CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: February 18-24, 2019 

BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack

HARTFORD, CT – The Wolf Pack (21-25-5-3, 50 pts., .463) registered three of a possible six points in three games this week, with a win and two overtime losses.  On Wednesday night at home against defending Calder Cup-champion Toronto, the Wolf Pack fell behind 1-0 and 2-1, before scoring the last two goals of the game for a 3-2 victory.  Tim Gettinger had the late third-period game-winner and an assist in that contest, and Brandon Halverson made a team season-high 43 saves.  On Saturday night in Bridgeport, it was the Wolf Pack jumping out to 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 leads, before the Sound Tigers came back for a 4-3 overtime win.  On Sunday at the XL Center vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the Wolf Pack roared back from a 4-1 third-period deficit to force overtime, but the Penguins had the last word in a 5-4 verdict.  Sean Day scored his first career AHL goal and had an assist in that game, and Steven Fogarty and Vinni Lettieri added a goal and an assist apiece.

For the latest AHL standings, click here.

This week:

The Wolf Pack play back-to-back home games this Friday and Saturday nights, hosting Springfield on Friday at 7:15 PM and welcoming Providence on Saturday at 7:00, on “Hartford Hockey Heritage Night”.  The Wolf Pack and Bruins then complete a home-and-home Sunday in Providence, with faceoff at 3:05.

Friday, February 22 vs. the Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida) at the XL Center, 7:15 PM

• This being a Friday-night Wolf Pack home game, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs, and $2 draft beers and fountain sodas, through the start of the second period, presented by Nomads Adventure Quest.
• The Wolf Pack have lost their last three games against the Thunderbirds, after winning two of the first three.  The two clubs have split four previous meetings at the XL Center.
• The Thunderbirds come into the week exactly at .500, 22-22-6-4 for 54 points, four points ahead of the Wolf Pack in the Atlantic Division standings, after snapping a six-game losing streak with a 5-1 win at Providence Sunday in their last action.
• Defenseman Chris Wideman had two goals and an assist Sunday, in Springfield’s 5-1 win at Providence, and has 2-3-5 in the last three games.
• At this and every Wolf Pack home game, fans are encouraged to come early for “Hockey Happy Hour” in the Comcast Coliseum Club, presented by Minuteman Press.  Enjoy $2 beers and $5 appetizers from 5:15 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 AM, and 100.9 FM, WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV. 

Saturday, February 23 vs. the Providence Bruins (Boston) at the XL Center, 7:00 PM

• This is “Hartford Hockey Heritage Night”, as the Wolf Pack celebrate and pay tribute to over four decades of Hartford hockey.  The night includes a Brady Skjei bobblehead giveaway to the first 2,000 fans, presented by Xfinity.
• The Bruins (27-19-6-1, 61 pts., .575) are currently tied with Hershey for the fourth-and-final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of Lehigh Valley.  Providence has lost its last two games, after a 12-1-1-1 run in their previous 15.
• The Bruins have taken the last three head-to-head battles with the Wolf Pack after Hartford was 4-0-1-0 in the first five.  The Wolf Pack are 3-0-1-0 in four home games on the year vs. Providence.
• Bruin goaltender Zane McIntyre had won 12 straight decisions before Sunday’s 5-1 home loss to Springfield, in which he gave up five goals on 26 shots.  McIntyre is second in the AHL in wins, with a mark of 20-9-3.
• At this and every Wolf Pack home game, fans are encouraged to come early for “Hockey Happy Hour” in the Comcast Coliseum Club, presented by Minuteman Press.  Enjoy $2 beers and $5 appetizers from 5:00 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 AM, and 100.9 FM, WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV. 

Sunday, February 24 at the Providence Bruins (Boston) at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence, 3:05 PM

• This is the last of ten meetings on the season between the Wolf Pack and the arch-rival Bruins.  The Wolf Pack have lost their last three visits to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence, after a 4-3 win in their first trip October 13.
• The Bruins are 17-5-3-0 on home ice for the year but have lost their last two home contests.  The Wolf Pack enter the week with an 8-15-2-2 road mark.
• Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford on News Radio 1410 AM, and 100.9 FM, 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, February 19, 5:00-6:30 PM, XL Center

Selected Wolf Pack players take the ice with the Hartford PAL Hockey program, helping Hartford youngsters, ages 7-14, work on their hockey skills.

• Thursday, February 21, 9:15 AM, Wesley School, 10 Wesleyan Hills Rd., Middletown, CT

The Wolf Pack’s lovable mascot, Sonar, heads to Middletown to promote the Wolf Pack’s “Read to the Rink” program.

Recent Transactions:

Marek Mazanec – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers, and traded to Vancouver, February 12.

Matt Petgrave – signed by the Wolf Pack to a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement February 7 and released February 13.

Ty Ronning – reassigned by the New York Rangers to the Wolf Pack from Maine (ECHL) February 13.

Vinni Lettieri – returned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers February 13.

Connor Brickley – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers February 14.

Drew Melanson – recalled by the Wolf Pack from Maine (ECHL) February 14.

Derek Pratt – signed by the Wolf Pack to a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement February 14.

Matt Finn – signed by the Wolf Pack to a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement February 15.

Pack Tracks:

Saturday, March 2, when the Wolf Pack host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 7:30 PM, is “Military Appreciation Night” at the XL Center, presented by the U.S. Army.  The Wolf Pack will pay tribute to veterans and active-duty military for their service to our country, and the night includes a Wolf Pack sock giveaway to the first 2,000 fans, presented by NBC Connecticut.

Also, the Wolf Pack’s Saturday, March 2 home game vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton features pregame “Frozen Yoga” on the ice, with yoga instructor Leslie Gordon.  A “Froga” package is available for $30, which includes a Red-level ticket to the game, a one-hour Frozen Yoga session with Leslie Gordon from 12:30-1:30 PM, a free pair of Wolf Pack socks received at the yoga session, and hot chocolate after the session.  Only a limited number of these packages are available.  To purchase a Froga package, click here.

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.  After this Friday, the Wolf Pack’s next Friday home date is March 29, 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 Wednesday, February 27, when the Hershey Bears 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).  The Wolf Pack’s next Wednesday home game is February 13, a 7:00 PM contest vs. the Toronto Marlies.

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. 

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