Game Story: Providence - 3 at W-B/Scranton - 2 (1/17/24)

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (20-13-5) saw their six-game points streak come to an end Wednesday night at the hands of Atlantic Division foe Providence Bruins (22-12-5).

Up 2-1 and out-shooting the Bruins by a 22-8 margin midway through the second period, the Penguins appeared to be in solid control of the game on a goal and an assist from Jesse Puljujarvi and a tally from Ty Smith.

But credit to PBruins goaltender Brandon Bussi (30 saves - 32 shots) for keeping it close and allowing his team to find their game as the night went along.

Justin Brazeau scored a game-tying goal late in the middle frame, and Fabian Lysell gave Providence the lead back at 3-2 early in the third period as the PBruins extended their own unbeaten in regulation streak to nine games (8-0-1). PBruins All-Star forward Georgii Merkulov also tallied in the win for Providence.

Penguins goaltender Magnus Hellberg surrendered three goals on 18 shots in the loss.

Post-Game EXTRA!

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins head coach JD Forrest

On coming up short after appearing to be in control in the first half of regulation

"I thought that we came out strong, even though they got the first one that we carried way for long stretches of time. And then I thought there was some parts of the game where our level dipped - kind of - we got off that for a bit, and then they capitalize and then we got back on it. It wasn't much. I didn't think it was a bad game on our part by any means, but we did let the door crack open a couple of times and they snuck a few on there."

On the margin for error shrinking with every passing game.

Yeah, that's how it is in our division night in night out. We've said it every time. I mean, it doesn't matter - every team is good. So just one of those [that] felt like we probably deserved a better result than what we got tonight."

Providence Bruins head coach Ryan Mougenel

On what changed in second half of game that allowed PBruins to get back in it

"Well, I think, you know, sometimes the shot clock isn't indicative of how you're playing. I'll say this, I didn't think we were playing very well. You know, what changed was I think the guys just made a better commitment to give up less off the rush. They play really fast in transition, and we didn't do a great job of managing the puck. So it was a commitment from everybody to do it."

GAME STORY

The Penguins came ready to play Wednesday night, overcoming an early goal against on a bit of a busted play to rebound for a dominating first period performance to take the lead heading into the first intermission.

Providence opened the scoring 4:46 into the contest, putting the Penguins into an early 1-0 hole. A bouncing puck in the Penguins offensive zone hopped over the stick of Peter Abbandonato at center point, leading to an odd-man rush the other way.

Brett Harrison raced the other way with the puck, and Abbandonato was able to hustle back to prevent a breakaway, but a trailing Merkulov had a step on Alex Nylander and was able to receive a pass from Harrison in addition to following up his own shot for a rebound goal past Hellberg for his 15th of the season.

From there, it was the Puljujarvi show.

After Joona Koppanen was able to win an offensive zone draw, the Penguins cycled it down low to Sam Poulin behind the net before Poulin sent it out in front for Puljujarvi for a quick shot from the bottom of the right wing circle that was able to get past Bussi.

It marked Puljujarvi's second goal in as many games, and he wasn't done there.

On his next shift, after a feed from Koppanen in the neutral zone, Puljujarvi entered the offensive zone with speed before pulling up and zipping a cross-ice pass to Smith who was able to tuck one in off the far-side post for a pretty goal that quickly put the Penguins in front 2-1.

The Pens ended up out-shooting the PBruins 14-4 in the first frame, and kept their foot on the gas in the middle frame - controlling the game in terms of shots on goal and chances - but were unable to extend their lead due in large part to the play of Bussi.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton had a power play chance to begin the middle frame, as well as near the midway mark of the period but were unable to break the game open.

Instead, Providence was able to tie the game at 2-2 with 5:57 left before the second intermission after some fine work in the offensive zone from Fabian Lysell.

Lysell skated around the top of the offensive zone to center point before feeding a pass against the grain back to Alec Regula on the left wing wall. Regula spotted Brazeau at the backdoor behind the Penguins defense and sent a hard pass to the net that Brazeau was able to direct in past Hellberg to even the game.

The Bruins seemed to take control of momentum heading into the third period, and were able to regain the lead at 3-2 just over six minutes into the final frame after a good rush up ice with speed by Tanner Richard set things up for some open ice for a pass to Lysell before the Bruins prospect whistled one to the back of the net for his 11th of the season.

The Pens tried to pull Hellberg for the extra attacker but were whistled for too many men on the play, putting an end to their comeback hopes and sending them to the penalty kill trailing a goal with 2:31 left to play.

Providence Bruins Lineup Notes

Brandon Bussi got the start in net for the Bruins Wednesday night. Michael DiPietro served as the team's backup goaltender.

Jayson Megna was a late scratch from the lineup due to illness per PBruins beat reporter Mark Divver.

Bruins Scratches: Kyle Keyser, Ryan Mast, Jayson Megna, Jakub Zboril

Lines/Pairings:

Tanner Richard - Patrick Brown - Fabian Lysell Justin Brazeau - Georgii Merkulov - Brett Harrison Luke Toporowski - John Farinacci - Marc McLaughlin Vincent Arseneau - Trevor Kuntar - Joey Abate

Frederic Brunet - Ian Mitchell Dan Renouf - Alec Regula Michael Callahan - Reilly Walsh

Brandon Bussi (Backup: Michael DiPietro)

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Lineup Notes

Magnus Hellberg got the start in net for the Penguins Wednesday. Joel Blomqvist served as the team's backup.

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced a pair of moves Wednesday afternoon, with forward Radim Zohorna clearing waivers and being assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and defenseman Ryan Shea called up to Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh also reassigned forward Jordan Frasca from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to Wheeling (ECHL) in advance of Wednesday night's game.

Penguins Scratches: Garret Sparks, Will Butcher, Sam Houde, Owen Headrick, Raivis Ansons and Avery Hayes

Lines/Pairings:

Alex Nylander - Peter Abbandonato - Vinnie Hinostroza Sam Poulin - Joona Koppanen - Jesse Puljujarvi Matt Filipe - Jonathan Gruden - Austin Rueschhoff Jagger Joshua - Marc Johnstone - Corey Andonovski

Ty Smith - Xavier Ouellet Dmitri Samorukov - Jack St. Ivany Jack Rathbone - Tayloer Fedun

Magnus Hellberg (Backup: Joel Blomqvist)

GAME SUMMARY

1st Period

4:42: PRO - Merkulov (15) - Harrison 6:14: WBS - Puljujarvi (2) - Poulin, Ouellet 9:06: WBS - Smith (6) - Puljujarvi, Koppanen 14:54: PRO - (PP) Kuntar, minor (tripping)

2nd Period

0:30: PRO - (PP) Lysell, minor (cross-checking) 10:56: PRO - (PP) Richard, minor (high-sticking) 14:03: PRO - Brazeau (13) - Regula, Lysell

3rd Period

6:14: PRO - Lysell (11) - Richard, Brown 6:19: WBS - (PP) St. Ivany, minor (kneeing) 17:29: WBS - (PP) bench minor, too many men (served by Andonovski)

BOXSCORE

Providence  1 - 1 - 1 = 3 W-B/Scranton  2 - 0 - 0 = 2

Shots

Providence  4 - 8 - 6 = 18 W-B/Scranton  14 - 9 - 9 = 32

Goalies

PRO: Brandon Bussi (30 saves - 32 shots) WBS: Magnus Hellberg (15 saves - 18 shots)

Power Play

PRO: 0-for-2 WBS: 0-for-3

Penalty Kill

PRO: 3-for-3 WBS: 2-for-2