WOLF PACK WEEKLY: April 21 – 27, 2009 

The Wolf Pack got off to a good start in their Atlantic Division Semifinal playoff series with the Worcester Sharks, winning two of the first three games of the best-of-seven set.  The Sharks captured a 3-2, double-overtime win in Game Three in Worcester Monday night, but not before the Wolf Pack won the first two games of the series at home.  Matt Zaba authored a shutout in his first AHL playoff appearance in Game One Thursday night, as the Wolf Pack won 2-0, despite being outshot by a margin of 38-23.  Worcester then enjoyed a 47-19 shots advantage in Game Two Saturday, but Zaba made 44 saves as the Pack prevailed, 5-3.  Zaba has allowed a total of only six goals on 130 shots in the three games (1.79 GAA, 95.4% save percentage), and Corey Potter and Jordan Owens (1-2-3 each) are tied with Worcester’s Riley Armstrong (0-3-3) for the series scoring lead.

This week:

With the Wolf Pack up two-games-to-one, the series resumes Wednesday night with Game Four in Worcester (6:35 PM faceoff).  Game Five is Thursday night at the XL Center (7:00), and if a Game Six is necessary, that would be in Worcester Saturday night (7:05).  If the series goes the full seven games, the deciding Game Seven would be this Monday night, April 27 at the XL Center with faceoff at 7:00.

Game One                              Thu., Apr. 16        Worcester 0 at Wolf Pack 2

Game Two                              Sat., Apr. 18         Worcester 3 at Wolf Pack 5

Game Three                           Mon., Apr. 20        Wolf Pack 2 at Worcester 3 (2 OT)

(Wolf Pack leads series, two-games-to-one)

Game Four                             Wed., Apr. 22        DCU Center                               6:35

Game Five                              Thu., Apr. 23         XL Center                                  7:00

Game Six (if necessary)         Sat., Apr. 25          DCU Center                               7:05

Game Seven (if necessary)    Mon., Apr. 27        XL Center                                  7:00

Tickets for Game Five 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.

Wednesday, April 22, Game Four at Worcester (DCU Center), 6:35 p.m.

· Ryan Vesce scored the double-overtime game-winner for the Sharks in Monday’s Game Three, 1:07 into the second extra session.  It was the second goal of the game for Vesce, who had been held off the scoresheet in Games One and Two, after leading Worcester in regular-season scoring with 24-47-71 in 67 games.

· Prior to Monday’s game, the Wolf Pack had won six of the last seven meetings with the Sharks, after going 0-2-0-1 in the first three games of the season series.

· 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.

Thursday, April 23, Game Five vs. Worcester at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

· After having won the first two games of the series at the XL Center, the Wolf Pack have now triumphed in 10 of their last 11 home games, going back to the regular season.

· 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.

*If Necessary* – Saturday, April 25, Game Six at Worcester (DCU Center), 7:05 p.m.

· Monday’s loss snapped a streak of five straight postseason wins for the Wolf Pack at Worcester, dating back to the Worcester IceCats’ tenure at the DCU Center.

· 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.

*If Necessary* – Monday, April 27, Game Seven vs. Worcester at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

· The Wolf Pack is 3-2 all-time in Game Sevens in its postseason history.  The last was a 5-4 home loss to Providence in the 2007 Atlantic Division Semifinals, April 29, 2007.

· 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.

Recent Transactions:

Tomas Kundratek – signed to an Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement by the Wolf Pack April 14.

Trevor Glass – signed to an Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement by the Wolf Pack April 17.

Mitch Gaulton – signed to an Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement by the Wolf Pack April 21. 

Tickets for Game Five of the Wolf Pack’s current playoff series vs. Worcester (Game “C”) 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. 

The Wolf Pack is the presenting sponsor of the 2009 March of Dimes Hartford “March for Babies”, which takes place this Sunday, April 26, starting at the XL Center.  The Wolf Pack will also be entering a team in the March for Babies, and fans are invited to join.  To join the Wolf Pack team, visit its team page at www.marchforbabies.org/teams/hartfordwolfpack.  For general registration, go to www.marchforbabies.org or www.marchofdimes.com/Connecticut.

Fans are invited to log on to www.hartfordwolfpack.com and submit a design for the Wolf Pack’s Specialty Jersey Design Contest.   The winner of this year’s contest will receive a personalized jersey of their design, as well as tickets to see them worn by the team.  The deadline for entries is May 1^st.  During the specialty-jersey game, the jerseys will be auctioned right off the player’s backs.  This year’s auction raised over $10,000, which benefited the March of Dimes organization.

Following the conclusion of this year’s postseason, the Wolf pack will be hosting its second annual Equipment Sale and Open House.  Professional hockey gear in great condition will be available for purchase, for unbelievably low prices.  For more information, visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

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