CLOSING IN 

The ’07-’08 Hartford Wolf Pack’s regular season is winding down as the Pack enter the weekend with just six games remaining on their schedule. They finish the season next weekend with games against Springfield at home and a home-and-home series with instate rival Bridgeport, but that’s next week.

This weekend is a different story as all three games are vital if the Pack are going to win the Atlantic Division. Second place is virtually decided with the magic number for the Wolf Pack to clinch it at just two points. On the other hand though, the Hartford Wolf Pack (46-19-2-8) have their sights set on a loftier goal, catching the first place Providence Bruins for the Atlantic Division crown. Providence (50-16-3-4) leads the Pack by six points and has a game in hand. The Baby B’s number to secure the division title is just seven. Any combination of the Pack’s missing out on points and the Bruins earning them will decrease that number…as if you didn’t know that already.

FRIDAY VERSUS PROVIDENCE in Providence

Friday night’s contest is just that much more important as the First and Second rivals play their last game head-to-head with the Pack visiting Providence. This game is a must win for the Pack if they hope to even stand a realistic chance of catching the Bruins as there are four-points at stake in the contest.

While the Wolf Pack have been extremely hot, winning five straight and gotten points in ten of their last eleven games (9-1-0-1), the Bruins have only been slightly off that pace with points in eleven of their last twelve (8-1-0-3).

The Bruins are a talented team. Left wing Pascal Pelletier has 35 goals and 35 assists good for eighth overall in scoring. While right-wings Martin Karsums and his 17 goals and 42 helpers backed up by the AHL’s plus/minus leader, Jeff Hoggan’s 28 goals and 30 assists make pretty formidable wings. Then there is the guy who gets the puck to them, center Matt Hendricks who’s had a fine season potting 22 and helping out on 28.

The back lines are manned by Brent Skinner (6g, 37a), Sean Curry (13,23) and Matt Lashoff. In the net is the formidable rookie, Tuukka Rask (27-11-0-2, 2.33GAA .906%).

The Bruins also have a player with the best name in the league in center, Wacey Rabbit (9g, 16a). What did they turn down before choosing that one? “Rascally?” His parents deserve more than two in the sin bin for that one.

SATURDAY VERSUS PORTLAND in Portland
With the Pack going to the shootout and getting a point and Portland’s overtime loss to Worcester, the Wolf Pack have clinched at least second place but still have an outside chance of catchingfirst place Providence. Portland (43-26-3-4) on the other hand, know their fate and will probably rest some players because they have secured third and already know that they will be on the road in the first round visiting either Providence or Hartford with Hartford almost assured of being their destination.

The Pack have played fairly evenly with the Pirates this season at 3-2-1-1. The Pirates have not been playing well of late. They went on a season high four game losing streak at the worst possible time. The losing cost the Pirates their shot at the second seed in the Atlantic. They did beat Albany to snap the losing streak with Jean-Sebastien Aubin (5-2-0 2.05GAA .915%) in net. Aubin is in the AHL as the NHL’s numbers game cost him.

AHL All-Rookie team forward, Bobby Ryan (21g, 28a) is not likely to come back to Portland any time soon. The 6’1″ 221 pound native of Camden, NJ has been playing very well in Anaheim potting 4g and 3 assists in 21 games.

Don’t think that means that Kevin Dineen’s team isn’t without their threats. The Pirates are VERY deep down the middle. Andrew Ebbett (17g, 50a) is the team’s overall points leader. Geoff Platt (32g, 32a) leads the team in goals scored and Jason King (29g, 30a) has had a very solid season.

On the defensive side of the puck, Portland has Brian Salcido (10g, 40a) former Bridgeport Sound Tiger Bruno St. Jacques (8g 19A) has been effective for the Pirates since coming over from Syracuse early in the season.

If it’s not Aubin in net, and if the Pack have locked up second he probably won’t be, the Pack will see either Mike McKenna (23-12-1 2.80GAA .904%) or Gerald Coleman (8-7-1 2.91GAA or .896%) between the pipes.

SUNDAY VERSUS LOWELL in Hartford
Lowell (24-38-7-4), will be looking forward to this last meeting between the two clubs this last season as it’ll put them one game closer to their collective summer vacations. After such an impressive season where they locked in their eight consecutive trip to the golf course before any of the other teams in the league. They’ve managed that by sleepwalking through much of the season scoring the fewest goals in the league (171) and allowing the fourth most goals (244) while managing to have the leagues highest payroll and most experienced team.

The team does manage to have talent. Center Petr Vrana (18g, 39a) was an AHL All-Star and right wing Barry Tallackson (22, 21) are the Devils top threats and New Jersey’s top prospects.

Given the team also has the league’s worst attendance at a measly 2,001 per game, one can only hope that Devils GM Lou Lamarillo will do something about restoring this team to being competitive not just on the ice but in the rink as well as the Lowell fans are a good group of people.

Bruce Berlet has one of his finest pieces of the season profiling the 1st and second team ALL-AHL honors that were given yesterday to Andrew Hutchinson and P.A. Parenteau respectively in the Hartford Courant and previews the Pack’s Week Ahead.

TheAHL.com has more on the ALL-AHL Team and the ALL-AHL Rookie Team. None of the Pack players made the squad, but ex-Pack and Current NY Ranger, Dan Girardi is mentioned.

Catch all of the action on the internet/radio with Bob Crawford calling the action at ESPN 1410AM. Watch all of the action for $6 per game at B2LiveTV.com.