WBS Penguins Ride Momentum, Matt Dumba Shines Bright in Statement Weekend
Two games, two wins, and a whole lot of good vibes - the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins couldn’t have drawn up a better weekend. With a 4-1 home win over Syracuse followed by a commanding 6-2 road victory at Lehigh Valley, the Penguins not only tightened their grip on second place in the division but also gave fans a reason to believe this group has more to offer down the stretch.
Let’s start with Saturday night - Crosscheck Cancer Night - where the Penguins turned a meaningful occasion into a memorable one. Avery Hayes and Rafaël Harvey-Pinard wasted no time getting the home crowd into it, each finding the back of the net early in the first period.
Then came the emotional centerpiece of the night - and maybe the season so far - courtesy of veteran defenseman Matt Dumba. His second-period goal wasn’t just a momentum builder; it was a moment that hit deeper, punctuated by a heartfelt celebration pointing toward a young fan he’d connected with before the game.
Syracuse tried to claw their way back, but Gabe Klassen slammed the door with a shorthanded dagger that took the air out of any comeback hopes. That’s the kind of response coaches love - a team that doesn’t just manage adversity, but punches back when the other side thinks they’ve got a shot.
Less than 24 hours later, the Penguins were back at it - this time on the road - and they didn’t miss a beat. Six different skaters scored in Sunday’s 6-2 dismantling of the Phantoms, a team WBS has had on lockdown all season.
Aidan McDonough opened the scoring, and Nolan Renwick added a tally midway through regulation. Boko Imama added some flair with a breakaway finish early in the third, and then the power play went to work.
Hayes and Owen Pickering cashed in on back-to-back man-advantages before Harvey-Pinard capped the offensive outburst.
But if there’s one name that deserves to be in bold this week, it’s Matt Dumba.
The veteran blueliner was everywhere - on the scoresheet, in the locker room, and in the hearts of fans. Dumba finished the weekend with six points (1G, 5A), including a career-high four assists on Sunday. That kind of performance earned him AHL Player of the Week honors, but the story goes beyond the stat line.
Dumba’s journey this season hasn’t been smooth. After clearing waivers and getting reassigned to the AHL, he’s had to grind his way back into rhythm.
While others like Tristan Jarry or Philip Tomasino have drawn more attention for their AHL play in recent years, Dumba’s recent surge is a reminder of the kind of impact a seasoned pro can have - both on the ice and in the room. His connection with that young fan Saturday night wasn’t just a touching moment - it was a symbol of a player finding purpose in a new chapter.
And while Dumba’s story is one of veteran resilience, the Penguins also got a glimpse of the future this week.
Tanner Howe, a 2024 second-round pick, made his AHL debut after a long rehab from an ACL injury. Not only did he suit up - he picked up an assist in his very first game.
That’s a strong start for a player who’s been through the grind to get back. Meanwhile, 2023 third-rounder Emil Pieniniemi also made his mark, notching his first AHL point in just his second game after a bit of back-and-forth about accepting an ECHL assignment.
Both players are early in their development curve, but it’s encouraging to see high draft picks starting to get traction at the pro level.
With the WBS roster currently leaning heavily on AHL contracts due to organizational needs, the emergence of recent draft picks like Howe and Pieniniemi offers a welcome shot of upside. The path to the NHL is never linear, but moments like these can be the building blocks for something bigger.
As for the standings? Not much movement.
WBS remains firmly in second place in their division, and barring a major shift, that’s probably where they’ll stay for the foreseeable future. But with the NHL roster freeze looming, there’s potential for some shakeups.
Keep an eye on Pittsburgh - there’s a chance players like Rutger McGroarty or even Ryan Graves could be sent down to WBS during the break. One player who won’t be around much longer is goaltender Filip Larsson.
With Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist taking the lion’s share of the starts, Larsson hasn’t seen game action since mid-December. He’s opted to terminate his contract and move on, opening the door for more clarity in the crease rotation.
Looking ahead, the schedule lightens up for the Penguins. With 45 games already played - the most in the division - WBS only has seven games on the docket between Feb. 5 and Feb.
- That downtime could be a blessing, offering some rest and recovery as the playoff push looms on the horizon.
For now, the Penguins are rolling - veterans stepping up, rookies breaking through, and a team finding its identity at just the right time.