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With 10 games left on the schedule, time is running low for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
The Penguins picked up a point on Saturday in a 3-2 overtime loss to Lehigh Valley at Mohegan Sun Arena. But they remain seven points behind Bridgeport for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division, with Hartford also ahead in the standings.
Adam Brooks scored 37 seconds into the extra period to give the Phantoms their first and only lead of the game, as goals continue to be hard to come by for the Penguins.
Even still, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton managed to grab a pair of leads on an early score by Drake Caggiula on a breakway and the first career AHL goal by defenseman Josh Maniscalco in the second period.
But the Penguins couldn’t hold on to a 2-1 lead in the third as NHL veteran Artem Anisimov tallied on the power play to tie the game early in the frame.
Anisimov also set up Brooks’ game-winner in the opening minute of overtime.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton managed just 21 shots against Phantoms goalie Samuel Ersson. Taylor Gauthier finished with 21 saves on 24 shots for the Penguins.
Injuries for parent club Pittsburgh continue to deplete the AHL roster. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton played Saturday without top scorer Alex Nylander, No. 1 goalie Dustin Tokarski and team captain Taylor Fedun on the blue line.
Tokarski was reassigned to the AHL on Saturday night, meaning he could be available for the Penguins’ critical game against Hartford on Sunday.
The Wolf Pack are four points ahead of the Penguins with both teams outside of a playoff spot. Puck drop is set for 5:05 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena.