CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: DEC 4-10, 2017
CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: Dec 4-10, 2017
BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack
HARTFORD, CT – The Wolf Pack (8-12-3-1, 20 pts., .417) banked three out of a possible six points in a three-game week this past week. After a 3-1 loss at home to Springfield on Wednesday night, the Wolf Pack came back from 1-0, 3-1 and 4-3 deficits in Rochester on Friday, to defeat the Americans 5-4 in a shootout. It was the Toronto Marlies who came back on the Wolf Pack, though, Saturday at Toronto, as a 3-1 third-period lead slipped away on the Wolf Pack in a 4-3 overtime loss. Rookie Ryan Gropp scored in both Friday’s and Saturday’s games, including a two-goal effort Saturday for his first multiple-point game as a pro, and Scott Kosmachuk netted the tying goal with 4:23 left in Friday’s third period, and also had the shootout winner.
For the latest AHL standings, click HERE
This week:
The Wolf Pack finish a stretch of seven out of nine games on the road Friday night, with a 7:05 PM visit to Providence. That is followed by back-to-back home games, Saturday night vs. Rochester at 7:30 and a 5:00 Sunday date with Springfield.
Friday, December 8 at the Providence Bruins (Boston) at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence, 7:05 PM
- This is the Wolf Pack’s first of five trips in the year to Providence, where they were 1-3-0-1 in five visits last season. In the first matchup of the year between the Wolf Pack and Bruins, November 4 at the XL Center, Providence prevailed by a score of 5-0, the Wolf Pack’s only shutout-against thus far on the season.
- The P-Bruins (13-6-2-0, 28 pts., .667) come into the week winners of four straight and six of their last seven, and only percentage points behind Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the Atlantic Division lead.
- Providence goaltender Jordan Binnington made 33 saves in the Bruins’ 5-0 blanking of the Wolf Pack November 4 in Hartford, and currently ranks fourth among AHL netminders in goals-against average (1.83) and tied for fifth in save percentage (93.0).
- Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford on News Radio 1410 WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio. Video streaming at ahllive.com.
Saturday, December 9 vs. the Rochester Americans (Buffalo) at the XL Center, 7:30 PM
- This is “Star Wars Night” at the XL Center. Fans can hang out with their favorite Star Wars characters and win some awesome Star Wars prizes.
- The first 2,000 fans into this game will receive a free Wolf Pack 2018 calendar, presented by Hartford Distributors.
- This is the third meeting of the year between the Wolf Pack and Americans, and Rochester’s first of two visits to the XL Center. In two clashes in Rochester this season, the Wolf Pack have posted a 4-2 loss November 17 and a 5-4 shootout victory this past Friday.
- The Americans’ leading scorer, Rookie forward C.J. Smith, who had a goal and two assists in Rochester’s last game, a 5-2 win at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday, is second among AHL rookies in points and assists, with 7-16-23 in 22 games.
- Rochester finished last week with points in six straight games (3-0-2-1), and with only one regulation loss in its last 14 contests (8-1-3-2) and just two in its last 17 (10-2-3-2). The Americans (12-5-3-2, 29 pts., .659) still trail first-place Toronto by seven points, though, in the North Division.
- Tickets for this and all 2017-18 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, online at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger are just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $2 day-of-game increase.
- Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford and Mark Bailey on News Radio 1410 WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio. Video streaming at ahllive.com.
Sunday, December 10 vs. the Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida) at the XL Center, 5:00 PM
- At this and every Wolf Pack Sunday home game of the season, fans can take advantage of the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Family Value Pack”. The Family Value Pack includes two tickets, two sodas and two hot dogs, all for just $40.
- The Thunderbirds have taken the last two head-to-head battles in the I-91 rivalry after the Wolf Pack won two of the first three. The two clubs have split two earlier encounters in Hartford, the Wolf Pack winning 4-2 on November 5 and the Thunderbirds countering with a 3-1 triumph this past Wednesday.
- After posting their seventh victory in nine games with Wednesday’s 3-1 verdict over the Wolf Pack, Springfield lost both ends of a two-game visit to Charlotte, falling 4-1 on Friday night and 4-3 on Sunday.
- Forward Jayce Hawryluk is Springfield’s leading goal-scorer in the season series vs. the Wolf Pack and has five (3-2-5) of his 11 points on the season (3-8-11 in 23 GP) against Hartford.
- Tickets for this and all 2017-18 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, online at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger are just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $2 day-of-game increase.
- Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford and Mark Bailey on News Radio 1410 WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio. Video streaming at ahllive.com.
Wolf Pack Community Appearances:
The Wolf Pack have the following appearances scheduled this week. For further information on these, or any other Wolf Pack community initiatives, contact Wolf Pack community relations manager Frank Berrian, at (860) 541-4728:
- Wednesday, December 6, 3:00 PM, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, 540 Litchfield St., Torrington, CT
Wolf Pack players Alexandar Georgiev and Vince Pedrie exchange holiday well-wishes with hospital staff and patients.
- Thursday, December 7, 9:30 AM, Richard D. Hubbard School, 139 Grove St., Berlin, CT
Sonar, the Wolf Pack’s lovable mascot, and Bob Crawford, the play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack, promote the Wolf Pack’s “Read to the Rink” program, presented by ProHealth Physicians and Healthy Me.
- Thursday, December 7, 4:30-9:00 PM, Goodwin Park, 1130 Maple Ave., Hartford, CT
Members of the Wolf Pack’s Promo Team volunteer at “Holiday Light Fantasia”, in support of the Channel 3 Kids Camp.
Recent Transactions:
Peter Holland – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers, after being acquired in a trade from Montreal, November 30.
Adam Cracknell – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers, and traded to Montreal, November 30.
Dawson Leedahl – reassigned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers from Greenville (ECHL) November 30.
Wolf Pack Holiday Pack:
The Wolf Pack Holiday Pack, the perfect holiday gift for any hockey fan, is available now through the end of December. The Holiday Pack includes: a limited-edition Wolf Pack mini-stick, autographed by a Wolf Pack player, complete with a certificate of authenticity; two (2) Red-level Flex Vouchers, good for any remaining 2017-18 Wolf Pack home game (subject to availability); and a $5 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card. The cost of the Holiday Pack, which is a $75 value, is only $56. The Wolf Pack Holiday Pack can be purchased by calling 855-762-6451 and speaking with a Wolf Pack ticket representative, or by visiting
Pack Tracks:
Friday, December 15, when the Wolf Pack host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 7:15 PM, it’s “’80’s Night” at the XL Center. Fans are encouraged to come dressed in their best ‘80’s fashion and relive their favorite decade with ‘80’s throwback music and promotions.
Once again this season, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $2 beers at every Friday Wolf Pack home game, through the start of the second period, presented by Dave & Buster’s. The Wolf Pack’s next Friday-night date is December 15, when they host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 7:15 PM.
Each of the Wolf Pack’s Sunday and Wednesday home games will feature the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Family Value Pack”. The Family Value Pack includes two tickets, two sodas and two hot dogs, all for just $40. After this Sunday, the next Family Value Pack game is Sunday, January 7, when the Springfield Thunderbirds visit for a 5:00 PM tilt.
Every Wolf Pack Wednesday home game is a “Winning Wednesday”. If the Wolf Pack win at home on a Wednesday, fans can show their Winning Wednesday ticket at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center and receive a free ticket to the next Wolf Pack home game (some restrictions apply). The next Wolf Pack Wednesday home outing is February 7, the “Sonar’s Edu-Skate” school-day morning game vs. Bridgeport at 11:00 AM.
Wolf Pack home game tickets can be purchased at the XL Center ticket office, online at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger are just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $2 day-of-game increase.
To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.
TRACK THE PACK ON-LINE AT HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM
Related articles
