BY: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack
HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack struck first on Wednesday night at the XL Center in Hartford but couldn’t hold off a late push from the Charlotte Checkers. Grigori Denisenko struck twice to give the Checkers a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory, becoming the first team to defeat the Wolf Pack this season when trailing after forty minutes.
Denisenko, who forced overtime, ended overtime just 1:52 into the extra frame. Logan Hutsko fed Denisenko in the neutral zone, allowing him to gain possession of the offensive end of the ice. Denisenko displayed patience, cutting towards the goal while keeping the shooting and the passing lanes open. Finally, Denisenko elected to shoot and labeled a shot over the shoulder of François Brassard to push the Checkers into the winner’s circle.
The sides played a rare scoreless first period, with both Brassard and Checkers’ starter Joey Daccord making numerous stops. Brassard made nine saves, while Daccord made ten. Hartford also had a critical penalty kill late in the period following a hooking infraction on Zach Berzolla.
WOLF PACK SCORE
The Wolf Pack finally broke the ice 18:56 into the middle frame. Nils Lundkvist snapped a pass ahead to Tanner Fritz, who fed Austin Rueschhoff, gaining the offensive zone. Rueschhoff walked into the near faceoff circle and fired a wrist-shot over the glove of Daccord for his fourth tally of the season. Lundkvist, making his AHL debut, collected his first career AHL point on the goal.
Hartford maintained the lead into the third period but couldn’t hang on for the victory. Denisenko took a pass from Max Zimmer and sprung free for a breakaway. His shot hit the goal post but bounced off the skate of Brassard and into the net at 10:28 of the third period to tie the game at 1-1.
Both Brassard and Daccord made two crucial saves in the first 90 seconds in overtime. Denisenko ended the game with his second of the night and ninth of the season at 1:52, giving the Checkers their second win at the XL Center this season.
UP NEXT
The Wolf Pack return to action Friday night when they visit the Providence Bruins. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. on AHLTV. The Pack is back at the XL Center on Saturday night when they host the Laval Rocket. Join us for ‘Decades Night’ as we celebrate music from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s! Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are still available at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.
Related
Related posts
Top picks
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…
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….
WOLF PACK INK D HARRISON REES TO PTO
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers Assistant General Manager and Hartford Wolf Pack General Manager Ryan Martin announced today that the club has signed defenseman Harrison Rees to a professional tryout agreement (PTO). Rees, 24, appeared in 36 games…
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….
WOLF PACK INK D HARRISON REES TO PTO
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers Assistant General Manager and Hartford Wolf Pack General Manager Ryan Martin announced today that the club has signed defenseman Harrison Rees to a professional tryout agreement (PTO). Rees, 24, appeared in 36 games…
WOLF PACK TAKE ON CHARLOTTE CHECKERS IN FIRST ROUND
All Three Games to Take Place in North Carolina By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT—The Hartford Wolf Pack and Charlotte Checkers will face off in an Atlantic Division first-round series to kick off the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs. Due to the distance traveled,…
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