GRUNDY: (SAT) PACK RESPOND TO SHOOTOUT LOSS WITH HUGE EFFORT AGAINST P-BRUINS
Hartford Wolf Pack 5, Providence Bruins 2
BY: Bryce Grundy, Hartford Wolf Pack
Hartford, CT, November 16, 2019 – The Hartford Wolf Pack overcame a bad start Saturday night at the XL Center, scoring the last five goals of the game in a 5-2 victory over the Providence Bruins.
The win gave the Wolf Pack five out of a possible six points in three consecutive match-ups against the Bruins, after a win and a shootout loss in the first two.
The Wolf Pack fell behind by a pair early in the first frame.
Ryan Fitzgerald opened the scoring just 37 seconds in, capitalizing on a Wolf Pack turnover, and Jack Studnicka doubled the lead with a power-play goal at 5:54.
The Wolf Pack, though, would turn the tables quickly, taking just over three minutes to tie the game.
Darren Raddysh got Hartford on the board at 7:28, accelerating around the net and attempting a wraparound, and ultimately poking in his own rebound, after Providence goaltender Kyle Keyser (24 saves) made the initial stop.
“Whatever the situation is, we’ll be in good shape,” Raddysh said. “Both the goalies have been great for us. Hopefully we can continue what we’ve been doing. We’re a really tight group here.”
Teammate Vinni Lettieri followed up with a rocket from the top of the left circle to tie it up on the power play at 10:30.
The Wolf Pack went ahead at 6:22 of the second period, as Steven Fogarty picked the pocket of Providence defenseman on the penalty kill, and ripped it past Keyser.
“Fogarty’s shorthanded goal was huge,” noted Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch. “It was a turning point in the game for us. Fogarty’s game really took off playing with Boo (Nieves), they both deserve a lot of credit.”
“We’ve been able to find a way to respond when we’re down,” mentioned Fogarty. “[Adam] Huska gave us a chance to win, we see it every day with these two guys.”
Phil Di Giuseppe scored an insurance goal at the 11:09 mark of the third period, with a blistering wrist shot from the slot.
“Di Giuseppe has really been playing well,” said Knoblauch. “Hopefully he can continue that.”
O’Regan capped it off with an empty-net goal with 2:46 left, to put the game out of reach.
The Wolf Pack’s next action is their “Sonar’s Edu-skate” school-day game this Wednesday, November 20 against the Syracuse Crunch, with face-off at 11:00 AM. That is another 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. Also, the Wolf Pack are offering “Suit to Sweater Wednesdays” this season. Any fan showing a company ID at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket office can purchase Blue-Level tickets to Wolf Pack Wednesday home games for only $15 each (limit two tickets per ID).
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 on line, go to hartfordwolfpack.com.
Providence Bruins 2 at Hartford Wolf Pack 5
Saturday, November 16, 2019 – XL Center
Providence 2 0 0 – 2
Hartford 2 1 2 – 5
1st Period-1, Providence, Fitzgerald 5 (Gaunce), 0:37. 2, Providence, Studnicka 6 (Fitzgerald, Hughes), 5:54 (PP). 3, Hartford, Raddysh 3 (Meskanen, Di Giuseppe), 7:28. 4, Hartford, Lettieri 6 (O’Regan, Keane), 10:30 (PP). Penalties-Elmer Hfd (interference), 3:58; Zech Pro (slashing), 9:49; Lauko Pro (hooking), 10:55; Gaunce Pro (closing hand on puck), 11:36.
2nd Period-5, Hartford, Fogarty 4 6:22 (SH). Penalties-Meskanen Hfd (hooking), 1:53; Geertsen Hfd (cross-checking), 6:06; Geertsen Hfd (holding), 14:49; Zboril Pro (slashing), 19:24.
3rd Period-6, Hartford, Di Giuseppe 5 (LoVerde, Raddysh), 11:09. 7, Hartford, O’Regan 4 (Ebert), 17:14 (EN). Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-Providence 11-17-8-36. Hartford 12-6-11-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Providence 1 / 4; Hartford 1 / 4.
Goalies-Providence, Keyser 1-4-1 (28 shots-24 saves). Hartford, Huska 4-0-3 (36 shots-34 saves).
A-5,166
Referees-Andrew Bruggeman (22), Andrew Howard (50).
Linesmen-Brent Colby (7), Paul Simeon (66).
