WILKES-BARRE, Pa. ---The Albany River Rats have taken commanding lead in their first-round playoffs against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Center Mike Angeldis and right wing Jerome Samson each scored within the first six minutes of the third period and goalie Justin Peters made 31 saves as Albany held off Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 2-1 on Sunday in Game 3 of an East Division semifinal series at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.
The River Rats now lead the series, 3-0 and can clinch a berth in the East Division final with a victory in Game 4 at Wilkes-Barre on Monday night at 7.
Following a rush up the ice, Boychuk fired a shot on goal from the left side and Angelidis, camped in front, swept the rebound past goalie John Curry 2:16 into the third period.
Albany was opportunistic again on its second goal as Samson sent a centering pass from the left circle which deflected off a Wilkes-Barre defenseman and past Curry at 5:45.
The Penguins drew within 2-1 as Chris Conner fired a one-timer past Peters at 14:27.
Curry finished with 26 saves for Wilkes-Barre, which is on the brink of being eliminated from the first-round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.