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WILKES-BARRE — The start of Sunday’s game against the Utica Comets was relatively slow for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton netminder Casey DeSmith, who only saw one shot in the first 14 minutes.
But things changed drastically and a resurgent Comets squad fired off 21 shots in the first period.
DeSmith responded with a season-high 45 saves and the Penguins wrapped up a weekend of three games in three days with their fourth straight win.
Sahir Gill and Dominik Simon scored the goals in the 2-1 win as the Penguins (46-18-3-0) reduced their magic number to six points to clinch a playoff spot.
“It’s huge. Even though we’re the top team it’s pretty close,” DeSmith said. “We’re still battling for a playoff spot because the division is so tight.”
Utica kept Sunday’s game tight as they peppered DeSmith with shots throughout, beginning in the second half of the opening period.
DeSmith was happy to be put to the test.
“As a goaltender you don’t want to sit there for 10 minutes before you get a few shots,” he said. “It was definitely slow to start but they really poured it on in the second half.”
After that, the shots kept coming from both sides in the second period as each team managed to get on the board.
The Penguins appeared to strike first when Jean-Sebastien Dea lifted a rebound under the crossbar, but a review determined the puck didn’t cross the line.
The play came during a delayed penalty against the Penguins, and during Utica’s ensuing power play, the Comets gained the lead when Darren Archibald stickhandled in front of the crease and tucked the puck past DeSmith.
The Utica 1-0 lead didn’t last long as the Penguins went on a power play next and struck just 41 seconds later. Gill’s wrist shot made it through a screen by Tom Kostopoulos in front for a 1-1 tie.
“It’s the resiliency of our team,” Head coach Clark Donatelli said. “We don’t get rattled and we have the ability to compete on the next shift and have some push-back.”
After two periods of play DeSmith had stopped 32 of 33 shots as both offenses tried to scratch out a crucial second goal.
It wasn’t until Donatelli bumped up Simon to the top line, taking the place of Zach Aston-Reese, with Kostopoulos and Kevin Porter that the Penguins were able to take their first lead of the night.
Six minutes into the third period, Simon skated into the low slot to slam home a rebound, giving the Penguins a 2-1 lead.
“Reese is playing well. Simon just had a lot of jump and he’s played with them (Kostopoulos and Porter) in the past,” Donatelli said. “In the last half of the last period in a three-in-three, you kind of go with whoever’s going.”
The 2-1 lead stuck, thanks in part to a Penguins defense that’s now allowed two goals or less in seven of its last eight games and to DeSmith’s 45 saves.
“It reminds me of the beginning of the year when (Tristan Jarry) and I had a crazy amount of one-goal games,” DeSmith said. “Our defense is definitely tightening up for the playoffs.”
NOTES
• F Garrett Wilson participated in pregame warm-ups but didn’t play. Donatelli said he’s likely to return next weekend when the Penguins play another three games in three nights.
• Aston-Reese assisted on Gill’s goal, giving him at least a point in each of his four games since joining the Penguins.
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