CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: October 29-November 4, 2018

WOLF PACK WEEKLY: October 29-November 4, 2018

BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack

HARTFORD, CT –The Wolf Pack (4-6-1-0, 9 pts., .409) returned to Atlantic Division action this past week and were unable to get over the hump in a trio of divisional contests.  Hartford suffered its first regulation loss at home of the season Wednesday night, falling to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 4-3, despite a two-goal game from Shawn O’Donnell, his first career AHL multi-goal outing.  On Saturday night at home vs. Bridgeport, the Wolf Pack carried a 4-3 lead into the third period, only to see the Sound Tigers get a pair in the final frame and skate off with a 5-4 win.  O’Donnell scored again in that game, and Brandon Crawley had a pair of assists for his first points of the season.  Sunday found the Wolf Pack in Springfield, and that game was a standoff at even strength.  The Thunderbirds scored four times on power plays, though, and the final result was a 6-2 Springfield win.  Crawley netted his first goal of the season for the Wolf Pack in that game, and rookie Tim Gettinger also scored.

For the latest AHL standings, click here.

This week: It’s off to the Keystone State for the Wolf Pack this weekend, for their first three-games-in-three-days stretch of the season, continuing a run of five straight games on the road.  The first two games of the trip are in Wilkes-Barre Friday and Saturday nights, both 7:05 PM starts, and then the Wolf Pack head to Hershey for a 5:00 game against the Bears on Sunday.

Friday, November 2 at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh) at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, 7:05 PM

• The Penguins are 5-2-0-1 (11 pts., .688) through their first eight games of this season, having split their first two home games.  Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was a 99-point team last year, with a record of 45-22-6-3, good for second place in the Atlantic Division.
• This is the first of six games on the season between the Wolf Pack and Penguins, who also met six times last season.  Hartford was 3-1-1-1 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last year, including a 2-0-0-1 mark in the last three clashes.
• The Penguins’ top performer thus far has been veteran winger Garrett Wilson.  He leads the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton club in points (7), assists (4) and penalty minutes (22).
• Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford on News Radio 1410 WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV. 

Saturday, November 3 at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh) at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, 7:05 PM

• The Wolf Pack’s road record stands at 2-4-0-0 on the year.  They were 1-1-0-1 in three trips to Wilkes-Barre last season, and are 11(W)-12(L)-1(T)-1(OTL)-1(SOL) all-time in road action vs. the Penguins.
• Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford on News Radio 1410 WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV.

Sunday, November 4 at the Hershey Bears (Washington) at Giant Center, 5:00 PM

• This is the first of six meetings on the year between the Wolf Pack and the Bears, and the first of three Hartford visits to Hershey.  Last year against the Bears, the Wolf Pack were 2-4-0-0 but won two of their three road games in the series.
• Hershey comes into the week with a 4-6-0-1 (9 pts., .409) record under new head coach Spencer Carbery, after a last-place finish in 2017-18 (30-37-4-5, 69 pts., .454).
• Bear goaltender Vitek Vanecek has been the second-busiest backstop in the AHL in the first month of the season, playing 423 minutes with a 3-3-1 record, a 2.41 GAA, a 91.8% save percentage and one shutout.
• Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford on News Radio 1410 WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV. 

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:

• Tuesday, October 30, 9:00 AM, Rentschler Field, 615 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT

The Wolf Pack’s lovable mascot, Sonar, cheers on participants in the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s “Fit Kids” run.

Recent Transactions:

Matt Beleskey – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers October 25.

Pack Tracks:

The Wolf Pack’s annual “Sonar’s Edu-skate” school-day game is coming up Wednesday, November 14 vs. the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, with faceoff at 11:00 AM.  Lots of educational fun will be on tap throughout the day, and for information on bringing a school group to the Edu-Skate game, contact the Wolf Pack ticket office at (855) 762-6451.

Once again this season, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs, and $2 draft beers and fountain sodas, at every Friday Wolf Pack home game, through the start of the second period, presented by Nomads Adventure Quest.  The Wolf Pack’s next Friday home date is December 7, when they host the Charlotte Checkers in a 7:15 PM game.

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.  The next Family Value Pack game is the Wolf Pack’s “Sonar’s Edu-skate” school-day game, Wednesday, November 14, when the Bridgeport Sound Tigers visit for an 11:00 AM faceoff.

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 Wednesday Wolf Pack home game (some restrictions apply).  The Wolf Pack’s next Wednesday home outing is November 14, the 11:00 AM “Sonar’s Edu-skate” game vs. the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Wolf Pack home game tickets can be purchased 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 start at just $13 each, and all tickets will have a $3 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