Boyd Kane’s power play goal 4:13 into the third period proved to be the difference, as the Philadelphia Phantoms posted a 3-2 win against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Saturday night at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza.
The loss was the second in a row by the Penguins – and the second in a row against the Phantoms – evening Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s record at 2-2-0-0 on the season.
Philadelphia, playing its first road contest of the season, upped its record to 4-0-0-0.
The Phantoms opened the scoring midway through the first period. Jonathan Matsumoto carried the puck across the goal line to the right of netminder Ty Conklin. Matsumoto then dropped a pass back to a sprinting Kyle Greentree, who popped a shot over Conklin’s right shoulder for his first goal of the season.
Jeff Taffe, the only Penguin to record at least one point in each of the team’s first three games, stretched that streak to four with his third goal of the season. Taffe slammed home a Tim Brent pass from the slot while Nate Guenin sat in the penalty box serving an interference call at 14:23.
Darroll Powe put the Phantoms back in front with close range shot that flew over Conklin’s glove hand at 8:05 of the second. But Taffe was quick to counter, swatting a Kris Letang rebound out of mid-air just 1:10 after Philly took the 2-1 lead. His second power play tally of the night gave him three for the season, tops in the league.
The Phantoms found themselves on a two-man advantage early in the third period with Brent (interference) and Mark Ardelan (tripping) whistled for penalties, and they finally converted while up a man. Kane chopped at a Ryan Potulny rebound in the crease that trickled its way behind Conklin, giving the visitors the win.
The Penguins received what appeared to be the perfect opportunity to tie the game up when Tyler Kennedy was tripped in the slot and awarded a penalty shot. But the puck rolled off the second-year pro’s stick as he approached the Philly net, and he failed to challenge goaltender Brian Boucher.
Boucher stayed perfect on the season, raising his record to 4-0-0-0 with his 26 save performance in net. Conklin turned aside 24 shots and saw his record fall to 2-2-0-0.
The Penguins and Phantoms will complete a home-and-home series on Sunday afternoon at 6:00pm at the Spectrum in Philadelphia.
NOTES: Kris Letang had two assists for the Penguins…Kennedy’s penalty shot attempt was the 14th in team history, and the 13th unsuccessful try.
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