Friday, November 17, 2006

PHILADELPHIA - Connor James scored with just over two minutes remaining in the second period to give the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins a 3-2 win over the Phantoms on Friday night at the Wachovia Spectrum.

The Phantoms opened the scoring with just 1:40 left in the first period. David Printz fired a shot from the point that went wide and hit the back boards, but bounced straight back into the goalmouth.

Jussi Timonen was waiting to slide the puck into an open net for the 1-0 lead.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton erased the advantage just over four minutes into the second period on a goal by Rob Schremp. Then at the 10:18 mark, Erik Christensen scored right off a face-off just two ticks into a power play, giving the Penguins a 2-1 advantage.

Mark Cullen tied it up with 5:01 remaining in the second during a power play. While stickhandling in the right circle, he feigned interest in Stefan Ruzicka's presence on the far post before snapping a shot past leaning goaltender Andrew Penner into the upper short-side corner. But Wilkes-Barre/Scranton regained its one-goal edge with just 2:12 remaining in the frame on the goal by James, which would stand as the game winner. The teams combined for a deceptive five shots in the third period, with the Penguins outshooting Philadelphia 4-1.

Scott Munroe made 22 saves on 25 shots in the loss, while Penner took the win with 13 saves on 15 Phantoms opportunities.