GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins fell to the Grand Rapids Griffins, 4-1, at Van Andel Arena on Saturday night.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (24-21-4-1) received its only goal from rookie Sam Miletic, evening the score heading into the third period. However, the Griffins unleashed three tallies in the third period to end the Penguins’ Midwest road trip with a loss.
Grand Rapids opened the scoring with a power-play goal midway through the first period. Rookie Filip Zadina received a seam pass across the Penguins’ zone and hesitated a moment before releasing a wicked wrister to the top corner of the net.
The Griffins maintained their one-goal lead until the Penguins even the scales at 10:52 of the second stanza. After sustained pressure in Grand Rapids territory, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s first line struck with Miletic depositing a backhand shot behind Patrik Rybár.
The two teams entered the final frame of regulation tied, 1-1, but the deadlock didn’t last very long. Colin Campbell put the Griffins back ahead 45 seconds into the third period. Libor Šulák increased that lead to 3-1 at 8:17 of the period, and then Matt Puempel tacked on an insurance marker during a five-on-three power play at 10:47.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton had a series of power plays in the final seven minutes of regulation, but couldn’t manage to convert.
Anthony Peters made 28 saves for the Penguins in defeat, whereas the Griffins’ Rybár denied 33 shots on his way to victory.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s next game is Wednesday, Feb. 13, as it renews its rivalry with the Hershey Bears at Giant Center. The Penguins’ next home game is Saturday, Feb. 16, against the Utica Comets. Puck drop on Military Appreciation Night presented by MetLife between the Penguins and Comets is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.
Individual tickets for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton home games can be purchased at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza box office, through all Ticketmaster outlets, or by contacting the Penguins’ offices at (570) 208-7367. Season ticket packages for the 20th season of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey, including full season, 12-game and Flexbook plans, are available by reaching out to the Penguins directly at (570) 208-7367.
Fans can also keep up with the Penguins through the AHL’s brand new high definition streaming service, AHLTV. Subscriptions for AHLTV, which include live and archived games, begin at just $79.99 for the entire 2018-19 regular season. Fans can visit theahl.com/AHLTV now to register for a free AHLTV account and purchase 2018-19 subscriptions.
