Avery Hayes scored twice and Aidan McDonough’s goal in the second period proved the game-winner as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins extended their winning streak to three with a 3-1 victory over Laval on Saturday night at Mohegan Arena.
The Penguins (40-16-6-2) sit in second place in the Atlantic Division behind first-place Providence with eight games remaining in the regular season.
Hayes scored his first goal of the night at 16:16 of the first period to give the Pens a 1-0 lead. It was a shorthanded goal. Laval’s Alex Belzile scored his 28th of the season at 19:02 of the second period to tie the game, 1-1. The goal came on the power play.
McDonough answered at 19:16 of the second period with his 19th of the season to put the Penguins ahead, 2-1. Gabe Klassen and Hayes were given an assist on the goal.
Hayes then gave the Penguins some breathing room with his 22nd goal of the season at 4:27 of the third period. Finn Harding got the assist, his 15th of the season.
Sergei Murashov got the start in goal and recorded 33 saves on 34 shots. Laval finished the game with a 34-24 advantage in shots on goal. Laval was 1 for 4 on the power play, while the Penguins went 0 for 4.
The Penguins return home Sunday afternoon at 3:05 to host Lehigh Valley.