CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: 2/26-3/4 2018
BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack
HARTFORD, CT – The Wolf Pack (26-25-4-3, 59 pts., .509) played their seventh three-game weekend of the season this past weekend and went 1-2-0-0. The Hershey Bears defeated the Wolf Pack 4-2 on Friday night at the XL Center, in the Wolf Pack’s first home game after six straight on the road. Cole Schneider had a goal and an assist in that game, and Ryan Sproul assisted on both Wolf Pack goals. Hartford then bounced back for a 2-1 XL Center victory over the Providence Bruins on Saturday night, their seventh win in their last eight home games, in front of a season-high crowd of 9,021. Lias Andersson and Boo Nieves scored in that game, and Chris Nell stopped 21 out of 22 Providence shots. The Bruins got a split of a home-and-home set, though, with a 2-0 shutout of the Wolf Pack Sunday in Providence.
For the latest AHL standings, click here.
This week:
The Wolf Pack play another three-game weekend this weekend, starting with a trip to Springfield to battle the Thunderbirds on Friday night. Faceoff for that game is 7:05 PM, and then the Wolf Pack return to the XL Center to play a pair of matinee home games. The Providence Bruins come to town on Saturday, and the Charlotte Checkers on Sunday, with faceoff both days at 3:00.
Friday, March 2 at the Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida) at the MassMutual Center, 7:05 PM
- This is the Wolf Pack’s last of six visits for the year to Springfield, where they are 1-3-0-1 in five games on the season. Overall in the season series vs. the Thunderbirds, the Wolf Pack are 3-5-0-1.
- The Thunderbirds come into the week in eighth place in the Atlantic Division, with a record of 25-28-2-1 for 53 points and a .473 points percentage, one point behind seventh-place Hershey and six points behind the Wolf Pack. Springfield has won its last three and has at least a point in four straight games (3-0-1-0).
- Goaltender Harri Sateri, who returned to the Thunderbirds from the parent Florida Panthers club February 15 after having been on recall since December 6, was in net for all three of Springfield’s wins in its current streak. He allowed a total of only four goals on 100 shots in those three contests, including a 33-save shutout in a 4-0 home win over Charlotte on Friday night.
- Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford on News Radio 1410 WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio. Video streaming at ahllive.com.
Saturday, March 3 vs. the Providence Bruins (Boston) at the XL Center, 3:00 PM
- This is “Military Appreciation Day” at the XL Center. The first 2,000 fans will receive Wolf Pack “dog tags”, presented by Go Graphix, and the Wolf Pack will wear special military-themed jerseys, which will be auctioned off, with proceeds benefitting military-related charities.
- Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Bruins in Providence was the Wolf Pack’s first regulation loss to the Bruins in the last seven meetings. They had been 4-0-1-1 in the previous six head-to-head battles. The Wolf Pack are 4-2-1-1 in eight games in the season series, 3-1-0-0 at home.
- Bruin goaltender Zane McIntyre stopped all 24 Wolf Pack shots in Sunday’s clash in Providence, for his AHL-leading sixth shutout of the season.
- Providence finished last week with points in seven of its last nine games (6-2-0-1), and is 32-18-3-2 on the year for 69 points and a .627 points percentage.
- At this and every Wolf Pack home game, fans are encouraged to come early for “Hockey Happy Hour” in the Comcast Coliseum Club. Enjoy $2 domestic beers and $5 appetizers from 1:00 PM until puck drop.
- 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, March 4 vs. the Charlotte Checkers (Carolina) at the XL Center, 3:00 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 Checkers enter the week holding down the fourth and final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division, with a record of 31-23-0-3 for 65 points and a .570 points percentage, six points ahead of the Wolf Pack. Charlotte has lost three of its last four games and has been shut out twice in those three defeats.
- The Wolf Pack are 2-3-0-0 on the year vs. the Checkers but have won the last two meetings at the XL Center after a loss in Charlotte’s first visit.
- Checkers rookie forward Julien Gauthier, a first-round pick (21st overall) by the parent Carolina Hurricanes in 2016, had both of Charlotte’s goals in a 2-1 Checker victory in Bridgeport on Saturday night.
- At this and every Wolf Pack home game, fans are encouraged to come early for “Hockey Happy Hour” in the Comcast Coliseum Club. Enjoy $2 domestic beers and $5 appetizers from 1:00 PM until puck drop.
- 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:
- Friday, March 2, 9:00 AM, Intensive Education Academy, 840 North Main St., West Hartford, CT
The Wolf Pack’s lovable mascot, Sonar, helps youngsters in West Hartford celebrate “Read Across America Day” and Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
- Friday, March 2, 1:30 PM, Mt. View School, 71 Vera Rd., Bristol, CT
Sonar’s “Read Across America Day” and Dr. Seuss’ birthday celebration moves to Bristol.
Recent Transactions:
Joey Leach – signed by the Wolf Pack to a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement February 19.
Ryan Sproul – returned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers February 21.
Eric Selleck – traded by the Wolf Pack to the Belleville Senators, in exchange for future considerations, February 21.
Dan DeSalvo – recalled by the Wolf Pack from loan to Tulsa (ECHL) Feb 22.
Vinni Lettieri – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers Feb 22.
Matt Beleskey – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers, after having been acquired from Boston in a trade, February 25.
Pack Tracks:
Saturday, March 24, when the Wolf Pack host the Hershey Bears in a 3:00 PM game, it’s “Super Hero Day” at the XL Center. The first 1,000 kids 12 or younger into the game will receive a free Wolf Pack superhero cape, courtesy of the U.S. Army
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 March 16, when they host the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 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, March 18, as the Rochester Americans visit for a 5:00 PM game.
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 last Wolf Pack Wednesday home outing of the season is March 28, with the Springfield Thunderbirds coming to town for a 7:00 PM game.
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
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