A hat trick by forward Avery Hayes led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to a 7-2 win against the Springfield Thunderbirds at the MassMutual Center on Wednesday.

Forwards Tanner Howe and Ville Koivunen each scored two goals for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (33-13-3-2) while forward Rutger McGroarty contributed two assists.

Deployed on a conditioning assignment earlier in the day, Penguins forward Filip Hallander made his season debut at the American Hockey League level. Opening the contest on the left wing of the top line, Hallander was held without a point.

Goaltender Sergei Murashov made 30 saves on 32 shots, improving his record to 19-6-1.

Highlights:

Penguins defenseman Sebastian Aho rejoined the lineup after missing 19 games due to an undisclosed injury. He replaced defenseman Matt Dumba, who was sidelined due to a suspected facial injury, according to Inside AHL Hockey.

The Penguins’ next game is a home contest against the Bridgeport Islanders on Saturday, 6:05 p.m.

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