The WBS Penguins are about to clinch a playoff berth
The Wilkes-Barre/Scrantion Penguins lost their first game last week in comical fashion at the hands of a 10-2 blowout loss to Providence. That’s the bad news, the good news is the AHL Pens rebounded to win on Saturday and Sunday in order to salvage a successful week. Here’s Nick Hart’s report of the games of the week:
Friday, Mar. 21 – PENGUINS 2 vs. Providence 10
Sam Poulin and Boris Katchouk found the net for the Penguins, but Providence racked up 10 goals to take a 3-0 lead in their season series.
Saturday, Mar. 22 – PENGUINS 3 vs. Hershey 2 (OT)
An epic battle ended with Avery Hayes winning the game in overtime on STAR WARS Night. Atley Calvert provided both of the team’s goals in regulation. Sergei Murashov made 24 saves, improving his record to 10-0-0.
Sunday, Mar. 23 – PENGUINS 5 at Bridgeport 2
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton deployed a four-goal first period to sink the Islanders on Sunday afternoon. Poulin, Matt Nieto, Valtteri Puustinen and Katchouk all lit the lamp in the opening frame. Chase Stillman tacked on his first goal as a Penguin during the second frame for insurance.
WBS can clinch a playoff berth as soon as today in their next game against Hartford. The Pens are in action on Saturday and Sunday with two road games in Charlotte. The standings show why those games this weekend could be two of the most crucial games of the season.
The top-two teams in the division get byes from the opening round, which is only best-of-three. Last year WBS got bounced in the short series and their playoffs were over before they ever really got a chance to begin. With Wilkes and Charlotte in a dead heat, those two road games will be of the utmost importance.
Rookie Sergei Murashov is still doing his thing. He’s yet to taste defeat in the AHL level and his penchant to pull out victories against Hershey is a nice feather in his cap too.
Locked in, loving every moment, and just getting started.
Sergei Murashov won his 10th straight game with @WBSPenguins on Saturday, a new franchise record for the longest win streak in a rookie season.
“Honestly, no secret, just enjoy games.”
https://t.co/gDQ10scgMW— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 23, 2025
Everyone’s other favorite prospect, Rutger McGroarty, has always been in the spotlight this season. McGroarty’s progress and development over this season was illustrated in great detail by Jesse Marshall. A lot to be excited about watching a young player improve and begin to master the AHL level.
NEW: Rutger McGroarty Spring ’25 Mixtape. Highlighting his improvements to his first few steps, center drive, ability to hunt open space, and forechecking. Still lacks a top end speed and skill chaining. from him. Overall, I think you’ll be impressed.https://t.co/fdOrAuIYRv
— Jesse Marshall (@jmarshfof) March 24, 2025
ATO season
It’s that time of year where junior and college seasons are starting to end for some clubs and talented youngsters are finding their way into the AHL for the rest of the season. The Pens are expected to add Harrison Brunicke in the near future. Owen Pickering appeared in eight regular season AHL games in spring 2023 in his draft+1, which could be something similar as a road map for Brunicke to make his AHL and pro debut in a few games down the stretch.
2024 fourth round pick Chase Pietila has turned pro and joined the AHL Pens. Pietila has already played in two AHL games, but the presence of Brunicke will serve to be competition to find playing time as a right-side defender. This time in the process is more for acclimation to the new level and using as a jump off point for next season for most and that will likely apply to Pietila as a practice player to soak in as much new information and experience as he can for the future.
26-year old forward Zach Gallant (a 2017 draft pick of Detroit) was signed to an AHL contract after playing the last two years at McGill University. Gallant has appeared in two AHL games so far.