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Minor league report: Penguins topple Crunch

Seth Rorabaugh
By Seth Rorabaugh
1 Min Read Jan. 31, 2026 | 1 day Ago
| Saturday, January 31, 2026 11:44 p.m.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward Rafael Harvey-Pinard celebrates as referee Austin Rook signals a goal during a game against the Syracuse Crunch at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. The Penguins won, 4-1. (KDP Studio)

Goaltender Sergei Murashov made 26 saves on 27 shots for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 4-1 win against the Syracuse Crunch at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

The result improved Murashov’s record to 16-5-0.

Defenseman Matt Dumba and forward Gabe Klassen each had a goal and an assist for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (28-12-2-2) while forwards Rafael Harvey-Pinard and Avery Hayes each contributed a goal.

Highlights:

Penguins defenseman Emil Pieniniemi made his American Hockey League debut, opening the contest on the left side of the third pairing.

The Penguins’ next game is a road contest against the rival Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Sunday, 3:05 p.m.

Goaltender Taylor Gauthier made 28 saves on 31 shots for the Wheeling Nailers in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Worcester Railers at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass.

The result dropped Gauthier’s record to 7-3-1.

Defenseman Brent Johnson and forward Matthew Quercia each scored goals for Wheeling (26-11-2-1), which has lost a season-worst five consecutive games (0-3-1-1).

Railers forward Anthony Repaci scored the winning goal at 2:31 of overtime.

The Nailers’ next game is a road contest against the Worcester Railers on Sunday, 3:05 p.m.


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