Hartford Wolf Pack 5, Charlotte Checkers 3
BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack
Hartford, CT, October 5, 2019 – Matt Beleskey scored twice, Vinni Lettieri had a goal and an assist, and Danny O’Regan added three assists Saturday night at the XL Center, as the Hartford Wolf Pack defeated the defending Calder Cup-champion Charlotte Checkers, 5-3, in the AHL season opener for both teams.
“We didn’t look great from the start, but we were able to settle it down,” said Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch, who was making his debut behind the Wolf Pack bench. “We didn’t get rattled, we responded.”
The Checkers were the first to jump on the board, as Janne Kuokkanen snuck a shot through the legs of Wolf Pack goaltender Igor Shesterkin (26 saves) 1:18 into the first period. Shesterkin would prove to be unbeatable for the rest of the period, making an impressive series of saves from in close around the 14-minute mark.
Just a 2:45 after Charlotte’s goal, the Wolf Pack evened the score when Joey Keane put away the first goal of his professional career. O’Regan and Boo Nieves assisted on the goal.
The Wolf Pack were able to capitalize on some good offensive zone pressure at 12:06, when Vincent LoVerde pinched into the top of the right circle to wire a shot over Charlotte’s goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic’s blocker to put Hartford up, 2-1. The Wolf Pack would hold on to the one-goal lead for the rest of the period.
The Pack didn’t slow down going into the second, as Beleskey capitalized for his first of the game on the power play 1:34 into the period, collecting his own rebound after tipping a shot by O’Regan. Lettieri also picked up an assist.
Later in the frame, the Wolf Pack found themselves trapped in their own zone for the better part of five minutes, but were able to escape without giving up a goal thanks to the strong play of Shesterkin.
Lettieri found twine with 2:20 left in the period, off an assist from newly-named captain Steven Fogarty. The goal would stand as the last one for the middle frame, sending the Wolf Pack to the dressing room up 4 to 1.
The momentum continued for Hartford going into the third period, with Beleskey scoring his second of the game just 24 seconds into the final frame, with assists from LoVerde and O’Regan.
“I thought we had a balanced attack,” Beleskey said. “We have four good lines that can go, good defense. We have lots of talent, lots of guys that like to work. I thought our veterans really led the way tonight.”
Knoblauch agreed, saying, “I hope the young guys were watching. Not that the young guys played bad, they did good. But there’s a learning curve. You need your leaders to lead, and they did that tonight.”
The Checkers finally stopped the bleeding at 4:18, when David Gust got a puck over the catching glove of Shesterkin. Roland McKeown and Hunter Shinkaruk assisted on the goal.
Charlotte was able to find the net again at 9:38 when Julien Gauthier stuffed in a rebound of a Brian Gibbons shot. Morgan Geekie also assisted on the goal.
That would be it for the scoring, even though the Checkers pulled Nedeljkovic with two minutes left to try to close the two-goal gap.
“It’s a strong start to the season,” said O’Regan. “We have a good team playing hard, playing the right way. [Shesterkin] played a great game. Good teams have good goalies, and he stood strong.”
The Wolf Pack are right back at the XL Center on Sunday, hosting the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in a 3:00 PM game. That is the season’s first chance to take advantage of the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Hat Trick Pack”. The Hat Trick Pack includes two tickets, two sodas, and one large popcorn, all for just $40.
Tickets for all 2019-20 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger start at just $10 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 (860) 722-9425, or click here to request more info. To visit the Wolf Pack online, go to hartfordwolfpack.com.
Charlotte Checkers 3 at Hartford Wolf Pack 5
Saturday, October 5, 2019 – XL Center
Charlotte 1 0 2 – 3
Hartford 2 2 1 – 5
1st Period-1, Charlotte, Kuokkanen 1 (Priskie), 1:18. 2, Hartford, Keane 1 (O’Regan, Nieves), 4:03. 3, Hartford, LoVerde 1 (Newell, Fontaine), 12:06. Penalties-Gauthier Cha (double minor – high-sticking), 5:31; Day Hfd (interference), 17:17; Forsling Cha (tripping), 19:40.
2nd Period-4, Hartford, Beleskey 1 (O’Regan, Lettieri), 1:34 (PP). 5, Hartford, Lettieri 1 (Fogarty), 17:40. Penalties-Luostarinen Cha (holding), 13:40; Gibbons Cha (slashing), 14:37; Keane Hfd (slashing), 14:37.
3rd Period-6, Hartford, Beleskey 2 (LoVerde, O’Regan), 0:24. 7, Charlotte, Gust 1 (McKeown, Shinkaruk), 4:18 (PP). 8, Charlotte, Gauthier 1 (Gibbons, Geekie), 10:22. Penalties-Lettieri Hfd (high-sticking), 3:57.
Shots on Goal-Charlotte 8-10-11-29. Hartford 8-10-5-23.
Power Play Opportunities-Charlotte 1 / 2; Hartford 1 / 4.
Goalies-Charlotte, Nedeljkovic 0-1-0 (23 shots-18 saves). Hartford, Shesterkin 1-0-0 (29 shots-26 saves).
A-5,040
Referees-Jordan Deckard (14), Alex Garon (64).
Linesmen-Brent Colby (7), Mike Baker (11).
Related
Related posts
Top picks
ROAD WARRIORS LOST TO RABBITS; SWAMP RABBTS IMPRESSIVE IN DEFEAT
SOLAR BEARS TAKE SERIES LEAD WITH OVERTIME WIN Orlando puts Greenville on the brink despite Colton Young’s 3-point night, Bobby Russell’s pair of goals By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite a high-scoring affair, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits fell to the Orlando…
WOLF PACK TO PLAY BRUINS IN ATLANTIC SEMIS
WOLF PACK TO FACE PROVIDENCE BRUINS IN ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS Foes Faceoff For Second Straight Postseason HARTFORD, CT—For the second straight postseason, The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins will face off in the Atlantic Division Semifinals. This series will follow a 2-2-1 setup, with the…
GARAND AND WOLF PACK ELIMINATE CHECKERS IN 3
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack CHARLOTTE, NC – Dylan Garand made a playoff career-high 39 saves on Sunday afternoon to help the Hartford Wolf Pack complete their First Round series victory over the Charlotte Checkers. The Wolf Pack used a five-on-five, powerplay, and shorthanded…
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
WOLF PACK TO PLAY BRUINS IN ATLANTIC SEMIS
WOLF PACK TO FACE PROVIDENCE BRUINS IN ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS Foes Faceoff For Second Straight Postseason HARTFORD, CT—For the second straight postseason, The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins will face off in the Atlantic Division Semifinals. This series will follow a 2-2-1 setup, with the…
GARAND AND WOLF PACK ELIMINATE CHECKERS IN 3
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack CHARLOTTE, NC – Dylan Garand made a playoff career-high 39 saves on Sunday afternoon to help the Hartford Wolf Pack complete their First Round series victory over the Charlotte Checkers. The Wolf Pack used a five-on-five, powerplay, and shorthanded…
CALDER CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE RELEASED
By: Jason Chaimovich, American Hockey League SPRINGFIELD, MA – The AHL Playoff Games begin on Tuesday: OPENING SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS The American Hockey League has released the following schedules for the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs opening series, including the best-of-three First…
WOLF PACK DROP SEASON FINALE 4-2 TO BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack concluded their 2023-24 regular season on Sunday afternoon at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. A third-period tally from the home side proved the difference, as the Bruins took a 4-2 decision….
SWAMP RABBITS ANSWER BACK IN GAME 2
Eberle nets game-winner; three multi-point performers shine in win BY: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—Tanner Eberle broke a deadlock in a wild third period to headline the Greenville Swamp Rabbits’ Game 2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears by a 4-2 score on Monday…
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
SWAMP RABBITS SCHEDULE FOR SOUTH DIVISION SEMIFINALS
Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears begin a best-of-seven series this Sunday in Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced the full schedule for the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs…
ANDREW LORD NAMED ECHL COACH OF THE YEAR
Fourth-year bench boss becomes first in both franchise and Greenville hockey history to receive recognition By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—The ECHL announced today that Andrew Lord, Head Coach/General Manager of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, a proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los…
Stay connected with ours socials