Game Story: Springfield - 3 at W-B/Scranton - 2 (OT) 10/3/26
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
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Written by: Tony Androckitis
@TonyAndrock on Twitter/X
WILKES-BARRE, PA - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins opened their 28th season as an American Hockey League (AHL) franchise on Saturday night in a rematch of last spring's 2026 Atlantic Division Finals playoff series in an opening night matchup against the Springfield Thundersbirds.
Springfield opened the scoring 3:11 into the contest on a goal from Justin Carbonneau, but from there the Penguins got to their game and dominated large portions of the contest - outshooting Springfield 45-23 on the night but ultimately coming up short in a 3-2 overtime loss to open the 2026-27 season.
Atley Calvert scored a pair of goals, one 5:05 into the first frame and another just past the halfway point of the second period, to twice tie the game up for the Penguins who seemed to do everything but score on their chances on Thunderbirds goaltender Georgii Romanov (43 saves on 45 shots) who to his credit played phenomenally to keep his team in a close hockey game Saturday night.
The Penguins certainly had their chances, but it was the Thunderbirds prevailing in overtime after killing off a penalty to begin the extra frame.
Calle Rosen's shot from the point ended things 1:50 into overtime, lifting the Thunderbirds to the 3-2 win.
