Penguins Explode Late, Shut Down Bears in Statement Win
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - For the second straight game, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins saved their best for the final 20 minutes - and once again, it paid off in a big way.
Locked in a scoreless battle through two periods, the Penguins erupted for four third-period goals to take down the Hershey Bears, 4-1, on Wednesday night at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza. The win marked their 30th of the season (30-12-2-2) and delivered another reminder that this group knows how to close.
And it all started - and frankly, stayed afloat - thanks to the steady brilliance of Sergei Murashov between the pipes.
Murashov Holds the Fort
The 21-year-old All-Star netminder was dialed in from puck drop, turning aside all 17 shots he faced in a first period where the Bears controlled the pace and zone time. His most impressive moment came on a backdoor feed to Brett Leason, who looked poised to bury a sure goal - until Murashov flashed his pad and slammed the door shut.
That save wasn’t just highlight-reel material; it was a tone-setter. Murashov’s calm under pressure became the backbone of a penalty kill that was tested early and often, especially during a critical five-on-three sequence in the second period.
Hershey called a timeout to set up their attack, but it didn’t matter. The Penguins' kill, anchored by Murashov’s poise and positioning, stayed perfect through five shorthanded situations.
By the time the second intermission hit, the scoreboard still read 0-0 - but the Penguins had weathered the storm.
Third Period Surge
The dam finally broke just 1:39 into the third. Aaron Huglen opened the scoring with a wrister that climbed up the paddle of Hershey goalie Mitch Gibson and tucked into the top corner. It was a gritty, opportunistic goal - the kind that often sparks bigger things.
Hershey punched back quickly, though. Grant Cruikshank went coast-to-coast and finished with authority to level the game at 1-1. But that would be the Bears’ only answer.
Avery Hayes reclaimed the lead for the Penguins midway through the period with a power-play goal that slipped through Gibson’s five-hole. It was a textbook example of capitalizing on momentum - and the Penguins weren’t done.
Tanner Howe, playing in just his second AHL game, notched his first professional goal with a slick redirect off a set play from a faceoff win. That made it 3-1 with just over five minutes to play.
Then came the exclamation point.
Aidan McDonough weaved through the Bears’ defense and tucked home a beauty across the crease, giving Wilkes-Barre/Scranton a commanding 4-1 lead and putting the game out of reach.
Goaltending and Special Teams Deliver Again
Murashov finished the night with 30 saves, and while the third-period offense will grab the headlines, his performance was the foundation. Whether it was denying high-danger chances or anchoring a perfect penalty kill, he was the difference-maker when the game hung in the balance.
Gibson, meanwhile, stopped 25 shots for Hershey but had little help once the Penguins found their rhythm.
The Penguins’ ability to stay disciplined, kill penalties, and then flip the switch offensively continues to be one of their most impressive traits. That’s two straight games where they’ve scored four times in the third - a sign of a team that knows how to finish.
Up Next
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton heads to Allentown on Friday to take on in-state rival Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. at the PPL Center.
After the AHL All-Star Break, the Penguins return home for a Valentine’s Day matchup with the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 6:05 p.m.
With 30 wins already in the books and a goaltender playing like a seasoned vet, this Penguins squad is showing it has the tools - and the late-game legs - to be a real contender down the stretch.