AND THEY’RE OFF…

VERSUS    (Preseason Game One)

By Bruce Berlet and Bob Crawford

Mats Zuccarello has been trying to adjust to the smaller North American ice surface since he arrived from Norway this summer.

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound leading scorer and MVP in the Swedish Elite League last season showed little difficulty with the Koeppel Community Sports Center rink on the campus of Trinity College Wednesday night, getting a goal and an assist in a three-goal third period that lifted Wolf Pack to an opening 3-0 victory over the Albany Devils.

Then again, coach Ken Gernander shrewdly had Zuccarello make his Wolf Pack debut on an ice surface that’s 10 feet narrower than in Europe but five feet wider than in North America.

“We figured we’d easy him in a little,” Gernander said with a smile.

Zuccarello, who played both wings, scored the only goal the Wolf Pack needed when he backhanded in Joe Charlebois’ rebound for the first of two power-play goals at 2:13 of the third.

“I just closed my eyes and shot,” said a smiling Zuccarello, who said he was honored to wear an A as assistant captain with linemate Evgeny Grachev. “I saw the shot coming from the point and nobody in front of the net, so somebody had to be there. There was nothing I didn’t like except we didn’t score a few more goals on our chances, but it’s early season so hopefully that comes.”

Zuccarello said his adjustment to the smaller ice surface “is coming more and more every game, every practice so hopefully it’ll be feeling pretty normal when the season start.

“The hardest part is in the corners where it’s tighter as you try to make any moves,” he said. “First game here, new coach, so I thought it went OK. As the game kept going, I found my game more than more. Good start to build on.”

Zuccarello said he didn’t feel any pressure from the buildup of signing with the Rangers.

“I knew it would be tough coming here with the smaller rink, another team, another system,” he said. “Everything is new, so I knew I’d need some time to develop, and I’m here now to be a better player in North America and hopefully I can do well and be a big help.”

Zuccarello helped on the second goal when he passed into the slot to former Quinnipiac University standout Brandon Wong, whose rebound was deposited between the legs of David Caruso (37 saves) by Samson Mahbod at 6:39 as a Wolf Pack power play ended.

Defenseman Lee Baldwin capped the Wolf Pack’s scoring burst when he one-timed Marc-Olivier Valle’s pass, his blueline shot beating a screened Caruso at 9:59.

Cameron Talbot (14 saves) and Dov Grumet-Morris (12) combined for the shutout. Talbot was especially strong in the first period when the Devils had 10 of their shots.

Gernander expected more physicality after no fights in the first four days of training camp, and the players obliged with several crunching checks and six fights, including four in the third period after two in 17 seconds in the second period. The first pitted Matt McCue and former Wolf Pack defenseman Chris Murray.

“I thought there were a lot of good things that you look for in the preseason,” Gernander said. “You want certain guys to do certain things, and you saw a lot of things that Zuccarello can do as far as power play and playmaking. I thought Talbot was very strong in the first period against some good opportunities, and then Morris came in and didn’t give up any goals.

“Everyone played hard, and we had some guys who showed some grit. Everything is not going to be real cohesive yet, but when you see the flashes or skills that got the guys drafted or you see some guys who really battle and compete, those are the kinds of things you’re looking for.”

The Wolf Pack continues their home preseason schedule Friday night at 7 when they face the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the TD Bank Sports Center at Quinnipiac University.

Wolf Pack 3, Albany Devils 0

Albany 0 0 0 — 0
Hartford 0 0 3 – 3

First period: No scoring. Penalties–Strathman Hfd (interference), 3:55; Berube Alb (slashing), 4:19; Ryan Hfd (roughing), 4:19; Perkovich Alb (tripping), 9:54; Young Alb (tripping), 10:45; Grachev Hfd (holding), 15:13; Vallerand Hfd (boarding), 16:32; Murray Alb (tripping), 18:21.
Second period: No Scoring. Penalties–Anderson Alb (roughing, roughing), 2:37; Murray Alb (roughing, fighting), 2:37; McCue Hfd (roughing, elbowing, fighting), 2:37; Kelly Alb (fighting), 2:54; Grachev Hfd (fighting), 2:54; Thomas Alb (holding), 7:11; Perkovich Alb (holding), 9:34; Strathman Hfd (interference), 17:11.
Third period: 1, Hartford, Zuccarello 1 (Charlebois, Glass), 2:13 (PP). 2, Hartford, Mahbod 1 (Wong, Zuccarello), 6:39. 3, Hartford, Baldwin 1 (Vallerand, Ryan), 9:59 (PP). Penalties–Perkovich Alb (fighting), :32; Ryan Hfd (fighting), :32; Charleston Alb (tripping), 1:10; Charleston Alb (holding), 4:34; served by Prough Alb (bench minor-too many men), 7:12; Berube Alb (holding), 9:50; Young Alb (fighting), 10:09; McCue Hfd (fighting), 10:09; Stoesz Alb (fighting), 12:21; Howe Hfd (fighting), 12:21; Berube Alb (fighting), 12:42; Ryan Hfd (fighting, misconduct), 12:42; Glass Hfd (holding), 13:25; Strathman Hfd (holding), 19:52.
Shots on Goal: Albany 10-9-7-26. Hartford 12-13-15-40; Power-play opportunities: Albany 0 for 6; Hartford 2 for 10. Goalies: Albany, Caruso 0-1-0 (40 shots-37 saves). Hartford, Talbot 0-0-0 (14-14); Grumet-Morris 1-0-0 (12-12). Referee: Mark Lemelin; Linesmen: Brent Colby, Derek Wahl.