OVERTIME GOES PENS WAY IN WINNIPEG

Last Updated on Friday, 30 October 2009 06:46 Written by Penguins Manager Friday, 30 October 2009 06:29

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – Ryan Bayda tipped home the winner just 39 seconds into overtime as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins went on to win the first game of a double-header, 1-0 over the Manitoba Moose, on Thursday night at the MTS Centre.

Many of the Penguins had family in the house, and they were treated to an all-night defensive battle. Penguins’ netminder John Curry and Moose netminder Daren Machesney were both excellent through regulation, as the Moose held a marginal shot advantage of 23-21. But neither would be beaten until the extra session, and it was Bayda, the native of nearby Saskatoon, SK who got the job done for the Penguins, streaking down the middle of the slot and tipping a Chris Lee pass over Machesney’s blocker for the deciding goal. It was Bayda’s team-leading fifth tally of the season.

Minus RW Chris Conner, who was recalled by the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier in the afternoon, and minus C Mark Letestu who was sat for precautionary reasons, Penguins head coach Todd Reirden was forced to roll seven defensemen, have his squad take short shifts, and juggle lines all night.

Both Aaron Boogaard and Moose RW Tommy Maxwell had two fights each in the contest, and Jesse Boulerice again dropped the gloves for the Penguins.

With the win, the Penguins have temporarily vaulted into the East Division lead, improving to 5-2-1-0 on the young season. The Moose picked up a point and are in second place in the North Division, one point behind the Rochester Americans with a record of 7-4-2-0.

The two teams will meet again tomorrow night at 8:30 pm EDT for the back end of the double header. The team will depart for Toronto to start the weekend, and finish their Canada trip with a 4:00 pm tilt on Sunday, November 1st against the Toronto Marlies. The team will return home on Friday, November 6th to face the Norfolk Admirals at 7:05 PM, and the first 5,000 fans through the gates will receive a team photo courtesy of Unigraphic Color Corporation.

NOTES: LW Ryan Bayda scored the winner against his former team, as he spent 59 regular-season games with the Moose in 2005-06…The Penguins also scratched F Eric Tangradi, RW Nick Johnson, and C Keven Veilleux… The Moose were shutout at home for the first time since February 2, 2008… John Curry picked up his eighth career AHL shutout and first this season, and is now two behind Sebastien Caron for the Penguins’ all-time shutout mark (10)… The Penguins were held to just two power play opportunities for the second consecutive game, and were a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.