The Penguins wound up in the exact spot they were hoping to avoid on Thursday — facing Springfield in overtime.
It was bad enough for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, watching a three-goal lead vanish in the third period. But overtime is where Springfield has thrived on its Cinderella run in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Things would be no different this time as Akil Thomas scored in the extra period to complete a huge Thunderbirds rally for a 4-3 win over the Penguins in Game 2 of the Atlantic Division Finals.
The best-of-five series is now tied 1-1 heading to Massachusetts for two games, set for Tuesday and next Thursday.
Instead of trying to close things out in Game 3, the Penguins are now firmly on the back foot after a stunning Springfield comeback.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton had a commanding 3-0 lead after two periods and hadn’t allowed a goal all series to the T-Birds. Bill Zonnon, Tristan Broz and Avery Hayes all scored and goalie Sergei Murashov was on a shutout streak of seven periods going back to the division semifinals against Hershey.
The Penguins even got a break in the opening minute of the third as Springfield took a delay of game penalty, with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton already 2-for-3 on the night with the power play.
That was the start of the problems.
Hugh McGing became the first T-Birds skater to beat Murashov, scoring a shorthanded goal just 24 seconds into the penalty. The rally was on from there for the visitors, who put 20 shots on net in the third period.
Dillon Dube scored two goals in 94 seconds, tying the game with 1:50 left in regulation and the goaltender pulled for an extra attacker.
Springfield easily could have won it in the third if not for a post-to-post save by Murashov on a T-Birds power play when it was still 3-1.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton had won its lone overtime game of these playoffs against Hershey, but the Penguins were overwhelmed by Springfield, which improved to 4-0 in overtime in nine playoff games this year.
The T-Birds had the first eight shots of the extra frame before the Penguins could get one against Georgii Romanov. Thomas’ game-winner made it 11-4 shots in favor of Springfield, which finished with a 45-42 edge for the game despite being outshot 14-4 in the first period.
It was an excellent start for the Penguins as Zonnon now has two opening goals in two career AHL games. This one came on the power play as Romanov couldn’t corral a rebound from a Mikhail Ilyin shot and Zonnon was there in front of the net to knock it in.
The Penguins’ lead doubled just 16 seconds into the second period. Ilyin was in the mix again as he was swarmed by three defenders, who prevented his shot from getting to the net but instead caused it to bounce right to Broz, who quickly fired it home.
Hayes then scored his third goal of the playoffs on another man-advantage with 1:44 left in the second. Rutger McGroarty fired a cross-ice pass to Hayes, who found some room in the right circle to snap it in for a 3-0 lead.
Murashov finished with 41 saves in the loss while Romanov had 39. Linemates Broz and Ilyin are now tied for the Penguins lead in playoff scoring with five points (1 goal, 4 assists) apiece.
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