WOLF PACK WEEKLY: December 28, 2009 – January 3, 2010 

The Wolf Pack (16-13-1-4, 37 pts.) have at least a standings point in five of their last six games (3-1-0-2), after taking three of a possible four points in a pair of road outings this past week.  The Pack remained unbeaten in regulation in the GEICO Connecticut Cup series against Bridgeport with a 3-2 shootout loss on Saturday, and then pulled off a 4-3 overtime win over the Springfield Falcons on Sunday.  AHL points leader Corey Locke (15-26-41 in 36 GP) increased his lead over his nearest competition to six points, as he scored the tying goal with 1:14 left in regulation in Saturday’s game and netted the winner at 1:09 of Sunday’s extra session, while also contributing an assist in that contest.

This week:

The Wolf Pack celebrate the New Year with three home games this week.  The Springfield Falcons come to town for a 7:00 game on Wednesday night, and then the GEICO Connecticut Cup series resumes on Saturday, as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers visit the XL Center at 7:00.  Sunday sees the Syracuse Crunch come to town, with faceoff at 3:00.

Wednesday, December 30 vs. Springfield at the XL Center, 7:00 PM

· As with all Wolf Pack Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday-night home games, this night features $3 domestic drafts and snacks in the XL Center Atrium.

· This is the second half of a home-and-home series.  The Pack defeated the Falcons in overtime, 4-3, Sunday in the front end of the home-and-home.

· The Wolf Pack are 2-1-0-0 on the season against Springfield and won their only previous home game vs. the Falcons, a 7-3 triumph October 10 in the Pack’s home opener.

· Colton Fretter’s third-period power-play goal, which tied Sunday’s game at three and earned the Falcons a standings point, was his team-leading 14^th of the season.

· After Sunday’s overtime loss to the Wolf Pack, the Falcons (10-17-6-2, 28 pts.) are winless in a franchise-record 15 straight games (0-11-3-1) and sit in last place in the Atlantic Division, five points behind seventh-place Providence.

· 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, January 2 vs. Bridgeport at the XL Center, 7:00 PM

· The first 3,000 fans into this GEICO Connecticut Cup game will receive a free Wolf Pack lunch box, courtesy of Click It or Ticket.

· Once again, $3 domestic drafts and snacks are available in the XL Center Atrium.

· The ten-game GEICO Connecticut Cup series reaches its midpoint with this tilt, and the Pack have registered two wins and two shootout losses thus far against Bridgeport.  The Wolf Pack won the only previous meeting at the XL Center, 2-1 in overtime, December 12.

· After defeating the Wolf Pack 3-2 in a shootout Saturday in Bridgeport, the Sound Tigers are 6-1-1-0 in their last eight games and are up to five games above .500, at 19-14-1-2 for 41 points.  Bridgeport is tied with Lowell for second place in the Atlantic, eight points behind division-leading Manchester.

· Rookie forward Justin DiBenedetto had a goal in regulation, and the shootout winner, Saturday against the Wolf Pack.

· 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, January 3 vs. Syracuse at the XL Center, 3:00 PM

· Fans are encouraged to bring their skates to this game, as there will be a free post-game skate on the XL Center ice.

· This is another “Family Value” game.  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.  Family Value packages are available through the XL Center box office and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

· This game concludes a two-game season series between the Wolf Pack and the Crunch.  Syracuse won the first game between the two teams, 2-1, November 21 in Syracuse.

· Ex-Columbus Blue Jackets first-round pick Alexandre Picard (9-10-19 in 27 GP) and former New York Ranger Dan Fritsche (8-11-19 in 29 GP) share the Crunch team points lead.

· The Crunch trail the field in the East Division, standing six points behind sixth-place Adirondack with a record of 10-18-2-2 for 24 points.  Syracuse has lost five straight coming into this week.

· 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:

None.

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).

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 “Warmup 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