BRODIE DUPONT, DEVILS EXORCIST 

     VERSUS     

Brodie Dupont scored his second goal of the game with just 19.9 seconds remaining in overtime giving the Wolf Pack their eighth overtime win of the season 3-2 over the Lowell Devils.

In their second visit of the season to the Prudential Center in New Jersey where the Devils parent club resides, the winning goal came off a three-on-two odd man rush. Jordan Owens came up the right wing side and fed Brodie Dupont in the slot. Dupont uncorked a blast that hit Devils starting netminder Mike McKenna (25 saves, 16-9-1) in his glove. McKenna didn’t get all of the shot and the force of the it carried the puck past the Devils netminder for the game winner.

Referee Mark Lemelin made his presence felt and had a say in the way the game was played. He was unable to remove the whistle from his mouth all night, not a good sign for the Pack. Lowell entered the game with the AHL’s best power play capitalizing 22.6% of the time while the Pack have been mired near the bottom all season on the penalty kill. The Pack entered the game 23rd overall on the penalty kill at 80.7% and it cost them early in the game.

At 15:32 of the first period, Pack defenseman Nigel Williams went off for hooking. The call negated a Pack power play and and created a four-on-four for 43 seconds. After Nathan Perkovich escaped his solitary confinement, the Devils had the man up and it only took them five seconds to put the puck past Pack starter Matt Zaba. Nick Palmieri took a loose puck in his own zone and sprung Tim Sestito up the left wing side. The bang-bang play created issues for the Pack as their forwards were caught behind the play. Sestito fired from the left wing circle and put it perfectly over Zaba’s right shoulder and into the top corner of the cage for the 1-0 lead.

It stayed that way until  4:14 of the second period when the Pack were able to get the donut off the board.

Devin DiDiomete, who continues to try and make the most of the limited minutes he’s been seeing, made a solid outlet pass to Owens. Owens advanced the puck into the right wing corner and saw linemate Derek Couture driving hard to the net ahead of Brad Snetsinger. Owens made a fantastic feed that hit Couture’s stick perfectly and the Checkers call-up slid it right under McKenna for his sixth of the year.

In the second, despite being outshot 12-5 by Lowell, the Pack played very solid defensively especially Jared Nightingale who had perhaps his best game in a Pack sweater.

The third period saw the Pack come out with a different attitude and they just took the game right to their hosts and their hosts’ net.

Six minutes into the period the Pack almost scored when Nightingale’s shot from in front got behind McKenna, but the Devils’ netminder was able to get back and cover it.

After having stopped five of six Lowell power plays, and having failed on six of their own, the Pack finally cashed one in for the first time in their previous 14 tries.

Dane Byers fed Corey Locke on the right wing side. Locke looked across the ice and as has been the set play for a while now, Dupont crashed the net from the left side and got in front of Matthew Corrente. Locke saw it and put a pass right on the stick of Dupont who deflected it in past McKenna for his ninth of the season.

The Pack could feel their five game winless streak (0-4-1-0) coming to a close as they only had to keep third place Lowell off the board for 7:44, but that wouldn’t happen.

With McKenna pulled for an extra attacker and with just 1:07 remaining in regulation, Cory Murphy blasted a hard slap-shot from the left point that Perkovich, stationed in front of Zaba, deflected in sending the game to overtime.

The Pack left Newark…can you blame them…and headed south for a two-game battle with the Norfolk Admirals on Friday and Saturday nights.

Bob Crawford masterfully called the action and then wrote the summary at Hartfordwolfpack.com.  The Eagle Tribune has a brief recap from Lowell’s eyes.

GAME SUMMARY and OFFICIAL SCORERS SHEET

STANDINGS

NOTES:

* If you have yet to sign up for our new service to our readers on Twitter, you’re really missing out on the most extensive coverage of the Wolf Pack and Checkers you’ll find anywhere. In addition to keeping you posted here on all major news stories, visit www.twitter.com/howlingstoday for in-game coverage of both Wolf Pack and Checkers games. Please “Follow” us on Twitter.

* The overtime win gave the Pack the most wins in the extended frame than any other in the AHL.

* Dupont’s game winner was his second of the season. He also rang up a goal that was the difference on November 6th when the Pack beat Providence 5-3.

LINES:

Byers © – Locke – Weise
Grachev – Dupont – Roche
Soryal – Crowder – Ambϋhl
DiDiomete – Owens – Couture

Heikkinen – Brouillette
Williams – Schaeffer
Urquhart – Nightingale

Zaba
Wiikman

(Assistant Captains Bold and Italicized)

SCRATCHES:

Ryan Garlock – Undisclosed – Day-to-Day
Steven Valiquette – Hand Injury – Day-to-Day
Michael Sauer – Undisclosed – Day-to-Day
Bobby Sanguinetti – Lower Body – Day-to-Day
Corey Potter – Concussion – Indefinite
P.A. Parenteau – Concussion – Indefinite
Mathieu Dandenault – Lower Body – Indefinite
Chad Johnson – On recall with the NY Rangers
Brent Henley – Knee  – Season
Mike Hoffman – Shoulder – Season

THREE STARS:

1. HFD – B. Dupont
2. HFD – M. Zaba
3. LOW – N. Perkovich

ON ICE OFFICIALS:

Referee:
Mark Lemelin (84)

Linesmen:
Scott Adams (20)
Mike McDevitt (13)

NEXT GAME:
”On the Road Again…” The good guys are headed to Virginia for two games Friday and Saturday with the Norfolk Admirals. Bob Crawford will have the pre-game at 6:30 and then the call of the contest starting at 7:05
To watch the game live, you can purchased it for $6.99 at AHL-live.

If you can attend the cost is as little as $10 a ticket, why not just go? For Ticket information call (860) 548-2000.

Too far away or can’t make it? Listen live at WTIC.com.

SCORE-SHEET:

Hartford Wolf Pack 3 (OT) At Lowell Devils 2 – Status: Final OT

Feb 3, 2010 – Prudential Center

Hartford 0 1 1 1 – 3

Lowell 1 0 1 0 – 2

1st Period-1, Lowell, Sestito 15 (Palmieri), 16:19 (pp). Penalties-DiDiomete Hfd (fighting), 3:19; Robitaille Low (fighting), 3:19; Taormina Low (holding the stick), 4:42; Couture Hfd (fighting), 7:26; Stoesz Low (fighting), 7:26; Williams Hfd (tripping), 9:36; Perkovich Low (interference), 14:14; Williams Hfd (hooking), 15:32; Thomas Low (hooking), 16:34; Swift Low (holding), 19:37.

2nd Period-2, Hartford, Couture 6 (Owens, DiDiomete), 4:14. Penalties-Brouillette Hfd (hooking), 4:50; Ambuhl Hfd (tripping), 7:02; Stoesz Low (cross-checking), 10:03; Owens Hfd (hooking), 12:33; Byers Hfd (hooking), 15:52.

3rd Period-3, Hartford, Dupont 9 (Locke, Byers), 12:16 (pp). 4, Lowell, Perkovich 12 (Murphy, Taormina), 18:53. Penalties-Davison Low (high-sticking), 0:22; Snetsinger Low (goaltender interference), 11:52.

OT Period-5, Hartford, Dupont 10 (Owens), 4:40. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Hartford 10-5-10-3-28. Lowell 13-12-13-1-39.

Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 1 of 7; Lowell 1 of 6.

Goalies-Hartford, Zaba 4-7-1 (39 shots-37 saves). Lowell, McKenna 16-9-1 (28 shots-25 saves).

A-5,458

MEANWHILE BACK IN CHARLOTTE

 Lots of News from Charlotte today. One concerns an old friend and the other, man’s best friend and the last concerns a new talented face for the lineup.

Matt Stefanishion has been acquired by the Charlotte Checkers. Stefanishion played 15 games back with the Wolf Pack in 2008-2009 and scored a goal and had 17 PIM. The team also announced the arrival of Cedric McNicoll from the Lake Erie Monsters. Meanwhile the Checkers also announced perhaps the most creative promotion that we’ve ever heard of. Read the official release below and then Stefanishion and McNicoll’s releases follow.

CHECKERS TO HOST INAUGURAL POOCH PARTY

Fans Encouraged To Bring Their Dogs To Mar. 14 Game

The Charlotte Checkers announced today that they have partnered with the Humane Society of Charlotte to present the inaugural “Pooch Party” at Time Warner Cable Arena on Sunday, Mar. 14 at 2 p.m. when they host the Gwinnett Gladiators.

Dog owners from throughout the Charlotte area are encouraged to bring their four-legged friends to the Checkers game to enjoy the excitement together and raise funds for a worthy cause.

“We are very excited to be able to offer an event that is dog-friendly,” said Checkers COO Tera Black. “It seems as if dog owners are continually seeking out new activities to do with their pets, and the Pooch Party has had substantial success in other, similar markets.  In partnering with the Humane Society, we also hope to bring a new level of awareness to the challenges that they face, and hopefully be able to garner the support of our fans in their initiatives.”

The Humane Society of Charlotte’s vision is to place all animals in safe and loving homes by providing care and compassion for all pets as well as education and information on the humane and responsible treatment of, and respect for, all animals. The not-for-profit organization is committed to treating all animals that enter their shelters with love, kindness, and dignity.

“The “Pooch Party” is a unique opportunity for families to bring their dog to a Checkers game while supporting the great work of the Humane Society of Charlotte,” added Donna Canzano, director of development for the Humane Society of Charlotte. “We are grateful to the Checkers for this opportunity to raise funds and awareness for our organization.”

Humane Society of Charlotte members and supporters can attend the game and support the cause in the process. As part of the partnership, the Checkers will donate $6 of each $15 fundraiser ticket back to the not-for-profit organization.

Non-pet-owners, or those who prefer to leave their companions at home, can still attend the game and raise funds for the Humane Society of Charlotte.

Owners and dogs will have a designated seating section to take in the “Pooch Party”, which will include promotional elements during the game and on the concourse as well as on-ice activities and much more.

Those interested in attending the game and supporting Humane Society of Charlotte, should contact the Checkers’ front office at 704.342-4423 or tickets@gocheckers.com.

Charlotte (24-15-5) will host two important games with potential playoff implications on Thursday, Feb. 4 and Friday, Feb 5 against the Florida Everblades. Ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com.

About the Humane Society of Charlotte: The mission of the Humane Society of Charlotte is to bring love and hope to all animals by ensuring the humane treatment of companion animals through adoption, spay/neuter and education. Our vision is to place all animals in safe and loving homes. The Humane Society of Charlotte provides low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for cats and dogs to reduce pet overpopulation throughout the Carolinas. The no-kill-of-adoptable-animals organization provides pets with the love and attention they need to live happy and healthy lives while awaiting a new home. The Humane Society of Charlotte is a non-profit organization that relies solely on private donations to achieve its mission

Here’s the Stefanishion release:

CHECKERS ACQUIRE STEFANISHION FROM ALASKA 

 Power Forward Brings Size, Scoring; Deal Completes Doyle Trade

The Charlotte Checkers have acquired forward Matt Stefanishion from the Alaska Aces, general manager and head coach Derek Wilkinson announced today. The deal completes the future considerations from the trade in early January that sent goaltender Frank Doyle to Alaska.

Stefanishion has 14 goals, six assists and 101 penalty minutes in 30 games this season for Alaska, including eight goals and three assists in his last 13 games. He helped the Aces reach game seven of last season’s Kelly Cup Finals with six goals and three assists in 16 playoff games.

The 26-year-old native of Daysland, Alberta has also skated for Fresno, Reading and South Carolina over four seasons. In 191 career ECHL games, he has 66 goals, 62 assists and 570 penalty minutes. Stefanishion has also appeared in 19 career American Hockey League games with the Hartford Wolf Pack, Hershey Bears and Peoria Rivermen.

Prior to joining the pro ranks, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound power forward played two seasons at Ferris State University where he scored 21 goals, 13 assists and added 125 penalty minutes in 57 games. Upon graduation, he signed a two-year entry level contract with the Washington Capitals.

It is expected Stefanishion will join the Checkers for Sunday’s home game against Toledo.

 

Here’s the McNicoll release:

 CHECKERS RECEIVE MCNICOLL FROM LAKE ERIE 

 Skilled Forward Led Team In Scoring, League In Plus-Minus In ‘08-09

The Charlotte Checkers have been assigned forward Cedric McNicoll from the American Hockey League’s Lake Erie Monsters head coach and general manager Derek Wilkinson announced today.

McNicoll, 21, has five goals and eight assists in 39 games for the Monsters this season, his first as a professional. He notched his first career goal on Oct. 30 against Peoria and collected seven points in seven games between Dec. 26 and Jan. 5.

The 5-foot-10, 180-pound center from Longueuil, Quebec enjoyed a successful four-year junior career with the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League where he tallied 110 goals and 154 assists in 249 games.

In 2008-09, McNicoll led the Cataractes in scoring with 104 points (38g, 66a) in 65 games and led the entire QMJHL with an impressive +61 rating. He helped Shawinigan to the QMJHL finals with 31 points in 21 games before losing in seven games to the Drummondville Voltigeurs.

He was twice named winner of the Frank J. Selke Award as the QMJHL’s most sportsmanlike player and participated in the 2009 QMJHL All-Star Game.

McNicoll attended training camp with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008 and was signed by the Colorado Avalanche in 2009. He is expected to be in the lineup tonight when the Checkers host the Florida Everblades.