The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins won 4-3 in overtime against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Saturday night at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (33-22-8-1) won a fast and aggressive game against their in-state rival. Corey Andonovski scored the winning goal in overtime after showing some smooth moves and sliding the puck across the goal line.
The night began with Ethan Samson scoring the only goal in a quick first period. The Penguins took control in the middle frame, but struggled to beat Felix Sandström despite numerous shots.
In the final three minutes of the second period, the Penguins finally broke through. Radim Zohorna scored a rebound goal after a shot from Austin Rueschhoff, followed by another rebound goal from Rueschhoff for a 2-1 lead.
Samu Tuomaala tied the game 2-2 with a goal from a set face-off play in the middle of the third period. Emil Andrae then put Lehigh Valley ahead 3-2 with 8:59 left in regulation.
In a seemingly dire situation for the Penguins, two 21-year-old rookies stepped up to save the game. Evan Vierling, making his AHL debut, made a precise bounce pass to Avery Hayes, who scored his first career AHL goal and tied the game.
Andonovski ended the game 1:17 into overtime by making a dazzling one-on-one move to get around Phantoms defenseman Louie Belpedio.
Joel Blomqvist made 23 saves on 26 shots, while Sandström stopped 31 of the 35 shots he faced.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will face Cleveland for the final time this season on Friday, with the game starting at 7:05 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena.
