BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings
HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack are ready to start a new month with three-games-in-three-days against Atlantic division opponents.
For head coach Kris Knoblauch, he’ll start another weekend with veteran Keith Kincaid in the net. Kincaid’s understudies, Adam Huska and Tyler Wall, awaits a decision when they will play.
“We are going with Keith to start, the rest of the weekend remains up in the air. It will depend on the play of the team regarding what we’ll do, but no decisions have been made for Saturday or Sunday against Bridgeport.”
The only small lineup issue is the possible return of defenseman Anthony Bitetto from his upper body injury. The coaches need to decide if he plays in one, two, or all three games.
KNOBLAUCH
“He has been on the ice, but the decision is for as how many games he plays. It still remains to be determined so that also will affect our other pairings and combinations such as Braden Schneider and Matt Robertson, but that’s the only decision for our backline that concerns us. We have a full compliment of players.”
Up front Knoblauch is comfortable with his opening with their top line of Johnny Brodzinski, Tim Gettinger, and Anthony Greco. Morgan Barren slides in as the center of the second line.
“Johnny, Tim and Anthony have earned to be the first line and Morgan (Barron) has done a good job at center. We’ve been able to use several wingers with him as it is with everyone. We’ll maintain that setup for now.”
The defense will remain the same with Hunter Skinner and Zach Guitar. Both are earning playing time and will likely play at different points in the weekend.
KRAVTSOV
The Vitali Kravtsov affair seems finished for now as far as Knoblauch is concerned. The Rangers again loaned Kravtsov to Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL) in Russia for the remainder of the season removing the issue from the table for now.
“He has made a decision that he thinks is in his best interest. We would have liked him to play here, but that wasn’t meant to be and I’ve not given much thought too at this point.”
The Wolf Pack play Bridgeport tonight in Hartford and then at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport Sunday afternoon. Those games are sandwiched around a game with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Saturday night at home rewards the Wolf Pack with different looks from two teams and a light travel schedule desire their last three-in-three foes for seven weeks.
“Bridgeport is more of veteran than Wilkes-Barre they can bring several different looks and Wilkes has a bit more youth.”
