WOLF PACK WEEKLY: February 9 – 15, 2009

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The Wolf Pack (26-20-2-3, 57 pts.) lost two out of three Atlantic-Division games this past week, but remained in second place in the division.  The Manchester Monarchs defeated the Wolf Pack 6-3 at the XL Center Wednesday night, the Wolf Pack’s first loss in four games vs. the Monarchs this season.  Saturday in Springfield the Wolf Pack pulled off a 3-2 win over the Falcons, despite equaling a franchise low with only 16 shots on goal.  Then on Sunday at Lowell, the Pack fell to 0-3-0-1 on the year against the Devils, losing by a score of 5-3.  Pack scoring leader P.A. Parenteau was the team’s top performer on the week, with 2-3-5 in the three games, moving into a tie for second in the AHL in points (22-36-58 in 51 GP).

This week:

It’s a busy week of home-ice action for the Wolf Pack this week, with three games vs. Western-Conference opponents.  The Manitoba Moose are in town for a pair of games, this Wednesday, February 11th and Saturday, February 14th, and sandwiched in between those two is the first-ever visit to Hartford by the Lake Erie Monsters on Friday night, February 13th.  Faceoff is 7:00 all three nights.  Friday night is Guida’s Family Value Night, and the first 2,500 fans on Saturday receive a Nigel Dawes bobblehead.

Wednesday, February 11th vs. Manitoba at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

· The Moose enter the week tied with Hershey for first place overall in the AHL, with a record of 35-14-0-4 for 74 points.  Head Coach Scott Arniel’s club is 9-1-0-2 in its last 12 games and 13-2-0-2 in its last 17.

· This is the first visit by the Moose to the XL Center since December of 2002.  The Wolf Pack posted a 6-3 win and a 3-2 overtime loss in a two-game trip to Winnipeg in early January.

· Jason Krog, last season’s AHL MVP and scoring champ (39-73-112 in 80 games with the Calder Cup-champion Chicago Wolves), is the top scorer on this year’s Moose club.  His totals of 17-34-51 in 47 games rank him ninth in the league in points.

· Radio – live with Mark Bailey in HD on WTIC’s 96.5 HD 2 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and www.wtic.com.

Friday, February 13th vs. Lake Erie at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

· This will be the first-ever XL Center appearance by the Monsters, a second-year franchise in the AHL and the top affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche.  The Wolf Pack won the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, 5-3, November 16th in Cleveland.

· Being a Friday night, this is a Guida’s Family Value Night.  Family Value packages start at $39 and include three tickets, three hot dogs or pizza slices, three sodas and a Wolf Pack souvenir.  To order your Family Value Night pack, visit the XL Center box office, or go on-line to www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

· The Monsters (21-25-1-5, 48 pts.) currently stand sixth in the North Division, seven points out of a playoff spot.

· Lake Erie goaltender Tyler Weiman, who helped represent the Monsters in the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic, leads the AHL in shutouts with six, and carries the league’s fourth-best goals-against average (2.27).

· Radio – live with Bob Crawford in HD on WTIC’s 96.5 HD 2 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and www.wtic.com.

Saturday, February 14th vs. Manitoba at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

· The first 2,500 fans into this game will take home a bobblehead of former Wolf Pack sniper, and current New York Ranger regular, Nigel Dawes.

· The Moose sport the AHL’s best road record, having failed to gain at least a point only four times in 23 away games on the season (17-4-0-2).

· Radio – this game can be heard live on the 50,000-watt AM powerhouse, WTIC NewsTalk 1080.  Bob Crawford, Mark Bailey and WTIC NewsTalk 1080’s Scott Gray comprise the broadcast team.    The action will also be carried live in HD on WTIC’s 96.5 HD 2 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and www.wtic.com.

Recent Transactions:

Artem Anisimov – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers February 1st, and returned to the Wolf Pack February 4th.

Corey Potter – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers February 5th, and returned to the Wolf Pack February 7th.

Maxime Daigneault – returned on loan by the Wolf Pack to Charlotte (ECHL) February 9th.

Pack Tracks:

Adult tickets for Wolf Pack home games can be purchased for as low as $10 each for the rest of the regular season, sponsored by Click It or Ticket.  Individual tickets for Wolf Pack games are on sale now at the XL Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations including Macy's at the Buckland Hills Mall and at the Westfarms Mall. Tickets may also be charged by phone at 1-800-745-3000, and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  Season tickets, six and 10-game packages, coupon books and group tickets are also available.  Contact 860-548-2000 for more details.

Kids can save with Sonar, the Wolf Pack’s mascot, by attending the Pack’s home game Wednesday, February 18th, a GEICO Connecticut Cup battle with Bridgeport (7:00 faceoff).  The first 1,500 kids into the game will receive their very own, free Sonar piggy bank.

The Wolf Pack Community Foundation’s annual “Tip a Player” Dinner and Sports Carnival is coming up Sunday, March 1st at the XL Center from 4-7 PM, benefitting Gaylord Hospital.  For ticket information, visit the Wolf Pack’s official website, www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  The Wolf Pack Tip-a-Player Dinner and Sports Carnival features great food, donated by Hartford-area restaurants and served by the Wolf Pack players.  Players compete to earn tips in "pucks bucks" for their service and for entertaining guests.

The Wolf Pack has a new broadcast partnership this season with WTIC NewsTalk 1080 and WTIC-FM.  All of the Wolf Pack’s regular-season and playoff games will air on 96.5 WTIC-FM’s HD 2 channel and will be streamed on-line at www.wtic.com . Select games will be carried live on the 50,000-watt AM powerhouse, WTIC NewsTalk 1080.  And, as part of the partnership, all Wolf Pack full season ticket accounts will receive a free HD car radio, with installation from JoDi’s Sound Center, courtesy of the two stations and the Wolf Pack.  To purchase your season seats, contact the Wolf Pack ticket office at 860-548-2000.

TRACK THE PACK AT WWW.HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM

By Mitch Beck

Mitch Beck was a standup comedian and radio personality for over 25 years. His passion for hockey started with Team USA in 1980 when they defeated the Soviets at Lake Placid. He is now working in the hockey industry full-time as a coach and administrator. Mitch has been reporting on the New York Rangers, and exclusively on the Hartford Wolf Pack / Connecticut Whale since 2005.

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