CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: February 25-March 3, 2019 

BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack

HARTFORD, CT – The Wolf Pack (23-25-6-3, 55 pts., .482) went 2-0-1-0 in three games this past week, stretching a streak of games with at least a standings point to a season-high six (3-0-3-0).  The week began with a 3-2 home win over the Springfield Thunderbirds Friday night, in which Brandon Halverson came within 1:33 of his first career AHL shutout before settling for two goals-against on 21 shots, and Vinni Lettieri had a goal and an assist.  The Wolf Pack came back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits at home against Providence on Saturday but ultimately fell to the Bruins 3-2 in overtime.  Lettieri scored his first career pro shorthanded goal in that game, extending a pro-career-high goal-scoring streak to five games (5-2-7), the longest by a Wolf Pack player this year.  Hartford then turned the tables on the P-Bruins in a rematch Sunday in Providence, as Steven Fogarty struck for his first pro hat trick, and a pro-career-high four points and Chris Nell made 29 saves in his first AHL appearance of the season, leading the Wolf Pack to a 4-1 triumph.

For the latest AHL standings, click here.

This week:

The Wolf Pack are back in home-ice action at the XL Center this Wednesday night, as the Hershey Bears come to town for a 7:00 PM game.  The Wolf Pack then travel to Springfield for a 7:05 contest on Friday night, before returning home to host Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Saturday on “Military Appreciation Night”.  Faceoff for that game is 7:30.

Wednesday, February 27 vs. the Hershey Bears (Washington) at the XL Center, 7:00 PM

• 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.
• A 5-1 Hershey defeat in Bridgeport Sunday was the Bears’ first regulation loss since January 11, snapping a 16-0-0-1 run, the longest streak of consecutive games without a regulation defeat in the Bears’ 81-year history.
• Hershey enters the week 31-21-0-3 for 65 points and in third place in the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of Providence and four points up on Lehigh Valley.
• Bear netminder Ilya Samsonov, a first-round pick by the parent Washington Capitals in the 2015 NHL Draft, is 9-0-1 in his last ten appearances, with a 1.26 goals-against average, a 94.8% save percentage and two shutouts over that span.
• This is the third meeting of the season between the Wolf Pack and Bears, and both of the first two have been in Hershey.  The Bears won both, 2-1 in a shootout November 4 and 6-3 on December 8.
• 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 March 13 vs. Binghamton (some restrictions apply).
• 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. 

Friday, March 1 at the Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida) at the MassMutual   Center, 7:05 PM

• The Wolf Pack broke a run of three straight losses in head-to-head competition with the Thunderbirds in their 3-2 victory at the XL Center on Friday night.   The Thunderbirds have taken both of the previous meetings in Springfield, 6-2 on October 28 and 5-2 February 1.
• Entering the week, the Wolf Pack and Thunderbirds (22-23-6-5) were tied for seventh place in the Atlantic Division, with 55 points apiece.  Springfield is 2-9-0-1 in its last 12 games.
• Chris Wideman and Dryden Hunt both scored goals for the Thunderbirds in the final 1:33 of Friday night’s game in Hartford, to foil a shutout bid by Brandon Halverson and cut what was a 3-0 Wolf Pack lead to 3-2.  Hunt has 5-6-11 in seven games against the Wolf Pack this year.
• 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. 

Saturday, March 2 vs. the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh) at the XL Center, 7:30 PM

• This 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, as all fans who show military ID at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center will receive a $5 discount on their game ticket.
• This night also includes a Wolf Pack sock giveaway to the first 2,000 fans, presented by NBC Connecticut.
• The Penguins finished last week four points ahead of the Wolf Pack, and five points out of a playoff spot, in the Atlantic Division, with a record of 26-22-5-2 for 59 points.
• Former Wolf Pack forward, and Stamford, CT native, Ryan Haggerty had a four-game goal-scoring streak (5-1-6) snapped in the Penguins’ last game, a 4-1 home win over Rockford Sunday.
• The Wolf Pack are 1-2-1-0 in previous action vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this year, 0-1-1-0 at home.
• 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 5:30 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 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 26, 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.

• Friday, March 1, 10:45 AM, Ruth Chaffee School, 160 Superior Ave., Newington, CT

Sonar makes his first of three appearances on “Read Across America Day”, in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

• Friday, March 1, 11:45 AM, Green Hills School, 718 Pine St., Bristol, CT

Sonar continues his “Read Across America Day” junket by honoring Dr. Seuss’ birthday in Bristol.

• Friday, March 1, 1:00 PM, Mountain View School, 71 Vera Ave., Bristol, CT

Sonar makes a second “Read Across America Day” stop in Bristol.

Recent Transactions:

Peter Holland – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers, and traded to Chicago, February 18.

Darren Raddysh – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers, after being acquired in a trade from Chicago, February 18.

Zac Lynch – signed by the Wolf Pack to a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement February 19.

Derek Pratt – released by the Wolf Pack from a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement February 19.

Chris Nell – reassigned by the New York Rangers to the Wolf Pack from Greenville (ECHL) February 20.

Lias Andersson – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers February 21.

Pack Tracks:

Saturday, March 30, when the Wolf Pack host the Belleville Senators at 7:00 PM, is “Superhero Night” at the XL Center.  Fans can meet and greet their favorite superheroes, and the Wolf Pack will wear special superhero-themed jerseys, which will be auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting local charities.  Also, the first 1,000 kids 12 or younger into the March 30 game will receive a free Wolf Pack lunch box, presented by Carvel.

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 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.  After this Wednesday, the next Family Value Pack game is Sunday, March 10, when the Hershey Bears come to town for a 3:00 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 March 13, a 7:00 PM contest vs. the Binghamton Devils.

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