Wilkes-Barre/Scranton leads Hershey in playoffs

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins secured a pivotal victory in Game 1 of their Calder Cup Playoff series against the Hershey Bears, winning 4-2 at Mohegan Arena on April 30, 2026. WBS jumped to a quick lead with Atley Calvert scoring just 3:02 into the first period, followed by Aidan McDonough and Owen Pickering, who extended the lead to 3-0 by the second period.

After Hershey narrowed the gap to 3-2 in the third, Avery Hayes sealed the win with an empty-net goal. Penguins goalie Sergei Murashov recorded 31 saves to earn his first career Calder Cup Playoff victory.

The Penguins now hold a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series and will face Hershey again on May 2, 2026. This win is crucial for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as they aim for a successful playoff run, showcasing strong performances from key players like Hayes, who has also made an impact at the NHL level this season with five goals.

The Penguins will look to capitalize on this momentum in Game 2, hoping to extend their series lead.