Minor league report: Penguins beat Rocket, Nailers clinch playoff spot

Seth Rorabaugh TribLive Sat, Mar 28, 2026 • 11:42 PM

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (left to right) forward Avery Hayes, Aidan McDonough and defenseman Finn Harding celebrate a goal as Laval Rocket defenseman Adam Engstrom recovers to his skates during a game at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. The Penguins won 3-1. (KDP Studio)

A pair of goals and an assist by forward Avery Hayes led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to a 3-1 win against the Laval Rocket at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

Forward Aidan McDonough also contributed a goal for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (40-16-6-2).

Goaltender Sergei Murashov made 33 saves on 34 shots and improved his record to 22-8-3.

Highlights:

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward Melvin Fernstrom was scratched due to an undisclosed injury.

The Penguins’ next game is a home contest against the rival Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Sunday, 3:05 p.m.

The Wheeling Nailers secured a berth in the ECHL’s Kelly Cup Playoffs with a 2-1 win against the Worcester Railers at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, W.Va.

Goaltender Taylor Gauthier made 49 saves on 50 shots, boosting his mark to 18-7-5.

Forwards Matty De St. Phalle and Connor Lockhart each scored goals for Wheeling (41-16-3-3), which extended a winning streak to seven games.

Highlights:

The Nailers’ next game is a home contest against the Railers on Sunday, 4:10 p.m.