CANTLON: Chytil Powers Pack Hold Off A Late T-Birds Rally
VS. 
BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings
SPRINGFIELD, MA. – The Hartford Wolf Pack built a three-goal lead in the third period, but despite a furious late rally by the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Pack held on to win 4-3 Saturday before an SRO crowd of 6,793 at the Mass Mutual Center.
Filip Chytil, who was moved to a new line for the game with Vince Lettieri and Cole Schneider, had a goal and two assists. It was just Chytil’s second AHL game including having tallied the game-winner and earning the game’s first star in his only other contest. The Pack earned their third win with a three-goal scoring explosion in the third period keeping Springfield winless on the season (0-3-0).
“I felt there was a little more chemistry (with the Chytil line) and got back. They read off each other pretty well and there were a lot of positives from that line,” said Pack head coach, Keith McCambridge.
The Pack used three timely shots to gain the three-goal advantage.
The first goal came eleven seconds in as Nieves and Kosmachuk continued their strong play together on the powerplay breaking a one-all tie.
Kosmachuk, as he has done so well in the young season, gained speed in the middle of the Springfield side and snapped a hard, low, wrist-shot. Harri Sateri (34 saves), made the initial save, but Nieves also drove to the net and backhanded his second in as many nights giving the Pack a 2-1 lead.
“That was a crucial goal tonight because we came out quickly and took advantage of the powerplay and get them back on their heels,” McCambridge said.
Defenseman John Gilmour followed with a gift goal for his first of the season. Chyril won a draw cleanly in the Thunderbirds end. Gilmour took a seemingly simple shot with a screen in front that eluded the Thunderbirds netminder and found the back of the net at 6:11 for a 3-1 lead.
The Pack’s offensive eruption concluded with a simple chip-in from Lettieri from center ice right on net. Both Schneider and Chytil crisscrossed and confused the defense. The puck went off Schneider’s stick and Chytil alertly found the loose biscuit and shoveled home his first professional goal at 9:41.
“We got a little puck luck there,” Lettieri said. “But Schneider and Filly got there about the same time worked out for us,” remarked Lettieri of the line that gained five points on the night and had 10 shots on goal with Lettieri leading the way with six shots.
The Lettieri line gained five points and had ten shots on goal. Lettieri led the way with six shots.
Assembling this line sure made the head coach look very good.
“We had some really good speed throughout our lineup. It’s our best asset and Cole and Filip went to the net utilizing their speed and it paid off for us,” McCambridge said.
The third goal sent half the crowd home. The goal would become the eventual game-winner, but Springfield made things interesting.
Reece Scarlett, who’s strong night included a goal and an assist, was the recipient of a dish pass from Juho Lammikko, who derailed a Wolf Pack clearing attempt. Scarlett, a righthanded shot, was on left wing and wired a shot over starter Chris Nell’s right shoulder at 16:13.
Lettieri’s late penalty opened the door for Springfield. They pulled Sateri for an extra attacker and Curtis Valk’s shot attempt went off a maze of players in front and Lammikko, who was standing alone at the side of the net, had the puck go right to his stick and quickly put the puck into the open net with 15.7 seconds left.
Despite some white knuckle and teeth clenching moments, the Wolf Pack held on for the victory.
In the second period, The Pack was chasing the T-Birds. The one golden chance they had, a three-on-one breakout, saw Joe Whitney’s pass for Scott Kosmachuk sailed wide and back came the Thunderbirds with a score.
Getting set up in the Wolf Pack zone, Denis Malgin, just sent back by Florida the day before, feathered a nice flat pass to Jayce Hawryluk who got all of it for his first of the season into the top shelf, glove side at 7:50 to tie the game at one.
The rest of the period, both teams just seemed slow and unable to generate any flow.
The Wolf Pack spent a better part of the first period chasing the Springfield Thunderbirds around their own zone. The T-Bird forwards were able to create powerplays with their puck possession.
Nell (33 saves), making his third straight start, stood tall in net with a potpourri of saves to keep the red light off.
“Chris played a really strong game tonight and was so good on the penalty kill situations especially the ones early. And the PK units did a good job blocking some heavy shots. (Steven) Fogarty one comes to mind,” McCambridge said. There were plenty of ice bags taped to legs as proof.
After going nearly ten minutes without a shot on net, Fogarty finally cranked one off the right wing and the Pack scored two shots later.
Lettieri, who has been close to scoring the last several games, got a step on Anthony Greco and took a nice short pass from Chytil, scooted in and lifted a backhander over Sateri’s right shoulder under the crossbar to give the Wolf Pack a 1-0 lead.
“We knew we had to get that first goal because we knew they were gonna be coming out flying with a lot of energy for their home opener,” McCambridge said. “But we did some more penalty killing than we wanted to do, but we weathered the storm well.”
Lettieri was happy he finally found the back of the net. “I had a lot of chances the last few games and felt snake-bitten there. You start worrying about is it coming on the next shift. I really only had the one play, but Filly got me the puck perfectly I was able to break free. We got a nice line there. We have two good guys on the wing things clicked tonight they helped me a lot.”
NOTES:
The Pack is off until Friday night when the Belleville Senators come to town for their first visit to the XL Center.
Each team was one for six on the powerplay
Forward Lines
Filip Chytil-Vinni Lettieri-Cole Schneider
Boo Nieves-Adam Tambellini-Scott Kosmachuk
Joe Whitney-Matt Puempel-Steven Fogarty
Eric Selleck-Justin Fontaine-Ryan Gropp
Defense pairings
Ryan Graves-Neal Pionk
John Gilmour-Alexei Bereglazov
Garrett Noonan-Brendan Crawley
One of the referees was former player Cory Syvret, younger brother of former Wolf Pack and Springfield Danny Syvret who retired along with his brother this summer.
Greenville lost their regular season and home opener Friday night 5-4. Adam Chapie had a goal and an assist. Brandon Halverson had 39 saves in a losing effort where the two teams combined for 91 shots on goal.
They dropped their second game in another wild scoring affair 7-6 to Wheeling on Saturday night in overtime. The team gave up five powerplay goals of the six chances Wheeling had.
Chapie continued his hot play with three assists while Malte Stromwall picked up a goal and assist.
The two teams this time combined for 98 shots on goal!
Brandon Halverson, in relief, picked up his second loss.
Ryan Segalla (Avon Old Farms/UCONN) has been released by Reading (ECHL).
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