CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins dropped their first game of a weekend back-to-back set with the Charlotte Checkers, 3-1, on Saturday night at Bojangles’ Coliseum.
For the third-straight game, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (17-11-2-3) received a goal from Jonathan Gruden. Even though Gruden’s hot streak continued, Charlotte’s received enough offense from its defensemen to secure victory.
Catch a Play-by-Play
Taylor Gauthier started his sixth-straight game in net for the Penguins, but after two collisions knocked him down during the first period, Filip Lindberg stepped between the pipes to replace him at the start of the second.
Charlotte defenseman Lucas Carlsson broke the ice with the game’s first goal at 3:53 of the middle frame.
Another Checkers blueliner, Santtu Kinnunen, added to that lead with a power-play goal midway through the third period. Gruden responded swiftly by scoring 61 seconds later. Set up by Nathan Légaré and Chris Ortiz, Gruden’s marker was his 11th of the season, establishing a new personal best for goals in a single season.
However, Charlotte reestablished its two-goal edge on a deflection by Gerry Mayhew at 12:35.
Lindberg made 18 saves in relief after Gauthier left the contest with five stops. Checkers goalie Mac Guzda denied 19 shots for the win.
Catch the Next Penguins Game!
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will take on Charlotte again tomorrow, Sunday, Jan. 15. Puck drop between the Penguins and Checkers is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Bojangles’ Coliseum. The Penguins’ next home game is Wednesday, Jan. 18, when they take on the Syracuse Crunch. The first meeting of the season between the Penguins and Crunch is slated for 7:05 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.
Individual game tickets and season-ticket packages for the 2022-23 season are on sale now. Full-Season, 22-game, 12-game, Flexbook and Premium Seating plans are available by reaching out to the Penguins directly at (570) 208-7367.
