The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins treated fans to an exciting hockey night on Saturday, March 22, 2025, hosting their annual STAR WARS Night against the Hershey Bears at Mohegan Arena. This vibrant event showcased one of the AHL's most anticipated matchups. The Penguins entered the game with a record of 33 wins, 17 losses, 7 overtime losses, and 1 shootout loss, ready to battle the Bears in a matchup fraught with tension given that seven of the nine prior games played between the teams had been decided by just a single goal.
In the lead-up to STAR WARS Night, the Penguins delivered a thrilling performance on March 12, edging out Hershey 5-4 in a shootout. This nail-biting affair saw Sam Poulin scoring the decisive goal in the fifth round, bringing gratification to the home fans. Supporting efforts came from Ville Koivunen, Rutger McGroarty, Mathias Laferrière, and Avery Hayes, all of whom managed to get on the scoresheet in regulation. However, the Penguins faced a setback on March 14, falling to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 3-1. Despite a shorthanded goal from McGroarty in the second period, the Phantoms’ power-play goal and an empty-net strike sealed the Penguins' fate.
Bouncing back strong, the Penguins continued their solid play by securing a 5-3 victory over Lehigh Valley on March 16. This game became a showcase for special teams, with the Penguins scoring two power-play goals and netting yet another shorthanded effort for the second consecutive game. Valtteri Puusitnen’s go-ahead goal with just over three minutes left in regulation proved crucial to the victory, further establishing the Penguins' dominance in the season series against the Phantoms, boasting an impressive record of 8 wins, 2 losses, 1 overtime loss, and 1 shootout loss.
Looking ahead, the Penguins are scheduled to face the Providence Bruins on Friday, March 21, at 6:05 p.m. at Mohegan Arena. The Bruins will visit Wilkes-Barre for the first time this season, but historically, the Penguins have struggled against them, having not secured a home win against Providence since December 20, 2019. Then, on Sunday, March 23, the Penguins will travel to take on the Bridgeport Islanders, who currently sit at the bottom of the AHL standings with a record of 13 wins, 40 losses, 4 overtime losses, and 3 shootout losses. Despite their struggles, Bridgeport's Chris Terry stands out with 57 points, ranking second overall in the AHL.
The Penguins' scoring prowess has been remarkable this season, leading the league with an average of 3.52 goals per game, and players like Ville Koivunen are making significant contributions. Koivunen is leading all AHL rookies with 53 points, which includes 20 goals and 33 assists, placing him among the elite rookie performances in franchise history. He shares the spotlight with Owen Pickering, who holds a remarkable plus-21 rating, leading all league rookies in that category. On March 16, the excitement was further heightened as Chase Pietila made his AHL debut, becoming the eighth player to do so for the Penguins this season.
To highlight their recent performances, the Penguins should be proud of Sergei Murashov, whose impressive nine-game winning streak currently ties him with Matt Murray for the longest rookie win streak in team history. A blend of skilled play and determination has marked this season for the Penguins as they vie for a strong position heading into the postseason.
The upcoming matchup against Hershey promises to maintain the intensity, as this long-standing rivalry continues. The Penguins hope to harness the energy from their fans during the STAR WARS Night event to fuel their team spirit and secure a win. Fans are encouraged to wear their favorite Jedi robes and partake in the festivities off the ice as they cheer for the home team. The atmosphere is expected to be electric as both teams are well aware that every point is vital as they head towards the crucial stretch of the season.
Overall, the Penguins have positioned themselves as one of the top teams in the league, showcasing remarkable talent, resilience, and teamwork. Their recent performances, coupled with the talents of emerging players, signal a promising outlook for the remainder of the season. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is ready to battle and entertain, ensuring that fans have plenty to cheer about as the AHL regular season progresses.
