HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOST WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS IN HOME OPENER AT XL CENTER (PREGAME REPORT):
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack
HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the home opener at the XL Center.
The Pack have returned as tonight they will take the ice at the XL Center for the first time during the 2022-23 season for the 26th home opener in franchise history. The club opens the home portion of the schedule with a visit from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.
Tale of The Tape:
This is the first of six meetings between the Wolf Pack and Penguins during the 2022-23 season and the first of three at the XL Center. The Penguins will also make stops in Hartford on February 4th and April 14th. The clubs next meet on November 11th in Pennsylvania.
The division rivals split a six-game series last year, with the home team winning all six meetings. The Wolf Pack posted a record of 3-2-1-0, while the Penguins went 3-2-0-1.
In the last meeting on April 24th, the Wolf Pack took a 6-3 decision in their season finale. Alex Whelan and Lauri Pajuniemi each scored a pair for the Pack, while Bobby Trivigno scored his first professional goal. Filip Hållander scored a pair for the Penguins in defeat, while Alex Nylander also hit the scoresheet.
Hartford is 27-29-8-2 with one tie against the Penguins all-time.
Wolf Pack Outlook:
The Wolf Pack opened their season with a pair of defeats in Charlotte at the hands of the Checkers last weekend. After a 4-3 overtime defeat on Friday night, Hartford dropped a 3-1 decision to the Checkers on Saturday night in the weekend finale. Dylan Garand made 28 saves in the loss, and Turner Elson notched a powerplay goal for his first tally with the club, but Riley Nash’s third-period powerplay goal would prove to be the difference. Connor Bunnaman and Santtu Kinnunen (ENG) also scored for the Checkers in the win.
Will Cuylle (1 g, 1 a), Elson (1 g, 1 a), and Matthew Robertson (2 a) are tied for the Wolf Pack’s scoring lead through one weekend of play. Cuylle also leads the club with eight shots in just two games.
Hartford scored a powerplay goal in both opening weekend games, while Pajuniemi scored on Friday night to notch his second opening night goal in as many seasons.
Penguins Outlook:
The Penguins opened a three-in-three weekend with their first victory of the season last night, defeating the Laval Rocket 2-1. Nylander opened the scoring 7:11 in with a powerplay goal, while Nathan Legare scored his first of the season at 13:36 of the contest to make it a 2-0 game. Dustin Tokarski tossed aside 26 shots for his first win of the campaign.
Following tonight’s contest, the Pens will head to Providence to take on the Bruins tomorrow afternoon.
Nylander leads the Pens in scoring with four points (2 g, 2 a) through three official games.
The Penguins’ second game of the season, played in Utica against the Comets on Monday night, was suspended due to a power outage at the building. That game will be completed on January 24th in Utica.
Game Information:
Tonight, the first 1,500 fans through the door will receive a 2022-23 Wolf Pack magnetic schedule courtesy of Pepsi Zero Sugar! Are you coming to tonight’s game? Be sure to be in your seat early for the introduction of the team! Can’t make it? Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack, Alex Thomas, will have ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ starting at 6:40 p.m. on AHLTV and Mixlr. The pregame festivities will air live.
Tickets are available at hartfordwolfpack.com.
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ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since the team’s inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers and plays at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack has been home to some of the Rangers’ newest faces, including Igor Shesterkin, Filip Chytil, and Ryan Lindgren. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
