Hayes scores twice as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defeat Laval Rocket

The Penguins won 3-1 in an AHL matchup on March 28, 2026.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 12:49am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the fast-paced, high-energy action of an AHL hockey game, with overlapping planes of blue, red, and white representing the players, the puck, and the intensity of the competition.A cubist interpretation of the intense action on the ice as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Laval Rocket battled for a crucial AHL victory.Scranton Today

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defeated the Laval Rocket 3-1 in an AHL game on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Avery Hayes scored two goals for the Penguins, while Aidan Mcdonough also found the back of the net. Alex Belzile scored the lone goal for the Rocket.

Why it matters

The Penguins' victory over the Rocket keeps them in the hunt for a playoff spot in the AHL's Eastern Conference. The Rocket, meanwhile, will look to bounce back as they continue their push for the postseason.

The details

The Penguins took the lead late in the first period with a goal from Avery Hayes. Belzile tied the game for the Rocket with a minute left in the second period, but Mcdonough quickly restored the Penguins' lead. Hayes then scored again early in the third period to give the Penguins a 3-1 advantage, which they would hold onto for the win.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
  • Hayes scored the opening goal for the Penguins in the first period.
  • Belzile scored the Rocket's lone goal in the second period.
  • Mcdonough and Hayes scored in the second and third periods, respectively, to give the Penguins a 3-1 lead.
  • The Penguins and Rocket will face off again on Sunday, March 29, 2026, and Friday, April 3, 2026.

The players

Avery Hayes

A forward for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins who scored two goals in the game.

Alex Belzile

A forward for the Laval Rocket who scored the team's lone goal.

Aidan Mcdonough

A forward for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins who scored a goal in the second period.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

The AHL team that defeated the Laval Rocket 3-1 on March 28, 2026.

Laval Rocket

The AHL team that lost to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 3-1 on March 28, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a tough game against a good Laval team, but the guys really stepped up and played a solid 60 minutes.”

— Mike Vellucci, Head Coach, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

“We had our chances, but just couldn't find the back of the net enough times. Credit to Wilkes-Barre, they played a strong defensive game and capitalized on their opportunities.”

— Jean-François Houle, Head Coach, Laval Rocket

What’s next

The Penguins will look to build on their victory when they face the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Sunday, March 29, 2026. The Rocket, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back when they take on the Calgary Flames' AHL affiliate on Friday, April 3, 2026.

The takeaway

This hard-fought win keeps the Penguins in the playoff hunt in the AHL's Eastern Conference, while the Rocket will need to regroup and find a way to generate more offense if they want to secure a postseason berth.