WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON FALLS IN SPRINGFIELD, 3-1

BOXSCORE

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins saw their four-game win streak come an end on Friday night in a 3-1 loss to the Springfield Thunderbirds at MassMutual Center.

The Penguins (46-19-3-0) found themselves in an insurmountable three-goal hole late in the third period as Thunderbirds’ goaltender Sam Brittian recorded 27 saves for just his third victory of the season.

After a scoreless first period, Springfield earned the game’s first goal on a point shot by Matt MacKenzie navigated its way through traffic and into Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s net. MacKenzie’s fourth tally of the season came at 10:18 of the second.

An unfortunate bounce early in the third period victimized the Penguins and presented a gift to the Thunderbirds for them to extend their lead to 2-0. Fifty-five seconds into the frame, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goalie Tristan Jarry went behind his cage to retrieve a dump-in, but the puck caromed off the glass and into the slot where Anthony Greco could fire the biscuit into an open net.

Kyle Rau made it 3-0 for the Thunderbirds at 12:19 of the third.

Ryan Haggerty sent a heat-seeking missile to the top corner of the Falcons’ net, spoiling Brittain’s shutout bid with 4:05 left to play in regulation.

The Penguins’ penalty kill was five-for-six on the night, with Greco’s strange tally early in the final stanza the only man advantage marker allowed on the night by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Jarry recorded 23 saves on 26 shots faced for the Penguins.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s next game is tomorrow, Saturday, Apr. 1, when they take on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. Puck drop between the Penguins and Phantoms is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Individual tickets for all Penguins home games are available at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza box office, online at TicketMaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.

Penguins ticket packages, including 10-voucher flex packs, are available directly through the Penguins offices by calling (570) 208-7367.