The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’ eight-game point streak came to a screeching halt when a late goal cost them a 4-3 decision to the Belleville Senators on Sunday afternoon at CAA Arena.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (20-9-3-0) received a pair of tallies from its All-Star selection, Emil Bemström, but he was outdone by Wyatt Bongiovanni’s hat trick. Bongiovanni’s third goal arrived with 2.2 seconds left in regulation, giving Belleville the win.
Bemström opened the scoring at 10:44 of the first period, but Belleville responded 2:08 later with a power-play goal by Bongiovanni.
Avery Hayes delivered a power-play goal for the Penguins to reestablish their lead at 2-1. Four-and-a-half minutes into the second period, Hayes smoothly cut to the inside around a Belleville defender, then snapped a shot through the five-hole of Sens goalie Michael Simpson.
Bongiovanni rifled a bar-down snipe from distance 33 seconds into the third period, tying the game at two.
Like déjà vu, Boris Katchouk set up Bemström on an odd-man rush, leading to the latter’s second goal of the day at 6:12 of the final frame. However, just like before, the Senators clapped back 88 seconds later thanks to Stephen Halliday.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was assessed a double-minor penalty for high sticking with 1:31 left in regulation. With time winding down, the Senators shifted the puck around the Penguins’ net-front for Bongiovanni to sweep in the winner with 2.2 seconds remaining.
Filip Larsson’s AHL career-best five-game win streak came to an end despite making 29 saves. Belleville goalie Michael Simpson turned aside 25 shots in his first AHL start.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton wraps up its Canadian road trip with its next game on Wednesday against Laval. Game time for the Penguins and Rocket is 7 p.m. at Place Bell.