McGroarty's Three Assists, Koivunen Shootout Goal Gives Penguins 4-3 Win

Rutger McGroarty was the catalyst as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins edged the Hershey Bears 4-3 in a shootout on Jan. 23, 2026. McGroarty assisted on all three regulation goals, while Ville Koivunen scored in regulation and then delivered the decisive shootout goal to secure two points for the Penguins after a scoreless overtime.

The game unfolded as a tight, playoff-style battle between Atlantic Division contenders. McGroarty’s three assists underscored his playmaking instincts and ability to control the pace of play in the offensive zone. Koivunen provided the finishing touch, showing both composure in traffic during regulation and skill in the one-on-one shootout format to seal the victory.

Goaltending kept the contest on a knife edge. Sergei Murashov and Hershey’s Clay Stevenson each made numerous saves to preserve the deadlock through three periods and extra time. Their work between the pipes pushed the game to the skills competition, where Koivunen’s shootout marker tipped the balance in Wilkes-Barre’s favor.

From a team-dynamics perspective, the Penguins leaned on McGroarty’s vision and tempo control to generate high-quality looks, while Koivunen’s finishing illustrated a reliable scoring option when games narrow. That combination, set-up play plus a calm finisher, has tangible value in a league where single points can affect playoff positioning.

The result matters beyond one night. The win kept Wilkes-Barre/Scranton among the Atlantic Division leaders, preserving momentum and reinforcing the value of depth contributions when top scorers are checked out of the game. For Hershey, the narrow loss highlights the importance of finding secondary scoring and sustaining pressure late in close contests.

On an industry level, shootout outcomes continue to influence standings and spotlight individual skill sets that general managers monitor when evaluating midseason transactions and call-ups. Players who excel in one-on-one situations and special formats can attract NHL attention and shift organizational decisions, making performances like Koivunen’s the kind that resonate in farm system evaluations.

Culturally, the contest fed the regional rivalry energy that fuels AHL attendance and local media coverage. Fans reward late-game drama and identifiable playmakers, and McGroarty’s three-assist night gives the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton fan base a narrative to rally behind as the season’s middle stretch begins.

Looking ahead, the Penguins leave Hershey with two points and a proof point about how playmaking and shootout skill can swing tight divisional matchups. As the AHL schedule grinds on, McGroarty and Koivunen have given Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tangible assets to build on in the push toward playoff seeding.