UPDATE: The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have just secured their third consecutive win to begin the season, dominating the Hartford Wolfpack 5-2 on Friday night. The Penguins stormed out of the gate, establishing a two-goal lead within the first period, showcasing their offensive prowess with a total of 32 shots on goal.
Atley Calvert was the standout performer, netting two goals, including a critical opener that set the tone for the match. Rafaei Harvey-Pinard kicked off the scoring with a goal at the 12-minute mark, assisted by Chase Pietila and Ryan Graves, giving the Penguins an early 2-0 lead.
Avery Hayes extended the advantage with a power-play goal, marking his second of the season, pushing the score to 3-0. However, the Wolfpack fought back, scoring two quick goals to narrow the gap to 3-2 with 14 minutes remaining in the game. Calvert responded decisively, scoring his second goal to restore a two-goal cushion at 4-2 with just under nine minutes left on the clock.
“We came out strong and set the pace early,” Calvert stated after the game. “It feels great to contribute to the team’s success.”
Tristan Broz capped off the scoring with a final goal less than three minutes before the final whistle, ensuring the Penguins’ victory. Sergei Murashov was impressive in net, stopping 28 of 30 shots to secure the win.
With this victory, the Penguins improve to 3-0 for the season and will remain in Connecticut for their next matchup against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, set to start at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday. Following that, the Penguins will return to Mohegan Arena on Wednesday to face off against rival Lehigh Valley, before heading to Charlotte for back-to-back games against the Checkers next weekend.
This latest win not only boosts the Penguins’ confidence but also solidifies their position as a formidable team early in the AHL season. Fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming games as the momentum builds.
