The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins battled back from a two-goal deficit to tie the game, only to see Grant Potulny pull out a 3-2 victory for the Hershey Bears at the Giant Center on Sunday evening.
The loss dropped the Penguins’ record to 9-10-0-0 on the season, while the Bears upped their mark to 10-8-0-0.
Potulny and the Bears took advantage of a holding call issued against Dennis Bonvie late in the second period to record the winning tally. The Hershey hero took a Jakub Klepis feed in the face-off circle and one-timed home his fifth of the season just 48 seconds into the third period.
The goal put a damper on what was looking to be a great comeback for the Penguins, who saw the home team jump out to a 2-0 lead after 22 minutes on goals by Jay Beagle and Kyle Wilson.
Wilson’s easy tap in on a two-on-one came at 2:05 of the second period. But just 26 seconds later, the Penguins were right back in the game.
Kurtis McLean took a feed from Bonvie on the Hershey goal line, and his innocent shot from the odd angle slipped underneath Frederic Cassivi’s pads, giving the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton center his fourth goal of the season.
Six minutes later, Nathan Smith deflected a Deryk Engelland shot behind Cassivi, giving the Penguins captain his fourth of the campaign, and giving life back to the visiting club.
But Potulny’s score gave the Bears a lead they would not relinquish.
John Curry made his second straight start in goal for the Penguins, turning aside 21 shots in the loss. Cassivi made 29 saves to record the win.
The Penguins next travel to Hamilton, Ontario, where they will take on the defending Calder Cup Champion Bulldogs on Wednesday night at 7:30pm. The game can be hears on QFM 92.1, on the internet at www.wbspenguins.com, or can be viewed on the B2 networks.
The Penguins next home game is Friday, December 7, when they take on the Bears back at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza. For tickets, contact the Penguins at 570-208-7367.
NOTES: Connor James extended his point streak to four games with an assist on Smith’s goal.
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