KOSTOPOULOS NETS HIS 400TH AS PENS BEAT SENS, 4-1
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins had plenty of reasons to celebrate following their 4-1 victory over the Binghamton Senators on Friday night, but the moment that stole the show came when their captain reached yet another milestone in his decorated career.
Scoring a power play goal at 17:56 of the second period in front of a home crowd, Tom Kostopoulos recorded his 400th career point as a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguin. Kostopoulos, the Penguins’ all-time leader in games played, goals, assists and points is the first player in franchise history to reach that mark.
The game did not begin on as cheery of a note, though. Binghamton opened up the scoring with the lone goal of the first period when Mike Blunden found the back of the net with a wrap-around at 13:36 of the opening frame.
The Penguins responded with a strong second period, outshooting the Senators 15-6. Jake Guentzel put the Penguins on the board, tying the game the contest with a deflection at 15:56 of the second. Kostopoulos had an assist on Guentzel’s equalizer, point No. 399 with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
The 18-year pro and Penguin captain’s 400th point with the club broke the deadlock just two minutes later, bringing the score to 2-1.
Garret Wilson and Oskar Sundqvist each added to the Penguins’ lead in the third. Wilson’s first in a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton uniform came 5:23 into the third with a wrist shot that beat Binghamton goalie Matt O’Connor high blocker-side. Sundqvist blasted a one-timer from the slot past O’Connor at 13:02 of the third, bringing the game to its 4-1 final.
Tristan Jarry finished the game with 20 saves on 21 shots while his counterpart, O’Connor stopped 26 of the 30 shots faced.
Friday night’s victory not only brought the Penguins to 6-1-1-0 (13 points, first in the Atlantic Division), but it was also the seventh-straight game in which they held their opponent to just one goal in regulation.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s next game is tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 4, against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Webster Bank Arena. Puck drop between the Penguins and Sound Tigers is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
The Penguins’ next home game is Friday, Nov. 11, when they take on the Toronto Marlies at home for the only time this season.
Individual tickets for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton home games can be purchased at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza box office, through Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.
Season ticket packages for the 2016-17 season of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey, including full season, 22-game, 12-game and Flexbook plans, are available by contacting the Penguins directly at (570) 208-7367.
