Penguins Embrace Rivalry Week Before AHL All-Star Break
With the AHL All-Star break looming, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins aren’t easing off the gas. Instead, they’re leaning into one of the most intense stretches of their schedule-three games in four nights, all against familiar foes.
Two matchups with the Hershey Bears and one more tilt against Lehigh Valley stand between the Penguins and a well-earned breather. And if their recent play is any indication, this team is locked in.
Weekly Rewind: Statement Wins, Big Performances
Saturday, Jan. 31 - Penguins 4, Syracuse 1
On a night dedicated to a bigger cause-Crosscheck Cancer Night-the Penguins gave their fans a performance to remember. Avery Hayes and Rafaël Harvey-Pinard wasted no time setting the tone, striking quickly in the first period.
But the emotional centerpiece came in the second, when veteran defenseman Matt Dumba found the back of the net. It wasn’t just a goal-it was a moment that seemed to lift the entire bench.
And when Syracuse tried to claw back into the game, Gabe Klassen delivered the dagger with a shorthanded goal that erased any doubt.
Sunday, Feb. 1 - Penguins 6, Lehigh Valley 2
The following afternoon, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton showed no signs of fatigue, rolling into Lehigh Valley and putting on a clinic. Six different players scored, showcasing the Penguins’ depth and balance.
Aidan McDonough opened the scoring, Nolan Renwick added to it, and Boko Imama made the highlight reel with a breakaway finish early in the third. Hayes and Owen Pickering cashed in on the power play in quick succession, and Harvey-Pinard capped it off.
Dumba, meanwhile, dished out four assists-his best single-game output as a pro.
The Week Ahead: Rivalry Games and a Chance to Make a Statement
Wednesday, Feb. 4 - vs. Hershey (Mohegan Arena, 7:05 p.m.)
The Penguins and Bears don’t like each other. That much is clear.
And with this being Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s final home game before the break, expect the energy to be high. Gabe Klassen has been a thorn in Hershey’s side all season, scoring four goals against the Bears-more than any other Penguin.
Friday, Feb. 6 - at Lehigh Valley (PPL Center, 7:05 p.m.)
Fresh off a dominant win in the same building, the Penguins head back to Allentown looking to keep the good times rolling. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is unbeaten in regulation against the Phantoms this season (5-0-0-1) and has owned this matchup over the last few years, going 21-3-3-3 in their last 30 regular-season meetings. The power play has been lethal against Lehigh Valley, converting at a 37.5% clip.
Saturday, Feb. 7 - at Hershey (Giant Center, 7:00 p.m.)
Rivalry week wraps with a rematch in Hershey, the eighth meeting between the two clubs this season. Historically, the Penguins have made a habit of finishing strong before the break-they’re 6-1-0-0 in their last seven pre-All-Star finales dating back to 2017. That’s the kind of trend this group would love to keep alive.
Ice Chips: Who’s Hot, Who’s Helping, and Who’s Rising
- Five-on-Five Dominance: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton holds a +39 goal differential at even strength this season. That’s not just good-it’s elite. This team isn’t relying on special teams to win games; they’re controlling play at five-on-five.
- Matt Dumba’s Big Week: The veteran blueliner was named AHL Player of the Week after putting up six points (1G, 5A) in two games. His leadership and offensive spark have been invaluable.
- Gabe Klassen Heating Up: With 13 points in his last 13 games-including nine of his 12 goals on the year-Klassen is finding his groove at just the right time.
- Avery Hayes Streaking: Hayes is riding a five-game point streak (3G, 2A), matching the longest of his career. He’s become a consistent contributor in all situations.
- Finn Harding’s Rookie Impact: Among all AHL rookies, Harding is tied for the best plus/minus rating at +18. That’s a strong indicator of how reliable he’s been on both ends of the ice.
Roster Moves: Youth Movement in Motion
- Emil Pieniniemi was reassigned from the WHL, while David Breazeale returned to junior hockey.
- Rutger McGroarty and Brayden Edwards were both recalled, giving the Penguins a boost of fresh legs.
- Tanner Howe was assigned from Pittsburgh, adding more depth up front as the team gears up for a critical stretch.
With three games in four nights and two of them against their fiercest rival, the Penguins have a chance to send a message heading into the break. They’re playing fast, they’re playing connected, and they’re getting contributions from every corner of the lineup. If they can keep this momentum going, the rest of the league better take notice-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is building something serious.