AHL Game Recap: Penguins Take Game One

The Springfield Thunderbirds and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins met tonight in the first game of the Atlantic Division Finals. The Thunderbirds are coming off a 3-1 series win over the Providence Bruins, while the Penguins are coming off a 3-1 series win over the Hershey Bears. Georgi Romanov got the start for Springfield. In the playoffs, he is 5-1-0 with a 1.42 goals-against average, a .954 save percentage, and a shutout. Sergei Murashov got the start for the Penguins. He is 3-1-0 with a 1.99 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage.

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Springfield Thunderbirds vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

First Period

The two teams started the game by feeling each other out, recording only one shot on goal apiece. The Penguins had a chance to take the lead, but Atley Calvert rang the post. Aleksanteri Kaskimaki had a great chance for Springfield, but Murashov kept the game scoreless. The Thunderbirds got the game’s first power play as Aidan McDonough went to the box for tripping. The Penguins killed it off, and the game remained scoreless with Springfield leading the shots on goal 9-7.

Second Period 

The Penguins came out ready to roll in the middle period. Both teams went to the box, creating a four-on-four. Then Bill Zonnon would score to make it 1-0 Wilkes-Barre. The Penguins would then head to the power play. Romanov would draw a Wilkes-Barre penalty, giving the Thunderbirds another power-play chance. Murashov was dialed in and kept the Thunderbirds at bay. The period came to an end with the Penguins leading 1-0, and they outshot Springfield 9-8 in the period.

Third Period

In the final period, Springfield took a penalty just over two minutes for too many men. Just over a minute into the power play, McDonough went to the box for interference. Both penalties were killed off. The Penguins would add to their lead as Tanner Howe, on a breakaway, beat Romanov’s top corner to make it 2-0. The Penguins got another power play as Chris Wagner went for interference. The Thunderbirds killed the penalty off. The Penguins finished the shutout as they won 2-0. They outshot Springfield 9-7 in the final period.

Wrap Up

Romanov stopped 23 of the 25 shots he faced. Murashov stopped all 24 shots he faced and was the first star of the game. Zonnon, with his goal to open the scoring, was the second star, and Howe, with his goal, was the third star.

Next Up

Springfield and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton play game two on Thursday night at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, with puck drop set for 7:05 PM EST.