The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights are no longer a doormat of the league. Head coach Tom Kowl has his team playing much more competitive hockey. The Knights have won over 57% of their games at home and the Rebels were about to fast a vastly improved team.
Despite not a lot of scoring or penalties throughout the game, the Knights scored two first period goals to give them a 2-1 victory over the visiting Rebels.
Wilkes-Barre opened the first period with a bang. Carson Knop took a feed from Jacob Hamacher and beat Rebels goalie Darion Hanson at the 6:53 mark of the first period. It was Knop’s fifth goal of the season. Then three minutes later newcomer Zach Remers lights the lamp by beating Hanson for his first goal of the season. It was assisted by Knop.
It was an up and down, tight checking game with Hanson and Knights goalie Grant Valentine keeping both teams in the game.
After a scoreless second, the Rebels’ Connor Wood scored his second goal of the season beating Valentine with a nice assist from Brennan Kapcheck at the 8:33 mark of the final period. Unfortunately, it was too little too late as Valentine made some key saves to preserve the win for the home team. Valentine had 28 saves on 29 shots while Hanson had 28 saves on 30 shots. Click here for the box score.
The Rebels and Knights meet up again tonight at the IceWorks Skating Complex at 7pm on “Skate with the Rebels Night” immediately following the game. Fans bringing a pantry item will receive a ticket for $6 with all items being donated to Aston Township’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
