WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Wilkes-Barre/Scranton continued its mastery of Albany on Wednesday night.
Right wing Nick Johnson scored the deciding goal in the shootout as the Penguins edged the River Rats, 4-3 on Wednesday in an American Hockey League game at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.
Johnson also contributed a goal and an assist in regulation for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, which has now won five of the six meetings against Albany, including four consecutive wins against their East Division rival.
Right wing Jerome Samson picked up where he left off last weekend for the Rats by scoring a pair of power-play goals, including the tying tally with nine seconds left in regulation.
Center Mark Letestu and right wing Chris Conner each scored as the Penguins won the shootout, 3-2.
Left wing Drayson Bowman and defenseman Jamie McBain both scored in the shootout for Albany.
With the win, fourth-place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (32-29-1-2) gained a point in the East Division standings and now trails second-place Albany (34-24-3-5) by nine points,
Goalie John Curry made 31 saves to earn the win for the Penguins.
Trailing 3-2 entering the third period, Samson drew Albany even at 19:51 on a goal set up by left wing Chris Terry, who scored earlier in the game.
Samson also opened the scoring with a power-play goal 11:20 into the game to provide the Rats with a 1-0 lead.
Samson scored two goals in Saturday’s 4-2 victory at Norfolk to reach the 30-goal plateau this season.
The Penguins responded with a power-play goal of their own as left wing Tim Wallace scored at 17:40.
Terry provided Albany with a 2-1 edge 8:35 into the second period, but WBS right wing Nick Johnson scored at 14:10 and center Dustin Jeffery followed with the go-ahead goal for the Penguins at 17:06.
Justin Pogge finished with 32 saves, including seven stops in both the third period and overtime to force overtime.
With his goal, Terry extended his point streak to five games, with four goals and two assists over this span.
The Rats play at Rochester on Friday night at 7:05 before returning to host Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday and Springfield on Sunday, both 3 p.m. starts.