URGENT UPDATE: The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins fell to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in a dramatic shootout, marking the Phantoms’ first win against the Penguins this season with a score of 4-3. The game unfolded Sunday afternoon at the PPL Center in Allentown, and the stakes were high as both teams battled fiercely for supremacy.
The Penguins surged ahead early, with Rafael Harvey-Pinard netting his sixth goal of the season, putting his team up 1-0 after the first period. Just three minutes into the second period, Pinard struck again, extending the Penguins’ lead to 2-0. However, the Phantoms responded with back-to-back goals, leveling the score at 2-2 by the end of the second period.
In a thrilling turn of events, Oscar Elkind scored his first goal of the season, giving the Phantoms their first lead at 3-2. The Penguins quickly retaliated, as David Breazeale tied the game once more with assists from Chase Pietila and Pinard, setting the stage for an intense shootout.
During the shootout, both Tucker Robertson and Cooper Marody converted their shots for Lehigh Valley, while the Penguins faltered, missing both attempts. Joel Blomqvist was in net for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, stopping 35 of 38 shots throughout the game, showcasing his skills under pressure.
This loss leaves the Penguins with a record of 2-2 against the Phantoms this season, and they now look ahead to a critical week. They will face the Charlotte Checkers at Mohegan Arena on Tuesday, December 31, 2025, at 7:05 p.m., before heading on the road to challenge the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday at 7 p.m.
As the Penguins prepare for these upcoming matches, fans are eager to see if they can rebound from this close defeat and improve their standings moving into the new year. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops!
