CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: November 19-25, 2018

BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack

HARTFORD, CT –The Wolf Pack (7-9-1-2, 17 pts., .447) played three home games this week and won two of them, starting with the club’s first overtime win of the year Wednesday, a 4-3 triumph over Bridgeport in the annual “Sonar’s Edu-skate” school-day game.  Bobby Butler had the winner in that contest, and John Gilmour struck for two goals and an assist.  The Wolf Pack then set team season highs for goals scored and margin of victory Saturday night, doubling up the Utica Comets by a score of 6-3.  Boo Nieves had his first career professional three-point game to lead the way, with a goal and two assists, and Ville Meskanen, Peter Holland and Cole Schneider added a goal and an assist apiece.  The Wolf Pack were unable to make it three in a row Sunday against Rochester, though, despite taking a 3-1 lead into the third period.  The Americans scored three in the third to win 4-3, offsetting Wolf Pack goals by Schneider, Gabriel Fontaine, and Peter Holland.

For the latest AHL standings, click here.

This week:

The Wolf Pack have three games on the schedule around the Thanksgiving holiday, with two of them at home.  The Providence Bruins visit the XL Center on Thanksgiving Eve Wednesday, for a 7:00 PM game, and then the Wolf Pack play a home-and-home against their in-state rivals the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.  Hartford will visit Bridgeport for a 7:00 faceoff on “Black Friday”, and then the two teams will go at it again Saturday night in Hartford.  Faceoff for that contest is 7:30.

Wednesday, November 21 vs. the Providence Bruins (Boston) at the XL Center, 7:00 PM

• The Wolf Pack’s Thanksgiving canned food drive continues at this game.  Any fan who brings five or more non-perishable food items to the game for donation will receive a buy-one-get-one-free ticket voucher, redeemable for any 2018-19 Wolf Pack home game.
• At this and every Wolf Pack Wednesday 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 P-Bruins are three points behind the Wolf Pack in the Atlantic Division standings, with a record of 6-8-2-0 for 14 points), and are 3-1-1-0 in their last five games.
• This is already the fourth meeting of the season between the Wolf Pack and Bruins, and Hartford is 2-0-1-0 through the first three, with a win and an overtime loss to show for two previous home games vs. Providence.
• Ryan Donato, the former Harvard Crimson star who had 5-4-9 in 12 games with the Boston Bruins after the completion of his college season last year, has 4-2-6 in seven AHL games since joining Providence this season, including the overtime game-winner in the P-Bruins’ 3-2 home win over Rochester 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 beers and $5 appetizers from 5:00 PM until puck drop.
• This is a Wolf Pack “Winning Wednesday”.  If the Wolf Pack win, 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, which is December 19, also vs. Providence (some restrictions apply).
• Tickets for this and all 2018-19 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 start at just $13 each, and all tickets will have a $3 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 theahl.com/AHLTV. 

Friday, November 23 at the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (Islanders) at the Webster Bank Arena, 7:00 PM

• Forward Tanner Fritz scored his first two goals of the season for the Sound Tigers Wednesday against the Wolf Pack, and Devon Toews had two assists, in a game the Wolf Pack won in overtime, 4-3.
• Bridgeport comes into this week with at least a standings point in eight straight games (7-0-1-0), having followed Wednesday’s overtime loss to the Wolf Pack with wins Friday night in Laval and Saturday night in Belleville.
• This is the third meeting of the season between the AHL’s two Connecticut entries, and the Wolf Pack’s first visit to Bridgeport.  The other battle prior to Wednesday’s Wolf Pack OT win was a 5-4 Sound Tiger victory October 27 at the XL Center.
• 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 24 vs. the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (Islanders) at the XL Center, 7:30 PM

• This game features the Wolf Pack’s annual “Teddy Bear Toss”.  Fans are invited to bring soft toys to the game, and heave them on to the ice when the Wolf Pack score their first goal.  All the toys collected will be donated to Operation ELF and Toys for Tots.
• The first 2,000 fans into this game will receive a free replica Wolf Pack jersey t-shirt, courtesy of CT-DOT.
• The Wolf Pack come into the week 4-4-1-0 on home ice, while the Sound Tigers are an identical 4-4-1-0 on the road.
• 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 beers and $5 appetizers from 5:30 PM until puck drop.
• Tickets for this and all 2018-19 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 start at just $13 each, and all tickets will have a $3 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:

• Tuesday, November 20, 12 noon, Miller Foods, 308 Arch Rd., Avon, CT

The Wolf Pack’s lovable mascot, Sonar, will be on hand to meet and greet attendees at Miller Foods’ Thanksgiving event and will be giving away five pairs of tickets to the Wolf Pack’s home game this Wednesday night, November 21 vs. Providence.

• Saturday, November 24, 7:00 AM, South Windsor Arena, 585 John Fitch Blvd., South Windsor, CT

Sonar takes the ice with youngsters in South Windsor Youth Hockey’s “Learn to Skate” program.

Recent Transactions:

Dawson Leedahl – reassigned by the New York Rangers to the Wolf Pack from Maine (ECHL) November 14.

Alexandar Georgiev – returned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers November 13, and recalled November 14.

Michael Lindqvist – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers November 14.

Marek Mazanec – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers November 13, and returned November 14.

Vinni Lettieri – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers November 17.

Steven Fogarty – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers November 18.

Ty Ronning – reassigned by the New York Rangers from the Wolf Pack to Maine (ECHL) November 19.

Shawn St. Amant – recalled by the Wolf Pack from Maine (ECHL) November 19.

Terrence Wallin – signed to a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement by the Wolf Pack November 19.

Pack Tracks:

The Wolf Pack’s home game Saturday, December 1, when the Charlotte Checkers visit the XL Center for a 7:00 PM start, is “Star Wars Night”.  Fans can hang out with their favorite Star Wars characters and win some awesome Star Wars prizes.  Also on December 1, the first 2,000 fans will receive a Wolf Pack 2019 calendar, courtesy of Hartford Distributors.

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.  After this Wednesday, the next Family Value Pack game is Wednesday, December 19, when the Providence Bruins come to town for a 7:00 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 Wednesday Wolf Pack home game (some restrictions apply).  After this Wednesday, the Wolf Pack’s next Wednesday home game is December 19, a 7:00 PM contest vs. the Providence Bruins.

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