The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins clinched a playoff berth in the Calder Cup playoffs on Friday through a 2-1 shootout win against the Belleville Senators at the CAA Center in Belleville, Ont.

Entering the day, the Penguins needed to secure a point to qualify for the postseason and accomplished that by getting to overtime in Friday’s contest.

This marks the third consecutive year the Penguins have reached the postseason.

Forwards Aidan McDonough, Gabe Klassen and Avery Hayes scored goals on all three of the Penguins’ shootout attempts on Friday.

Goaltender Joel Blomqvist made 28 saves on 29 shots in regulation and overtime, then allowed one goal on two shootout attempts to boost his record to 11-5-4.

McDonough scored the lone regulation goal for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (38-16-6-2).

Highlights:

The Penguins’ next game is a road contest against the Toronto Marlies on Sunday, 4 p.m.

Forward Logan Pietila scored the lone goal in a shootout and gave the Wheeling Nailers a 4-3 win against the Trois-Rivières Lions at the Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières, Quebec.

A hat trick in regulation from forward Blake Bennett accounted for all of Wheeling’s (37-16-3-3) offense in regulation, while forward Brayden Edwards and defenseman Brent Johnson each contributed two assists.

Goaltender Taylor Gauthier’s record improved to 15-7-5 after he made 38 saves on 41 shots in regulation and overtime, then did not surrender a goal on five shootout attempts.

Highlights:

The Nailers’ next game is a road contest against the Lions on Saturday, 3 p.m.

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