Penguins, Gibbons Grind Out 4-3 OT Win to Remain Perfect in 2013-14

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins finished off a three game weekend with a 4-3 overtime win over the Manchester Monarchs this afternoon, and remain a perfect 6-0-0-0 on the season.

Today, it was Brian Gibbons who took control of the game. Gibbons figured in on all four Pens goals today and with two goals and two assists, Gibbons' 11 points (4G-7A) in six games is good for the team lead in scoring.



A slow start to the game this afternoon as both teams entered today playing in their third game of the weekend.

Brian Gibbons gave the Pens a 1-0 lead 8:08 into the first period with a spectacular play along the goal line in the corner. Gibbons floated a backhander on net and it bounced in off the shoulder of Monarchs goaltender Jean-Francois Berube. The power play goal was Gibbons' third of the season. And he was just getting started.

After the Monarchs tied it at 1-1 late in the first period, Gibbons and the Penguins got back ahead midway through the 2nd period. Gibbons, who had just exited the penalty box, found a streaking Andrew Ebbett between the faceoff circles. Ebbett went forehand to backhand past Berube to give the Pens a 2-1 lead.

The Monarchs wouldn't go away quietly into the night, tying the game at two with a late goal in the second period. They also tied the game at three late in the third period after Brian Gibbons had given the Penguins their third one-goal lead.

It only took 22 seconds into overtime for Gibbons to give his team the win tonight. Gibbons stole a puck in the neutral zone and led a 2-on-1 rush with Brendan Mikkelson. Gibbons' pass to Mikkelson was on the money and he slammed it past Berube to give the Penguins their 6th win in as many games.


Roster Notes

• Jeff Deslauriers got the start in net this afternoon, after playing Friday night and watching Peter Mannino's WBS debut on Saturday.

• Simon Despres was a late scratch after warmups today. Not sure if it was a lingering ailment (Despres was limping in the 3rd period Friday night) or if we will soon find out why Despres was held out today. Nick D'Agostino entered the WBS lineup on the blue line in his place.

• Team captain Tom Kostopoulos left Saturday's game against the Sharks and did not return. He didn't play today. Bobby Farnham took his spot in the lineup.

Lines

Kuhnhackl - Ebbett - Payerl
Uher - Drazenovic - Thompson
Carman - Gibbons - Megna
Leblond - Sill - Farnham

Samuelsson - Dumoulin
Mikkelson - Harrington
McNeill - D'Agostino