Penguins rally in 3rd period to defeat Marlies, Toronto leads AHL’s Eastern Conference Finals 2-1

Bill Zonnon, Pittsburgh’s 2025 first-round pick, put Wilkes-Barre up in the second period, before Luke Haymes responded for the Marlies. Haymes banked a shot off Penguins defenceman Owen Pickering into the net for the game-tying goal.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton pulled away in the third period, winning the transition battle all game. Villu Koivunen worked a give-and-go with Tristan Broz, firing a laser from the slot for a 3-2 lead. Calvert scored what stood as the game-winner, before Johnstone added a last-minute goal for the Marlies, that was quickly forgotten about Howe’s empty-netter.

Artur Akhtyamov was terrific for the Marlies, recording 29 saves on 33 shots. Akhtyamov was clearly the Marlies’ best player, during a free-flowing up-tempo game, where the Penguins used their speed to their advantage.

“We’re so blessed here with the goaltending we have,” Marlies defenceman Dakota Mermis said post-game. “Him and Dennis (Hildeby) are outstanding. They’re not talking about Dennis enough right now, he’s so good for us, too. Artie is so quick in there, he reads the play so well. He gives us every opportunity to win every game.”