JARRY GETS PENS’ FIRST SHUTOUT ON THE SEASON IN 1-0 WIN
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins scored only one goal on Saturday night, but it was enough for the win as Tristan Jarry turned aside all 24 shots he saw to lead the Pens to a 1-0 victory over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.
The win was the Penguins’ (13-4-2-0) first shutout of the season and catapulted the team back into first place in the Eastern Conference.
Jean-Sébastien Dea scored the only goal of the game, but not until after two full periods of scoreless hockey.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Bridgeport traded excellent scoring chances in the first period, with both goalies standing on their heads to keep their opponents off the scoresheet. At the conclusion of the opening frame, both Jarry and Sound Tigers goalie Stephon Williams had eight saves to their names.
In the second period, the Penguins had three different man advantage opportunities, but were unable to solve Williams. Whether at even strength or on the power play, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton controlled the pace of play, outshooting Bridgeport 10-2 midway through the period and then 14-9 when the second came to a close.
Just seconds before the expiration of the second frame, Jarry threw out his blocker and denied Bridgeport on a two-on-one rush and its best look of the period.
Things got interesting when the Penguins went on their fifth power play of the game. David Warsofsky nailed the post on a slap shot from the point, and then Kevin Porter rang one off the crossbar moments later. With one second remaining in the man advantage, a puck popped free from a collection of bodies amid a net-front scramble, floated over the head of Williams and across the goal line.
Dea was credited with the goal at 4:30 of the third period and gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead.
Late in regulation, Bridgeport pulled their goalie in favor of an extra attacker. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton missed on a couple of chances to fire one into the empty net, but still held the Sound Tigers at bay to hang on for the 1-0 victory.
Jarry ended up with his sixth career shutout, while Williams was credited with 29 saves and the loss.
The Penguins’ next game is Saturday, Dec. 3, the first of a back-to-back series in Newfoundland against the St. John’s IceCaps. Game time for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s first face-off against St. John’s is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s next home game is Friday, Dec. 9 against the Hershey Bears. Individual game tickets for tomorrow night’s game and all Penguins home games, are available at the Mohegan Sun Arena box office, online at 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.
