Two goals and two assists by forward Tristan Broz propelled the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to a series-clinching 8-1 rout of the Springfield Thunderbirds at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.
The Penguins won the best-of-five series, 3-2.
Broz’s linemate, Ville Koivunen, had two goals and an assist while forward Rafael Harvey-Pinard, back in the lineup after missing five games due to an undisclosed injury, contributed two goals.
Goaltender Sergei Murashov made 26 saves on 27 shots, improving his postseason record to 6-3.
Penguins defenseman Owen Pickering was scratched due to an undisclosed injury.
Highlights:
The Penguins will face either the Cleveland Monsters or Toronto Marlies in the Eastern Conference final. Those team will meet in Game 5 of the North Division final series (also best-of-five) on Sunday, 3 p.m. at Cleveland.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last reached a conference final in 2014.
The Wheeling Nailers were shut out, 1-0, by the Florida Everblades in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final at Hertz Arena in Estero, Fla.
Florida leads the best-of-seven series, 2-0.
Nailers goaltender Taylor Gauthier made 29 saves on 30 shots as his postseason mark fell to 8-6.
In the Everblades’ net, goaltender Cam Johnson made 20 saves to record his third shutout of the playoffs and boost his record to 10-1.
Highlights:
Game 3 is scheduled for Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. at Wheeling.