#TimGettinger

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KRIS KNOBLAUCH, HARTFORD WOLF PACK END OF SEASON WRAP-UP

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - After decompressing following the Hartford Wolf Pack's being swept by the Hershey Bears, Head Coach Kris Knoblauch shared his final assessment regarding the 2022-23 edition of the Wolf Pack. Winning and consistent goal-scoring was difficult for two-thirds of the season. However, the team had its share of bright lights over the final third of the year in which deadline moves at the trade deadline in early March that brought Anton Blidh, Will Lockwood, Adam Clendening, and Wyatt Kalynuk to Hartford and with the New York Rangers sending down Ryan Carpenter in December and then Jake Lechyshyn in January paid off handsomely. "The team got better as the year went on. The run for the playoffs was the turning point of our season. Getting Leschyshyn and Carpenter from New York and the four players at the trade deadline made all the difference," Knoblauch said." We got better five-on-five. We put together winning streaks, and we got better power plays and finally had some success." Improving the power play was critical, as it had been the worst in the league for most of the season. Once Blidh, Lockwood, Clendening, and Kalynuk arrived, it took some time, but the chemistry eventually came. "All the players were all special team caliber players and that's when we started winning games. It had been missing most of the season. It helped make our power play and penalty kill stronger," Knoblauch remarked. DOMINGUE/GARAND One question was the somewhat controversial decision to start rookie goaltender Dylan Garand in Game 3 of the series against Hershey when they were already down two games and had their starter, veteran Louie Domingue, available, despite not having played in five weeks. Garand had played extraordinarily well to that point, but perhaps it was time to make a change. "Well, true (Domingue) hadn't played in a while. He did win his previous starts before his recall, and he helped get the team into the playoffs. He ultimately got us in that position (the playoffs). He was strong for us all year. Louie is a wonderful goalie, and obviously, it was a difficult decision for us to make. With everything that was going on, and we're down two-nothing in the series, I felt it was what our team needed. We didn't lose the game because of our goaltending. It was our inability to score goals or even getting the lead. You can look back, but we have no regrets," said Knoblauch. The Rangers have many decisions to make in New York and Hartford, especially in goal. Jaroslav Halak, Igor Shesterkin's backup in New York, is at the end of his contract. So do the Rangers look internally, move Domingue up, and hand Hartford over to Garand? "I'm not sure where the Rangers are right now. They need a coach first. When they make a decision, it will trickle down and impact us. Trades will happen, bodies will be shuffled." Each AHL off-season features change, but for the Wolf Pack, with 12 contracts expiring, the largest number ever in team history, this will be an off-season like no other. Five of the six defensive slots will be available at training camp in the fall. GETTINGER Among the free agent decisions to be made, and an important one at that, is Tim Gettinger, who has been with the Pack for five years. "I'm not sure at this point. At the end of the year, with free agency, players have earned the ability to go wherever they want to go. They're so many factors involved. Gettinger is a very good player, and we're happy with his contributions here. That's a decision for Tim and the Rangers organization to make. "There will be lots of turnover. There always is at the AHL level. We're looking at five or six rookies and openings on defense. It's going to be a lot of new faces. Guys have to be qualified. Players drafted and signed; there is a lot of work left to be done in Hartford and New York. Right now, it's pretty tough to forecast what our roster is going to be," Knoblauch commented. PAJUNIEMI The first came as no surprise early on Tuesday. After two years in North America, Lauri Pajuniemi returned to the North Atlantic as the Finnish right winger signed with Malmö IF (Sweden-SHL), where he joined ex-Pack Gustav Rydahl in Sweden. DEFENSE On defense, Zac Jones, seemingly without a future with the Rangers, will likely seek a new home. Adam Clendening's family is in Chicago. So don't be surprised if he signs there with the Chicago Wolves going towards independent status. For Rangers GM Chris Drury and Hartford GM Ryan Martin to keep Wyatt Kalynuk, a pivotal component to the spring run, it will take some salary cap gymnastics. Ty Emberson had a solid second half of the season. However, he falls into a special category under the CBA. He hasn't played enough required professional games to qualify for arbitration under section 10.2 (paragraph 3). ROBERTSON The only defensive player returning will be Matt Robertson, who enters the final year of his Entry Level Contract. He was injured and close to returning had the Hershey series gone longer. "He was very close. He wore a regular jersey in practice, and he was one or two situational practices from being back (from an undisclosed upper body injury)," said Knoblauch. Scoring, or the lack thereof, in the Hershey series, and the season, will be addressed next year. The Wolf Pack will be infused with new blood as Brennan Othmann, Adam Edström, Will Cullye, and Bobby Trivigno will likely be the O core in Hart City next year. TRIVIGNO Trivigno has now completed his first pro campaign. "He played very well for us in his first year. He had high expectations individually. Players find out how hard it is to score at the American (Hockey) League level. Often, players feel frustrated when they don't put up the numbers they're used to or anticipate. He finished up strong. "He provided a lot moving up and down the lineup. Whether on the first line or with the fourth with Karl (Henriksson), playing left wing and right wing in the second half. "I think next year, with us losing so many players, guys taking charge, doing more, and having more responsibilities, he will be one of those players," Knoblauch said. HENRIKSON Knoblauch found Henriksson to be a pleasant surprise. "Absolutely. Karl is an effective player, like Bobby; he played everywhere we asked him to and makes his linemates better. He finds players and covers up for any mistakes on the ice well." CULLYE Cullye led the team in the regular season with 25 goals but ran out of steam at the end of the season. "He didn't score or put up the points he had during the season. During the playoffs, it did drop off a bit. His game was solid, and for a 20-year-old to play as many minutes and situations as he did, it says he came a long way this year. He became one of our top guys. "If he gets a chance with the Rangers next year and is not there, he'll lead our forward group with even more responsibilities. That's up to the Rangers and ultimately Will in deciding where he plays next year." BRODZINSKI Captain Jonny Brodzinski will be back and playing in the last year of his deal. Knoblauch acknowledges the ill-timed Ranger recall of his best players to be the Black Aces for the NHL playoffs hurt the Wolf Pack. It also derailed the AHL Player of March at the most inconvenient time. "He had a remarkable year, and the players enjoyed playing with him more and more as the year progressed. He would have liked to have done more, and naturally, 27 days away takes the edge you have in your game. "He really wanted to make significant value and contributions; it just wasn't there, no matter where we put him," said Knoblauch, who was never afraid to change line combinations. ASSISTANT COACHES His assistants, Steve Smith, and Jamie Tardif, served him ably. In addition, after a European career in France, newcomer Colin Downey, who replaced Casey Torres right at the beginning of the season, made a vital contribution, not just as a mentor in an ex-NHL player role that an assistant coach usually has. "He had a more defined and specified role with different than, say, Tanner Glass (Assistant Director of Player Development) or Jed Ortmeyer (Director of Player Development). They were more of the traditional mentor role. This was his first year in coaching full-time after retiring, or a part of a team. It was his green year," said Knoblauch. "He stepped in and did a remarkable job. He was doing more and more working the finer points of the game and players really appreciated the time they spent with him." It will be a summer of twists and turns, whether here or vacationing out West in Canada or back to his hometown of Prince Albert. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK LOOK TO SPLIT WITH HERSHEY BEARS

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HERSHEY, PA – The Hartford Wolf Pack will look to earn a split on the road tonight as they visit the Hershey Bears for Game Two of the 2023 Atlantic Division Finals at the Giant Center in Hershey. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., and coverage is available on both AHLTV and Mixlr. Tale of The Tape: The Wolf Pack and Bears met six times during the 2022-23 regular season, with the Bears taking four of the six meetings. Hershey posted a record of 4-2-0-0, while the Wolf Pack managed points in three games, going 2-3-0-1. The Wolf Pack posted a 1-2-0-0 record at the Giant Center, with their lone victory coming on November 20th by a final score of 4-2. The Bears won each of the final three meetings between the sides in the regular season. Hershey took a 2-1 regulation decision on November 25th, and a 1-0 shootout verdict on November 26th. Both of those games were in Hartford. They also claimed a 2-1 victory in Hershey on February 11th. The Bears extended their winning streak against Hartford to four games with a 3-2 overtime decision in Game One of this playoff series. The Wolf Pack opened the scoring with a powerplay goal 6:55 into the game, as Lauri Pajuniemi chipped home a rebound for his fourth goal of the postseason. Just 2:33 into the second period, Jonny Brodzinski fired his first goal of the playoffs by Hunter Shepard. Brodzinski was set up for a one-timer in the left-wing circle by Tanner Fritz, who collected his team-leading seventh assist. The goal was Hartford’s second powerplay tally of the night. They went 2-for-4 in the contest. The Bears responded just 2:52 into the third period, however, as Logan Day scored a powerplay goal of his own. Day blasted a shot from the point that evaded the glove of Dylan Garand and gave the Bears the push they needed. Late in the frame, with Shepard making his way to the bench, Jake Massie sent a shot toward the goal from the blue line. The puck clipped Connor McMichael and beat Garand at 17:51 to tie the affair and send it to overtime. Hershey made quick work in the extra session, the first for both teams in these playoffs. Henrik Borgstrom sniped a puck from the right-wing circle just 4:41 in, potting his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal in his Playoff debut. Wolf Pack Outlook: Last night’s overtime result was Hartford’s first trip to sudden death during the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs. It was the club’s first trip to playoff overtime since May 13th, 2015, against the Bears in Hershey. On that night, Chris Mueller scored a shorthanded goal to stun the crowd and give the Wolf Pack a 5-4 victory. The Wolf Pack’s powerplay converted on just two of 21 opportunities in six games against the Bears during the regular season. Through two rounds of the Calder Cup Playoffs, Hartford was 2-for-16 on the powerplay. In Game One, the Wolf Pack went 2-for-4, with both powerplay units finding the back of the net. With an assist on Pajuniemi’s powerplay goal at 6:55 of the first period, Tim Gettinger became the first Wolf Pack player this postseason to score points at five-on-five on the powerplay (1 a), and the penalty kill (1 g, 1 a). Gettinger (2 g, 6 a) and Fritz (1 g, 7 a) lead the Wolf Pack in points with eight each through seven Calder Cup Playoff games. Pajuniemi leads the team in goals with four through seven games. He has scored at least one goal in all three series thus far. Bears Outlook: The Bears completed their second consecutive multi-goal comeback on Thursday night. In Game Four of their Atlantic Division Semifinals series, the Bears trailed 2-0 after one period of play but rattled off six unanswered goals to win the game 6-2 and the series 3-1. Day’s powerplay goal 2:52 into the third period was the second goal of his Calder Cup Playoff career and his first goal as a member of the Bears. Day appeared in 36 games with the Bears in his first season with the club, collecting 12 assists in the regular season. His other Calder Cup Playoff goal came as a member of the Bakersfield Condors in 2019. Sam Anas leads the Bears in points with seven (2 g, 5 a) through five games. McMichael and Aliaksei Protas lead the Bears in goals with three each. Game Information: WATCH: AHLTV LISTEN: Mixlr Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack, Alex Thomas, will have ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ starting live at 6:45 p.m. on both AHLTV and Mixlr. The series shifts back to Hartford for Game Three on Wednesday, May 17th, at 7:00 p.m. For playoff ticket information, please visit HERE. 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 is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and plays 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

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK OPEN ATLANTIC DIVISION FINALS VS HERSHEY BEARS PREVIEW

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HERSHEY, PA – The Hartford Wolf Pack has arrived in Chocolatetown, USA, for the 2023 Atlantic Division Finals. The Wolf Pack opens the best-of-five series against the Hershey Bears tonight with Game One at the Giant Center. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., and coverage is available on both AHLTV and Mixlr. Tale of The Tape: The Wolf Pack and Bears met six times during the 2022-23 regular season, with the Bears taking four of the six meetings. Hershey posted a record of 4-2-0-0, while the Wolf Pack managed points in three games, going 2-3-0-1. The Wolf Pack posted a 1-2-0-0 record at the Giant Center, with their lone victory coming on November 20th by a final score of 4-2. The sides last met on February 11th in Hershey, with the Bears prevailing by a final score of 2-1. Mike Sgarbossa opened the scoring 12:13 into the tilt, potting his 16th goal of the season. Just under three minutes later, at 15:08, Henrik Rybinski made it a 2-0 game with the first shorthanded goal of his career. The Bears' two goals in the opening frame would be enough, despite a strong effort from the visitors. Hartford outshot Hershey 13-7 in the middle stanza and got on the board courtesy of Will Cuylle. The rookie’s 15th goal of the season put the Wolf Pack within one, but Hunter Shepard slammed the door shut from there. Shepard made 33 saves to cement the victory, earning first-star honors on the night. The Bears won each of the final three meetings between the sides, including the February 11th tilt. Hershey also took a 2-1 regulation decision on November 25th and a 1-0 shootout verdict on November 26th. Both of those games were in Hartford. Wolf Pack Outlook: The Wolf Pack advanced to the Atlantic Division Finals thanks to a 4-0 shutout of the Providence Bruins in Game Four of their Atlantic Division Semifinals series. The victory gave the Wolf Pack a 3-1 series decision. Hartford is 5-1 through six games during the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs. Turner Elson scored his first goal of the playoffs 3:40 into Game Four, giving the Wolf Pack a lead they would not lose. Elson became the fifth different Wolf Pack skater to record a game-winning goal during the postseason. Jake Leschyshyn potted a rebound at 4:49 of the middle frame to extend the lead to 2-0. The goal was his first career Calder Cup Playoff marker. Ryan Carpenter then buried a rebound from the right-wing circle at 15:23, essentially ending the intrigue on this night. Leschyshyn put home an empty net goal, his second of the night, 12:18 into the third period to make it a 4-0 game. Dylan Garand made 32 saves for his second career Calder Cup Playoff shutout. Defenseman Ty Emberson leads the Calder Cup Playoffs in +/- with a +13 rating. Forward Anton Blidh is second in the league with a +11. Tim Gettinger (2 g, 5 a) and Tanner Fritz (1 g, 6 a) lead the Wolf Pack in points through two rounds of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Lauri Pajuniemi, meanwhile, leads the team in goals with three through six games. Bears Outlook: The Bears completed a 3-1 series victory over the Charlotte Checkers with a 6-2 win in Game Four over the Charlotte Checkers on May 4th. Jake Wise and Riley Nash scored at 2:00 and 7:54 of the opening stanza, respectively, to give the Checkers a 2-0 lead after one. It would be all Bears from there, however. Mason Morelli got Hershey on the board at 10:15 into the middle stanza. Then Beck Malenstyn tied the game at 19:44. Aliaksei Protas broke the tie 8:59 into the third period, firing home a powerplay goal that would stand as both the game-winning and series-winning tally. Protas’ second goal at 10:57 gave Hershey the insurance they needed to close out the series. Riley Sutter and former Wolf Pack defenseman Dylan McIlrath both hit the empty net in the final few minutes to end the suspense. Sam Anas leads the Bears in points with six (2 g, 4 a) through four games. Protas, meanwhile, leads the Bears in goals with three. Game Information: WATCH: AHLTV LISTEN: Mixlr Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack, Alex Thomas, will have ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ starting live at 6:45 p.m. on both AHLTV and Mixlr. Game Two of the Atlantic Division Finals takes place this Saturday, May 13th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Giant Center in Hershey. The series shifts back to Hartford for Game Three on Wednesday, May 17th, at 7:00 p.m. For playoff ticket information, please visit HERE. 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 is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and plays 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

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PRE-GAME REPORT: HARTFORD WOLF PACK AIM FOR REBOUND IN GAME FOUR VS. PROVIDENCE BRUINS

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack will look to bounce back following their first loss of the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs tonight when they host the Providence Bruins in Game Four of their Atlantic Division Semifinals series. The Wolf Pack lead the series 2-1. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., and coverage is available on both AHLTV and Mixlr. Tale of The Tape: The Wolf Pack and Bruins met ten times during the 2022-23 season, with Hartford winning the series 6-4. Both teams collected points in seven of the ten meetings, with the Wolf Pack going 6-3-1-0 and the Bruins posting a record of 4-3-3-0. However, the Wolf Pack won each of the final three regular season meetings and extended the winning streak to five games after victories in Games One and Two. In Game Three, however, the Bruins found their way back into the win column with a 6-3 decision that kept their season alive. Justin Brazeau jammed a rebound 15:54 into the game on the powerplay, giving the Bruins a lead they would never lose. Oskar Steen made it 2-0 with just .2 seconds left in the stanza, tipping a shot home for his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal. Luke Toporowski made it 3-0 14:03 into the second period, snapping home his second goal of the playoffs. Zac Jones got Hartford on the board at 19:35 with a four-on-three powerplay goal, while Tim Gettinger struck 2:18 into the third period with a shorthanded marker to make it a 3-2 game. Jack Ahcan buried a breakaway goal at 5:58, however, restoring the two-goal lead. It would also stand as the game-winner. Lauri Pajuniemi tipped home a goal at 13:34, but the Bruins cemented the win with empty-net goals from Brazeau and Vinni Lettieri in the final 92 seconds. The series now stands at 2-1 in favor of Hartford. The Wolf Pack will advance to the Atlantic Division Finals with a victory tonight. Wolf Pack Outlook: The Wolf Pack had their four-game winning streak in the Calder Cup Playoffs and five-game winning streak against the Bruins broken on Wednesday night. The loss also snapped a six-game winning streak for the club at the XL Center. Gettinger's shorthanded marker on Wednesday night was the 20th shorthanded goal in Wolf Pack playoff history. He is the 14th player to record a shorthanded goal in the playoffs in club history. Anton Blidh finished the night with one assist and a +1 rating. His playoff +/- of +10 leads the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs and is tied for sixth in Wolf Pack history for all-time playoff +/-. Ty Emberson is also a +10 during the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs, tied with Blidh for the league lead and sixth all-time in club history. Tanner Fritz leads the club in playoff scoring with seven points (1 g, 6 a) through five games. Pajuniemi, meanwhile, paces the club in goals with three. Bruins Outlook: The Atlantic Division champion Bruins snapped a six-game losing streak in the Calder Cup Playoffs on Wednesday night. It was the club's first playoff win since a 4-2 victory on April 21st, 2019, against the Charlotte Checkers. Ahcan's game-winning goal on Wednesday night was the first goal of his Calder Cup Playoff career. Four of the five Bruins to score goals during the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs scored their first career playoff goals. In addition to, Ahcan, Brazeau, Toporowski, and Steen have all scored their first goals in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Brazeau leads the Bruins in scoring with three points (2 g, 1 a) through three games. He and Toporowski are tied for the team lead in goals with two during these playoffs. Game Information: WATCH: AHLTV LISTEN: Mixlr Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack, Alex Thomas, will have 'Wolf Pack Pregame' starting live at 6:45 p.m. on both AHLTV and Mixlr. Should the Wolf Pack win tonight, the club will advance to the Atlantic Division Final. A Bruins victory, however, will force a Game Five. Game Five, if necessary, will occur at the Amica Mutual Pavilion on Sunday, May 7th, at 7:05 p.m. For playoff ticket information, please visit HERE. 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 is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and plays 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

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GAME 3, HARTFORD WOLF PACK LOSE TO PROVIDENCE BRUINS

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – After taking the first two games of the Atlantic Division Semifinals on the road, the Hartford Wolf Pack returned to the XL Center on Wednesday night, eyeing a sweep of the Providence Bruins. The Pack challenged Providence late, but the Bruins stifled the comeback attempt, forcing Game Four with a 6-3 decision. Jack Achan potted his first career playoff goal about six minutes into the final stanza. Achan intercepted a pass in the neutral zone, sped towards the Hartford net on a breakaway opportunity, and ripped a wrist shot under the glove of Dylan Garand and into the Hartford net. The goal made the score 4-2 at the time and stood as the eventual game-winning tally. Providence broke the ice just under the 16-minute mark of the first period. With Libor Hájek in the penalty box for tripping, a scrum for a loose puck ensued in front of the Hartford net. Garand denied Connor Carrick's initial attempt, but Justin Brazeau collected the rebound and slid the puck through the five-hole, giving Providence a lead they would not give up. The goal was Brazeau's first career Calder Cup Playoff goal. Oskar Steen stretched the lead to two just before the final buzzer of the opening stanza. John Beecher won a battle along the wall and found Fabian Lysell in the right-wing circle. Lysell fed the puck to Josiah Didier at the blue line, and the Providence captain stepped into a shot that was redirected into the net by Steen. The shot beat the buzzer by .2 seconds and put the Bruins up by two, heading into the second period. Providence gained their biggest lead of the night just over 14 minutes into the second period. Zac Jones was sent to the box for tripping, setting up the second Bruins powerplay of the night. In the waning seconds of the man advantage, Luke Toporowski managed to sneak behind the Wolf Pack defense and flip a shot that beat Garand on the short side, giving the Bruins a three-goal lead. Jones finally put the Wolf Pack on the board at 19:35 of the middle stanza. Penalties to Steen, Joona Koppanen, and Adam Clendening initiated a four-on-three powerplay for Hartford. Jake Leschyshyn won a faceoff in the Providence zone, and Jones corralled the puck. Jones blasted a one-timer that Brandon Bussi never saw, cutting the lead to two heading into the final stanza. Hartford stayed hot to begin the third period. With Clendening still in the box serving a five-minute major for interference, Hájek rimmed the puck around the boards to clear it. Anton Blidh won a footrace for the puck and blasted a shot that Bussi denied with the blocker. Tim Gettinger tipped the puck toward the goal, and Blidh attempted to jam it home but was again denied. Finally, the rebound bounced to Gettinger, who stepped into a blast that beat the Providence netminder to bring the Wolf Pack within one. The goal was Gettinger's second career playoff marker. Achan converted on the breakaway at 5:58, putting the game out of reach for good. The Wolf Pack drew back within one at 13:34, as Lauri Pajuniemi tipped a pass from Tanner Fritz over Bussi for his team-leading third goal of the playoffs. Pajuniemi was again set up with a glorious opportunity, but Bussi flashed the leather to keep the Bruins ahead by a goal late in regulation time. The Bruins would then get a pair of empty net goals from Brazeau and Vinni Lettieri to cement the victory. Game Four of the Atlantic Division Semifinals between the Wolf Pack and the Bruins is now set for this Friday, May 5th, at the XL Center. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. To get tickets, visit HERE. 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 is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and plays 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

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PRE-GAME REPORT: HARTFORD WOLF PACK TAKE FIRST SHOT AT CLOSING SERIES WITH PROVIDENCE BRUINS

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack return to the XL Center in downtown Hartford for their second home game of the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs. The club will look to close out the Providence Bruins tonight and sweep their Atlantic Division Semifinals series. Hartford will advance to the Atlantic Division Final with a victory. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., and coverage is available on both AHLTV and Mixlr. Tale of The Tape: The Wolf Pack and Bruins met ten times during the 2022-23 season, with Hartford winning the series 6-4. Both teams collected points in seven of the ten meetings, with the Wolf Pack going 6-3-1-0 and the Bruins posting a record of 4-3-3-0. However, the Wolf Pack won each of the final three regular season meetings and have since extended the winning streak to five games after victories in Games One and Two. In Game Two, Anton Blidh opened the scoring 6:17 into the second period, jumping on a rebound and firing the puck by Brandon Bussi. Moments later, at 9:43, Adam Clendening blasted a shot from the point through traffic and by Bussi for his first goal of the playoffs. The goal would stand as the game-winner. Luke Toporowski got the Bruins on the board with his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal at 13:14, but it would be the only offense for the Bruins. Dylan Garand made eight saves in the third period to cement the 2-1 victory, giving Hartford a 2-0 stranglehold on the series. Garand made 29 stops in the victory and improved to 4-0 in his brief Calder Cup Playoff career. Hartford won four of the five meetings between the Wolf Pack and Bruins at the XL Center this season, going 4-1-0-0. The Bruins were 1-3-1-0 in their five visits, collecting points in just two of the games. This is the sixth playoff series between the Wolf Pack and the Bruins and the first since 2015. The Bruins knocked the Wolf Pack out of the Calder Cup Playoffs in 1999, 2001, and 2007, while Hartford returned the favor in 2000 and 2015. The Wolf Pack won the 2015 Atlantic Division Quarterfinals series 3-2 over the Bruins. Wolf Pack Outlook: The Wolf Pack made it four straight victories to open the Calder Cup Playoffs and five in a row overall against the Bruins on Saturday night. Clendening's goal was his second career Calder Cup Playoff game-winning goal, and his first since April 21st, 2018, as a member of the Rockford IceHogs. Tim Gettinger recorded two assists in the victory, his first career multi-assist game in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Through four games during the postseason, the Wolf Pack have outscored opponents 12-1 at five-on-five. They recorded each of the first 12 five-on-five goals during their postseason trip. The club's +13 goal differential (16 GF, 3 GA) is the best of any team in the Calder Cup Playoffs entering action on Wednesday night. Blidh's +9 rating ranks him number one in the Calder Cup Playoffs in +/-. Each of the top five in +/- in the Calder Cup Playoffs plays for Hartford. Ty Emberson is second at +8, while Tanner Fritz (+7), Blake Hillman (+7), and Lauri Pajuniemi (+7) are all tied for third. Garand, meanwhile, leads the playoffs in both save percentage (.966) and goals against average (.75). Fritz leads the club in scoring six points (1 g, 5 a) through four games. Blidh, Emberson, Hillman, Pajuniemi, and Bobby Trivigno are all tied for the team lead in goals with two each. Bruins Outlook: The Atlantic Division champion Bruins enter tonight with their backs against the wall. The Bruins will try to avoid the same fate as last year when they were swept 2-0 in the Atlantic Division First Round by the Bridgeport Islanders. The Bruins have lost six consecutive playoff games, dating back to a 4-2 victory on April 21st, 2019, against the Charlotte Checkers. Toporowski leads the Bruins in goals through two games with one, while Justin Brazeau and Joona Koppanen are tied with him in points with one each. Brazeau's assist on Toporowski's goal on Saturday night was the first point in his Calder Cup Playoff career. Bussi, despite two losses, has a .950 save percentage and 1.53 goals against average through his first two appearances in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Game Information: WATCH: AHLTV LISTEN: Mixlr Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack, Alex Thomas, will have 'Wolf Pack Pregame' starting live at 6:45 p.m. on both AHLTV and Mixlr. Should the Wolf Pack win tonight, the club will advance to the Atlantic Division Final and await the Hershey Bears Vs. winner. Charlotte Checkers matchup. A Bruins victory, however, will force a Game Four. Game Four will occur at the XL Center on Friday, May 5th, at 7:00 p.m. For playoff ticket information, please visit HERE. 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 is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and plays 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

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK TAKE 2-0 LEAD ON PROVIDENCE BRUINS

ADAM CLENDENING BLASTS HOME WINNER AS HARTFORD WOLF PACK EDGE PROVIDENCE BRUINS 2-1, TAKE 2-0 SERIES LEAD By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack turned in another terrific effort on Saturday night, taking a commanding 2-0 series lead in their best-of-five Atlantic Division Semifinals matchup with the Providence Bruins. Hartford struck twice in the middle stanza to a take a lead they never lost in an eventual 2-1 decision. Adam Clendening blasted home his first goal of the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs 9:43 into the second period, giving Hartford a 2-0 lead. Wyatt Kalynuk slipped a pass from the right-wing point to his defense partner, who was stationed at the top of the offensive zone on the blue line. Clendening stepped into a shot that boomed by Brandon Bussi for the eventual game-winning tally. For the second night in a row, the Wolf Pack and Bruins played a scoreless opening 20 minutes. This time, however, it was the Bruins who outshot the Wolf Pack. After managing just 14 shots over 60 minutes on Friday night, the Bruins fired 12 shots on goal in the opening stanza on this night. Dylan Garand, however, was up to the task and stopped all 12 shots. Also for the second night in a row, the Wolf Pack would open the scoring in the middle stanza. Former Bruin Anton Blidh pounced on a rebound for his first goal of the series at 6:17, breaking the ice. Tim Gettinger fired a shot from the right-wing point that Bussi denied, but Blidh was able to locate the rebound and stuff it home for his second goal of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Just over three minutes later, Clendening’s rocket from the point made it 2-0 Hartford. That would prove to be enough offense on this night. The Bruins would strike for the first time in this series at 13:14, answering back thanks to Luke Toporowski’s first career Calder Cup Playoff goal. Joona Koppanen won a board battle along the right-wing side and sent a centering pass to Toporowski. Toporowski took the pass and fired a shot from a high-danger area to make it a 2-1 game. That would be the only offense that Garand would surrender on this night, however, as the rookie goaltender slammed the door shut from there. Garand made nine saves in the third period, including a few in the final minutes with the Bruins pressing with the extra attacker. His 29 saves were the most in a game in his brief playoff career, in which he is now 4-0. The Wolf Pack, thanks to this victory, now hold a 2-0 series lead over the Bruins. They are now one game away from advancing to the Atlantic Division Final. The Pack return to the XL Center for Game Three of the best-of-five series on Wednesday, May 3rd. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. To get tickets, visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets/playoff-information. 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

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK SWEEP FIRST ROUND OVER SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – For the first time since 2015, playoff hockey returned to the XL Center, as the Hartford Wolf Pack hosted the rival Springfield Thunderbirds in Game Two of the First Round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Seven players scored as the Pack routed Springfield 7-1, completing the sweep and advancing to the Atlantic Division Semifinals series. Wyatt Kalynuk potted the eventual game-winner for the Wolf Pack 10:48 into the game. Anton Blidh forced a turnover behind the Springfield net and found Tanner Fritz in the left-wing circle. Fritz quickly snapped the puck to Kalynuk at the blue line, setting up the chance. Kalynuk stepped into a shot and blasted a howitzer through traffic that Joel Hofer never saw. The goal was Kalynuk's first as a member of the Wolf Pack, his first career playoff goal, and his first game-winning goal. Additionally, the assists by Fritz and Blidh were the second points of eventual three-point nights for the duo. Fritz tallied six points (1 g, 5 a) in the two-game series, the most for either team. Fritz's first point was the icebreaker 8:03 into the first period. Blidh entered the offensive zone and sent a pass to Lauri Pajuniemi in the slot. Pajuniemi found Fritz powering towards the goal, and the veteran forward beat Hofer by the glove to give the Wolf Pack a lead they would not lose. The tally was Fritz's first career playoff goal. Kalynuk potted the eventual game-winner at 10:48, but the Wolf Pack were far from done. Ty Emberson tallied his second goal in as many games just over two minutes later. Fritz held the puck just beyond the left circle and fired a cross-ice pass to an open Emberson. Emberson walked in before ripping a wrist shot through the five-hole of Hofer to put the Pack up by three. The Thunderbirds got on the board in the final minute of the opening stanza. Kalynuk was sent to the box for hooking, initiating the game's first powerplay. Nikita Alexandrov attempted to jam the puck into the Hartford net, but Dylan Garand denied the attempt. Instead, the puck bounced to Will Bitten, who fired a shot that deflected off the pad of Garand and into the net, putting the Thunderbirds on the board. Unfortunately, the goal would be the only blemish on Garand's record, as the rookie netminder denied 19 of the 20 Thunderbird's shots. Hartford continued to pour it on in the middle stanza. Brady Lyle was sent to the box for tripping at 2:18, giving the Wolf Pack their first and only powerplay opportunity of the night. Turner Elson powered into the offensive zone and found Bobby Trivigno in the slot. Trivigno promptly lit the lamp with a shot by the glove of Hofer to extend the Hartford lead back to three. The tally was Trivigno's first playoff goal. Blake Hillman followed up, scoring his second goal in as many games at 6:30 of the second period. An extended sequence in the Springfield zone ended with Zac Jones corralling the puck along the left wall. Jones snapped a pass to a wide-open Hillman, who walked in and uncorked a shot from the right circle that Hofer could not stop. Hillman, who did not have a goal during the regular season, has scored in both of Hartford's playoff contests. The Wolf Pack tacked on a pair of empty-net goals in the final stanza. Blidh put Hartford up by five at 13:34. The Wolf Pack were forced to play four-on-six hockey, with Jones in the box for delay of game and the extra attacker on in favor of Hofer. Blake Hillman controlled the puck along the back wall and rimmed it around the boards to clear. A footrace for the loose puck ensued between Blidh and Scott Perunovich. Blidh tripped, got back up, and redirected the puck into the empty net. The goal was Blidh's third point of the night. It was the first time Hartford hit the empty net while short-handed this season. Tim Gettinger capped off the scoring with another empty net goal at 15:02. It was the first playoff goal and point for Gettinger, the longest-tenured member of the Wolf Pack who has played 237 games in Hartford. Five minutes later, Hartford completed the sweep and advanced to the Atlantic Division Semifinals. The Wolf Pack will face the Providence Bruins in the Atlantic Division Semifinals of the Calder Cup Playoffs. The series begins at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence on Friday, April 28th. The puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. The Pack return to the XL Center for Game Three of the best-of-five series on Wednesday, May 3rd. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. To get tickets, visit hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets/playoff-information. 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 is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and plays 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

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK WIN EIGHTH STRAIGHT TO CLOSE REGULAR SEASON

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack hosted their final regular season home game on Friday night as they welcomed the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to the XL Center. Louis Domingue sent a raucous crowd of 6,226 fans home happy, stopping all 28 Penguins shots as the Wolf Pack earned their eighth straight victory with a 4-0 win over the Penguins. Tim Gettinger gave the Wolf Pack a lead they would not lose just under 16 minutes into the opening stanza. A high-sticking call to Josh Maniscalco initiated the Wolf Pack's second powerplay opportunity. Lauri Pajuniemi took a feed from Adam Clendening in the left circle and shot toward the Penguins' net. The puck grazed off the leg of Gettinger and past Joel Blomqvist, putting Hartford in the lead for good. The goal was Gettinger's first game-winning tally of the campaign. The goal was Gettinger's 62nd career goal, putting him tenth all-time on the Wolf Pack's goal-scoring list. Turner Elson stretched the lead to two about six and a half minutes into the second period. Ryan Carpenter freed the puck from a scrum along the back wall and sent a centering pass to Elson. Elson promptly blasted a shot by the blocker of Blomqvist to double the Hartford lead. The goal was Elson's 40th point of the campaign, becoming the fifth member of the Wolf Pack to hit that mark. Elson struck again just over four and a half minutes into the final stanza. Elson positioned himself in the slot and deflected a centering feed from Will Cuylle into the Penguins' net to put the Wolf Pack up by three. It was Elson's second straight game lighting the lamp twice. Elson has recorded six points (4 g, 2 a) in his last three games. The assist on the goal was Cuylle's 20th of his rookie campaign. Adam Edström capped off the scoring at 13:24 of the third period. Gettinger snapped a pass to Edström at center ice, and the rookie forward took the puck into the Penguins' zone. Edström made a spectacular move to get by Maniscalco, skated to the slot, and beat Blomqvist by the blocker for his first goal in the American Hockey League. The Penguins challenged Domingue after Wyatt Kalynuk was called for roughing at 16:59 of the third period. Still, the veteran netminder prevented the Penguins from getting on the board, and the Wolf Pack earned their eighth straight victory. The shutout was Domingue's fourth overall on the season and was his ninth consecutive victory dating back to March 15th. The Wolf Pack wrap up the regular season tomorrow as they hit the road to take on the Springfield Thunderbirds in the final installment of the 'I-91 Rivalry' for the 2022-23 season. The puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. The Wolf Pack will begin the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs next week. Hartford's First Round opponent and game dates and times are still to be determined. For Calder Cup Playoff tickets and seeding information, please visit  www.hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets/playoff-information. 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 is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and plays 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

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK ARE BOUND FOR THE PLAYOFFS

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings PROVIDENCE, RI - The Hartford Wolf Pack extended their winning streak to seven games with a 5-3 win over the Providence Bruins. Combined with a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 8-2 thrashing of the Bridgeport Islanders to clear the last hurdle, the Pack ended an eight-year playoff drought. The Pack extended their winning streak to seven games and punched a playoff ticket in the process on Libor Hajek's early third-period goal, which stood as the game-winner. The winning streak, the first since the late season run in the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season, along with the deadline acquisitions of Will Lockwood, Anton Blidh, Wyatt Kalynuk, and Adam Clendennine, paid off. With the win, the Pack returns to the Calder Cup playoffs for the first time since 2015-16. The last playoff series the team won was against the Hershey Bears, with two of the home games played in Worcester. The eventual Calder Cup champions, the Manchester Monarchs, swept them in the conference finals. The Wolf Pack started the third like they did the first - by scoring. Bobby Trivigno had a game-best three assists. He was stopped from the right wing. Turner Elson, already with two goals in the contest, made a hat trick. However, he was stopped as he went to play the rebound attempt. Karl Henriksson took a swing-and-a-miss, but Libor Hájek came in off the left point and caught the puck instead. His blast made it 4-2. Josiah Didier made it 4-3 and doubled his goal total with a right-point low shot with two Bruins in front, creating havoc as the puck eluded Pack netminder Dylan Garand. Tanner Fritz scored his tenth into an empty net at 19:34 to clinch the game and secure a career-best 42 points. In the second period, the Pack took the lead and showed resilience. Trivigno started with a shot toward the net that hit some skates and sticks and came to Tim Gettinger. He tried a wraparound that went to Ryan Carpenter, who fired his 21st goal of the season at 6:03 The Pack had the game's first goal. The team has been getting solid offensive zone entries. Henriksson came across and found Zac Jones. He, in turn, found Elson as he deposited his 14th from the right-wing circle. Ty Emberson, who seems to have one big hit per game during the recent surge, took down Didier early. Providence showed why they have been at or near the top Atlantic Division most of this year. Didier curled off the right-wing wall and fired into traffic. Samuel Asselin moved in front and created a screen getting Didier's shot past Garand. Then the Bruins took a 2-1 lead as Luke Toporowski, back from an early season injury, was on the left wing side. He zipped his 14th into the net using Jones as a screen as he beat his former junior teammate at 10:54. Elson tallied his second of the night and 15th of the season as he filled the gap in front of the net while Kale Keyser made a shoulder save. Elson found the loose biscuit and put the Pack in a two-two tie at 16:46. The Pack saw the Bruins nearly score late in the first period as Wyatt Kalynuk intercepted Justin Brazeau's feed bound for Toporowski. LINES: Cullye-Leschyshyn-Brodzinski Gettinger-Lockwood-Carpenter Fritz-Pajuniemi-Blidh Elson-Henriksson-Trivigno Jones-Emberson Hájek-Scanlin Clendening-Kalynuk Domingue Garand SCRATCHES: Matt Rempe (healthy) Blake Hillman (healthy) Adam Edström #34 (healthy) Brett Berard #27 (healthy) Adam Sýkora  #29 (healthy) Bryce McConnell-Barker #8 (healthy) Matt Robertson (upper body, week-to-week, may be ready by the first of the playoffs) Patrick Khordorenko (season-ending shoulder surgery). C.J. Smith (hip area surgery done for the season). NOTES: Wilkes Barre/Scranton romped over Bridgeport 8-2 at the Total Mortgage Arena. The win by the Penguins also sent Charlotte and Springfield to the Calder Cup playoffs. On a set play, Quinnipiac University's Jacob Quillan zoomed in on the left wing, taking Arizona Coyotes draftee Sam Lipkin's backhand pass ten seconds into OT to score and secure the Bobcats their first NCAA title of any kind for the Hamden-based school defeating midwestern powerhouse Minnesota. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK CLINCH PLAYOFFS WITH 5-3 WIN OVER PROVIDENCE BRUINS

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack are returning to the Calder Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2015. Hartford’s 5-3 triumph in Providence over the Bruins and an 8-2 victory by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins over the Bridgeport Islanders pushed them back into the playoffs, snapping an eight-year drought. Libor Hájek scored his second goal of the season 2:21 into the third period, extending Hartford’s lead to 4-2. Bobby Trivigno was sprung into the Providence zone but denied by Kyle Keyser on a partial breakaway. The rebound came to Turner Elson, but his shot hit the side of the net and came into the left-wing circle. Hájek stepped into a blast that beat Keyser for the eventual game-winning goal. It was Hájek’s second game-winner of the season. The Wolf Pack opened the scoring just 2:42 into the game, with Elson potting his 14th of the season. Zac Jones darted into the left-wing circle and sent a backdoor pass to Elson, who easily beat Keyser for the icebreaker. However, the Bruins responded with two goals, turning the tide in the game. First, Josiah Didier fired a shot from the right-wing point that snuck through traffic and beat Dylan Garand for his third goal of the season at 6:31. Then, with the Bruins pressing, rookie Luke Toporowski put them ahead at 10:54. Toporowski snapped a shot over the glove of Garand for his 14th goal of the season, igniting the Amica Mutual Pavilion. Hartford got to work in the offensive zone and found a response marker of their own at 16:46. After a hard-working shift in which Hartford forced a pair of turnovers, Elson found the puck at the top of the crease and beat Keyser for his second of the night and 15th of the season. Tied 2-2 early in the second period, Hartford would regain the lead after a scramble in the Providence zone. Trivigno’s initial shot hit a leg and ended up behind the Bruin goal, where Tim Gettinger collected it. Gettinger’s wraparound attempt was denied, but the rebound came right to Ryan Carpenter. His shot snuck through Keyser at 6:03, giving the Wolf Pack a lead they never lost. Hájek’s goal at 2:21 of the third period gave Hartford the insurance needed to push this win over the finish line, as Garand largely stood tall. Didier fired another shot through traffic at 8:33 to make it a 4-3 game, but Tanner Fritz potted an empty net goal at 19:34 to cement the two points. The goal, Fritz’s 10th of the season, gives him 43 points on the campaign. That’s a new career-high for the veteran forward. The win clinches Hartford their first playoff berth since 2015, snapping the longest drought in the American Hockey League. The Wolf Pack is sixth in the Atlantic Division with 79 points, one back of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Springfield Thunderbirds, and Charlotte Checkers. All of those teams are tied for third place with 80 points. The Wolf Pack returns to the XL Center for the final regular season home game on Friday, April 14th, hosting the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Join us for Fan Appreciation Night featuring special guest Johnny Damon! The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. To get tickets, visit hartfordwolfpack.com. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK ROLL TO 5-1 WIN OVER THE LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings ALLENTOWN, PA - Dylan Garand's strong effort in net and offense from Ryan Carpenter and Will Lockwood, each with a goal and an assist, paced the Hartford Wolf Pack to a 5-1 road victory over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The third period was decisive for the Pack as their counter-attack led them to score three times and pull from the Phantoms. They have won four in a row, gone 7-3-1-0 in their last 11 are five points ahead of idle Bridgeport, but they have two games in hand and have gotten themselves to within one point of the fifth-place Phantoms. Lehigh Valley plays Bridgeport tomorrow afternoon. The Wolf Pack are off until Wednesday when the Toronto Marlies, coached by Pack captain/ex-Sound Tiger/ex-Springfield Falcon Greg Moore, comes to town. They host the Islanders next Friday on Calder Cup championship celebration night at the XL Center. The playoff sprint is on. The Wolf Pack of late has shown a late-game resilience that's been absent for a part of the season. Garand started it with four solid saves on Jackson Cates, Olle Lycksell, Elliott Desnoyers, and Tyson Foerster, keeping the Phantoms from tying it. They got the two-goal lead they sought as Tim Gettinger stripped Phantoms forward Bobby Brink of the puck, pushed the puck ahead, and Tanner Fritz motored his way down on the right wing and nailed one off the back bar in the net at 7:52 for his 11th and a 3-1 lead. The Pack didn't stop there as captain Jonny Brodzinski was on fire, scoring his 19th as his pass was too far for Jake Leschysyn. Brodzinski used his speed and smarts to get to the loose puck following the play. Then at the left side of the net put in his 19th, making it 4-1. Brodzinski, clearly a Player of the Week candidate, has 19 goals and 18 assists in 26 games since being reassigned by the Rangers. The icing on the cake came as Carpenter helped force a neutral zone turnover, then headed right to the Phantoms' zone. Lockwood made an intelligent outlet pass off the boards at center ice that set him free and Carpenter made no mistake with a shot over Nolan Maier's glove and under the crossbar for a hefty 5-1 lead that stayed there. There was no third-period collapse. In the last four periods at the PPL Center, the Wolf Pack have outscored the Phantoms 10-1, and in their previous four games have outscored their opponents  19-3. Who is this team? In the second period, pushback came Garand, who did his best stopping 11 of 12 shots in various ways, and just one eluded him all evening. In the two-game total, the Pack goalies faced 70 shots, and only one went in. Emil Andrae, a defenseman for the Phantoms, cruised in the Wolf Pack zone unchecked. Andare, a second pick by the Flyers three years ago, spent the year in Sweden, took the drop pass from Tyson Forester, and in just his third game with Phantoms, fired a perfect bar down shot for his first-ever AHL goal at 7:30 to cut the lead to just one goal. The Pack had early offense when Will Cullye hit the post at 2:02 off a pass from the left-wing wall from Brodzinski. Garand was sharp, stopping Ronnie Attard, Elliott Desnoyers, and Max Willam in one burst of shots at the net. Then with 4:56 left, Brodzinski, on the right wing, tried to set up Jake Leschyshyn. Nearly a minute later, Andrae almost tied the game on virtually the same play but hit the crossbar this time. Then with 59 seconds remaining in the period saw ex-Pack Alex Kile got around Adam Clendening and tested Garand down low, but the door remained closed with his paddle down on the ice. The Wolf Pack had a strong road game to start the hockey game. The Pack struck gold first. Anton Blidh fired a perfect outlet pass and found Lauri Pajuniemi open behind the defense. Then screaming in Nolan Maier, bear him on the breakaway for his 19th at 2:18. The Pack kept the foot on the gas pedal depressed and took advantage of a poor icing call by the officials that infuriated Phantoms coach Ian Laperriere and Carpenter won the ensuing offensive zone faceoff and alerted Gettinger on the forecheck got there first. His pass hit some skates and bounced to Carpenter in the left-wing circle, zipped a high shot that  Lockwood deflected perfectly over Maier's shoulder for a 2-0 lead at 5:38. Carpenter has nine points in the last nine games in this latest Pack surge. Then Brandon Scanlin threw an excellent hard, legal in the neutral zone on Max Willam, crushing him into the right-wing boards, and sadly, customarily, he had to battle ex-Pack Alex Kile. Still, the Pack was firing on all cylinders as he got into his second fight in as many games. They got help in the net as Garand made nine saves, including a big save, and then Elliott Desnoyers and Garrett Wilson were denied. The Pack got a four-minute powerplay on a high stick-on Wyatt Kalynuk by Jordie Bellerive. Zac Jones got plenty of ice with eight minutes of the 20 were on the man advantage. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK PREGAME REPORT

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack  HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack return home to kickstart a brief two-game homestand this evening when they welcome the Bridgeport Islanders to town for a vital game in the Atlantic Division playoff chase. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., and coverage is available on both AHLTV and Mixlr.  Tale of The Tape: This is the eleventh of twelve meetings between the Wolf Pack and the Islanders this season. It is the fifth of six meetings between the foes at the XL Center in downtown Hartford. The sides will wrap up the season series in Hartford on Friday, April 7th. The Wolf Pack have won three in a row in the season series, most recently taking a 3-2 decision in Bridgeport on March 18th. Cole Bardreau opened the scoring 58 seconds in, snapping the night's first shot into the net for his 15th goal of the season. However, Hartford did all their damage in the middle frame, taking over the tilt for good. Jonny Brodzinski tied the affair with a powerplay goal 29 seconds in, then Ryan Carpenter gave Hartford the lead for good at 7:54, taking a centering pass from Tim Gettinger off a turnover deep in the Islander zone. Brodzinski finished the period with the eventual game-winner at 17:06, scoring his second of the night on a breakaway. Ruslan Iskhakov drew the Isles within one at 1:58 of the third period, but the Wolf Pack killed three penalties in the final at 16:41 and skated off with the two points. Hartford also won the last meeting at the XL Center by a margin of 7-5 on March 15th. As a result, both sides enter tonight's tilt with a 5-5-0-0 record head-to-head. Wolf Pack Outlook: The Wolf Pack got back into the win column with a 5-1 defeat of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Sunday in Pennsylvania. Zac Jones scored just 16 seconds in, snapping a shot from the left-wing circle that put Hartford ahead for good. Will Lockwood converted a two-on-one on a feed from Carpenter at 6:25, while Brodzinski fired home a one-timer on the powerplay at 13:33 to put Hartford ahead 3-0. Anton Blidh tacked on an insurance goal at 10:27 of the second period, while Turner Elson hit the empty net at 19:24. Louis Domingue made 27 saves for his fourth consecutive victory. It is his longest winning streak of the season. Brodzinski has thrived against the Islanders as of late. The captain scored two goals in Hartford's last three meetings with the Islanders. That includes a four-point performance (2 g, 2 a) on March 4th in a 9-0 victory at Bridgeport. Brodzinski (18 g, 23 a) and Will Cuylle (24 g, 17 a) are tied for the team lead in scoring with 41 points each. Cuylle's 24 goals are tops on the club in that category.  Islanders Outlook: The Islanders won last time out, notching their second straight victory via a 5-2 decision over the Belleville Senators on Friday night. Maxence Guenette and Erik Brown traded first-period goals, sending the clubs to the middle stanza deadlocked 1-1. Iskhakov broke the tie just 86 seconds into the second period, giving the Isles the lead for good. Arnaud Durandeau popped home the game-winner at 9:11, making it 3-1. Durandeau scored his second of the night into an empty net in the third period, while Andy Andreoff also found the twine in the final frame. Chris Terry leads the Islanders in scoring with 62 points (19 g, 43 a) on the season. Andreoff, meanwhile, is tops on the club in goals with 31. He is second in the league in goals, behind only Calgary's Matthew Phillips. Game Information:  WATCH: AHLTV LISTEN: Mixlr Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack, Alex Thomas, will have 'Wolf Pack Pregame' starting live at 6:45 p.m. on both AHLTV and Mixlr. The Pack is back at the XL Center on Friday night when they host the Providence Bruins. Join us for $2 beers and $1 hot dogs until the end of the first intermission! In addition, the Wolf Pack teamed up with the Miracle League of Connecticut for a sensory-friendly game this night. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.; tickets are available at hartfordwolfpack.com. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK TAKES ON BRIDGEPORT ISLANDERS

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack BRIDGEPORT, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack hit the road intending to shake off a tough loss on Friday night. Tonight, the Wolf Pack make the trek south to battle their Connecticut rivals, the Bridgeport Islanders. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., and coverage is available on both AHLTV and Mixlr.  Tale of The Tape: This season, this is the tenth of twelve meetings between the Wolf Pack and the Islanders. It is the final meeting of the season at Total Mortgage Arena. The sides wrap their season series up with two games at the XL Center on March 29th and April 7th. On Wednesday night, the Wolf Pack snapped a two-game home losing streak against the Islanders with a 7-5 comeback victory at the XL Center. The Islanders jumped out to a 3-1 lead on goals from Ruslan Iskhakov, Kyle MacLean, and Andy Andreoff, finding twine on their first three shots of the night. Will Cuylle had Hartford's lone goal in that span, then Lauri Pajuniemi gave the home team life with a goal at 14:39. Jonny Brodzinski tied the game at 1:26 of the second period, scoring from a sharp angle. William Dufour put the Isles back on top at 7:33, making it a 4-3 game with his shot from the point. That score would be after two periods, but the Wolf Pack would not be deterred. Ryan Carpenter tied the affair 99 seconds into the final frame, then Tim Gettinger put the Pack ahead at 6:15. Brodzinski blasted home his second goal of the night at 12:59, making it 6-4. Tanner Fritz hit the empty net at 17:08 before Collin Adams scored at 19:10 to make things slightly tighter. The Wolf Pack are 4-5-0-0 against the Islanders this season and 2-3-0-0 at Total Mortgage Arena. However, Hartford has won their last two trips to Bridgeport, outscoring the Islanders 16-3 in the process. They took a 9-0 decision in their previous visit on March 4th and won 7-3 on December 27th. Wolf Pack Outlook: The Wolf Pack lost in regulation for the second time all season when leading after two periods of play on Friday night, falling 4-2 to the Springfield Thunderbirds. Anton Blidh and Will Cuylle scored in the game's opening minutes, with Blidh lighting the lamp at 4:32 and Cuylle at 5:55. Hartford would take that lead to both the first and second intermissions before hitting a speed bump in the final frame. Will Bitten scored twice, at 6:21 and 11:41, to tie the game 2-2. Martin Frk then gave the Thunderbirds the lead for good at 14:39, blasting a shot home on the club's third powerplay. Bitten completed the hat trick at 18:47, hitting the empty net. It was Hartford's second loss in three games in regulation at home when leading by two or more goals after two periods of play. Cuylle leads the Wolf Pack in scoring with 37 points (21 g, 16 a) on the campaign. In addition, his 21 goals pace the club in that category. Islanders Outlook: The Islanders bounced back convincingly last night, handing the Syracuse Crunch a 5-2 result at Total Mortgage Arena. Trevor Carrick scored 3:04 into the game, lighting the lamp on the powerplay to put the Crunch ahead 1-0 after one. The Isles exploded for three goals in the second period, taking a lead they'd hold for the rest of the night. Andreoff scored twice, hitting twine at 10:05 to tie the game and again at 18:09 to pot the eventual winner. Adams also scored in the period, nabbing his second goal in as many games at 13:56. Chris Terry tacked on an insurance marker at 5:24 before Rudolfs Balcers scored Syracuse's second powerplay goal of the night at 17:01. Any drama would be neutralized when Andreoff completed the hat trick with an empty net goal at 17:29. Terry leads the Islanders in scoring with 60 points (19 g, 41 a) in 55 games this season. Andreoff, meanwhile, leads the club in goals with 29. He's one of two Islanders to hit the 20-goal mark this season, as the rookie Dufour has 20 on the campaign. Game Information: WATCH: AHLTV LISTEN: Mixlr Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack, Alex Thomas, will have 'Wolf Pack Pregame' starting live at 6:45 p.m. on both AHLTV and Mixlr. The Pack is back at the XL Center next Friday, March 24th, when the Springfield Thunderbirds return to town. Join us for $2 beers and $1 hot dogs until the end of the first intermission. Tickets are available at hartfordwolfpack.com. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS VISIT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK

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