Character Revealed: Penguins Prospect Analysis in Heartbreaking Loss (+)

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Character was revealed, though the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins could do without the attached heartbreak.

It was an emotional scene outside the Penguins’ locker room at PPL Center as the Lehigh Valley Phantoms ended the Penguins’ season in the first round for the second consecutive year. The final score was 3-2.

There were tears. Hugs. There were raised voices in anger behind closed doors. The range of reactions was all the same despirited emotion. The season is over.

There will be a few or maybe a handful of players who never play in Wilkes-Barre again. Their NHL futures await, but that was no consolation Friday.

The Penguins’ season hung in the balance due to the overflowing AHL playoffs, which admit 24 of 32 teams and compensate with a best-of-three first round. After losing Game 1 to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms with a tentative performance befitting their rookie status, it was an all-in Game 2.

However, Penguins veteran defenseman Sebastian Aho tucked his head into his hands as he lay on the ice. A tiny rebound poke after a brilliant save by Penguins goalie Sergei Murashov dribbled across the line with exactly two minutes remaining, and that was the end of their season.

Their beating hockey heart drained.

The Penguins survived a late Lehigh Valley power play, a third period Lehigh Valley 5v3 power play, and an obviously more experienced team that was able to steady itself even as the intense emotions swirled within the Penguins.