Penguins clinch Atlantic Division after beating Providence Bruins, 2-1

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins secured the No. 1 seed in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference for the Calder Cup Playoffs after a 2-1 win over the Providence Bruins on Sunday afternoon at Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

Sunday’s victory marked the first time the Penguins reached the 50-win plateau (50-19-3-0) since the 2010-11 season. The Penguins also became just the fifth team to record 50 wins since the AHL reduced its schedule to 76 games (2011-12).

The Penguins jumped out to an early lead on a Cody Wydo goal, scored off a rebound, at 2:49 in the first period. It was Wydo’s first AHL goal.

Less than five minutes later, the Penguins doubled the score. Bruins goaltender Zane McIntyre turned over the puck to Ryan Haggerty whose shot was tipped by Zach Aston-Reese and then knocked in by Jarrett Burton.

With the primary assist, Aston-Reese improved his statline in the AHL to eight points (3G-5A) in eight games.

The Bruins’ cut into the Penguins’ 2-1 lead, 40 seconds into the third period on the man advantage. Jake DeBrusk knocked in a shot from the side of the net, bringing Providence within one.

With the goalie pulled in favor of an extra attacker in the final minutes of the game, Casey DeSmith stopped 33 of 34 shots in the win for the Penguins.

McIntyre turned aside 27 shots in the loss for the Bruins.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will host the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.

Penguins 2, Bruins 1

Penguins`2`0`0` — `2

Providence `0`0`1` — `1

First Period —Penalties — Fitzgerald (high-sticking), 5:57; Warsofsky (slashing), 16:11.

Second Period — No scoring. Penalties — McGrath (high sticking), 9:05; Blidh (Slashing) 12:27; Stern (roughing), 19:32.

Third Period — Penalties — Porter (boarding), 6:47.

Shots on Goal

WBS 11-11-7-29. Pro 12-13-9-34.

Power Play Opportunities

WBS 0-3; Pro 1-3.