Forward Phillip Tomasino scored the winning goal and recorded two assists for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 6-3 victory against the rival Hershey Bears at the Giant Center in Hershey on Wednesday.
Assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Monday, Tomasino also collected a fighting major with Bears defenseman David Gucciardi to record a so-called Gordie Howe Hat Trick in his season debut at the American Hockey League level.
Forward Avery Hayes scored two goals for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (14-4-1-0) while forward Rutger McGroarty contributed a goal and two assists.
Also contributing goals were forwards Boko Imama (via penalty shot) and Sam Poulin.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Jack St. Ivany made his season debut. Sidelined since suffering a suspected right foot injury during a preseason game with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 1, St. Ivany opened Wednesday’s contest on the right side of the top pairing and recorded an assist as well as one shot.
Also making his season debut at the AHL level was Penguins defenseman Harrison Brunicke. Manning the right side of the second pairing to begin play, Brunicke collected four shots.
Goaltender Joel Blomqvist made 30 saves on 33 shots to remain perfect on the season (3-0-0).
Highlights:
The Penguins’ next game is a home contest against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Friday, 7:05 p.m.
Defenseman Brent Johnson had a goal and an assist for the Wheeling Nailers in a 5-2 win against the Indy Fuel at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, W.Va.
Forward Connor Lockhard recorded two assists for Wheeling (12-3-0-0) while forwards David Breazeale, Max Graham, Randy Hernandez and Jack Works all contributed a goal.
Goaltender Maxim Pavelenko made 29 saves on 31 shots to boost his record to 5-3-0.
Highlights:
The Nailers’ next game is a road contest against the Toledo Walleye on Friday, 7:15 p.m.
