BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings
HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack enter the final two weeks of their COVID-19-shortened AHL season. Head Coach Kris Knoblauch is happy where his team is at after grinding out an important 3-1 victory over the Providence Bruins on Thursday.
“There was a lot to be happy about with our game. We made some really smart plays and we took care of our end of the ice,” remarked Knoblauch.
Having played in eight of the Wolf Pack’s last nine games, Adam Huska has been the noticeable difference to his coach. “Adam played so well. He made several big stops in the first period and really made a difference in the game for us.”
The Wolf Pack got timely goal scoring and the game-winning tally from Tim Gettinger. It hit all the right buttons for Knoblauch.
“Tim did so many good things on that play. He made an important block in our end and then carried the puck out to their end. Then he used his big body to protect the puck and they maintain a presence with the puck protecting and waited for Ty and he did the rest,”.
The game’s first goal scored on a Morgan Barron redirect. All of the elements for the team were on display, but for Knoblauch, it was the confidence with the puck.
“That comes with confidence. Early in the season that confidence to play with the puck wasn’t there. Tarmo made a smart play. He got the puck to the net as he waited for the play (to develop) because Jonny (Brodzinski) and (Anthony) Greco did a good job getting in the zone and he stayed with the puck. Like Tim’s play confidence is beautiful things we’re finding our groove.”
Knoblauch is going to stay with the hot hand and stay with Huska in goal, and the same lineup. He has found a group he is comfortable with and will play the same lines and D combinations against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
The only players not to see the ice this season has been the college-signed Zach Berzolla and goalie Francois Brassard.
When asked if there were plans to get them, into a game, Knoblauch replied, “We hope to get everybody the time, but there are a lot of other factors and considerations involved. We have to. With players, we have injuries and call-ups are always around, so you have to go game-by-game. We’re happy with the group we have right now.”
