LUCK OF THE IRISH FINDS GOVE, LOVEJOY, PENGUINS

WILKES-BARRE, PA –Dave Gove recorded his first career hat trick, Ben Lovejoy picked up his first career goal, and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins skated away with a 5-3 win against the Norfolk Admirals Wednesday night at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza.

The win upped the Pens’ record to 37-24-0-3 on the year, and moved the team within two points of the second place Albany River Rats in the East Division standings.  The two teams will face-off this Saturday evening in Albany.

The victory was also the fifth in a row for the Penguins - the second-longest winning streak of the season for the club – and got the team off on the right foot in what promises to be a tough four games in five days stretch.

“It’s a good start to the week,” said Gove, who now has nine goals in 20 games since coming over from the Albany River Rats on February 1.  “It’s one game, we have to build off of it.”

Gove capped off a four-goal third period with an empty net tally to give the Penguins their fourth hat trick of the season – and the first of his professional career.

“[The last one was] in high school,” he said.  “I’ve had quite a few two-goal games in college and the pros.”

Gove opened the scoring 2:06 into the game, then netted what proved to be the game-winning score midway through the third period.  His third of the night came with 15 ticks left of the clock, and sent the remaining fans into a tizzy.

“I love playing here, it’s a great atmosphere,” said Gove.

Lovejoy only picked up one goal on the night, but it brought just as much excitement to the first year pro, who was the last position player currently on the roster to pick up a goal this season.

“What have I played, 57 games?  That’s how long I’ve been waiting.  I think my last goal was about a year ago in college.  I take them when I can,” said a relieved Lovejoy, who finished off a nice feed from Mark Letestu for his memorable moment.  “I feel like I lost 10 pounds, or 100 pounds.  I came in, got a nice pass from Mark, and was able to funnel it in the net.”

The offensive explosion in the final period helped the Penguins overcome a slow start, which saw them fall behind, 2-1, after 20 minutes of play.

“In the first period we struggled,” said Lovejoy.  “We came in the locker room and got yelled at a little bit, got motivated.  I think we had a good second period.  We obviously didn’t score any goals, but I think we outworked them. Then in the third period, we turned it up and were able to get a couple of goals.”

Jon D’Aversa tied the game with a shot from the left side that beat netminder Jonathan Boutin and found the far corner.  The goal was D’Aversa’s third of the season with the Penguins.

Lovejoy tallied five minutes later, and Gove quickly made the score 4-2 at 9:53, swatting at the puck while lying on the ice in front of the Norfolk cage.

That goal would prove necessary after Rob Klinkhammer beat John Curry with 5:43 to play.  Gove notched his third of the game into the empty net to finish off the scoring.

The Penguins head out for three road games this weekend, starting Friday night against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 7:30pm.

NOTES:  Dennis Bonvie moved into 16th place on the AHL’s all-time games played list on Wednesday, suiting up for his 860th career contest.  He also picked up an assist in the game on Lovejoy’s goal…Gove’s deciding goal was his seventh game-winner of the year, and third since joining the Penguins.  That ties him for third overall in the league this season.