Max Talbot returns to lead Providence Bruins past Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 5-0
WILKES-BARRE TWP. — A familiar face made sure he wasn’t forgotten in Saturday’s game against the Providence Bruins.
Former Penguin Max Talbot returned to the Mohegan Sun Arena for the first time as an opponent and his four-point night was a key factor to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s 5-0 loss. Talbot and Seth Griffith each had two goals while Bruins goaltender Jeremy Smith stopped all 32 shots he faced for the shutout.
The loss marks the first time the Penguins were shutout since Dec. 27, a 3-0 defeat against Lehigh Valley. The Penguins also dropped out of first place in the Atlantic Division with the Hershey Bears, who beat Albany 3-2 in a shootout.
On Saturday, Talbot was the story of the night as he played a role in four of the Bruins’ five goals. Talbot spent all of his 2004-05 rookie season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and parts of the next two seasons before moving on to Pittsburgh.
He said returning to face a former team gave him added motivation.
“Whether it’s here or up in the NHL, every time you play a team you played for, it’s inevitable,” Talbot said. “It comes naturally where you give a little extra push.”
From the start of the game the entire Bruins team had an extra push that the Penguins, who were playing their fifth game in eight days, failed to match.
Providence struck midway through the first period when Griffith tapped in a backdoor pass on a play created by Talbot to make it 1-0. Talbot got another assist when Griffith scored again two minutes later after he punched in a rebound that slid behind Tristan Jarry in the crease.
Near the end of the period the Bruins went up 3-0 when Talbot was alone in the slot and lined up a shot under the crossbar.
“He’s an NHL player. There’s no doubt about it,” head coach Clark Donatelli said. “You can see he’s a difference-maker, especially in this league. He did his job tonight.”
The Penguins’ penalty kill did it’s job to prevent the damage from becoming worse when they killed off 31 seconds of a two-man advantage that carried into the second period.
“If we had one positive coming out of this game it was our penalty kill. They’re a really good power play and we did an excellent job,” Donatelli said.
Josh Archibald came close to getting the Penguins on the board in the second period when he shot a rebound on net that looked close to going in. After a review, the officials determined the puck didn’t cross the line, and minutes later Providence made it 4-0 on a slapshot from the point that deflected through traffic in front.
Donatelli said the Penguins’ problems originated in the first period and carried through the game.
“We didn’t match their intensity or their speed in the first period and they jumped on us,” he said. “They brought their A game and we had a front row seat to watch it.”
The Penguins had an opportunity to get back into it during a power play in the first minute of the third period and they generated several chances, but Smith stopped them all. After the power play expired the Penguins kept pressing and Will O’Neill came close when he skated to the corner of the net and shot high, forcing Smith to dive and kick the puck away with his leg.
On the ensuing shift, Talbot scored his second of the night when Jarry left a round in front to put Providence ahead 5-0.
Talbot was cheered by the Penguins fans when he came out as the game’s second star, proving that Wilkes-Barre hasn’t forgotten about him.
“Wilkes-Barre hasn’t changed much. It was nice to see the rink, the fans,” Talbot said. “I still get a lot of love from Penguins fans, even when I play against the Penguins up there in Pittsburgh or even here. These fans are very loyal. It was special for me.”
Providence 5, Penguins 0
Providence`3`1`1`—`5
Penguins` 0`0`0`—`0
First Period
–
Second Period
– 4. PRO, Colin Miller 4 (Cave, Hargrove) 13:38. Penalties – PRO, Irwin (holding the stick) 8:47; WBS, Blueger (cross-checking) 13:58.
Third Period
– 5. PRO, Max Talbot 8 (Bellemore, Cross) 5:51. Penalties – PRO, Miller (tripping) :40; WBS, Dea (tripping) 16:00; WBS, Sestito (misconduct) 16:00; WBS, Oleksy (roughing) 16:29.
Shots on goal
Providence – 13-13-9-34
Penguins – 12-8-x-x
Power-play Opportunities
Providence – 0 of 5
Penguins – 0 of 2
Providence – Jeremy Smith 14-17-4 (32 saves-32 shots)
Penguins – Tristan Jarry 16-10-3 (29-34)
Providence – G Jeremy Smith, D Chris Castro, D Chris Breen, LW Ben Sexton, C Max Talbot, RW Justin Hickman
Penguins – G Tristan Jarry, D Will O’Neill, D Barry Goers, LW Jake Guentzel, C Kael Mouillierat, RW Josh Archibald
Three Stars
Referee – Fred LeBlanc, Jake Brenk. Linesmen – Richard Jondo, Scott Pomento
Attendance – 6,183
Reach Tom Venesky at 570-991-6395 or on Twitter
