping all 33 shots he faced in route to a 3-0 victory tonight for WBS. The Pens improve to 3-5 on the season and are now 3-1 in their last four. The Monarchs are handed just their second loss of the season.

Jeff Zatkoff got the start in net for the Penguins against his former team, the Manchester Monarchs. Zatkoff spent the past three seasons with the Monarchs before joining the Pens organization as a free agent this past offseason.

After a scoreless first period which saw both teams get chances, the Penguins took advantage on the power play in the middle frame.

Benn Ferriero's point shot was blocked but he got to the loose puck and fed Trevor Smith in the slot. Smith's shot was stopped by Monarchs goaltender Martin Jones but Eric Tangradi pounced on the rebound and made it a 1-0 lead for the Pens. That was Tangradi's 6th goal of the season and his 5th straight game with a goal. Smith and Ferriero got the assists 3:42 into the period.

Dylan Reese gave the Pens a 2-0 lead about five minutes later when his point shot beat Jones to the top shelf. Another power play goal for the Pens after a nice series of passes and good puck movement by the power play unit. Brian Dumoulin and Phillipe Dupuis got the assists.

The Monarchs came out and tried to get something going in the third period but Zatkoff shut the door and Paul Thompson added an empty netter to preserve the win.