BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack
HARTFORD, CT – The Wolf Pack (24-27-6-3, 57 pts., .475) finished last week with a 4-3 overtime win over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Saturday night, in front of a crowd of 7,112 at the XL Center. Ryan Gropp’s second goal of the game, 22 seconds into overtime, was the game-winner, and John Gilmour had a goal and two assists. That was after a 5-1 loss at Springfield Friday night and a 4-1 home defeat to Hershey on Wednesday. With four points (1-3-4) on the week, Gilmour has taken sole possession of the team points lead, with 17-26-43 in 60 games, and is tied for tops on the club in goals.
For the latest AHL standings, click here.
This week:
The Wolf Pack are headed into a three-game weekend, which starts with their final visit of the season to Wilkes-Barre, PA on Friday night. The Wolf Pack and Penguins face off at 7:05 PM, after which Hartford heads to Springfield for a 7:05 date on Saturday night. Sunday finds the Wolf Pack back at the XL Center, for a 3:00 contest vs. the Hershey Bears.
Friday, March 8 at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh) at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, 7:05 PM
- With a record of 27-22-6-2 for 62 points, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton comes into the week five points ahead of the Wolf Pack in the Atlantic Division standings, and five points out of a playoff spot.
- This is the last of six meetings on the year between the Wolf Pack and the Penguins, and after Saturday night’s 4-3 overtime win at the XL Center, the Wolf Pack are 2-2-1-0 in the season series. The clubs have split two previous tilts in Wilkes-Barre, the Penguins winning 5-3 on November 2 and the Wolf Pack taking a 3-2 decision the next night.
- Joseph Blandisi had a goal and an assist for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in Saturday night’s XL Center battle and has chalked up 6-6-12 in 14 games since joining the Penguins via a trade with Anaheim January 16.
- 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 9 at the Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida) at the MassMutual Center, 7:05 PM
- This is the Wolf Pack’s second trip in eight days to the MassMutual Center, where they are 0-3-0-0 on the year and have been outscored by a combined margin of 16-5. Overall in the season series vs. Springfield, the Wolf Pack are 3-4-0-0.
- Chris Driedger stopped 36 of 37 Wolf Pack shots Friday night in the Thunderbirds’ 5-1 home win over the Wolf Pack, improving his record in the season series to 5-1-0, with a 1.84 goals-against average and a 94.8% save percentage.
- After a 1-7-0-1 slump, the Thunderbirds have won two of their last three. They enter the week two points up on the Wolf Pack in the Atlantic, with a record of 24-24-6-5 for 59 points.
- 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.
Sunday, March 10 vs. the Hershey Bears (Washington) 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 Bears are 1-2-1-0 in their last four games, but prior to that, they went 16-0-0-1 in their previous 17 games, a record for most consecutive games without a regulation defeat for the 81-year-old Hershey franchise. The Bears finished last week 32-22-1-3 for 68 points and in third place in the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of Providence and five up on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Lehigh Valley.
- Riley Barber, who scored twice for the Bears in their 4-1 win over the Wolf Pack Wednesday at the XL Center, leads Hershey in points and goals and is tied for fifth in the AHL in goals, with 26-24-50 in 52 GP.
- The Wolf Pack are 0-3-0-0 on the year vs. Hershey. Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to the Bears was Hartford’s first home game in the season series.
- 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 1:00 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.
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, March 5, 5:30-6:30 PM, Newington Arena, 300 Alumni Rd., Newington, CT
Wolf Pack players Steven Fogarty and John Gilmour are scheduled to hit the ice with Central Connecticut Youth Hockey Association Mites, assisting with the team’s practice.
- Tuesday, March 5, 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.
- Saturday, March 9, 11:00 AM, Downtown Essex, CT
The Wolf Pack’s iconic mascot, Sonar, joins in the fun of Essex’s annual “Erin Go Bragh” St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Recent Transactions:
Julius Bergman – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers, after being acquired in a trade from Columbus, February 25.
Matt Finn – released by the Wolf Pack from a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement February 26.
Libor Hajek – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers February 28.
Dustin Tokarski – reassigned by the New York Rangers from the Wolf Pack to Charlotte (AHL) February 28.
Josh Wesley – reassigned by the Carolina Hurricanes to the Wolf Pack from Florida (ECHL) February 28.
Zac Lynch – released by the Wolf Pack from a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement March 3.
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 Sunday, the next Family Value Pack game is Wednesday, March 13, when the Binghamton Devils 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 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
