#MatthewPeca

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WOLF PACK DROP 6-3 DECISION TO THUNDERBIRDS

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf PackSPRINGFIELD, MA – Tyler Pitlick scored twice for the Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday night, helping the team build a 2-0 lead on the Springfield Thunderbirds at the MassMutual Center. The T-Birds would score six of the game’s final seven goals; however, they took a 6-3 decision in the seventh installment of the ‘I-91 Rivalry’.For the second time in as many meetings, Zach Dean scored the game-winning goal for the Thunderbirds. Dean curled into the high slot and ripped a shot by Dylan Garand to break a 3-3 tie 6:50 into the third period. The goal was Dean’s fifth of the season and was the T-Birds’ first at five-on-five on the night.The Wolf Pack jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a pair of goals 38 seconds apart. First, Pitlick notched his second with the Wolf Pack when a Hugh McGing outlet pass hit a leg and came right to the veteran forward. Pitlick fired a low shot that Colten Ellis never saw to make it 1-0 just 10:57 into the game.Another turnover by the Thunderbirds resulted in a net-mouth scramble in front of Ellis. This time, Matthew Robertson jammed home a rebound for his fourth goal of the season at 11:35.The Wolf Pack got into some penalty trouble after building the lead, as Blake Hillman took a roughing penalty at 11:46, and Brandon Scanlin went for cross-checking at 12:24. Dylan Coghlan wasted no time on the five-on-three, scoring just five seconds in via a shot from the point at 12:30.51 seconds later, at 14:21, the T-Birds would even the game with a five-on-four goal. Coghlan’s shot was blocked by a Wolf Pack penalty killer but came right to Adam Gaudette. The veteran sniper quickly fired home his 26th goal of the season to tie the game 2-2.The Thunderbirds got their second five-on-three of the game at 7:31 of the second period and took the lead on their third powerplay goal of the night 15 seconds into the advantage. Jakub Vrana’s shot from the point was going wide but hit Matthew Peca at the side of the goal. The puck came right to Ryan Suzuki, who had a wide-open net to bury his fifth goal of the season to make it 3-2.The Wolf Pack refused to quit, however, and tied the game just 20 seconds into the final frame. Jake Leschyshyn intercepted a pass from Coghlan and fed Brett Berard in the slot. Berard’s bid was denied by Ellis, but the rebound came free and was jammed home by Pitlick for his third goal with the Wolf Pack.Dean’s marker at 6:50 broke the tie for good, however. Joseph Duszak blasted home a shot at 13:01 to make it 5-3, while Gaudette hit the empty net to seal the deal at 17:29.The win is the Thunderbirds’ third straight in the ‘I-91 Rivalry’. They have a 4-3-0-0 edge in the season series.The Pack is back at the XL Center on Wednesday, February 28th, at 7:00 p.m. when the Charlotte Checkers come to town.Tickets are available at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.About OVG360: OVG360, a division of Oak View Group, is a full-service venue management and hospitality company that helps client-partners reimagine the sports, live entertainment, and convention industries for the betterment of the venue, employees, artists, athletes, and surrounding communities. With a portfolio of more than 200 client-partners spanning arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers, cultural institutions, and state fairs around the globe, OVG360 provides a set of services, resources and expertise designed to elevate every aspect of business that matters to venue operators. Service-oriented and driven by social responsibility, OVG360 helps facilities drive value through excellence and innovation in food services, booking and content development, sustainable operations, public health and public safety and more.ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since the team’s inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack are the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and play at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack has been home to some of the Rangers newest faces including Igor Shesterkin, Filip Chytil, and Ryan Lindgren. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Read the full article

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best thing ever is getting urls of players full names. like just their names.

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SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS RALLY TO 4-2 WIN OVER HARTFORD WOLF PACK 

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack continued their chase toward the Calder Cup Playoffs on Friday night, welcoming the Springfield Thunderbirds to town for the first of three meetings between the two teams at the XL Center this month. The Wolf Pack took a 2-0 lead into the third period, but a four-goal performance from Springfield delivered a stunning 4-2 decision for the T-Birds. Martin Frk potted the eventual game-winner for the Thunderbirds, their third straight goal in the four-goal stretch. Wyatt Kalynuk was sent to the penalty box at 13:14 of the third period, giving Springfield a late powerplay opportunity. Frk took a shot from the slot, but his shot went high. Matthew Peca sent the puck back to Scott Perunovich, who fed Frk near the top of the offensive zone. Frk blasted a one-timer that found the back of the Hartford net, giving Springfield their first lead of the game at 14:39, one they would not give up. In the opening stanza, Anton Blidh quickly snapped the Wolf Pack’s skid of six scoreless periods against the Thunderbirds. Lauri Pajuniemi had a breakaway opportunity, but Vadim Zherenko made a kick save to prevent the icebreaker. Blidh collected the rebound and went bar down over Zherenko, putting the Pack on top just over the four-and-a-half-minute mark. Blidh’s goal was his third since joining the Wolf Pack on March 3rd. Will Cuylle stretched the lead to two just over a minute later. Ty Emberson took a shot from the blue line into a chaotic scramble in front of the net. The puck was tipped by Jake Leschyshyn and finally by Cuylle before finding its way into the Springfield net. The tally was Cuylle’s 21st goal, and 37th point of the campaign, both good for the team lead. Leschyshyn’s helper on the goal was his seventh point in eight games with the Wolf Pack this season. Leschyshyn has tallied two goals and five assists since being assigned to Hartford by the New York Rangers on February 26th. The netminders kept the second period scoreless. Zherenko stopped eleven Wolf Pack shots, while Dylan Garand denied twelve Thunderbirds bids. Garand made an impressive save at 6:41, denying Mikhail Abramov on a wraparound opportunity to keep the Thunderbirds off the board and send the game into the final period with the Wolf Pack leading by two. However, the Pack’s lead would soon be erased as Will Bitten drew the Thunderbirds even with a pair of goals in a five-minute stretch in the final stanza. Bitten put Springfield on the board at 6:21 when he backhanded an Abramov pass over the glove of Garand. Bitten scored again at 11:41, drawing the teams even. Hugh McGing stripped the puck from Matthew Robertson behind the Hartford net and fed Bitten, who walked to the right side and slid the puck under Garand’s glove. Frk lit the lamp at 14:39 of the final period, putting the game out of reach for good. Bitten would cap off a hat trick, scoring on the empty Hartford net at 18:47. The Wolf Pack hit the road for a pivotal installment of the ‘Battle of Connecticut' against the Bridgeport Islanders tomorrow. The puck drop is set for 7:00 pm. The Pack return to the XL Center on Friday, March 24th, for a rematch with the Thunderbirds. Join us for Pucks ‘N Paws and College Night! The puck drop is set for 7:00 pm. To get tickets, visit  hartfordwolfpack.com. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS VISIT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack continue a massive week of Atlantic Division tilts tonight when they welcome the rival Springfield Thunderbirds to the XL Center. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., and coverage is available on both AHLTV and Mixlr.  Tale of The Tape: This is the ninth of twelve meetings between the Wolf Pack and the Thunderbirds this season. The sides will meet again a week from tonight on March 24th right back at the XL Center. That will open a back-to-back set, as the rivals will faceoff on March 25th, also in Hartford. The season series wraps up on April 15th at the MassMutual Center. The Thunderbirds have won two in a row in the season series, recently taking a 4-0 decision on March 8th. Mathias Laferriere opened the scoring 16:30 into the game, pouncing on a rebound for a powerplay goal. The goal would be enough on that night, as it stood as the game-winner. Matthew Peca tacked on insurance with a shorthanded goal 55 seconds in the middle stanza, while Matthew Highmore and Martin Frk both lit the lamp in the third period. Joel Hofer collected his second consecutive shutout against the Wolf Pack, making 31 saves. The Wolf Pack are just 2-4-0-2 against the T-Birds this season. Springfield has won two of three meetings in Hartford, including a 2-1 shootout decision on December 31st. Hartford’s lone win at home this season was a 2-1 shootout decision on November 9th.  Wolf Pack Outlook: The Wolf Pack snapped their four-game losing streak with a comeback victory over the Bridgeport Islanders on Wednesday night, 7-5. Trailing 4-3 after two periods, the Wolf Pack scored four unanswered goals in the third to take a lead they never lost. Ryan Carpenter tied the affair 1:39 into the third period, while Tim Gettinger put Hartford ahead at 6:15. Jonny Brodzinski blasted home the eventual game-winner at 12:59, then Tanner Fritz hit an empty net at 17:08. Brodzinski (2 g, 1 a), Will Cuylle (1 g, 2 a), and Will Lockwood (3 a) all recorded three points in the win. Cuylle’s goal was his 20th of the season, while Lockwood’s three assists gave him his first multi-point game with the club. Ty Emberson also registered two helpers. The victory gave the Wolf Pack 61 points on the season, moving them within a point of the Islanders for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. Cuylle leads the Wolf Pack in scoring with 36 points (20 g, 16 a) on the campaign. His 20 goals pace the club in that category.   Thunderbirds Outlook: The Thunderbirds rattled off their third consecutive victory on Saturday night, defeating the Laval Rocket 5-2. Frk and John Parker-Jones traded first period goals at 6:36 and 16:47, respectively, setting up a 1-1 tie heading into the final 20 minutes. That’s when Austin Osmanski played hero, lighting the lamp for the first time this season 3:59 into the final stanza to give the T-Birds a lead they would not lose. Frk extended the lead at 4:31, potting his second of the night and the eventual game-winner, while Hugh McGing also found twine. Frk completed the hat trick at 17:04, sinking a shot into the empty net. The Thunderbirds sit fourth in the Atlantic Division with 68 points on the season, seven points ahead of the Wolf Pack for a playoff spot. Frk leads the Thunderbirds in scoring with 53 points (26 g, 27 a) on the season. His 26 goals are the most among Thunderbirds skaters. Game Information:  WATCH: AHLTV LISTEN: Mixlr Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack, Alex Thomas, will have ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ starting live at 6:45 p.m. on both AHLTV and Mixlr. The Wolf Pack return to action tomorrow night when they visit the Bridgeport Islanders for round ten of the ‘Battle of Connecticut’. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., and coverage of this crucial tilt will be available on AHLTV and Mixlr. The Pack is back at the XL Center next Friday, March 24th, when the Thunderbirds return to town. Join us for $2 beers and $1 hot dogs until the end of the first intermission. Tickets are available at hartfordwolfpack.com. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK LOSE SHOOTOUT TO SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack  SPRINGFIELD, MA – Louis Domingue made a season-high 42 saves, dazzling for 65 minutes on Friday night at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. Joel Hofer was up to the task as well, making 27 saves of his own in a shutout effort to help the Thunderbirds to a 1-0 shootout victory. Matthew Peca broke a 1-1 tie in the top half of the seventh round of the shootout, snapping a shot over the glove of Louis Domingue to convert his first shootout attempt of the season. Bobby Trivigno had a chance to tie the game in the bottom half of the seventh round, but Hofer denied Trivigno to preserve Springfield’s second shootout victory over the Wolf Pack this season. The story on this night was the goaltenders. After a solid first road period in which they outshot the Thunderbirds 10-7, the Wolf Pack relied on their goaltender to help them navigate the final 45 minutes of action. Domingue made 16 saves in the second period, then turned aside 13 more shots in the final frame. Hofer had a solid final 45 minutes as well. The goaltender made eight saves in the second period and seven more in the final stanza, including several high-danger chances. Like Domingue, the Wolf Pack penalty kill had a night to remember. The Wolf Pack killed all five penalties taken on this evening, including a full two-minute four-on-three powerplay in overtime. Domingue was terrific in the extra session, making six saves, including a spectacular denial on Hugh McGing. After the penalty kill and Domingue navigated overtime, the Wolf Pack and Thunderbirds required a shootout for the third time this season. After the first ten shooters were unsuccessful, Matthew Highmore put the Thunderbirds ahead with a shot that beat Domingue. With the game hanging in the balance, the Wolf Pack turned to veteran defenseman Adam Clendening, who was making his debut with the team. Clendening beat Hofer by the glove, forcing a seventh round. Unfortunately for the Wolf Pack, that’s when Peca would strike to put the Thunderbirds ahead for good. Hofer would deny Trivigno to snap the Pack’s four-game winning streak. Hartford did, however, extend their point streak to five games. They are 3-0-0-1 on their current five-game road trip. The Wolf Pack conclude their longest road trip of the season tomorrow night when they visit the Bridgeport Islanders. The puck drop is set for 7:00 pm. The Pack return to the XL Center on Sunday, March 5th, for a matinee matchup with the Charlotte Checkers. The puck drop is set for 3:00 pm. To get tickets, visit hartfordwolfpack.com. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS MAKE HISTORY

By: Sam Zis, Howlings Springfield, MA – The Springfield Thunderbirds set a franchise record with their seventh straight win after defeating the visiting Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 4-2 at the MassMutual Center on Friday night.   The T-Birds started quickly. After missing a high-quality scoring opportunity in the first minute, Keean Washkurak found the back of the net just four minutes into the game. The sneaky wrister found its way past the Penguins' starting goaltender, Taylor Gauthier. A recent AHL All-Star selection Matthew Highmore continued the early offense with a power play goal halfway through the first period. Highmore caught a pass from Matthew Peca and threaded the needle with a beautiful between-the-legs play past Gauthier.  With 2:45 left in the first, the Penguins cut the lead in half with a power play goal of their own. The Thunderbirds took a controversial Too Many Men penalty, which the Penguins capitalized on off a crazy double-deflection goal that was awarded to Colin Swoyer. At the first intermission, the Penguins were outshooting the Thunderbirds 14-10, despite trailing on the scoreboard 2-1. Springfield came out of the gates hard to start the second period. The Thunderbirds dominated play and peppered Gauthier with quality shots but couldn’t solve him. The Penguins didn't get their first shot on goal in the period until a slapshot into the glove of Thunderbirds goaltender Vadim Zherenko with only 8;42 left in the second period. The Thunderbirds' domination in the second period resulted in a power play goal with 5 minutes to play in the period as American Hockey League veteran Martin Frk buried a slapshot top shelf past Gauthier for his 16th of the season. The Thunderbirds flipped the shot total on the Penguins 25-22 after 40 minutes.  The Thunderbirds aimed to defend their lead in the third period; but, the Penguins had different ideas. Only 4 minutes into the period Penguins forward Alex Nylander snipped a blast past Zherenko to cut the lead down to one. With the Penguins pressing, the Thunderbirds found themselves on their heels being forced to fend off a flurry of shots only two minutes after Nylander's goal. The physical game heated up as the period progressed. The Penguins were frustrated by their lack of scoring chances, due to a smothering defensive performance by the Thunderbirds.  The Thunderbirds sealed the deal with Peca's empty-netter with 44 seconds left in the game. After the game, T-Birds Head Coach Drew Bannister praised his leadership group and the team's hard work. Washkurak's energy and physical play were very impressive throughout the contest. Bannister described him as, “a workhorse from day one.”  The Thunderbirds look to extend their streak to eight Saturday night when they face off against the Bridgeport Islanders in the team's highly popular, "Springfield Isotopes game."  SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS HOME Read the full article

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THOMAS: PACK'S LAST TANGO WITH T-BIRDS

BY: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack will look for revenge this evening against the Springfield Thunderbirds in the second meeting between the teams in a span of three days. The Wolf Pack will also be opening a back-to-back set and be playing the first of three games in a span of four days. The Pack will host the Hershey Bears tomorrow night, and then the Utica Comets on Monday evening. Puck drop for the final installment of the I-91 rivalry is set for 7:00 p.m. Tale of The Tape: This is the twelfth and final meeting between the Wolf Pack and the Thunderbirds during the 2021-22 season. This also concludes a stretch of two games in three days, both at the XL Center, between the rivals. The Thunderbirds got the most recent laugh in the ‘I-91 Rivalry’, taking a 3-1 decision on Wednesday night. Matt Lorito opened the scoring 9:18 into the hockey game for the Wolf Pack, batting home a rebound on the powerplay. Matthew Peca evened the affair 1-1 5:49 into the middle stanza, locating and stuffing home a rebound after James Neal rang the iron. Sam Anas broke the tie with a one-time blast just 2:38 into the third period, giving the T-Birds a lead they would not lose. Dakota Joshua redirected a shot by Peca on the powerplay at 8:01 to give Springfield the insurance. Joel Hofer made 24 saves to collect the win for Springfield, while Keith Kinkaid made 26 stops in defeat. The loss puts the Wolf Pack’s record in the season series at 5-5-1-0. Wolf Pack Outlook: The Wolf Pack saw their misfortune continue Wednesday night, dropping the 3-1 decision to the T-Birds. The Pack have now dropped five of their last six games in regulation time. Thanks to his goal in the first period on Wednesday night, Lorito now has goals in back-to-back games. He’s the only player on the active roster to have points in each of the last two outings. Forward Nick Merkley made his Wolf Pack debut on Wednesday night while wearing number 39. He was acquired via trade on Monday from San Jose. Defenseman Brandon Scanlin did not play but will wear number 44 with the Pack. He signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the parent New York Rangers (NHL) last Sunday and was assigned on Monday. Anthony Greco leads the Pack in scoring with 45 points (14 g, 31 a) on the season. Ty Ronning leads active Wolf Pack skaters in goals with 15. The Pack released forward Aaron Luchuk from his professional tryout (PTO) on Thursday. Thunderbirds Outlook: The Thunderbirds enter tonight’s game with a record of 33-19-5-2, good for a points percentage of .619 and a first-place standing in the Atlantic Division. The T-Birds snapped a two-game losing streak with Wednesday night’s victory at the XL Center, their second win in Hartford this season. Springfield holds a 6-4-0-1 advantage in the season series against the Wolf Pack this season. Peca leads the T-Birds with 51 points (20 g, 31 a) on the season. His 20 goals also top the team. Peca (1 g, 1 a), Anas (1 g, 1 a), and Neal (2 a) registered two points in Wednesday’s victory. On Thursday, the parent St. Louis Blues (NHL) recalled defenseman Calle Rosen from Springfield. The Thunderbirds did get reinforcements ahead of this past Monday’s NHL trade deadline, as the Blues acquired and assigned defenseman Luke Witkowski. Game Information: WATCH: AHLTV LISTEN: https://mixlr.com/hfd-wolf-pack/ Join us tonight at the XL Center for $2 beers and $1 hot dogs, as well as ‘College Night’! College students can show a valid college ID at the box office and receive a $10 ticket to tonight’s game. The discount is only valid at the box office and is limited to one ticket per ID. The Wolf Pack will also take on the Hershey Bears on Saturday night when we host Guns ‘N Hoses night! For more information on the event, please visit ctheroescup.com. The first 1,500 fans on Saturday will also receive a hand-drawn poster courtesy of Carvel. Tickets are available at hartfordwolfpack.com. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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THOMAS: PACK PRE-GAME REPORT VS TBIRDS

BY: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack will be on the prowl for revenge tonight when they play host to the rival Springfield Thunderbirds at the XL Center. The contest opens a back-to-back set for the Pack, who will host the Rochester Americans tomorrow evening. This is game two of a four-game homestand. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. Tale of The Tape: The ninth of twelve meetings between the Wolf Pack and the Thunderbirds during the 2021-22 campaign. It will be the fourth of six visits to Hartford for the T-Birds and the second of three meetings this month between the foes. The sides will meet again on February 25th at the MassMutual Center, then wrap up the season series with back-to-back games at the XL Center on March 23rd and 25th. The Thunderbirds claimed victory in the last meeting, 3-2 in overtime last Friday night. Austin Rueschhoff and Jonny Brodzinski scored for the Wolf Pack, but the T-Birds forced overtime with a Nathan Walker goal in the third period, then won it in the extra frame on Tommy Cross’ third goal of the season. However, the Wolf Pack are 3-0-0-0 at the XL Center against the Thunderbirds this season and 4-3-1-0 overall in the season series. Wolf Pack Outlook: Last Saturday night, the Wolf Pack got back into the win column with a 6-4 decision over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. After falling behind 2-0, the Pack exploded for five goals in the second period. Rueschhoff got the club on the board, while Tim Gettinger, Mike O’Leary, Morgan Barron, and Nils Lundkvist would all add tallies. Lundkvist’s goal, his first in the AHL, would stand as the winner. Brodzinski scored shorthanded in the third period to complete the comeback for the Pack. Brodzinski leads the club in scoring with 33 points (16 g, 17 a) on the season. His 16 goals are also tops for the Wolf Pack. Brodzinski has also scored in nine consecutive games, both a personal and franchise record. Anthony Greco sits second on the club in scoring with 29 points (9 g, 20 a) on the season. Keith Kinkaid paces the Pack in goal with a record of 16-2-2. He is currently tied for third in the league in wins. Last Sunday, the Wolf Pack loaned defenseman Zach Berzolla to the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen. On Wednesday, the New York Rangers assigned veteran defenseman Jarred Tinordi to the Pack. Veteran forward Matt Lorito, a Calder Cup Champion, signed with the club last week but has yet to make his Wolf Pack debut. Thunderbirds Outlook: The Thunderbirds enter tonight’s contest with a record of 23-14-5-1, good for a points percentage of .605 and a third-place standing in the Atlantic Division. The T-Birds got back into the win column on Wednesday night with a 3-2 decision over the Utica Comets on home ice. Will Bitten and Hugh McGing got the T-Birds out to a 2-0 lead, but the Comets would tie the game at 2-2 15:47 into the second period on an Alexander Holtz goal. Alexey Toropchenko scored 59 seconds into the third period to put the T-Birds ahead for good, his eighth of the season. Matthew Peca leads Springfield in scoring with 35 points (14 g, 21 a) on the season. Nathan Walker (16 g, 18 a) and Sam Anas (11 g, 23 a) are tied for second in scoring with 34 points each. Game Information: WATCH: AHLTV LISTEN: https://mixlr.com/hfd-wolf-pack/ Tonight, join us for $2 beers and $1 hot dogs until the start of the second period, thanks to our friends at Nomads Entertainment! Tomorrow, join us for ‘Olympics Night’ when the Americans come to town. The Pack will be wearing specialty jerseys to mark the occasion! The jerseys will be auctioned off online, starting on Saturday night. The first 1,500 fans will also receive a T-shirt courtesy of CTDOT! The puck drop for both games is set for 7:00 p.m., and tickets are still available at hartfordwolfpack.com. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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CANTLON'S CORNER: NHL TRADE DEADLINE UPDATE

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The early NHL Trade Deadline returns that came with Connecticut connections are, so far, minimal. The Hartford Wolf Pack franchise parent, the New York Rangers, locked up one-time Pack forward, Chris Kreider on a seven year/$6.5 million per deal locking up the speedy forward until he's 35 years old, keeping this year’s team's best player from leaving as an Unrestricted Free Agent this summer. The possible continued break-up of the Rangers' roster was averted as well. The team is currently on a 7-1 run and find themselves just four points out of the second wild-card playoff spot. Other big news out of The Big Apple was the announcement by Rangers President, John Davidson, that both goalie Igor Shesterkin and forward Pavel Buchnevich, both former Wolf Pack players, were involved in a motor vehicle accident Sunday night at 8:30 PM in Brooklyn. Davidson, talking to the media from the team's practice facility in Tarrytown, NY announced the details of the accident as well as Kreider's signing. The two Russians were taken to New York Presbyterian Hospital for treatment. Shesterkin was the driver of the car when the other driver made a U-turn in front of them causing the crash. The airbags deployed and "thankfully," both players were wearing seat belts. Buchenvich was “quite shaken up,” according to Davidson, but suffered “no significant injuries and he’s listed as day-to-day.” Shesterkin wasn't quite as lucky and did suffer an injury. The preliminary diagnosis for Shesterkin is he suffered a non-displaced rib-fracture and will be re-evaluated by team physicians in two weeks. After a 9-1 record-setting start to his professional career, it would seem that the only thing that Shesterkin couldn't stop was another car. On the trade front as of 3pm only a few made have some local flavor. The first two involved former Quinnipiac University Bobcats. Florida traded Vincent Trochek to Carolina for Erik Haula, Lucas Wallmark, Eatu Lustostarinen and former Bobcat Chase Priskie playing in Charlotte. Priskie was reassigned to Springfield (AHL). Then Montreal continued the housecleaning of veterans in Laval by dealing one-time Bobcat, Matthew Peca to Ottawa for Aaron Luchuk. Sam Gagner, the son of former New Haven Nighthawk and Ranger, Dave Gagner, was sent from the Edmonton Oilers to the  Detroit Red Wings along with a second-round pick from this year and next year 2021. Read the full article

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CANTLON'S CORNER: NHL TRADE DEADLINE REVIEW

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The NHL trade deadline day on Monday has come and gone and the affects on the Hartford Wolf Pack were minimal with a few pieces overall having some Connecticut connection. The parent New York Rangers locked up one-time Pack forward, Chris Kreider, to a seven-year at $6.5 million per which will take him under contract until he is 35-years-of-age. It keeps one of the Rangers' best players from leaving as a UFA this summer. Breaking up the team was averted as well. The Blueshirts are currently on a 7-1 run and find themselves just four points out of the second wild-card playoff spot. That too was a factor the Rangers kept in mind while deciding how to proceed. But player-movement wasn't the only thing that Rangers' President, John Davidson had to share during his late-morning press conference at the Rangers' training facility. Davidson announced that rookie sensation, goaltender, Igor Shesterkin, and forward, Pavel Buchnevich, both former Wolf Pack players, were involved in a motor vehicle accident on Sunday night at 8:30 PM in Brooklyn.  Shesterkin was driving the car (Mercedes Benz) when the other driver made a U-turn right in front of them. The airbags deployed and both players were wearing their seat belts, “Thankfully for that,” Davidson said. Both players were brought to the hospital Buchenvich was “quite shaken up,” according to Davidson, but he suffered “no significant injuries and he’s listed as day-to-day.” Shesterkin, though, suffered a non-displaced rib fracture and was seen by team physicians and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Shesterkin has seemed to be able to stop everything that he's faced in the net, but apparently his magic in stopping pucks doesn't translate to stopping cars. The Rangers utilized two of their four remaining CBA Permitted emergency recalls. They recalled their recently-acquired RW, Nicolas Gauthier, and center Brett Howden, which was a major surprise as he's been in New York for two years. Those recalls mean someone presently on the roster will either be in Maine or possibly part of the playoff Black Aces. In other Blueshirts news, The Rangers are eying their 2017 sixth-round draft pick, Morgan Barron, who's playing for the #1 nationally ranked Cornell Big Red. Barron has 32 points in 27 games. He rebuffed Pack General Manager and Rangers AGM, Chris Drury, last spring about leaving school early. Apparently, the push is back on. A knowledgeable source says that Jed Ortmeyer, the Rangers Director of Player Development, has been to Lynah Arena in Ithaca, NY several times. In addition, the team is scouting his brother, Justin Barron, a legit prospect in his own right. The younger Barron plays for the Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) where he had 17 points in 27 games in his second season of major junior but is presently injured. He developed a blood clot and has been held out of the lineup for nearly two months. He might be a late-round sleeper like his brother before him. Over the last few weeks, several sources reported that K’Andre Miller, currently at the University of Wisconsin (Big 10), the Rangers first-round pick in 2018, might leave after his sophomore season with the Badgers. It'll be determined once the collegiate playoffs end. Miller has seven goals and 18 points in 32 games and is a minus-3. Miller was the captain of the US WJC team that played in the Czech Republic. Another defenseman, Nils Lundkvist, who had a strong training camp before being sent back to Europe as a result of the lack of roster space in Hartford. Once the first place (92 points) Lulea HF (Sweden-SHL) season is completed with the LeMat trophy playoffs, which start next month, are concluded, Lundkvist will likely wind up in Hartford. That move will require another roster spot to be opened. Lundkvist has six goals and 24 points in 37 games and is a plus-18 for the top team of the 14-team Swedish Hockey League. He also played big minutes for the Sweden WJC team back in early January. The third player possibly on his way to Connecticut's capital, could be Matt Robertson of Edmonton (WHL). The 6’4 defenseman in 54 games has registered 13 goals and 41 points. The Oil Kings have clinched a playoff ticket with 14 games left in their season and are in first place in the Central Division with 87 points. The team is second-best in the WHL behind Portland tied in points, but trail by percentage points. A deep playoff run and possible Memorial Cup berth make it more likely Robertson will not be seen until training camp next season. Two other trades yesterday involved former Quinnipiac University Bobcats. Florida traded Vincent Trochek to Carolina for Erik Haula, Lucas Wallmark, Eatu Lustostarinen, and former Bobcat, Chase Priskie, who's playing in Charlotte with the Checkers. Priskie was reassigned to Springfield (AHL) as was Lustostarinen. Montreal continued the housecleaning of veterans in Laval by dealing one-time Bobcat, Matthew Peca to Ottawa for Aaron Luchuk. Sam Gagner, the son of former New Haven Nighthawk and Ranger, Dave Gagner, was sent from Edmonton to the Detroit Red Wings with a second-round pick from this year and next year (2021). One of the last trades of the day involved a former UCONN player in a minor league deal. Defenseman Miles Gendron, who was recently reassigned by Ottawa to Reading (ECHL) from Brampton (ECHL), was traded to Toronto for forward Nicolas Baptiste. Gendron was then assigned by the Toronto Marlies to Newfoundland (St. John’s) (ECHL). Brampton, Belleville, Reading, and St. John’s in one season, that’s a long season. The Sound Tigers, Matt Lorito, who played for the Sound Tigers on Sunday in Bridgeport, was moved to Toronto for defenseman Jordan Schmaltz of the Marlies. Former UCONN player Max Letunov was recalled by the  San Jose Sharks. Connor Clifton, another former Bobcat, was reassigned to Providence as a paper transaction to be on the P-Bruins playoff roster. How about Springfield’s Anthony Greco who has gone from Springfield to Syracuse to San Jose in just one week! Read the full article

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CRAWFORD: PACK LEAVE LAVAL SHORT A SECOND POINT AFTER SHOOTOUT LOSS

Laval Rocket 2, Hartford Wolf Pack 1 (SO) BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack Laval, Quebec, November 1, 2019 – Adam Huska made 27 saves, and Joey Keane scored his fifth goal of the season, for the Hartford Wolf Pack Friday night at Place Bell, but the Laval Rocket prevailed in a shootout, 2-1. That gave the Rocket a sweep of a pair of games between the two teams in Laval, as the home side had defeated the Wolf Pack 4-1 at Place Bell on Wednesday night.  The Wolf Pack, however, gained at least a standings point for the tenth time in 11 games on the season (8-1-0-2). Antoine Waked scored the Laval goal, and Alex Belzile had the only goal of the shootout.  Cayden Primeau made 27 saves for the Rocket and went 3-for-3 in the shootout. “I think Huska gave us every opportunity to win this game,” Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch said.  “In the second period, we gave up way too many scoring chances, and he was really good.  In the third period, I thought our team responded very nicely.  There was a lot of adversity, a lot of things to fight through, playing in front of their fans, who are very boisterous.  The Rocket are a good hockey team, and they didn’t get rattled.  They played strong, and I thought we should have had a better fate.” The Rocket controlled much of the early action in the first period and broke through to open the scoring at the 12:27 mark.  The Wolf Pack got a bad bounce on the play, as a clearing attempt by Vincent LoVerde hit one of the stanchions holding up the glass and deflected back deep in the zone.  Matthew Peca picked up the puck and passed it into the goalmouth, and Antoine Waked knocked it underneath Huska. Waked was playing his first AHL game of the season, up from Adirondack of the ECHL. The Wolf Pack were outshot 14-7 in the second period but would get the only goal of the frame 49 seconds in.  Mason Geertsen passed from the left point across to Keane on the right point, and his wrist shot found its way past Primeau.  That increased Keane’s team-leading goal total to five on the year. That would be it for the scoring, although the Wolf Pack had an apparent goal in the third period by Geertsen disallowed after it was ruled that he interfered with Primeau. The Rocket had a power play late in regulation after Nick Ebert was called for tripping at 16:49, and the Wolf Pack were up a man for 1:52 of overtime, as a result of a tripping call against Dale Weise with 7.8 seconds left in regulation.  Neither power play could convert, though. Belzile’s goal, on a backhand shot, on the Rocket’s second shootout attempt would prove decisive, as Primeau stopped Vinni Lettieri, Patrick Newell, and Danny O’Regan. The Wolf Pack finish a stretch of four straight road games Saturday night, traveling to Belleville, Ontario to take on the Senators.  Faceoff is 7:00 PM, and all of the action can be heard live on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com.  Video streaming is available at ahllive.com. The Wolf Pack’s next home game is next Friday, November 8, when they host the Hershey Bears at the XL Center.  Faceoff is 7:15, and once again this season, all Friday-night Wolf Pack home games feature $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period, presented by Nomads Adventure Quest. Tickets for all 2019-20 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger start at just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $3 day-of-game increase. To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (860) 722-9425, or click here to request more info.  To visit the Wolf Pack on line, go to hartfordwolfpack.com. Hartford Wolf Pack 1 at Laval Rocket 2 (SO) Friday, November 1, 2019 - Place Bell Hartford 0 1 0 0 - 1 Laval     1 0 0 0 - 2 1st Period-1, Laval, Waked 1 (Peca), 12:27. Penalties-Geertsen Hfd (roughing), 14:27; Keane Hfd (unsportsmanlike conduct), 17:17; Belzile Lav (unsportsmanlike conduct, cross-checking), 17:17. 2nd Period-2, Hartford, Keane 5 (Geertsen, Nieves), 0:49. Penalties-Evans Lav (holding), 9:47; Fontaine Hfd (hooking), 12:17; served by Cox Lav (bench minor - delay of game (faceoff violation)), 14:28; Geertsen Hfd (fighting), 17:34; Waked Lav (fighting), 17:34; Belzile Lav (roughing), 19:07; O'Regan Hfd (double minor - high-sticking), 19:52; Vejdemo Lav (roughing), 19:52. 3rd Period- No Scoring.  Penalties-Ebert Hfd (tripping), 1:56; Belzile Lav (interference), 7:44; Ebert Hfd (tripping), 16:49; Weise Lav (tripping), 19:52. OT Period- No Scoring.  Penalties-No Penalties Shootout - Hartford 0 (Lettieri NG, Newell NG, O'Regan NG), Laval 1 (Hudon NG, Belzile G). Shots on Goal-Hartford 9-7-8-4-0-28. Laval 8-14-6-0-1-29. Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 0 / 6; Laval 0 / 5. Goalies-Hartford, Huska 3-0-2 (28 shots-27 saves). Laval, Primeau 4-2-0 (28 shots-27 saves). A-4,650 Referees-Conor O'Donnell (41), Carter Sandlak (6). Linesmen-Nicolas Boivin (16), Benoit Martineau (87). Read the full article