Connor James scored 15 seconds into the game, registering
the fastest goal in team history as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Penguins posted a 4-0 win against the Philadelphia
Phantoms on Wednesday night at the Wachovia Arena
at Casey Plaza.
The win lowered the Pens' magic number to clinch
a playoff spot to four, and inched them closer to
first place in the East Division. The Hershey Bears'
win against the Springfield Falcons on Wednesday moved
them into a tie with the Norfolk Admirals - the Penguins'
next opponent - atop the division standings with 96
points.
The opening salvo could have come even earlier, had
Tim Wallace's shot not hit the Philadelphia goal post
and bounced back out to the slot. Luckily for the
Pens, James was there to pick up the loose puck and
tap home his ninth of the season in record fashion.
"It’s nice when you do get that first
goal. It gives the team some confidence, gives us
a little boost," said head coach Todd Richards.
"We executed well on the play and Wallace did
a good job driving the net, Connor James did a good
job following it up."
As it turned out, that was all the offense the team
would need, as the Pens skated to their 43rd win of
the year.
