CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: March 25-31, 2019

BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack

HARTFORD, CT – The Wolf Pack (28-31-6-3, 65 pts., .478) traveled to Charlotte, NC this past weekend, and fell to the league-leading Charlotte Checkers in a pair of contests.  The Wolf Pack outshot the Checkers 32-26, including 14-3 in the third period, Saturday night at Bojangles Coliseum, but could put only one goal past Charlotte netminder Alex Nedeljkovic and ended up on the short end of a 3-1 score.  In the rematch on Sunday, two Steven Fogarty goals early in the second period narrowed a 3-0 Wolf Pack deficit to 3-2, but that would be as close as Hartford could get in a 6-2 verdict.

For the latest AHL standings, click here.

This week:

The Wolf Pack start a stretch of five out of six on the home rink this weekend, with contests at the XL Center Friday night vs. Charlotte, a 7:15 PM faceoff, and Saturday night against Belleville (7:00).

Friday, March 29 vs. the Charlotte Checkers (Carolina) 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.
• This is the third straight game on the Wolf Pack’s schedule vs. the Checkers, who have won the last six meetings between the two teams after the Wolf Pack took the season series opener, 5-3, at the XL Center December 1.
• After their back-to-back home wins over the Wolf Pack Saturday and Sunday, Charlotte is 6-0-1-0 in its last seven games and 10-1-1-0 in its last 12.  At 44-15-7-1 for 96 points, the Checkers lead second-place Bridgeport by ten points in the Atlantic Division and are six points up on Syracuse for first place overall in the AHL.
• Aleksi Saarela, Charlotte’s leading goal-scorer, lit the lamp twice in the Checkers’ 6-2 victory over the Wolf Pack Sunday in Charlotte, to improve his season totals to 24-21-45 in 60 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, March 30 vs. the Belleville Senators (Ottawa) at the XL Center, 7:00 PM

• This 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.
• The first 1,000 kids 12 or younger into this game will receive a free Wolf Pack lunch box, presented by Carvel.
• This is the second of two games on the season between the Wolf Pack and the Senators, and Belleville’s only visit to the XL Center.  The only other time the two teams saw each other, October 19 in Belleville in the Wolf Pack’s seventh game of the season, the Wolf Pack pulled out a 4-3 win.
• The Senators have lost their last two games and are 3-4-0-1 in their last eight, but before that went on a 12-0-1-4 run from January 19 through March 2.  Head Coach Troy Mann’s club enters the week tied with Cleveland for the last playoff spot in the North Division, at 74 points (33-27-3-5).
• Belleville’s leading point-getter is rookie Drake Batherson, who has 56 points in only 51 games and stands third among AHL first-year pros in both points and goals (21).
• 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. 

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:

• Sunday, March 31, 1:00 PM, Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT

The Wolf Pack’s iconic mascot, Sonar, joins in the birthday celebration for Hunter, the mascot of the New England Black Wolves.

• Sunday, March 31, 2:00-4:00 PM, Damato Chiropractic Center, 1420 Main St., Suite 114, Glastonbury, CT

Selected Wolf Pack players will join Sonar for the grand opening of Damato Chiropractic Center’s new Glastonbury location.  Damato Chiropractic Center is the official chiropractor of the Wolf Pack.

Recent Transactions:

Greg Chase – released by the Wolf Pack from a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement March 18, and re-signed March 25.

John Gilmour – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers March 18.

Vinni Lettieri – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers March 18.

Nick Jones – signed by the Wolf Pack to an AHL contract March 19.

Drew Melanson – recalled by the Wolf Pack from Maine (ECHL) March 19, and returned March 25.

Matt Register – signed by the Wolf Pack to a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement March 19.

Ryan Dmowski – signed by the Wolf Pack to an Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement March 21.

Pack Tracks:

The Wolf Pack’s last home game of the regular season, Friday, April 12 vs. the Hershey Bears, is the Wolf Pack’s annual “Fan Appreciation Night”.  The Wolf Pack will be paying tribute to all the great fans who have supported the team throughout the season, with numerous prize giveaways and other fun.  Faceoff on April 12 is 7:15 PM.

Each of the Wolf Pack’s Sunday and Wednesday home games features 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 last Family Value Pack game of the season is Sunday, April 7, when the Binghamton Devils come to town for a 3:00 PM game.

At all Friday-night Wolf Pack home games, 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.  After this Friday, the Wolf Pack’s last Friday home date of the season is “Fan Appreciation Night”, April 12, when they host the Hershey Bears in a 7:15 PM game.

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