Deslauriers And The Penguins Grind Out A Win In Newfoundland

Another awesome photo from Highland Park Hockey's WBS source in Newfoundland, the amazing @dwancherry. Thanks again to her for the exclusive photos from Canada!

When you're a team decimated by injuries and call ups like the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are right now, you need a full 60-minute effort paired with some timely goal scoring from someone who needs to step up, an unlikely hero and some good goaltending. Tonight, the Penguins got goals from Tom Kuhnhackl, Brian Gibbons and Bobby Farnham and a 30-save shutout from Jeff Deslauriers. 

Check, check and check.  Penguins leave Newfoundland with two points, splitting the weekend series with the St. John's IceCaps.

The first period played out much like you'd expect for a team struggling to score goals coming off a 5-0 loss the night before. It was back to basics, sound structure and keeping shots and chances to a minimum. The Pens held the IceCaps to just one shot for much of the first period before a late Penguins penalty allowed the IceCaps offense to get things going.

The Penguins offensive woes continued into the 2nd period as the IceCaps were dominating the shot clock 7-2, and it seemed as though the Penguins were holding on for a scoreless tie to get points out of this game. Then, the Penguins got the power play to work. Tom Kuhnhackl scores his first goal in 13 games and suddenly despite being outgunned and out shot it was the Penguins with a 1-0 lead.

They added to their lead later in the middle frame on an odd man rush off an IceCaps turnover at the WBS defensive zone blue line. Bobby Farnham and Brian Gibbons spearheaded a 3-on-1 and Farnham fed a perfect pass to Gibbons, who finished off the play with his 8th goal of the season.

Despite being out shot 18-10 after two periods of play, the resilient Penguins had themselves a two goal lead. They added a goal on the opening shift of the third period by none other than Farnham 21 seconds into the final frame and the Penguins defense continued to shut the door for the 3-0 win.

ROSTER NOTES

Harrison Ruopp made his AHL debut tonight on the blue line. Reid McNeill also returned to the WBS blue line as the Penguins scratched Peter Merth and forward Carter Rowney to make room in the lineup. Eleven forwards and seven defensemen for the Pens.

With Harry Zolnierczyk called up to Pittsburgh, the AHL Penguins have just 12 healthy forwards on the active roster. Recent addition and Pittsburgh area native C.J. Severyn made his WBS debut last night centering the fourth line.

WBS Expected Scratches: Peter Merth, Nick Drazenovic, Dominik Uher, Adam Payerl and Carter Rowney.

Lines

Thompson - Gibbons - Kostopoulos
Sylvester - Carman - Kuhnhackl
Zlobin - Manderson
Farnham - Severyn - Leblond


Samuelsson - Dumoulin
Harrington - Mikkelson
D'Agostino - Ruopp/McNeill