Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Scores Four Unanswered After Falling Behind 2-0 on Military Appreciation Night

Bridgeport Islanders 3, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 4
February 21, 2026 | Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, PA

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins scored four-straight goals to rally from a 2-0 deficit, defeating the Bridgeport Islanders 4-3 on Saturday night at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in front of over 7,100 fans on Military Appreciation Night presented by MetLife.

Filip Hällander and Atley Calvert both scored late in the first period to erase Bridgeport’s early two-goal lead, while Sebastian Aho’s second period tally proved to be the game-winner. The Penguins (34-13-3-2) improved to 5-0-0-0 against the Islanders this season, while Joel Blomqvist and the defense became a fortress in the final minute when Bridgeport pushed for a tying goal.

Ville Koivunen extended the lead to two in the third period, albeit under unique circumstances when video review confirmed his shot crossed the goal line after officials initially signaled no goal. Liam Foudy scored shorthanded late in the frame to make it 4-3, but the Penguins held on for the victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First period:

• Adam Beckman’s seeing-eye shot navigated through traffic and under the crossbar at 6:06, giving Bridgeport a 1-0 lead from Cole McWard and Travis Mitchell
• Julien Gauthier knifed a lively bounce off the end boards across the goal line at 7:55, making it 2-0 from Ethan Bear and Cam Berg
• Filip Hållander started the Penguins’ rally at 17:26 – after a heavy drive by Scooter Brickey was denied by Jeremy Smith, an arching rebound fell out of the sky for Hållander to pound to the back of the net from Brickey and Joona Koppanen
• Atley Calvert sent a missile to the opposite-side corner and tied the game 2-2 with 38.4 seconds left before the first intermission at 19:29 from Owen Pickering and Tanner Howe

Second period:

• Sebastian Aho beat Jeremy Smith through his five-hole at 16:14 (officially 16:16 per Bridgeport) to give Wilkes-Barre/Scranton a 3-2 lead – shot deflected perfectly to a swooping Aho after Tanner Howe’s shot on rush was blocked

Third period:

• Ville Koivunen extended the Penguins’ lead to two midway through the third period – Koivunen rang a shot off the back bar, but the referee signaled no goal; play continued, and after the next whistle, officials convened at scorer’s table to review the previous play; video review confirmed Koivunen’s shot crossed the goal line, giving Wilkes-Barre/Scranton much-needed cushion from Matt Dumba and Joona Koppanen
• Liam Foudy scored on a shorthanded breakaway at 13:30, making it a one-goal game at 4-3
• Islanders’ push in final two minutes was thwarted by timely saves by Blomqvist and Penguins winning a clutch battle for a loose puck in their crease

GOALTENDING

Joel Blomqvist earned the win with 25 saves on 28 shots (.893 SV%) for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Jeremy Smith took the loss despite stopping 27 of 31 shots (.871 SV%) for Bridgeport.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Bridgeport: 0-for-1 PP | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton: 0-for-1 PP

Penalties: BRI 9 min (3 infractions), WBS 9 min (3 infractions)

SCORING SUMMARY

First Period

• 6:06 BRI – Adam Beckman (19) – Assists: Cole McWard (16), Travis Mitchell (11)
• 7:55 BRI – Julien Gauthier (5) – Assists: Ethan Bear (10), Cam Berg (8)
• 17:26 WBS – Filip Hällander (1) – Assists: Scooter Brickey (2), Joona Koppanen (8)
• 19:29 WBS – Atley Calvert (10) – Assists: Owen Pickering (16), Tanner Howe (2)

Second Period

• 16:14 WBS – Sebastian Aho (2) – Assists: Tanner Howe (3)

Third Period

• 8:29 WBS – Ville Koivunen (10) – Assists: Matt Dumba (13), Joona Koppanen (9)
• 13:30 BRI – Liam Foudy (19) – Unassisted (SH)

KEY NOTES

• Wilkes-Barre/Scranton scored four-straight goals after falling behind 2-0
• Penguins improved to 5-0-0-0 against Bridgeport this season
• Military Appreciation Night presented by MetLife drew over 7,100 fans
• Ville Koivunen’s goal confirmed by video review after referee initially signaled no goal – shot rang off back bar, giving WBS much-needed cushion
• Video review grants Ville Koivunen the game-winning goal
• Sebastian Aho scored go-ahead goal – former Bridgeport blueliner beat Jeremy Smith through five-hole
• Tanner Howe recorded 2 assists, intercepted pass in neutral zone leading to Aho’s goal
• Filip Hållander started the rally – arching rebound fell out of sky for him to pound to back of net
• Atley Calvert sent a missile to opposite-side corner with 38.4 seconds left in first period
• Scooter Brickey’s heavy drive was denied, creating rebound for Hållander
• Liam Foudy scored shorthanded breakaway goal at 13:30 to make it 4-3
• Islanders’ push in final two minutes thwarted by timely saves by Blomqvist
• Penguins won a clutch battle for loose puck in their crease in final moments
• Both teams 0-for-1 on power play
• Penguins wore specialty military-inspired uniforms available for auction on DASH app
• Teams meet again Sunday afternoon at 3:00 PM in Bridgeport for rematch
• Attendance: 7,119

THREE STARS

⭐⭐⭐ Ville Koivunen (WBS) – 1 Goal, 1 Assist
⭐⭐ Sebastian Aho (WBS) – 1 Goal, 1 Assist
⭐ Tanner Howe (WBS) – 2 Assists

UP NEXT

Bridgeport: Rematch with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Sunday, February 22 at 3:00 PM at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton: Travel to Bridgeport for rematch on Sunday, February 22 at 3:00 PM at Total Mortgage Arena. Next home game Wednesday, March 4 vs. Springfield Thunderbirds at 7:05 PM.