A Dominant Display in Mohegan Arena
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins seized control of the Atlantic Division finals with an 8-1 victory over the Springfield Thunderbirds in Game 5, clinching a spot in the Eastern Conference finals. The win, played at Mohegan Arena in Connecticut, was highlighted by Tristan Broz’s four-point outing, which included two goals in the opening period.
Broz’s early burst set the tone, but the scoring was spread across the lineup. Atley Calvert and Ville Koivunen added their names to the scoresheet, while Rafaël Harvey-Pinard snapped a five-game stretch without a postseason goal with his first marker of the run. Akil Thomas was the sole bright spot for Springfield, netting the team’s only goal.
Goalie Sergei Murashov turned in 26 saves to preserve the shutout, and the seven-goal margin matched the largest ever in a winner-take-all Calder Cup playoff game. The performance underscored Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s depth and defensive discipline as they prepare for the next round.
The Penguins will now await the winner of the North Division finals between Cleveland and Toronto, a series that promises another test of their momentum. Meanwhile, the Thunderbirds, who opened and closed their playoff run with 8-1 defeats, have shown resilience throughout the postseason, posting a 7-3 record in the other nine games that featured such blowouts.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s coach praised the team’s collective effort, noting that the win reflects the club’s preparation and the contributions of every player on the ice. The organization looks forward to building on this performance as they chase the Calder Cup.