Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday blew a three-goal third-period lead to the Springfield Thunderbirds, but Emil Bemstrom's overtime goal to complete a hat trick gave the Penguins a 5-4 win in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Rutger McGroarty's third goal of the year opened the scoring just 1:53 into the game -- the fastest Teddy Bear Toss goal in franchise history. Bemstrom scored on the power play later in the first. Springfield made it a one-goal game to open the second, but Valtteri Puustinen's third goal of the year on the power play and Bemstrom's second goal of the game gave the Penguins a 4-1 lead heading into the third. Springfield scored 17 seconds into the third and then came within a goal less than four minute later. A late Isaac Belliveau slashing penalty gave the Thunderbirds a power play, and the Thunderbirds pulled their goaltender to make it a 6-on-4 and capitalized to force overtime. Bemstrom scored a power-play goal 4:27 into the extra frame to win it. It was his ninth goal of the season.

Bemstrom, perpetually Wilkes-Barre's leader in shots on goal, led in this game with seven. Filip Larsson took the win with 26 saves on 30 shots.