2026 Calder Cup Playoffs: Game 1, Hershey - 2 at W-B/Scranton - 4 (4/30/26)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
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Written by: Tony Androckitis
@TonyAndrock on Twitter/X
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins used a solid start to take a 1-0 series lead in the Atlantic Division Semifinals following a 4-2 win over Hershey in Game 1 on Thursday night.
After taking a 1-0 lead into the first intermission on a goal from Atley Calvert, the Penguins extended their lead to 3-0 in the middle frame on goals from Aidan McDonough and Owen Pickering.
Hershey responded with back-to-back goals, midway through the second period by Ilya Protas and 1:09 into the third by Henrik Rybinski, to draw the Bears back within a goal in the final frame but ultimately Penguins' netminder Sergei Murashov (31 saves) shut the door before Avery Hayes sealed the deal for the Penguins with an empty net tally in the final minute of play to complete the 4-2 final score.
The Penguins will host the Bears in Game 2 on Saturday night before the series shifts to Hershey for Game 3 on Tuesday and, if necessary, Game 4 on Thursday.
