Tomasino’s Gordie Howe Hat Trick Highlights WBS Debut
November 26, 2025 | GIANT Center, Hershey, PA
WBS: 14-4-1-0 | HER: 10-6-1-0
Phil Tomasino made an unforgettable Wilkes-Barre/Scranton debut Wednesday night, recording a rare “Gordie Howe hat trick” (goal, assist, fight) as the Penguins defeated the Hershey Bears 6-3 on Thanksgiving Eve.
Tomasino finished with three points (1G-2A) and fought David Gucciardi to complete the trifecta. His top line with Rutger McGroarty and Avery Hayes combined for nine points, powering the Penguins to their fifth win in six games.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Period Dominance
Bokondji Imama opened scoring at 6:21 with a penalty shot – the first conversion allowed by Hershey since December 2021. Six seconds later, Imama dropped the gloves with Dalton Smith.
Tomasino then set up McGroarty (11:56) and Hayes (14:45) for a 3-0 lead after one period.
Hershey’s Comeback Attempt
Brett Leason scored his first goal of the season at 16:06 of the second to make it 3-1. Early in the third, Ilya Protas converted shorthanded to bring the Bears within one, extending his goal streak to six games.
The Turning Point
At 14:24, officials called a controversial delay of game bench minor on Hershey for a faceoff violation. Tomasino capitalized 87 seconds later with the power-play goal that sealed it, taking a brilliant behind-the-back feed from McGroarty.
Hayes and Sam Poulin added empty-netters around Eriks Mateiko’s first AHL goal for the 6-3 final.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Period
- 6:21 WBS – Imama (3) PS
- 11:56 WBS – McGroarty (3) from Tomasino
- 14:45 WBS – Hayes (4) from Tomasino, McGroarty
2nd Period
- 16:06 HER – Leason (1) from Gucciardi, Belpedio
3rd Period
- 2:30 HER – Protas (8) SH from Leason
- 15:51 WBS – Tomasino (1) PP from McGroarty, Pickering
- 17:25 WBS – Hayes (5) EN from St. Ivany
- 17:52 HER – Mateiko (1) from Nachbaur
- 19:31 WBS – Poulin (6) EN from Blomqvist
STATS THAT MATTER
| Category | WBS | HER |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 31 | 33 |
| Power Play | 1/4 | 0/2 |
| PIM | 21 | 45 |
Goaltending
- Joel Blomqvist (WBS): 30 saves, 3-0-0 record
- Garin Bjorklund (HER): 25 saves on 29 shots
THREE STARS
⭐⭐⭐ Phil Tomasino (WBS) – 1G, 2A, 1 fight
⭐⭐ Rutger McGroarty (WBS) – 1G, 2A
⭐ Brett Leason (HER) – 1G, 1A
TOP PERFORMERS
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
- Phil Tomasino: 1G-2A, +3
- Rutger McGroarty: 1G-2A, +2
- Avery Hayes: 2G, +1
Hershey
- Ilya Protas: 1G (6-game goal streak)
- Brett Leason: 1G-1A (first goal of season)
- Eriks Mateiko: 1G (first AHL goal)
WHAT’S NEXT
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (14-4-1-0)
Friday vs. Lehigh Valley, 7:05 PM
Hershey (10-6-1-0)
Saturday vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 7:00 PM
Rematch of Thanksgiving Eve clash
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL GALLERY
Phil Tomasino records Gordie Howe hat trick in debut as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defeat Hershey Bears 6-3 on Thanksgiving Eve at GIANT Center.
