#RyanGropp

[mitchbeck]

THOMAS: WOLF PACK SEEKS TO CRUNCH SYRACUSE

BY: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack will look for their first victory in April tonight when they conclude a back-to-back set at the XL Center. Tonight's opponent, the Syracuse Crunch, is making their first and only visit in Hartford this season. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. Tale of The Tape This is the second and final meeting between the Wolf Pack and Crunch during the 2021-22 season. The Crunch scored a 4-2 victory over the Wolf Pack in the first meeting on March 16th. Justin Richards tied the game 1-1 at 4:41 of the second period after Alex Barré-Boulet opened the scoring in the first period. Otto Somppi put the Crunch ahead for good 2:03 into the final frame, while Darren Raddysh and Gabriel Fortier tacked on insurance markers. Zac Jones scored his sixth goal of the season at 18:00, but the result was determined by that point. This is Syracuse's first visit to Hartford since November 20th, 2019. That night, the Crunch skated to a 3-1 decision over the Pack. Hartford has not defeated Syracuse since February 9th, 2018. In Syracuse, the Pack scored a 4-3 shootout victory. Adam Tambellini and Ryan Gropp scored in the shootout, while Alexandar Georgiev made 43 saves. Wolf Pack Outlook On Friday night, the Wolf Pack dropped their ninth game in their last eleven outings. Maxim Letunov scored his first goal with the Wolf Pack just 23 seconds into the contest, but Hartford couldn't solve Filip Gustavsson again. Jonathan Aspirot tied the affair 12:34 into the game, while Lassi Thomson scored a five-on-three goal at 14:55 to give the Sens a lead they would not lose. Egor Sokolov and Logan Shaw both added powerplay goals for insurance. Hartford surrendered three powerplay goals in a game for the second time this season and the first time since February 27th against the Providence Bruins. Greco leads the Pack in scoring with 50 points (17 g, 33 a). He also leads active skaters in goals with 17. The Wolf Pack signed forward Bobby Trivigno to an amateur tryout agreement (ATO) on Saturday morning. On Friday, he signed an entry-level contract with the parent New York Rangers (NHL). Forward Easton Brodzinski also joined the Wolf Pack as he signed a professional tryout (PTO) with the club. He is the younger brother of Wolf Pack captain Jonny Brodzinski. Crunch Outlook Last night, the Crunch dropped a 5-3 decision in Utica against the Comets. Utica jumped out to a 4-0 lead before the Crunch scored three goals in a span of 1:55 in the third period to cut the deficit to 4-3. Fortier got the Crunch on the board 15:56 into the third period, then Simon Ryfors (16:13) and Barré-Boulet (17:51) quickly scored to put the game in doubt. Finally, Tyce Thompson's empty-net goal at 18:53 cemented the victory for Utica after some nervous moments. Gabriel Dumont leads the Crunch in scoring with 49 points (24 g, 25 a) on the season. His 24 goals are also atop the Crunch. The Crunch enters tonight's game with a record of 30-24-6-2, good for a points percentage of .548 and a fifth-place standing in the North Division. Game Information  WATCH: AHLTV LISTEN: https://mixlr.com/hfd-wolf-pack/ Join us tonight at the XL Center for Hartford Sports Weekend and a Wolf Pack coffee mug giveaway for the first 1,500 fans into the building courtesy of Xfinity! Tickets are still available at www.hartfordwolfpack.com. ABOUT SPECTRA Spectra is an industry leader in hosting and entertainment, partnering with clients to create memorable experiences for millions of visitors every year. Spectra's unmatched blend of integrated services delivers incremental value for clients through several primary areas of expertise: Venue Management, Food Services & Hospitality, and Partnerships. Learn more at SpectraExperiences.com. Follow Spectra on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 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. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

CANTLON: PACK UPENDED BY BRUINS

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Paul Carey and Jason Zrobil each had a goal and an assist to pace the red-hot Providence Bruins to their 11th straight regulation win and 12th overall in a 3-1 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack before an announced crowd of 2,594. The Bruins' win vaulted them over the idle Hershey Bears, into first place in the AHL Atlantic Division with a record of 38-18-3-3 (82 points). The Wolf Pack, a team being reassembled over the last two days, dropped it's fifth-in-a-row and fell to fourth place in the AHL Atlantic Division at 31-20-6-5 (73 points). The Charlotte Checkers' 3-2 OT win over the Cleveland Monsters put them percentage points ahead of Hartford for third place. The Wolf Pack are seven points ahead of the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins. It put them eight ahead of the Springfield Thunderbirds, who they play again Friday at the Mass Mutual Center. When it rains it pours. Pack head coach, Kris Knoblauch, saw his worst come true. Reeling and with three key players suspended and two injured, an injury to New York Rangers' forward, Filip Chytil, set the stage for the recall of Pack captain, Steven Fogarty, to an emergency recall on Wednesday morning. Chytil was injured in Tuesday night’s win in Dallas against the Stars. He was forced to assemble a team that was part-AHL, and part-collegiate. They were held to just one shot in the third period, for just the sixth time in franchise history. The Pack has equaled that dubious total. Facing a Providence team was already a daunting task. “Providence is the hottest team in the league. To go in shorthanded wasn’t ideal, but our veterans put in the efforts, and our new guys showed some promise. There’s room to grow, but definitely a good start for them. We had a good effort from the new guys, a good first step. We're gonna have to build on that to play in the American Hockey League,” remarked Knoblauch. For the players, it wasn’t easy. They need to absorb a number of changes in such a short period of time, “It’s a good group of guys, but it was like a brand new team. We'll get some more time under our belt. We'll figure it out,” Danny O’Regan said. The line of O’Regan-Vitali Kravtsov-Ryan Gropp was what the Wolf Pack needed to do well in this game and did so scoring the Wolf Pack's only goal of the night. O'Regan's hard work getting the puck from Gropp at the blue and spotted Kravtsov wide-open in front of the net, who deftly redirected the puck just under the crossbar at 3:52 for just his second goal in 15 games. “It was started with a good pinch by Ebert, and we get a lot more chances when our D is mobile like that. It was a very nice finish by those two (Gropp and Kravtsov),” noted O’Regan. That was the extent of the offense. There were a few sustained shifts, but clearly the chemistry wasn’t there and that’s to be expected. The Bruins are high in the standings because of their precision passing and shooting are a potent combo. Carey fed the puck to Jason Zrobil at the center point of the blue line. He waited until Randy Fitzgerald got a screen on J.F. Berube and drilled his first season past the Pack netminder to restore a 2-1 Bruins lead at 10:35. The Bruins added another goal to make it a 3-1 lead from yet another break. Zach Senyshyn was below the goal line and saw Carey coming in through the back-door. He redirected the pass off the leg of Wolf Pack defenseman Darren Raddysh. It went between Berube’s legs as he squeezed the pads, but not tight enough as the puck went over the goal line at 17:52. The first goal was a bit of a fluke as Carey took the puck off the left-wing boards, near the blue line, off a shot from ex-Pack, Steven Kamper, on a right-wing shot in close that missed the net. Carey sent the shot toward the net that was deflected off the stick of the Pack’s Brandon Crawley and sailed up and over Berube's blocker at 15:34. This will not be the last time these two teams will meet this season. “We’ve had success against them in the past. We just have to get some chemistry going and get back to doing what we were doing when we were winning,” O’Regan said. LINES: O’Regan-Gropp-Kravtsov Dmowski-McBride-Ronning Jones-Chase-Newell Patrick Khodorenko-Michael O’ Leary-Connor Bleackley LoVerde-Ebert Hajek-Raddysh Zach Giutarri-Crawley SCRATCHES: Tim Gettinger - Upper-body - Day-To-Day Boo Nieves - Upper-body - Day-To-Day Yegor Rykov - (Healthy) Steven Fogarty - (Emergency recall) Vinni Lettieri - (Suspended) Mason Geersten - (Suspended) Matt Beleskey - (Suspended) Gabriel Fontaine - Shoulder Surgery - Season-Ending NOTES: The Pack has some major scoring slumps and now just five goals in their last five games. O’Regan has one goal in ten games, Kravtsov has one goal in 14.  Gropp has just one in ten games while Fogarty has just one in 14. The only Providence overtime win was against Bridgeport 2-1 on February 9th. Their last regulation loss was 3-1 on January 31st to the Binghamton Devils. This was the first of the three-game suspension from Sunday’s first-period melee for Lettieri, Geersten, and Beleskey. News on Nieves and Gettinger is not good. Neither will be in the lineup this weekend as of today. Khodorenko wore jersey #43, O’Leary, #23, and Giutarri, #4 The New York Post Larry Brooks reports the Rangers are closing to signing defenseman K’Andre Miller from the University Wisconsin (Big 10) to an entry-level deal. He had 18 points in 36 games on a Badger team that finished 14-20-2. He also was captain for the US WJC Team back in December-January. Ohio State ended the Badgers season in the opening round of the Big 10 playoffs with a two-game sweep of the best of three series ending a major sub-par season for the Tony Granato coached team. A big shout-out and offer for prayers to Chief-Of-Off-Ice officials, Dave Cunningham, who is recovering well in Hartford Hospital after suffering a stroke on Saturday at the XL Center after the game. Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

COLLINS: P-BRUINS DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM PACK IN 3-1 WIN

Providence Bruins 3, Hartford Wolf Pack 1 BY: Micah Collins, Hartford Wolf Pack Hartford, CT, March 8, 2020 – Paul Carey scored twice, and Jakub Zboril had a goal and an assist, Wednesday night at the XL Center, as the Providence Bruins extended a winning streak to 12 games with a 3-1 victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack. Vitali Kravtsov scored the only goal for the Wolf Pack, who fell to 31-20-6-5 (73 pts.) on the season.  Providence improved to 38-18-3-3 for 82 points and moved past idle Hershey and into first place in the Atlantic Division. The Wolf Pack, who were missing regulars, Vinni Lettieri, Matt Beleskey, and Mason Geertsen due to AHL suspensions, Boo Nieves and Tim Gettinger due to injury and captain Steven Fogarty to recall to the parent New York Rangers, outshot the Bruins 20-15 in the first two periods but were held to one shot on goal in the third. “Providence is the hottest team in the league, to go in shorthanded wasn’t ideal, but our veterans put in the efforts, and our new guys showed some promise,” said Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch.  “There’s room to grow, but definitely a good start for them.” Carey scored first for Providence, netting his twenty-first goal of the year 15:34 into the first period off a point shot that just snuck past J-F Berube (21 saves). Steven Kampfer had the lone assist on the tally, and the goal would give Providence the lead into the first intermission. Just 3:56 into the second, the Wolf Pack tied the game when Kravtsov deflected the puck into the net for his sixth goal of the year. Ryan Gropp and Danny O’Regan had the assists. “That was a great play by Gropp and Vitali,” said O’Regan of the goal, “I think (Nick) Ebert also made a good pinch to make that play possible, and then Vitali had a great finish.” Providence was able to regain the lead with 9:25 left in the middle frame. Zboril scored his third goal of the season, with assists from Peter Cehlarik and Ryan Fitzgerald. The Bruins added to the lead near the end of the period, with Carey tipping in his second goal of the game with 2:08 left. Zach Senyshyn assisted on the goal. Providence protected goaltender Dan Vladar (20 saves) well in a scoreless third period, outshooting the Wolf Pack 9-1. “We’ve had success against them in the past,” O’Regan said of the streaking Bruins.  “We just have to get some chemistry going and get back to doing what we were doing when we were winning.” Knoblauch added, “Some practice will help the guys get more familiar with each other. It was a good game considering the circumstances.” The Wolf Pack’s next game is this Friday night, March 13, a 7:05 visit to Springfield to take on the Thunderbirds.  All of the action can be heard live on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com.  Video streaming is available at theahl.com/AHLTV. The next home action for the Wolf Pack is also against Springfield, next Wednesday night, March 18 at 7:00.  That is another chance to take advantage of the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Hat Trick Pack”.  The Hat Trick Pack includes two tickets, two sodas, and one large popcorn, all for just $40. 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 (860) 722-9425.  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 online, go to hartfordwolfpack.com. Providence Bruins 3 at Hartford Wolf Pack 1 Wednesday, March 11, 2020 - XL Center Providence 1 2 0 - 3 Hartford     0 1 0 - 1 1st Period-1, Providence, Carey 21 (Kampfer), 15:34. Penalties-No Penalties 2nd Period-2, Hartford, Kravtsov 6 (Gropp, O'Regan), 3:56. 3, Providence, Zboril 3 (Cehlarik, Fitzgerald), 10:35. 4, Providence, Carey 22 (Senyshyn, Zboril), 17:52. Penalties-Crawley Hfd (interference), 5:36. 3rd Period- No Scoring.  Penalties-Bleackley Hfd (elbowing), 7:25; Petrovic Pro (high-sticking), 10:08; Gaunce Pro (hooking), 19:15. Shots on Goal-Providence 8-7-9-24. Hartford 10-10-1-21. Power Play Opportunities-Providence 0 / 2; Hartford 0 / 2. Goalies-Providence, Vladar 14-7-1 (21 shots-20 saves). Hartford, Berube 13-17-4 (24 shots-21 saves). A-2,594 Referees-Mitch Dunning (43), Dan Kelly (45). Linesmen-Kyle Richetelle (47), Robert St. Lawrence (10). Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

CANTLON: PACK BEGIN TO MARCH TOWARD THE POSTSEASON

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings CROMWELL, CT - The trade deadline has come and gone. The roster of the Hartford Wolf Pack is intact and now the next goal for the New York Rangers' AHL affiliates is making the Calder Cup playoffs. “We have 21 games left before the playoffs. 12 of them are on the road. We still have our work cut out for us,” remarked Pack Head Coach, Kris Knoblauch. The lineup he has, with few exceptions, will be the one the team will have when they head into the playoffs for the first time in five years. “This is our group. We have had a few changes, but will have some more, maybe later on, but this group will have,”  Knoblauch said stoically. “Our goal is always to have Hartford Wolf Pack players play for the Rangers whether it was Phil (Di Giuseppe), Lindy (Ryan Lindgren), Igor (Shesterkin) or (Filip) Chytil that’s our job here. Make the best environment for them to play in. One of the reasons (for the development success) is the veterans brought in here such as Danny O’Regan, Phil Di Guiseppe, Mason (Geersten), and Vincent LoVerde. Can’t say enough how well he has played. They all have made their mark with this team." Knoblauch loves to talk about O’Regan. “He’s not a loud guy, but a quiet, effective leader. He works very well with a player like Patrick Newell. On the ice or just hanging out together. He’s a natural person to gravitate toward. There is an extra step when he is paired with Danny.” The Pack begins a second three-games-in-three-days with two on the road. They visit Binghamton to play the Devils on Friday, then travel to Bridgeport on Saturday against the Sound Tigers, and then Sunday afternoon they'll have a crucial meeting with the Providence Bruins at 3 PM at the XL Center. From the good news department comes word that centerman, Boo Nieves, is close to returning to the lineup. He was in practice for a third straight day sporting a green jersey, not the non-contact yellow he'd been wearing lately. “Right now, he is day-to-day, (but) questionable for the weekend. He looks fantastic. Our best player the last three practices. We're very eager to get him back. However, it has to remain day-to-day until he gets (medical) clearance.” For team captain, Steven Fogarty, he can jokingly celebrate that he was not traded at the deadline. Fogarty staying breaks the "Captain Trade Jinx" which saw the team's captain being traded the last five consecutive years. “I wasn’t too worried about it,” Fogarty said with a laugh. Now, with all the distractions behind them, for the team, the march to the postseason is everything. “We put ourselves in a good spot. We like who we have, so it’s a matter of doing what we have been doing and clean up the things we need to.” The strong finish on Sunday in the solid effort in the 4-1 win over Bridgeport is what they want to carry into the start of the weekend in Binghamton. “Two points is all we got out of it last week. We didn’t play well Friday. We did well, but not enough on Saturday. We want to help ourselves down the road. We're still in a battle.“ Fogarty has been just as effective in getting offense while the team is shorthanded as he has been while playing five-on-five. There is an art form to playing shorthanded. He has a very quick stick, but a player needs to know when to be careful and when to use it. “You gotta know when the right time to jump on it to make the play is. I got a long stick and it helps sometimes. You can get too deep trying to fish one on a play and use your body more sometimes. So, we’ve got important meaningful games in the last ten. It's something we haven’t had in the last few years looking forward to it.” His linemates have changed throughout the year, which happens, but nothing tends to change, “You start to hunker down a bit, get all four lines going. That’s gonna be important to us.” Playing for something after several miserable years is certainly something Fogarty relishes. “The last few years certainly didn’t end the way anyone wanted. Playing for something this year is something we've worked for all year." The chase for the Calder Cup is fully under way and picks up in earnest this weekend. NOTES: On the Rangers "paper" assignments of Julien Gauthier and Brett Howden for the postseason, Knoblauch steered clear of that one. “That’s way off in the future. I don’t have control of those decisions. Till the playoffs are here, and those players are sent here, I can’t really think that far ahead. We'll have some bodies here and we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.” No decision has been made, publicly anyway, on the weekend's goaltending rotation between Adam Huska and J.F. Berube. Congrats to Fogarty who's heading to the Hall of Fame….the BC (British Columbia) Hall of Fame. The 2011-12 BCHL Penticton Vees team is among inductees. The team went 54-4-2 and won the BCHL Fred Page Cup, the regional Junior A Doyle Cup, and the national Junior A RBC Cup. “That was a special team. I haven’t been back there since. Several of us will be going with the ceremony in the summer. I'm very much looking forward to it. That was a special year and I'm very honored that our team was selected.” With 81 points, Fogarty was the sixth-leading scorer on the team. His teammates included current Sound Tiger, and former Quinnipiac University Bobcat, Travis St. Denis. The other player of local note was one of St. Denis’s collegiate teammates at QU, goalie Michael Garteig, who's now playing in Finland. “It's been something playing him (St. Denis) the last four years,” Fogarty said. Fogarty explained how he wound up in Penticton, BC, saying, “I knew a couple of guys I played with who were going up there to play. Why would anyone go there to play? Usually, kids from Minnesota. You're off to the USHL and then college. The USHL draft didn’t go as planned. Notre Dame wanted me to go there, get a little seasoning. It looked like a good opportunity. So, I went for a visit and fell in love with the place. Penticton is one of the most beautiful spots in Canada, just gorgeous. It was first-class. They treated us very well. Fans were out every night, cheering us and made it great every night. It was one of the best years of my life. We won 42 games in a row. We had everyone following us around like TSN. It was a wild, fun time.” They almost lost everything. “We lost our first two games in the RBC Cup (National Junior A Championships) and we're down in the third. We're almost eliminated. We tied it and won in overtime. We won the rest of the games. It wasn’t so easy. It wasn’t what looks it on paper, but we had our moments.” Interestingly, current Wolf Pack, Ryan Gropp, played his first two Junior A games that same year with Penticton where he notched a goal. The BCHL announced it's reducing its schedule starting next season from 58 to 54 games, plus they're starting later in September. The league will go now to two nine-team conferences based on BC geography for teams on the mainland and Inland locations. In Montreal, not only was Pack radio voice, Bob Crawford, in the Bell Centre. For the second time, Lindgren got to be on the same ice with his brother Charles, but this time in the NHL. The two met earlier in the season in Hartford with both brothers still playing in the American League. Charles was in goal for the Laval Rocket. The two brothers got their pictures taken at center ice before the game. Gauthier, a Montreal native from the east end of the city in Pointe-aux-Trembles, had plenty of family and friends in attendance. He was interviewed by his uncle Denis Gauthier, a former NHL defenseman, who is now an analyst on RDS (the French language sports station). It was also the 30th anniversary of the last NHL hat trick by Canadiens' legend, Guy Lafluer. The "Hattie" wasn't tallied for the Habs. It came while Lafleur played with the Rangers against the LA Kings. A few more names have been added to the Wolf Pack Calder Cup championship reunion that will take place on Friday, April 10th. Daniel Goneau and Jason Dawe will also be on the ice. Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: February 10-16, 2020

BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT - The Wolf Pack (27-12-5-5, 64 pts.) set a franchise record for longest home winning streak with their 12th consecutive home victory Wednesday night, scoring a season-high seven goals in a 7-4 triumph over Springfield.  A two-game trip to Charlotte yielded only one point, though, as the Wolf Pack fell 6-0 to the Checkers on Friday night at Bojangles’ Coliseum and then dropped a 4-3 overtime decision Saturday.  Patrick Newell had his first multiple-goal game as a pro on Wednesday, with two tallies, and then had a goal and an assist Saturday, and Vinni Lettieri also scored twice in Wednesday’s win. For the latest AHL standings, click here. This week: The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins make their first visit of the season to the XL Center on Wednesday night for a 7:00 game, and then the Wolf Pack host the Laval Rocket on “Love is Love Night” at 7:15 on Friday night.  The Wolf Pack close out the weekend with a trip to Allentown, PA to meet the Lehigh Valley Phantoms Saturday night.  That game faces off at 7:05. Wednesday, February 12 vs. the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh) at the XL Center, 7:00 PM This is another chance to take advantage of the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Hat Trick Pack”.  The Hat Trick Pack includes two tickets, two sodas, and a large popcorn, all for just $40. This is also a “Suit to Sweater Wednesday”, offered in partnership with the Hartford Chamber of Commerce.  Any fan showing a company ID at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket office can purchase Blue-Level tickets to Wolf Pack Wednesday home games for only $15 each (limit two tickets per ID). The Penguins enter the week 24-18-3-5 for 56 points, one point out of the last playoff spot in the Atlantic Division and eight points behind the Wolf Pack.  Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has lost its last two games in regulation, after going 6-0-0-2 in the previous eight. This is the second meeting of the season between the Wolf Pack and the Penguins, and Hartford’s first of three home games in the series.  Wilkes-Barre/Scranton shut the Wolf Pack out, 3-0, in the teams’ first clash, January 11 in Wilkes-Barre. Goaltender Casey DeSmith, who made 25 saves to blank the Wolf Pack in the Penguins’ 3-0 home win January 11, had a streak of five straight winning decisions snapped in his last outing, a 3-0 loss to Hershey at home on Friday night. Tickets for this game, and 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 (860) 722-9425.  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. Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford and Mark Bailey on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV. Friday, February 14 vs. the Laval Rocket (Montreal) at the XL Center, 7:15 PM This is “Love Is Love Night” at the XL Center, as the Wolf Pack celebrates love for hockey, pride, and diversity.  The Wolf Pack will be wearing specialty pride jerseys, which will be auctioned off in the second intermission, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Connecticut Gay and Lesbian Collective, the Hartford Gay Men's Chorus and Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford. This game, like every Friday-night Wolf Pack home game, features $1 hot dogs, and $2 draft beers and fountain sodas, through the start of the second period, presented by Nomads Adventure Quest. This is the last of four games on the season between the Wolf Pack and the Rocket, and the first time the two teams have seen each other since November 1, when the Wolf Pack fell 2-1 in a shootout at Laval.  The Wolf Pack’s record in the season series is 1-1-0-1, and they took the only previous XL Center meeting, 2-1 in overtime, on October 25. Rocket goal-scoring leader Charles Hudon has 4-3-7 in Laval’s last four games and is tied for fourth in the AHL in goals, with 24-7-31 in 39 GP. The Rocket, who are 1-3-2-1 in their last seven games, finished last week tied with Toronto for the last playoff spot in the North Division, with a record of 23-20-5-2 for 53 points. At this game and every Wolf Pack Friday or Saturday home game, fans are encouraged to come early for “Hockey Happy Hour” in the XL Center’s Coliseum Club.  From 5:15 PM until puck drop, a $5 wrist band gives fans access to the “Chill Zone” of the Coliseum Club, which features an appetizer buffet and $2 beers, presented by Minuteman Press. Tickets for this game, and 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 (860) 722-9425.  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. Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford and Mark Bailey on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV. Saturday, February 15 at the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia) at the PPL Center, 7:05 PM The Phantoms (21-23-1-5, 48 pts.) have won three of their last four games and are 8-4-0-1 in their last 13.  Lehigh Valley’s .688 points percentage at home (15-6-1-2) is fifth-best in the AHL. The Wolf Pack are 2-1-1-0 in four previous games against the Phantoms this season, and it has been a “Home Ice series”.  The Wolf Pack has won twice at the XL Center and has an overtime loss and a regulation defeat to show for two earlier visits to Allentown. Lehigh Valley rookie forward Isaac Ratcliffe (5-7-12 in 41 GP) scored in back-to-back games Saturday night at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Sunday at home vs. Hershey, for his first career professional goal-scoring streak. Broadcast – live online HERE.  Video streaming at com/AHLTV. Wolf Pack Community Appearances: The Wolf Pack have the following appearances scheduled this week.  For further information on these, or any other Wolf Pack community initiatives, contact Wolf Pack community relations manager Frank Berrian, at (860) 541-4728: Tuesday, February 11, 1:30 PM, Wesley School, 10 Wesleyan Hills Rd., Middletown, CT Wolf Pack forward Gabriel Fontaine is scheduled to join Sonar, the Wolf Pack’s beloved mascot, in support the Wolf Pack’s “Read to the Rink” reading program. Tuesday, February 11, 3:00 PM, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, 282 Washington St., Hartford Wolf Pack players Matt Beleskey, Nick Ebert, Steven Fogarty, Ryan Gropp, Vinni Lettieri, and Boo Nieves are scheduled to be making valentines at CCMC and delivering them to some of the young patients. Recent Transactions: Ty Ronning – reassigned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers from Maine (ECHL) February 3. Jake Elmer – reassigned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers from Maine (ECHL) February 9. Jeff Taylor – returned by the Wolf Pack to Maine (ECHL) February 9. Lewis Zerter-Gossage – returned by the Wolf Pack to Maine (ECHL) February 9. Pack Tracks: The Wolf Pack will celebrate over 40 years of Hartford hockey history Saturday, February 22, when they face off against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 7:00.  The first 2,00 fans into the game that night will receive a free 2020 Wolf Pack Sonar bobblehead, presented by Xfinity. Each of the Wolf Pack’s Sunday and Wednesday home games feature the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Hat Trick Pack”.  The Hat Trick Pack includes two tickets, two sodas, and a large popcorn, all for just $40.  After this Wednesday night, the next Hat Trick Pack game is Sunday, March 1, a 3:00 battle with the Providence Bruins. In partnership with the Hartford Chamber of Commerce, the Wolf Pack together offer “Suit to Sweater Wednesdays”, to wash away the mid-week work blues.  Any fan showing a company ID at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket office can purchase Blue-Level tickets to Wolf Pack Wednesday home games for only $15 each (limit two tickets per ID).  After this Wednesday night, the Wolf Pack’s next Wednesday home date is March 11, when the Providence Bruins invade the XL Center for a 7:00 game. Once again this season, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs, and $2 draft beers and fountain sodas, at every Friday Wolf Pack home game, through the start of the second period, presented by Nomads Adventure Quest.  After this Friday, the Wolf Pack’s next Friday-night home outing is March 6, when they entertain the Hershey Bears in a 7:15 PM game. Wolf Pack home game tickets can be purchased at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (860) 722-9425.  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 online, go to hartfordwolfpack.com. TRACK THE PACK ONLINE AT HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

CRAWFORD: PACK DROP ANOTHER TO CHECKERS

Charlotte Checkers 4, Hartford Wolf Pack 3 (OT) BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack Charlotte, NC, February 8, 2020 – Janne Kuokkanen’s goal at 1:27 of overtime gave the Charlotte Checkers a 4-3 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack Saturday night at Bojangles’ Coliseum, in the second of back-to-back games between the two teams in Charlotte. The Wolf Pack, who fell 6-0 to the Checkers on Friday night, gained a standings point for the first time in 14 all-time visits to Charlotte (0-13-1-0), helped by a goal and an assist from Patrick Newell and 29 saves by Tom McCollum.  Chase Priskie had a goal and an assist for the Checkers. The game-winning goal came after the Wolf Pack’s Vinni Lettieri had the puck stripped away from behind by Chase Priskie in the Hartford zone.  Priskie sent a pass to Kuokkanen at the right side of the slot, and he ripped a shot past the stick-side arm of McCollum. After a scoreless first period, in which the Wolf Pack outshot Charlotte 11-7, Hartford defenseman Yegor Rykov opened the scoring at 2:26 of the second frame.  Danny O’Regan handed the puck to Newell in the right-wing circle, and he fed a pass to Rykov at the left side of the slot, and he snapped a shot past Checker goaltender Anton Forsberg (26 saves) on the short side. Morgan Geekie equalized at 7:59 after Roland McKeown broke up a Wolf Pack clearing attempt at the right point.  He found Geekie alone in front of the Hartford goal, and he put a shot past McCollum on the stick side. The Wolf Pack regained the lead only 17 seconds later, at 8:16, on Newell’s third goal in three games.  Matt Beleskey bumped a Darren Raddysh pass down the right side, and Newell got by Checker defenseman Gustav Forsling and jammed the puck underneath Forsberg’s pads. That lead lasted until the 17:35 mark when Priskie lifted Charlotte back into a tie.  Terry Broadhurst carried into the Wolf Pack zone and played the puck to Priskie on the right-wing side.  His hard shot beat McCollum to the long side. The Checkers then went ahead for the first time in the game 3:47 into the third.  After Derek Sheppard poked the puck away from the Wolf Pack’s Ty Ronning, Terry Broadhurst pushed it to Steven Lorentz at the left side of the slot, and he fired a shot past McCollum high on the stick side. The Wolf Pack responded at 8:53, with Joey Keane’s eighth goal of the season.  After a shot by Nick Jones went wide, Ryan Gropp worked the puck out of the right-wing corner to Keane at the point, and his long wrist shot found its way through a crowd and past Forsberg. The Wolf Pack’s next action is on home ice this Wednesday night, February 12, a 7:00 game vs. the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.  That is another chance to take advantage of the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Hat Trick Pack”.  The Hat Trick Pack includes two tickets, two sodas, and one large popcorn, all for just $40. 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 (860) 722-9425.  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 online, go to hartfordwolfpack.com. Hartford Wolf Pack 3 at Charlotte Checkers 4 (OT) Saturday, February 8, 2020 - Bojangles' Coliseum Hartford  0 2 1 0 - 3 Charlotte 0 2 1 1 - 4 1st Period- No Scoring.  Penalties-Fogarty Hfd (hooking), 19:36. 2nd Period-1, Hartford, Rykov 2 (Newell, O'Regan), 2:26 (PP). 2, Charlotte, Geekie 17 (McKeown), 7:59. 3, Hartford, Newell 6 (Beleskey, Raddysh), 8:16. 4, Charlotte, Priskie 6 (Broadhurst, Smallman), 17:35. Penalties-Geertsen Hfd (fighting), 1:26; McCormick Cha (slashing, fighting), 1:26; LoVerde Hfd (hooking), 9:52; Hajek Hfd (roughing), 12:06; Bishop Cha (roughing, roughing, game misconduct - abuse of officials), 12:06; Beleskey Hfd (interference), 13:28; Geertsen Hfd (interference), 17:54. 3rd Period-5, Charlotte, Lorentz 16 (Broadhurst, Sheppard), 3:47. 6, Hartford, Keane 8 (Gropp, Gettinger), 8:53. Penalties-Hajek Hfd (hooking), 14:31. OT Period-7, Charlotte, Kuokkanen 11 (Priskie, Luostarinen), 1:27. Penalties-No Penalties Shots on Goal-Hartford 12-8-8-1-29. Charlotte 7-11-12-3-33. Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 1 / 2; Charlotte 0 / 5. Goalies-Hartford, McCollum 0-2-2 (33 shots-29 saves). Charlotte, Forsberg 13-8-2 (29 shots-26 saves). A-7,930 Referees-Dan Kelly (45), Jonathon Sitarski (23). Linesmen-Julien Fournier (56), Ben Shiley (21). Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

CANTLON: (FRI) PACK KICK OFF THREE STRAIGHT AGAINST SPRINGFIELD

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Two-thirds of the victorious Atlantic Division All-Star champions made it back to Hartford. Head coach Kris Knoblauch was still stuck at Ontario International Airport (All-Star Classic title sponsor) trying to negotiate his way back leaving Gord Murphy to run practice in his absence. For Vinni Lettieri, the team top scorer and 20th best in the AHL with 18 goals and 37 points, the unexpected All-Star invite was a great experience “It was great to share with Keaner and Knobber out there and it was nice to win a championship,“ remarked Lettieri with a laugh and smile “its always nice winning and get a chance to see other guys on the West Coast to connect with you.” What was your first thought? “You don’t want to lose the puck right off the bat and let somebody score or miss a shot, I might get benched.”  Lettieri with a laugh and he had space and plenty of ice on his first goal, ”that was good to get the breakaway right off the bat, but never want to miss on those.” The Toyota Center blew him away for an AHL arena. “If I didn’t know it was an AHL building you would have thought it was an NHL building. Everything was beautiful inside, it was amazing. one of the best places I have ever played in (college or pro) you had no idea it was an AHL rink. Ontario (Reign) did a great job hosting us. The setup was fantastic, everything was so well presented. It was seamless very easy for us. Considering all the people coming at different times, from different places and some whose flights were late, not getting a lot of sleep it was very well done they did everything to help us out. I want to thank them and all the fans that came out.” There were a few drawbacks. “All told it was 20 hours of travel there and back it was pretty tough on that end, but it was worth it.” He and Keane got the flight out of LA and made it back, but Knoblauch might be courting a team fine for missing practice !! For defenseman Joey Keane, the whole scene was something he still has to take it all in. “it was great, a lot of travel, a great experience. Did well on the individual puck weave and the fastest skater competition and my parents made it out there, so it was a  very cool time,” said Keane. Playing with guys you compete against in the division is quite a bit different. “For sure it takes getting use to it was nice to get to play with them and see guys from out West (you don’t see at all,” said Keane who assisted on Providence’s Paul Carey’s (Salisbury Prep) goal “I actually sat next to him in the locker room it was a lot fun meeting so many other players.” On Thursday, it was back to work for associate head coach Gord Murphy, Vinni’s game which is goal scoring there is also an intangible he really likes in him, is his competitiveness. “He really works with the puck and in getting pucks back. He sticks his body in there and shields the puck from people. His competitiveness is a big part of his game. Lots of goal scorers can get so focused on just goal scoring and don’t pay attention to other aspects of their games. That really stands out about him, he’s not just the typical goal scorer standing out on the perimeter. He competes for the pucks and that’s what gives him those opportunities,” Now all the energy is to complete the final games secure first place and the team's first playoff berth in more than five years. The Wolf Pack (25-10-4-50) for 59 points tied with Hershey, but are in first by mere percentage points play Springfield three in a row over the next six days even unique by AHL standards starting with this weekend's home and home. The Thunderbirds went 7-3 over their last 10 before the All-Star break and have climbed into third place in the Atlantic Division will look to keep their streak going and snap the Wolf Pack currently modest three-game winning streak. “Now its time for us get back and to continue what we have been doing that got us to the top of the division. We have to stay balance working with each player individually to keep their game where it needs to be. The other thing you want to do is keeping your fingers and toes crossed that we stay healthy. Stay off the IR and avoid the injury bug and make that push towards the end of the season.” Murphy sounded a note of caution as well. “You don’t want to look to far ahead and its cliché I know, but you have to just look at the game in front of you and go forward from there. We’re coming out of break here and you have to be focused on the first 10 minutes of the game making sure they have their skating legs under them and the timing is where it should be. Do all the little things we’ve been doing and keep the good habits we have developed. That’s out focus point right now.” 32 games to go, the push for the postseason is on. NOTES: -Pack defenseman Nick Ebert is nursing a lower-body injury didn’t finish practice today and is out for the weekend. There is a hope he might be available on Wednesday. -Murphy wasn’t able to announce tomorrow’s starting goalie with Knoblauch’s absence. “I really wish I could tell you because I really don’t know. I’m not hiding anything, that’s Kris’s call. He was going to be in touch with both of them (Adam Huska and Tom McCollum) this afternoon about the weekend. Right now he is trying to get a flight and get back here.” -The Pack’s Ryan Gropp was awarded the assist last week against Bridgeport initially credited to Mason Geersten the correction was asked for and granted by the AHL and he now has four points in his last four games. -Springfield is a little thin and inexperienced at goalie for the time being. Samuel Montembeault, the second-year goaltender from Quebec City was recalled today by Florida. Chris Driedger was in Florida has suffered a severe upper-body injury and a Springfield source says it's likely he could be gone for the season. He was undergoing further medical evaluation. That leaves two rookies at the helm of the goalie ship. Philippe Desrosiers with 19 games of AHL experience and Ryan Bednard who has played just two games with Springfield who has spent most of the season thus far in Greenville (ECHL). -The Thunderbirds feature some familiar names in ex-Pack Ryan Haggerty (Stamford) acquired from Wilkes Barre/Scranton last month as was ex-Pack defenseman Rob O’Gara (Yale University) who was the assistant captain last season till back surgery ended his season prematurely, Defenseman Tommy Cross (Simsbury/Westminster Prep) is the third player with CT ties. Joining Montembeault going to Florida is defenseman Riley Stillman grandson of ex-New Haven Nighthawk and Springfield Indians, Bud Stefanski. The Thunderbirds recalled Adam Rockwell and Will Lochead from Greenville. -Sebastien Aho was recalled from Bridgeport by the Islanders as was goalie Alex Lyon (Yale University) was recalled by the Flyers from Lehigh Valley. -Detroit recalled a trio from Grand Rapids in Filip Zadina, Givani Smith, and Dennis Cholowski. Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

CANTLON: (SUN) QUINNIPIAC HOLDS OFF LATE UCONN CHARGE WIN 3-2

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings BRIDGEPORT, CT - Despite a furious final six-minute push to tie the game the UCONN Huskies (9-11-4) came up short 3-2 to the Quinnipiac University Bobcats (14-8-1) in the first game of the SNY College Cup Championhip.at the CT Ice Festival at the Webster Bank Arena. “I was certainly disappointed because I thought we played a pretty good hockey game. We carried the play in the first, Quinnipiac carried the play in the second period and in the third period especially over the last part of the period we played really, really well. They have been in a lot of big (NCAA) tournament games. I was happy with your kids how they competed all night long, just disappointed we didn’t get that tying goal to force overtime,”. The Bobcats team defense over the last seven minutes bent, but never broke holding UCONN to just two shots (seven for the period) despite the wild action and intense pressure and so many near misses by the Huskies. “We had two really good hockey team and you have to weather some storms,” said Cavanaugh so appropriately on a rainy Saturday “every now and again they score. They scored on theirs and in third period we took it back I don’t think it was one thing they did, but that’s how some hockey games go,” remarked a demure Cavanaugh. UCONN had a great chance with a late powerplay and had everything you wanted possession, puck movement and opportunity, but the red light never went on. The Bobcats got the lead back in the middle of the second period. Nick Jermain was able to get to the loose puck behind the UCONN net on shot attempt he just chipped from behind the net it went of Vomacka’s pads for his eighth goal of the year at 12:03 give QU a 3-2 lead they protected like a bobcat does its pups. “I saw the whole area behind the net open and put out front hoping something good will happen,” said Jermain and that he did. From that point, QU put strong pressure on UCONN seeking the fourth goal. Joe O’ Connor (Hamden) off the right-wing, Alex Whelan and Jermain had two more quality chances that Tomas Vomacka turned away in a two-minute span Then late in the period center blue line Peter DiLibertore let one fly Vomacka swallowed up. UCONN got a late powerplay as Wyatt Bongiovanni caught Iskhakov in the head just the two-minute variety and the Huskies got the setup, but no quality shots before the expired leaving just 22 seconds left to start the third period. The first-ever goal of the SNY College Cup CT Ice Festival came off the stick of the Huskies Ruslan Iskhakov. Standing at the left side of the net he converted a rebound of a Wyatt Newpower right point blast and got enough of rolling puck to put in the open right of Bobcats for Keith Petruzzelli at 4:59. The Bobcats answered back to tie the game at one by winning a faceoff in the offensive. Center William Fallstrom at 5’11 got his stick underneath the much bigger 6’6 Jachym Kondelik and got it back to Latvian senior Karlis Cukste who then zipped a shot from the left point past Vomacka. The Bobcats took a forced turnover and immediately turned into a goal. Pressured the Huskies Harrison Rees lifted his stick, swiped the puck and then left a neat short drop pass and step into it for his and giving Quinnipiac a 2-1 edge. Then UCONN got that fortuitous bounce any hockey team hopes for. The Bobcats Logan Britt sent a backward forehand pass meant to evade the forechecking of Carter Turnbull behind the net. The blind pass went off the backboards came out in front and Turnbull was right there to retrieve the lonely puck and notched his eighth goal of the season at 17:45 and tied the game at two. “He’s been terrific all year long and consistent. Last year he played injured a bit and this year he has been healthy and it shows in his play,” said Cavanaugh. NOTES: -Tomorrow UCONN will Yale at 3:30 pm in the consolation game of the tourney. Sacred Heart blitzed Yale 6-2 with Mike Lee having two assists and ex-UCONN Evan Wisocky with a goal for the Pioneers who scored four in the first period. Sacred Heart will play Quinnipiac for the title at 7 pm. -The Hartford Wolf Pack went into the AHL All-Star break with a 4-2 win over Lehigh Valley Phantoms after falling behinds 2-0. Ryan Gropp scored twice including the game-winner. Before a season-best 6,027. The Wolf Pack are still in first place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 25-10-4-5 for 59 points percentage points ahead of Hershey who won 3-2 in OT in Providence. -In Portland, Maine Friday former UCONN goalie Adam Huska stopped 44 of 45 shots in his ECHL debut in an 8-1 rout over the Worcester Railers. The two teams met again in Worcester last night at the DCU Center with the Raiklers winning 2-1 with Huska making 25 saves. Huska will be back in Hartford when Igor Shesterkin is recalled back to the Rangers following the end of the NHL All-Star break. While former QU Bobcat Jordan Samuels-Thomas (West Hartford) had a tough night for Worcester going a team-worst minus-four. -Former QU Bobcat Sam Anas of the Iowa Wild with 45 points in 45 games and is the third-leading scorer in the AHL was added to AHL All-Star Classic roster. -Thoughts and prayers are with UMASS-Lowell sophomore Hockey East defenseman Nolan Sawchuk who suffered a broken vertebra in a game against last weekend in a Hockey East game against Merrimack, No penalty was called on the play. The school announced his season is obviously over and a cloud hangs over his collegiate career as to whether he will be able to continue because of the severity of the injury. The good news is he will recover and suffered no paralysis of any kind. A Superb national anthem guitar duet that would have made Jimi Hendrix proud. Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

CANTLON: SOUND TIGERS TAKE WHOOPING IN HARTFORD

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Igor Shesterkin made 30 saves and Matt Beleskey had two goals to help the Hartford Wolf Pack snap their four-game losing streak as they beat the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4-1 on Friday in an Atlantic Division meeting at the XL Center before a season-best crowd of 5,707. The Wolf Pack record improves to 24-10-4-5 (57 points). They will play host to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms Saturday night before their brief three-day AHL All-Star break. The Wolf Pack retains first place by percentage points (.30) as the Hershey Bears won Friday as well, 5-2 over the Springfield Thunderbirds. Shesterkin will start again in net against the Phantoms. Bridgeport record drops to 15-24-4-1 (35 points). They occupy the eighth and final place in the Atlantic Division. The Sound Tigers head to Springfield Saturday. “The best recipe to break a losing streak is to come back and play at home,” said Wolf Pack head coach, Kris Knoblauch. The Wolf Pack home record stands at 17-1-0-2 and 7-9-4-3 on the road. Having Shesterkin back in net makes a big difference. Would the coach ever lobby GM Chris Drury to have the Russian rookie stay a little longer? “That would be nice,” Knoblauch said with a laugh. “We realize this is temporary, and we'll use him for as long as we can and enjoy him while we can until he returns to New York.” In the second period, Hartford pulled away and took control of the game. The Wolf Pack pocketed their second goal shorthanded. Captain Steven Fogarty, always a threat with a man down, capitalized for his third shorthanded tally of the season. Fogarty pried the puck away from Sebastian Aho then outmuscled him as he drove to the net on the left-wing and slipped a backhander into the net for his 11th of the season by netminder Christopher Gibson at 5:22. “That was the difference in the game tonight. Fogarty was very persistent in getting that puck. He was able to break away (from his check) and did the right thing with it,” said Knoblauch. Beleskey was highly complimentary. “(It was a) great move, great hands, great goal. It changed everything and definitely got us going.” Bridgeport head coach and ex-Wolf Pack, Brent Thompson, was none too pleased. He called a timeout and read his team the riot act. “Anytime the other team takes a timeout middle of the game (early in the second period) you know you're doing something good,” said Beleskey, The Wolf Pack got stronger and picked up the third goal in spectacular fashion. Four of the five players on the ice, except Yegor Rykov, got touches of the puck. The sixth guy got the scoring play started. It all started with Shesterkin behind the goal cage. He zipped a perfect lead pass to Phil Di Giuseppe at the Sound Tigers blue line. Di Giuseppe turned and curled and fired a pass to Darren Raddysh who was coming with speed coming through the middle and just entering the offensive zone. Raddysh dished it off beautifully to Boo Nieves in the right circle. He was standing in the right-wing circle and one touched the pass to Beleskey coming off the left-wing. He redirected his 12th into the net at 15:20. “That was a great passing play all around. All I had to was just tap it in,” remarked Beleskey of the second powerplay goal of the evening. Knoblauch is in awe of Shesterkin’s skills. “That’s the second time he has set up a powerplay goal for us this year with his passing. Its so nice to have that extra defenseman back there. We moved the puck and our powerplay ahs to get better and it was important we got of them tonight (two on three not shabby) we got those contributions.” Raddysh felt fortunate on the play. “Igor got it going and Phil made a nice move and pass and everything was in front of me, everything just worked perfect for that goal.” Shesterkin factored in the fourth goal doing his regularly appointed duty of stopping pucks. Coming out on Bridgeport’s Colin MacDonald (Wethersfield) on a breakaway with 2:54 left in the period and he came out and challenged him and cutting the angle down and made the stop. “Your not going to replace a goalie like that,but we also how how important he is to this team. but we have to tighten up defensively we got outshot again tonight. We can’t always rely on that (having Shesterkin) it’s certainly nice have him,” said Beleskey with a smile of acknowledgement of what he means to this team. Later in that sequence with the Sound Tigers pushing back. The puck was pitchforked out of the zone seemingly by Mason Geersten who was credited with the assist. However, head coach Knoblauch after viewing the video several times said in the post game that it was actually Ryan Gropp who got the puck in front of Shesterkin and sent it off the center ice boards to give the Beleskey the breakaway. Then Beleskey hopped off the bench screamed across the ice right to left retrieved the loose puck off the left wing boards in the Sound Tigers zone. Beleskey caught Gibson cheating too far on his right post fired his second of the night 13th of the season over his glove hand far side at 17:25 for a 4-0 lead. “To be honest, I was asleep at the bench I forgot to go out for my shift !! So I jumped on at the right time they usually don’t end up happening that way ! Again it was another nice pass,” said Beleskey sheepishly laughing at himself turning a potential bad moment into a goal. Likely Gropp will get the official assist when a scoring change request is filed with the league. In the third period, the Wolf Pack continued their season long third period shutdown routine and are now 18-0-1-2 when leading after two periods. Of the 10 shots in the third period just one got by Shesterkin on the evening as Travis St. Denis was able to corral a bouncing puck off a Steve Bernier shot attempt. Igor got a piece  of, but couldn’t contain the wobbly puck and former QU Bobcat spoiled the shutout bid with his seventh goal at 15:07, Shesterkin almost had the capper for the evening with the goalie pulled he wanted the puck to try to put the puck in the net. “I didn’t hear him call for the puck I wish I had heard him, I would have gladly given him the puck,” smiled Raddysh. The Wolf Pack were able to cash in on their second powerplay to take a 1-0 lead. The power play defense combo of Raddysh and Yegor Rykov were able to generate offense quickly as Rykov at the right point sent a pass from the right point to Raddysh at the top of the left wing circle. Raddysh’s shot went off the back of Sound Tigers defenseman Sebastien Aho as he turned to block the shot and protect himself, but the puck richochet right over to an open Phil Di Giuseppe. Di Giuseppe one timed the puck past a diving Christopher Gibson at 16:42 for his 12th of the season in his first game back from Rangers recall. Head coach Kris Knoblauch was true to his word and change his defense combos going for the lefty-righty combo set. He split his top pair of Vincent LoVerde and Darren Raddysh pairing them Libor Hajek and Yegor Rykov respectively and reunited Mason Geersten and AHL All Star selection Joey Keane. “Were happy with things we just aiming to find the right balance we haven’t had (lefty and righty shooters) and it was a good night,” said Knoblauch. While they tossed nine shots pm goal the Wolf Pack to have missed the net as on that many as well. In one sequence they had four good quality open shots on net sent it either high or wide. “There is fine line between waiting to make the play and holding it too long. I think if we can get into a better groove on that will do better,” said Beleskey. The Wolf Pack got much better in the second period. LINES: Nieves-Di Giuseppe-Lettieri O’Regan-Fogarty-Kravtsov Jones-Newell-Gettinger Beleskey-McBride-Groppn Hajek-Raddysh Keane-Geersten Rykov-LoVerde SCRATCHES: Jeff Taylor (healthy) Ryan Dmowski (healthy) Lias Andersson (suspended) Gabriel Fontaine (shoulder surgery-season ending). NOTES: -Knoblauch is looking forward to his time in California as the head coach of the Atlantic squad. “I very much am looking forward to this. Look, I’m just the guy representing us. There are more players who have contributed to the success of this team than I have. I just hope Vinni and Joey score some goals and we get the win !!” remarked Knoblauch. Keane is quite excited. “I’m really looking foward to it get a chance to meet some new guys and enjoy the sun and the game. I worked really hard last summer to prepare for my first season and this is the reward.” -Boo Nieves has 11 points in his last eight games. -Beleskey has three goals in his last two games -Shesterkin lowered his AHL best GAA to 1.89 GAA  and has a 16-4-3 record. If he played a full year he might challenge all the Wolf Pack goalie records held by Jason LaBarbera. -In Portland, Maine tonight goalie Adam Huska  stopped 44 of 45 shots in his ECHL debut and Ty Ronning scored a hat trick as the Maine on just 22 shots scored an 8-1 tout over the Worcester Railers in the battle of the affiliates of the Wolf Pack and Sound Tigers. Lewis Zerter-Gossage tallied his first ECHL goal of the year in his first game since being sent back. While former QU Bobcat Jordan Samuels-Thomas (West Hartford) had a tough night going a team worst minus four. The Mariners are in fourth place in the ECHL North Division with a record of 21-18-1-1 with 44 points in the six points behind Brampton. Maine has a rematch in Worcester Saturday night at the DCU Center with the David Cuniff coached Railers who started the year as the Wolf Pack assistant coach. -Former QU Bobcat Sam Anas of Iowa with 45 points in 45 games and is the third leading scorer in the AHL was added to AHL All Star Classic roster. -Ex-Pack Justin Fontaine (no relation to current Wolf Pack Gabriel Fontaine) signs a contract for the rest of the season with the Cologne Sharks (Germany-DEL). Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: January 27-February 2, 2020

BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT - The Wolf Pack (25-10-4-5, 59 pts.) entered the AHL All-Star break with a pair of home wins this past weekend.  The Wolf Pack snapped an 0-2-2-0 slump with a 4-1 victory over Bridgeport on Friday night, and then stretched a home-ice winning streak to ten games with a 4-2 verdict Saturday night vs. Lehigh Valley.  Igor Shesterkin stopped 59 of the 62 shots he faced in the two contests, in his return to the AHL, and has won a team season-high six straight decisions.  Matt Beleskey scored twice in Friday’s win, and Ryan Gropp notched his first multiple-goal game of the season with two tallies, including the third-period game-winner, Saturday night. For the latest AHL standings, click here. This week: The Wolf Pack come out of the break with three straight games against their closest geographical rivals, the Springfield Thunderbirds.  The first of the three meetings is this Friday night at the XL Center, with faceoff at 7:15, and then the two teams finish a home-and-home with a 7:05 start Saturday night in Springfield. Friday, January 31 vs. the Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida) at the XL Center, 7:15 PM This game, like every Friday-night Wolf Pack home game, features $1 hot dogs, and $2 draft beers and fountain sodas, through the start of the second period, presented by Nomads Adventure Quest. A Wolf Pack win in this game would tie the franchise record of 11 straight home wins, set from December 17, 2004, through February 18, 2005. Zeus, from the Harlem Globetrotters, will be making a special appearance at this game.  He will be meeting and greeting fans, and signing autographs, in the XL Center atrium from 6:15 to 6:35 PM and interacting with fans throughout the game, while serving as guest co-emcee. The Thunderbirds come into the week seven points behind the Wolf Pack in the Atlantic Division standings, having won four of their last five games and nine of their last 12. The Wolf Pack have swept the first three games of this year’s season series with the Thunderbirds, including a pair of home wins, a 3-1 decision October 12 and a 1-0 squeaker six nights later. Thunderbird point and goal-scoring leader Owen Tippett is tied for the AHL lead in rookie point-scoring, with 19-21-40 in 46 games. At this game and every Wolf Pack Friday or Saturday home game, fans are encouraged to come early for “Hockey Happy Hour” in the XL Center’s Coliseum Club.  From 5:15 PM until puck drop, a $5 wrist band gives fans access to the “Chill Zone” of the Coliseum Club, which features an appetizer buffet and $2 beers, presented by Minuteman Press. Tickets for this game, and 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 (860) 722-9425.  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. Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford and Mark Bailey on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV.  Saturday, February 1 at the Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida) at the MassMutual Center, 7:05 PM The Wolf Pack posted a 5-2 win in their only previous trip to Springfield this season, on December 6. The Thunderbirds are 14-9-1-0 at home on the year, and the Wolf Pack’s road record stands at 7-9-4-3. Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV.  Recent Transactions: Phil DiGiuseppe – returned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers on January 21. Igor Shesterkin – returned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers on January 21. Adam Huska – reassigned from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers to Maine (ECHL) January 23, and reassigned back to the Wolf Pack January 26. Lewis Zerter-Gossage – loaned by the Wolf Pack to Maine (ECHL) January 23, and recalled January 26. Pack Tracks: Friday, February 14, when the Wolf Pack host the Laval Rocket at 7:15 PM, it’s “Love Is Love Night” at the XL Center, as the Wolf Pack celebrates the love for hockey, pride, and diversity.  The first 1,000 youth 12 years old or younger into the game will receive a free Wolf Pack light-up bracelet, presented by Carvel.  Also that night, the Wolf Pack will be wearing specialty pride jerseys, which will be auctioned off in the second intermission, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Connecticut Gay and Lesbian Collective, the Hartford Gay Men's Chorus and Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford. Each of the Wolf Pack’s Sunday and Wednesday home games feature the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Hat Trick Pack”.  The Hat Trick Pack includes two tickets, two sodas, and a large popcorn, all for just $40.  The next Hat Trick Pack game is Wednesday, February 5, a 7:00 battle with the Springfield Thunderbirds. In partnership with the Hartford Chamber of Commerce, the Wolf Pack are offering “Suit to Sweater Wednesdays”, to wash away the mid-week work blues.  Any fan showing a company ID at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket office can purchase Blue-Level tickets to Wolf Pack Wednesday home games for only $15 each (limit two tickets per ID).  The Wolf Pack’s next Wednesday home date is February 5, when the Springfield Thunderbirds invade the XL Center for a 7:00 game. Once again this season, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs, and $2 draft beers and fountain sodas, at every Friday Wolf Pack home game, through the start of the second period, presented by Nomads Adventure Quest.  After this Friday, the Wolf Pack’s next Friday-night home outing is February 14, when they entertain the Laval Rocket in a 7:15 PM game. Wolf Pack home game tickets can be purchased at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (860) 722-9425.  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 online, go to hartfordwolfpack.com. TRACK THE PACK ONLINE AT HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

GRUNDY: (1/25) PACK DOUBLE UP PHANTOMS

Hartford Wolf Pack 4, Lehigh Valley Phantoms 2 BY: Bryce Grundy, Hartford Wolf Pack Hartford, CT, January 25, 2020 – The Hartford Wolf Pack completed a sweep of a two-game weekend Saturday night at the XL Center, defeating the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 4-2, in both teams’ last action before the AHL All-Star break. The Wolf Pack had knocked off the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on home ice by a 4-1 score on Friday night. Hartford is now 18-1-0-2 at home on the season and is currently on a 10-game win streak at the XL Center. Igor Shesterkin shined yet again in net Saturday, stopping 28 of 30 shots. Ryan Gropp’s two-goal night included the third-period game-winner. “We played a good team game,” said Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch. “A lot of respect for our opponent tonight.” Relentless offensive-zone pressure by the Phantoms led them to a 2-0 lead early in the game. The first Lehigh Valley goal came from their forward, Max Willman at 5:39 of the first period, and it only took 31 seconds for the Phantoms to find the back of the net again, this time on a goal by winger Greg Carey. “A lot of credit to the Phantoms,” mentioned Knoblauch. “They came out hard and wanted to win this game.” The Wolf Pack responded with two unanswered goals of their own shortly thereafter. Phil Di Giuseppe’s shot went wide into the right-wing corner, and a charging Darren Raddysh shot the puck on net and caught Phantoms starting netminder Jean-Francois Berube by surprise, cutting the lead in half and 7:49. Then Hartford created an offensive-zone turnover, as a result of an aggressive forecheck that started with forward, Ryan Dmowski. Gropp took advantage of an out of position Berube with a whistling one-timer in the slot at 10:58. Forward Shawn McBride assisted on the goal. That ended the night for Berube, who was replaced by Alex Lyon after making two saves. Defense and goaltending highlighted the second period, as both clubs were held scoreless. Gropp snipped the game-winner at 9:01 of the third frame. Linemate Dmowski created another scoring opportunity, as he sped through the neutral zone, attracting three Phantom players towards him and freeing up the slot for a wide-open Gropp. “I thought we were the better team in the second half.  Our fourth line came up huge,” noted Knoblauch. Di Giuseppe added an empty-netter to his two-point night, sealing the win for Hartford with 7.7 left. The Wolf Pack returns from the All-Star break with a home game this Friday, January 31 vs. the Springfield Thunderbirds.  Faceoff is 7:15, and 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 (860) 722-9425.  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 online, go to hartfordwolfpack.com. Lehigh Valley Phantoms 2 at Hartford Wolf Pack 4 Saturday, January 25, 2020 - XL Center Lehigh Valley 2 0 0 - 2 Hartford         2 0 2 - 4 1st Period-1, Lehigh Valley, Willman 3 (de Haas, Willcox), 5:39. 2, Lehigh Valley, Carey 13 (O'Reilly, Kase), 6:10. 3, Hartford, Raddysh 6 (Di Giuseppe, O'Regan), 7:49. 4, Hartford, Gropp 2 (McBride), 10:58. Penalties-Fogarty Hfd (tripping), 1:50. 2nd Period- No Scoring.  Penalties-Bunnaman Lv (tripping), 13:55. 3rd Period-5, Hartford, Gropp 3 (Dmowski, Nieves), 9:01. 6, Hartford, Di Giuseppe 13 (Jones, O'Regan), 19:52 (EN). Penalties-No Penalties Shots on Goal-Lehigh Valley 13-7-10-30. Hartford 6-12-8-26. Power Play Opportunities-Lehigh Valley 0 / 1; Hartford 0 / 1. Goalies-Lehigh Valley, Berube 9-8-4 (4 shots-2 saves); Lyon 9-13-2 (21 shots-20 saves). Hartford, Shesterkin 17-4-3 (30 shots-28 saves). A-6,617 Referees-Conor O'Donnell (41), Mike Dietrich (15). Linesmen-Nick Briganti (58), Glen Cooke (6). Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

GRUNDY: (FRI) PACK POUND SOUND TIGERS 4-1

Hartford Wolf Pack 4, Bridgeport Sound Tigers 1 BY: Bryce Grundy, Hartford Wolf Pack Hartford, CT, January 24, 2020 – Matt Beleskey had a pair of goals, and Igor Shesterkin stopped 31 of 32 shots, Friday night at the XL Center, in a 4-1 Hartford Wolf Pack victory over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers The win broke an 0-2-2-0 streak for the Wolf Pack, in their return home after four straight road games. “Best recipe to break a losing streak is to play at home,” commented Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch. The Wolf Pack struck first late in the first period, on the power play. Defensemen Yegor Rykov slid the puck across the zone for a Darren Raddysh one-timer, and Phil DiGiuseppe cleaned up the rebound near the right faceoff dot at 16:42. Fogarty doubled the lead on the penalty kill at 5:22 of the second period, providing a significant momentum shift in the game. Fogarty picked the pocket of Sound Tigers defenseman Sebastian Aho and then took to the puck to the net and finished with a smooth forehand-backhand move past Sound Tigers goaltender Christopher Gibson. “Fogarty was very persistent on getting that puck and did the right thing with it,” said Knoblauch. Beleskey then took matters into his own hands, giving the Wolf Pack two goals in a span of 2:04 late in the period. The first came on the power play at 15:20, after a perfect tic-tac-toe passing sequence that started with a Hail Mary pass from Shesterkin to DiGiuseppe. DiGiuseppe hit Raddysh in stride coming into the zone, and he quickly fed it to Nieves at the faceoff dot.  Nieves then found Beleskey just outside the crease for a tap-in goal and a 3-0 advantage. “Great passing play all around,” said Beleskey, “just had to tap it in there.” “I think we played well, and play well in this building.  key is just to keep the pedal down and keep working. We’ve got to keep building off this.” Beleskey’s second goal came at 17:24, off a well-timed shift change. Ryan Gropp made a heads-up pass from the defensive zone to a streaking Beleskey fresh off the bench. “I jumped out at the right time luckily, nice bounce to get,” said Beleskey. The Sound Tigers would put deny Shesterkin a shutout with a goal by Travis St. Denis with 4:54 remaining in the third period, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a hungry Wolf Pack team that was determined to get back into the win column. The Wolf Pack are right back at the XL Center Saturday night, entertaining the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in a 7:00 game.  That is “Under the Sea Night”, as the Wolf Pack celebrates being halfway to summer and the team’s nautical history.  The first 2,000 fans into the game receive a free Wolf Pack tank top, courtesy of Healthtrax. 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 online, go to hartfordwolfpack.com. Bridgeport Sound Tigers 1 at Hartford Wolf Pack 4 Friday, January 24, 2020 - XL Center Bridgeport  0 0 1 - 1 Hartford     1 3 0 - 4 1st Period-1, Hartford, Di Giuseppe 12 (Raddysh, Rykov), 16:42 (PP). Penalties-Nieves Hfd (slashing), 5:41; Helgeson Bri (cross-checking), 15:34; O'Regan Hfd (goaltender interference), 18:03. 2nd Period-2, Hartford, Fogarty 11   5:22 (SH). 3, Hartford, Beleskey 12 (Nieves, Raddysh), 15:20 (PP). 4, Hartford, Beleskey 13 (Geertsen), 17:24. Penalties-Jones Hfd (hooking), 3:33; Cornell Bri (roughing), 9:12; Keane Hfd (roughing), 9:12; Holmstrom Bri (high-sticking), 13:30. 3rd Period-5, Bridgeport, St. Denis 7 (Bernier, Aho), 15:06. Penalties-Koivula Bri (hooking), 18:16. Shots on Goal-Bridgeport 12-10-10-32. Hartford 9-10-9-28. Power Play Opportunities-Bridgeport 0 / 3; Hartford 2 / 3. Goalies-Bridgeport, Gibson 5-4-3 (28 shots-24 saves). Hartford, Shesterkin 16-4-3 (32 shots-31 saves). A-5,707 Referees-Reid Anderson (49), Brandon Biggers (33). Linesmen-Nick Briganti (58), Brent Colby (7). Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

CRAWFORD: PACK CONTINUE TO ROLL WITH 2-1 WIN IN CHOCOLATE-TOWN

Hartford Wolf Pack 2, Hershey Bears 1 BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack Hershey, PA, January 8, 2020 – Vinni Lettieri scored with 53.9 seconds left in the third period Wednesday night at Giant Center, to give the Hartford Wolf Pack a 2-1 win over the Hershey Bears, in a battle between the two top teams in the Atlantic Division. Hershey outshot the Wolf Pack 10-4 in the third period, and 27-15 in the game, but Adam Huska made 26 saves in the Hartford net, and Lettieri, the Wolf Pack’s leading scorer, tallied his 14th of the season for the winner. Tim Gettinger jammed the puck off of the left-wing boards to Boo Nieves in the slot, and he spun and passed to Lettieri at the left side of the goal mouth.  He took a step towards the middle and slid the puck through the legs of Hershey netminder Vitek Vanecek and into the net. The victory was the Wolf Pack’s fifth straight, tying the club’s longest winning streak of the season, and improved Hartford’s season record to 22-8-2-5 for 51 points.  Hershey lost for only the second time in its last 15 games and fell to 21-11-2-3, four points behind the Wolf Pack. Wolf Pack were outshot 10-5 in the first, but came out of the period with a 1-0 lead. Nieves opened the scoring for Hartford, with his eighth goal of the season, 1:34 before the end of the first frame.  Matt Beleskey poked the puck down the right boards in the Hershey zone to Ryan Gropp, he backhanded a pass from near the corner across the slot to Nieves, who flicked the puck past Vanecek. That lead lasted until the 15:59 mark of the second period, when Philippe Maillet got Hershey on the board. Eric Burgdoerfer headed towards the right-wing corner of the Wolf Pack zone and had the puck knocked away by Vincent LoVerde.  Burgdoerfer was able to regain control, though, and feed to Maillet beside the goal post to Wolf Pack netminder Adam Huska’s left.  Maillet reached around the front of the net and tucked a shot just inside the opposite post. The Wolf Pack are back in action this Friday night, January 10, hosting the Charlotte Checkers in a 7:15 contest at the XL Center.  The first 2,000 fans into that game will receive a free Wolf Pack clear tote bag, intended to reduce plastic waste, courtesy of Lewis Real Estate Services, LLC.  Also, 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 www.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 online, hartfordwolfpack.com. Hartford Wolf Pack 2 at Hershey Bears 1 Wednesday, January 8, 2020 - Giant Center Hartford 1 0 1 - 2 Hershey  0 1 0 - 1 1st Period-1, Hartford, Nieves 4 (Gropp, Beleskey), 18:26. Penalties-Raddysh Hfd (tripping), 3:15; Nardella Her (hooking), 7:00; Leason Her (hooking), 12:26. 2nd Period-2, Hershey, Maillet 8 (Burgdoerfer), 15:59. Penalties-Nardella Her (tripping), 9:46. 3rd Period-3, Hartford, Lettieri 14 (Nieves, Gettinger), 19:06. Penalties-No Penalties Shots on Goal-Hartford 5-6-4-15. Hershey 10-7-10-27. Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 0 / 3; Hershey 0 / 1. Goalies-Hartford, Huska 7-4-4 (27 shots-26 saves). Hershey, Vanecek 12-6-1 (15 shots-13 saves). A-10,240 Referees-Patrick Hanrahan (52), Alex Ross (7). Linesmen-Michael Magee (41), Richard Jondo (55). Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

CANTLON: PACK SHUT OUT P-BRUINS IN BATTLE FOR FIRST PLACE

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Igor Shesterkin made 31 saves. Matt Beleskey contributed a goal and an assist plus the Hartford Wolf Pack received timely goals came from Phil Di Giuseppe and Vitali Kravtsov en route to the team's third shutout of the season, a 3-0 win over the Providence Bruins. The Wolf Pack (17-7-2-5) are in first place in the Atlantic Division just .40 percentage points ahead of the Bruins, who have two more wins. The Wolf Pack also remain undefeated (13-0-1-2) when having a lead entering the third period. “For forty minutes we played the best we could defensively. We were OK in the third period. Providence is a good hockey team, and they put a big push on us. They didn’t score and put everything on the line. The story again is how Shesty (Shesterkin) played.” Pack head coach, Kris Knoblauch stated. Shesterkin was at the top of his game, especially in the final three minutes when he stopped point blank quality shots from Bruins' captain Paul Carey (Salisbury Prep), who Shesterkin stopped twice on the right wing side of the net. Shesterkin also blanked Cameron Hughes and Trent Frederic with his blocker and left pad respectively, allowing him to keep the "biscuit" out of the net. “After we got the second and third goals, we relaxed a bit. After some icings we were a bit tired. We got some fresh guys out there, but Shesty was the difference,” Knoblauch said. If there were any questions remaining in how Shesterkin would handle adversity, he answered them all in this contest. Not since Yann Danis patrolled the Wolf Pack net five years ago, have the Wolf Pack had a goalie of this quality and level of mental toughness. “He’s a top caliber AHL goalie, and he showed he can do lots of things out there, either stopping the puck or moving it up (ice).” The Wolf Pack scored twice in a 62-second span to pull away for the win. Steven Fogarty corralled a loose puck and slipped a pass to Vincent LoVerde at the left point, who then put a low, hard wrist shot on net that Kravtsov redirected for his first AHL goal at 16:13. Kravtsov was given the team's "Heavyweight belt" afterwards. It's a far cry from his first game of the season where he was benched. “He has played very well since he came back. He's playing some good players (Fogarty and Danny O'Regan) tonight they show some chemistry. It’s a difficult situation coming back a second time, but he has done everything we have asked of him. He’s worked hard in the gym and worked hard in practice, playing the systems, and that’s what we expect from all our guys," Knoblauch stated. 90 seconds later, Beleskey tallied an empty-net goal earning him his second point for the game at 17:21. “That’s was a good comeback game for us that we needed going into the break.” said Beleskey. The Wolf Pack used their second power play opportunity to score the game's first goal early in the second period. It was truly a 200 foot goal. Shesterkin fired the puck to Beleskey, just coming on after his line change. He was on the left wing at center ice and dished off a nice short pass to Phil Di Giuseppe, who was in full flight. Di Giuseppe danced between three P-Bruins and roofed a perfect shot over the left should of the Bruins' netminder, Max Lagace at 4:20. “I had a good first step and there was a pretty deep gap there and I was able to take it right to the net,” said Di Giuseppe on his ninth goal of the season. Having a "third defenseman" like Shesterkin makes a major difference. “He’s gonna score a goal this year sometime and catch me in assists soon too,” Beleskey said with a laugh. Shesterkin was in fine form between the pipes, sharp using all the goalie equipment he had to make nine saves. Oskar Steen was stopped with his right shoulder. Cooper Zech was denied with a left pad then Jeremy Lauzon saw his attempt from the left point gloved. A late Loverde turnover in the final 20 seconds, but some good team defense didn’t allow Jack Studnicka to get off a quality shot on goal. Mason Geersten, was like a big house on the blueline, had a strong game. He made a jarring hit on the Bruins' Trent Frederic, fresh off a scoring play and generally doing a job at clearing pucks calmly and efficiently and physically keeping Providence at bay. “He makes it difficult for people to compete in our zone with that high level of physicality. He has done very good at the little things. Our defense as a whole represents the team well. All six guys. Geersten plays a tough, physical game, and yet doesn’t take penalties. That's a hard thing to do. He has done a very good job in that role,” Knoblauch said of the veteran defenseman who had a team high three shots on net. The chances in the first period were few and far between with just six shots between the two teams in the first ten minutes. The pace picked up in the second half of the period. On their second power play, Beleskey was on the doorstep for the Pack but was stopped by Lagace after Di Giuseppe and Nick Ebert went wide on both of their shots. The next shift Ryan Gropp had a quality chance denied. Shesterkin faced just seven shots in the first period, which was among his strongest, especially on a three-on-two shorthanded break by Providence. Josiah Didier had a chance from the right wing face-off dot that Shesterkin handled by kicking out the left pad. Then in the last minute of the period he dropped Zach Senyshyn twice, once on the right wing coming out to challenge him, and then right in front seconds later. LINES: Nieves - Newell - DiGiuseppe O’Regan - Kravtsov - Fogarty Jones - Lettieri - Gettinger Zerter - Gossage - Beleskey - Gropp Raddysh - LoVerde Keane - Geersten Rykov - Ebert SCRATCHES: Jeff Taylor (healthy) Lias Andersson (suspended) Gabriel Fontaine (season-ending shoulder surgery) Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

CANTLON'S CORNER: ANDERSSON BOLTS WOLF PACK

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Saturday was the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, and ironically the potential day that one of the shortest Hartford Wolf Pack careers comes to an apparent end. The New York Post reported that forward, Lias Andersson had requested a trade from the New York Rangers. They then confirmed that he is no longer part of the organization. Andersson has hardly posted Hall-of-Fame numbers either at the NHL or AHL levels. Since being sent down to Hartford on November 17th, Andersson has played just 13 games and missed one due to injury. In that span he amassed just four goals and a total of five points. Three of those points came in a single game on December 7th against the Binghamton Devils. That leaves just two points over 12 games and he went scoreless in his last six. Andersson played 74 games in Hartford totaling 15 goals, 24 assists (39 points) over parts of three seasons. While with the Rangers, he played in just 66 games contributing a mere three goals and nine points. His last game with the Rangers was against Florida where he played 3:43 in the game. His career best time on ice is 16:09 In the past two years, he has amassed just four multiple point games in Hartford. Prior to the Binghamton game the last one was against Providence last season when he was recalled where he managed just six points in 42 games with the Rangers. A natural center Andersson played wing at times, but since he was reassigned to Hartford he has been strictly at center. Where he will go to play is a big issue if indeed he wants a trade and won’t return. Andersson could play in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) back home or in Russia with the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League), but only if the Rangers loan him to a prospective team. Presently, he is under a current NHL contract with one year left on his Entry Level Contract (ELC) and a European exit clause option according to a knowledgeable NHL source. With all that said, this could be just a timeout for Andersson or it will cause the Rangers to make him sit in purgatory while they find a trading partner. From a variety of sources it's possible to piece together a preliminary sketch of the last few days. Andersson had a bad last game in Charlotte where he was a minus-3 with just one shot on goal. It was a game in which the entire team stunk. He flew back with the team on Thursday and between then and Friday morning his decision was made. Andersson’s agent called the Rangers and informed them of the trade request on Friday morning. Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch was informed prior to practice with the team that he had left. Knoblauch was very cautious in his answer not stating the 20-year-old was under a team suspension, but there is no doubt he is. “Technically, I don’t know what his status is. The Rangers will make an announcement in the next few days. He isn’t here and he has asked for a trade. He contacted the organization and I have reached out to him. He texted me back. We wished each other well in the future. Whatever that is. He is a good hockey player and sometimes when you have a guy here who doesn’t want to be here, he can have a bad attitude, but that wasn’t the case with him at all,” Knoblauch said. He didn't know Andersson was feeling this way. “It was a complete surprise. He was a good team player. He was obviously frustrated with his lack of points, but since he came back he did what was asked of him." Andersson was not a locker room hazard, but a solid teammate, but after three seasons, he's clearly feeling the pressure of not living up to being the seventh overall pick in the draft. This could just be a young person's immature and irrational reaction to a tough stretch. There's precedence of doing impetuous things including after losing in the Gold Medal game of the WJC two years ago, of taking his silver medal and tossing it into the crowd. It earned him and two other players IIHF suspensions. Add to the questionable behavior his leaving with just one game left before the Christmas break that includes a roster freeze, except for emergency situations, so he won't be going anywhere until afterward. Rangers GM, Jeff Gorton, will have little to no leverage in trying to move a disgruntled player who sports considerably less than glowing numbers. This move was ill-advised. Regardless of how it was initiated, it says a lot to his Wolf Pack teammates and to the Rangers organization. The Wolf Pack have been battling for first place and have seen a series of moves over the past ten days are not unrelated. First, veteran Ville Meskanen's sudden departure following the unexpected return of Vitali Kravtsov, who will get significant quality minutes that will cut into others. Former second-round pick, Ryan Gropp, finally reported to the team's ECHL affiliate, the Maine Mariners, after initially refusing to report. He was then recalled to Hartford. Now comes Andersson’s surprising exit. Hopefully it will not alter the chemistry that has been built as the team heads to the midway point of the season. Team President, John Davidson and Gorton will need to sit down and ponder what to do with this situation. Read the full article

[mitchbeck]

KEELEY: MARINERS WEEKLY: CHRISTMAS VACATION

BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners Dec. 16, 2019 – Two games remain before the holiday break, and four massive points will be up for grabs as the Mariners visit Glens Falls, New York this weekend to play another pair of games with a very familiar opponent, the Adirondack Thunder. The Thunder are currently two points ahead of the Mariners for fourth in the North, with Maine holding four games in hand – which will become six after Adirondack visits Newfoundland on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. If all breaks right, the Mariners have a chance to be in a playoff position by the time their Christmas Eve dinner of choice hits the table next week. The Week That Was: Tuesday, Dec. 10th – ADK: 2, MNE: 3/OT The Mariners completed a three game sweep of Adirondack – all three games being decided by one goal. Ted Hart and Alex Kile helped the Mariners to a 2-0 lead by the early stages of the second period, but the Thunder used a pair of power play goals to rally and force OT. Nearly the entire seven minute sudden death session passed until Dillan Fox redirected Brandon Crawley’s pass from the left wall for the game winner with just 20 seconds remaining. Francois Brassard got his first start and win of the season. FULL GAME RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS Friday, Dec. 13th – MNE: 4, WOR: 2 Michael McNicholas and Greg Chase each broke long goal-less droughts, McNicholas scoring a pair including the game winning penalty shot goal in the second period, and Chase snapped a Mariners 0-for-27 in the power play with an insurance goal in the third. Connor LaCouvee picked up his sixth win of the season, and the Mariners tied a season high with their fourth victory in a row. FULL GAME RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS Saturday, Dec. 14th – MNE: 2, WOR: 3 The Mariners came out flat, and put themselves in an early 2-0 hole, including Worcester’s Teddy Bear Toss goal only 2:13 into the game. Despite playing a much better final 40 minutes, the Mariners didn’t get on the board until the middle stages of the third period, at which point Alex Kile made it a 3-1 Railers lead. Zach Tolkinen made things very interesting when he sliced the deficit to one, but the Mariners couldn’t get any closer and saw their winning streak snapped. FULL GAME RECAP  Transactions (oldest to most recent) F Ryan Gropp was recalled to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers D Jonathan Racine was loaned to the AHL’s Stockton Heat This week’s schedule (all times Eastern) Fri, Dec. 20 @ Adirondack Thunder – 7:00 PM (AWAY) Sat, Dec. 21 @ Adirondack Thunder – 7:00 PM (AWAY)  The Mariners and Thunder meet for the fourth and fifth times of six in December, with the Mariners now leading the season series, four games to three. Maine won its last trip to the Cool Insuring Arena on December 6th, with Jake Elmer netting his second hat trick of the season against the Thunder, including the overtime winner. Regardless of point differential, the Mariners will carry six games in hand on the Thunder entering the holiday break. Both games begin at 7:00, with pregame coverage on the Mariners broadcast network beginning at 6:45. A free radio broadcast is available at MarinersOfMaine.com/listen and fans can also subscribe to watch in HD on ECHL.tv – the “AWAY” option will carry the Mariners broadcast.  Other News MARINERS OFFER $10,000 PRIZES DURING “WINNING 3KEND” MARINERS OFFER ‘SKATE AND SCARF’ PACKAGES FOR HOLIDAY GAMES JAKE ELMER NAMED INGLASCO ECHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK Mariners Coach’s Show The Mariners Coach’s Show is off for the next two weeks due to travel and the holiday break, but it will return on Thursday, January 2nd at Three Dollar Dewey’s at 241 Commercial St. in downtown Portland. The show airs from 6-7 PM and also broadcasts live on MarinersOfMaine.com/listen. After each show, a guest will give away four ice row tickets to a future Mariners home game. Looking ahead: After the Christmas break, the Mariners return to the Cross Insurance Arena to meet Adirondack again at 7 PM on December 26th for Nickelodeon Takeover Night, featuring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles specialty jerseys, which will be available on auction through the Handbid App. Co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Kevin Eastman is a native of Westbrook, Maine. It’s also “Jewish Heritage Night,” featuring a menorah lighting ceremony during intermission. It’s a 7:15 puck drop on December 27th against the Reading Royals and it’s STEM Day, science and technology related in-game promotions. The full promotional schedule is here. All Friday night home games are “1-2-3 Fridays” featuring $1 Aquafina waters, $2 Pepsi products, and $3 Bud Light Drafts through the start of the second period. Both games also feature the “Skate and Scarf” package, where fans can get a ticket to the game, a Mariners scarf, and a pre-game skate with Beacon the Puffin plus a snack buffet for just $29. Only 100 packages are available for each game. Holiday Packs: Four tiers of Mariners holiday packs are available, featuring tickets and collectible Mariners items! Holiday packs can be purchased through the Mariners online shop here. All purchases made in the online store after December 20th will not be shipped until after the New Year. Community Collection: The Mariners and the Cross Insurance Arena are collecting new packages of underwear and socks to benefit the Preble Street Teen Center at home games in the months of December and January. Fans who donate five items will receive a ticket to a Mariners weekday game. Items MUST be donated at the Promotions Port to the right of the main security gates. While the Mariners will accept donations at their office, fans are not eligible to receive tickets unless the items are donated at a game. Read the full article