Penguins Muscle Past Checkers, 5-3

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AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Penguins Muscle Past Checkers, 5-3

March 29, 2025 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release


CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins gutted out a pivotal, 5-3 win over the Charlotte Checkers on Saturday evening at Bojangles' Coliseum.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (37-18-7-1) took back second place in the Atlantic Division from Charlotte with Saturday's win. Facing a 2-2 score deep into the third period, the Penguins scored a clutch, power-play goal and buried a pair of empty netters to triumph in the first of two weekend meetings in the Queen City.

Filip Larsson secured the win with 25 saves, his finest perhaps being a dazzler in the late stages of the first period. Staring down a two-on-one rush by Charlotte, Larsson slid across his crease lifted his left leg in the air to thwart a point-blank chance for Kyle Criscuolo.

The Penguins opened the scoring at 9:21 of the second when a pass by Tristan Broz pinballed off of Sam Poulin's skate and across the Checkers' goal line. On their next shift, Broz led Valtteri Puustinen into the offensive zone, where he wired a shot past Cooper Black for a 2-0 lead.

Charlotte responded when an impressive, three-zone effort by Nicholas Zabaneh culminated in the rookie's second goal of the season at the 15-minute mark of the middle frame. Shortly thereafter, Sandis Vilmanis took advantage of a turnover behind Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's net and tucked in a wraparound to tie the game.

Awarded their third power-play chance of the day, the Penguins converted 5:17 remaining in regulation. Vasily Ponomarev wired in a shot through a screen by Atley Calvert to put Wilkes-Barre/Scranton back ahead, 3-2. Harrison Brunicke posted an assist on the goal for a point in his pro debut.

Matt Nieto and Joona Koppanen both scored empty-net goals to provide the Penguins with enough cushion that Justin Sourdif's strike for Charlotte with 26 seconds to play became an afterthought.

Black stopped 18 of 21 shots faced in net for the Checkers.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Charlotte battle again tomorrow, Sunday, Mar. 30. Puck drop from Bojangles' Coliseum is set for 1:00 p.m.

The Penguins return to Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza on Friday, Apr. 11 for another installation of their historic rivalry with the Hershey Bears. Puck drop between the Penguins and Bears is slated for 7:05 p.m. It will be the last WBRE 28/ WYOU 22 Fan Friday of the season. Select draft beers will be on sale for $2 from 6:00-7:30 courtesy of Coors Light, and there will be postgame player autographs presented by Northeast Music Center.

Season-ticket packages for the Penguins' 2024-25 season are on sale now. Full-Season, 22-game, 12-game, Flexbook and Premium Seating plans are available by reaching out to the Penguins directly at (570) 208-7367.

Every minute of Penguins hockey can be watched online with the league's streaming service, AHLTV on FloHockey. AHLTV on FloHockey provides its subscribers access to not just every regular-season and Calder Cup Playoff game for all 32 AHL teams, but also more than 21,000 hockey contests from other professional and junior leagues on FloHockey, as well as access to all other live event streams and replays across FloSports.

Check out the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Statistics

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