WOLF PACK WEEKLY: December 21 – 27, 2009 

The Wolf Pack (15-13-1-3, 34 pts.) finished off a five-game homestand with their first action of the year against the Western Conference last week.  The Pack thumped the Toronto Marlies 6-1 at the XL Center on Saturday night, but then fell to the Hamilton Bulldogs by a 4-1 score on Saturday.  Pack captain Dane Byers had his first multiple-goal game of the season in Friday’s win, with two tallies, and AHL scoring leader Corey Locke matched his own team season high with three assists in that game.

This week:

The Wolf Pack are off until Saturday night, when they will pay a GEICO Connecticut Cup visit to Bridgeport (7:00 faceoff).  Then on Sunday afternoon the Pack travel to Springfield for a 3:00 tilt vs. the Falcons.

Saturday, December 26 at Bridgeport (Bridgeport’s Arena at Harbor Yard), 7:00 PM

· This is the third installment of this year’s GEICO Connecticut Cup series, and the Wolf Pack are unbeaten in regulation thus far vs. the Sound Tigers, with a record of 2-0-0-1.  The Pack have a win and a shootout loss to show for two previous visits to Bridgeport.

· The Sound Tigers are tied with Lowell for second place in the Atlantic Division, and stand five points ahead of the Wolf Pack, at 18-14-1-2 for 39 points.  The Sound Tigers have at least a point in six of their last seven games (5-1-1-0).

· Sean Bentivoglio leads Bridgeport in points, with 11-11-22 in 35 games.

· 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. 

Sunday, December 27 at Springfield (MassMutual Center), 3:00 PM

· Since the recall by parent-club Edmonton of number-one goaltender Devan Dubnyk November 22, the Falcons are winless in 13 games (0-10-2-1).  Springfield has fallen to last place in the Atlantic Division, at 10-16-5-2 for 27 points.

· The Wolf Pack have split two previous meetings with the Falcons this season, winning 7-3 in their home opener October 10 and losing a 2-1 decision in Springfield October 17.

· Veteran winger Charles Linglet (7-25-32 in 33 GP), the Falcons’ point-scoring leader, is tied for second in the AHL in assists and tied for third in the league in points.

· 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:

Andrew Carroll – released from Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement by the Wolf Pack December 15.

P.A. Parenteau – returned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers December 15.

Bobby Sanguinetti – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers December 16 and returned December 19.

Ilkka Heikkinen – returned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers December 19.

Matt Gilroy – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers December 20.

Pack Tracks:

The perfect gift idea for any hockey fan is a Wolf Pack Holiday Pack.  Wolf Pack Holiday Packs are available now through January 3, from the Wolf Pack ticket office (860-548-2000) and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  Each Holiday Pack includes two flexible game vouchers, redeemable at the XL Center box office for tickets to any regular-season home game, a Wolf Pack souvenir and a Chuck-a-Puck voucher.  The cost of the Holiday Pack package is $32 for adults, and packages for kids 16 or younger can be purchased for $22, with the purchase of at least one adult package (service charges, facility and handling fees may apply).

Saturday, January 2, when the Wolf Pack host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in GEICO Connecticut Cup action at the XL Center, the first 3,000 fans through the doors will receive a free Wolf Pack lunch box, courtesy of Click It or Ticket.  Faceoff that night is 7:00 PM.

At every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday-night Wolf Pack home game for the balance of the regular season, fans can enjoy $3 drafts and snacks in the XL Center Atrium.  Also, the Comcast Coliseum Club features a “Warm-up Menu”, with $3 domestic drafts and appetizers, before every Wolf Pack home game at the XL Center.

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 or online at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  Information on all of the Wolf Pack’s many terrific ticket options, including group discounts, season tickets, partial plans, Birthday Bash packages and more, is available by calling the Wolf Pack ticket office at (860) 548-2000, and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

Every Friday-night Wolf Pack home game at the XL Center is Guida’s Family Value Night.  Family Value packages start as low as $45 and include three tickets, three hot dogs or pizza slices, three sodas and a Wolf Pack souvenir.  To order your Guida’s Family Value Night pack, visit the XL Center box office, or go on-line to www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  The next Guida’s Family Value Night is Friday, January 22, when the Wolf Pack host the Manchester Monarchs at 7:00 PM.

Once again this season, the Wolf Pack are partnering with WTIC Radio to air Wolf Pack hockey action.  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.  The next Pack game scheduled to be on WTIC NewsTalk 1080 is coming up Sunday, January 10, when the Wolf Pack travel to Providence for a 4:05 PM game.

The AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack is operated by Northland AEG LLC, a joint partnership between Northland Investment Corporation and AEG Facilities.  The team is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers.

Since 1972, the CT Lottery has generated more than $19.3 billion in sales and has transferred nearly $6.7 billion to the state’s General Fund.  Prizes have exceeded more than $11.1 billion.  Purchasers must be 18 years or older.  If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-346-6238.  For more information about the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, call (860) 713-2000, or visit the CT Lottery web site at ctlottery.org.

TRACK THE PACK AT WWW.HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM