Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Clinches Playoff Berth In Calder Cup Playoffs

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are officially headed back to the Calder Cup Playoffs. They needed a point against the Belleville Senators on Friday night to clinch a spot and got two, winning 2-1 in a shootout. Aidan McDonough scored in regulation for WBS before Avery Hayes scored the shootout winner.

Hayes had a really nice move in the shootout, going backhand, forehand, tucking the puck under the pad of the Senators' goaltender. AVERY HAYES WITH A NASTY SHOOTOUT GOAL. After getting stopped on two breakaways in OT, Hayes makes it count in the shootout.

#WBSPens win in the shootout in Belleville to clinch their playoff spot with an ! @InsideAHLHockey pic. twitter.

com/AhjbCEjLcj — Tony Androckitis* (@TonyAndrock) March 21, 2026 This was his first game back in WBS after the Penguins re-assigned him on Thursday. Hayes has played in 11 NHL games, recording two goals. Both goals came in his NHL debut on Feb.