AHL Playoff Update: Wilkes-Barre drops Game 2, tied 1-1 with Hershey

— x – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (@WBSPenguins) May 2, 2026 The Bears took back home ice for the rest of the series with a 2-1 victory. This time Hershey flipped the script, jumping out to a 2-0 lead and holding on. Goalie Clay Stevenson made his mark with 36 saves made on 37 shots to make the lead hold up. McDonough scored for a second straight playoff game for the lone WBS goal. Wilkes made a furious run at tying the game in the third period, outshooting Hershey 22-8 in the final frame, but they couldn’t find the tying goal with Stevenson standing on his head. Head coach Kirk MacDonald pointed out the team going 0-for-4 on the power play (while giving up a goal to the Bears’ power play) and not getting enough until it ended up being too late. "I think that encapsulates a lot of things for tonight. We lost the special teams battle, and we just tip-toed into the game testing the waters like we didn't know what to expect. We had some serious passengers, especially in the first two periods."

— Tony Androckitis\* (@TonyAndrock) May 3, 2026 By losing at home, Wilkes ventures into tricky waters now. The next two games will be on the road in Hershey, the Penguins will need to win one of those games to keep their season alive. Game 3 will be on Tuesday night.