Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Start Season Strong
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have kicked off their American Hockey League (AHL) season in spectacular fashion, maintaining their perfect record after another successful weekend. Following their initial victories last weekend, the Penguins triumphed again on Friday and Saturday, besting the Hartford Wolfpack and Bridgeport Islanders with scores of 5-2 and 6-3, respectively.
Notable Performances
In both games, notable performances from the team’s promising roster were evident. Goaltender Sergei Murashov, who has quickly become a standout player, was in net for both matches, showcasing his skills with a remarkable .933 save percentage on Friday, where he thwarted 28 of 30 shots. His performance on Saturday was equally commendable, yielding a .906 save percentage by stopping 29 of 32 attempts.
Game Highlights
The excitement began in Hartford, where the Penguins opened the scoring due to forward Rafael Harvey-Pinard‘s goal at just over 12 minutes into the first period.
Soon after, Atley Calvert, an undrafted player who had previously shown flashes of brilliance last season, scored his first goal of the year to extend the lead to 2-0 by the first intermission. Avery Hayes quickly put the Penguins ahead 3-0 early in the second period with a power-play goal. Despite the Wolfpack’s Gabe Perrault managing to get one back before the second period ended, the Penguins remained strong.
Calvert struck again in the third, restoring a two-goal cushion for the Penguins with his effort at the eight-minute mark. Not long after, Tristan Broz sealed the 5-2 win by adding a shorthanded empty-net goal late in the contest.
Comeback Against Bridgeport
The next night against Bridgeport, the Penguins faced early adversity as Murashov allowed three goals in the first period. However, he rebounded effectively, and the Penguins found their rhythm. Defenseman Ryan Graves, released by the Pittsburgh Penguins after NHL training camp, ignited the comeback with a goal in the second period, providing a much-needed boost before entering the final frame.
The third period saw a remarkable surge, with the Penguins scoring five straight goals in just over 11 minutes, including contributions from Harvey-Pinard, Sam Poulin, Ville Koivunen, Danton Heinen, and another shorthanded goal from Calvert. This offensive explosion led to a decisive 6-3 victory.
Player Highlights
Danton Heinen, another player to find himself let go by the NHL Penguins, had an impressive weekend, accumulating six points across the two games, rising to lead the team with seven total points in the season’s early stages. The Pittsburgh Penguins are currently enjoying a 2-1 start this season and are showing promising signs after initial expectations.
Looking Ahead
For fans eager to keep up with the latest developments, the Penguins‘ AHL performance suggests an exciting season ahead, emphasizing their strong potential both for individual players and for the team as a whole.
