PRE-GAME: WOLF PACK CLOSE 2023 VS ISLANDERS 

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack

HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack return to the XL Center tonight for their final game of the 2023 calendar year. The ‘Battle of Connecticut’ takes centerstage as the Wolf Pack welcomes the Bridgeport Islanders to town.

The puck drop is set for 6:00 p.m., and coverage is available on both AHLTV and Mixlr.

Tale of The Tape:

This is the third meeting of the season between the Wolf Pack and the Islanders. In total, the sides will face off ten times this season. Tonight is the second of five games at the XL Center between the foes.

The Wolf Pack took the first meeting in the season series by a final score of 3-0 on November 10^th at the Total Mortgage Arena, but the Islanders struck back with a 5-4 victory at the XL Center on December 22^nd.

The Isles jumped out to a 4-0 lead just 21:18 into the contest. William Dufour scored both on the powerplay and at four-on-four in the first period, while Ruslan Iskhakov added a powerplay tally in the opening stanza. Otto Koivula then tipped home a five-on-five bid from Robin Salo early in the middle frame.

Brandon Scanlin and Matthew Robertson both scored in the second period to get Hartford within two, then Alex Belzile scored just six seconds into the third period to make it a 4-3 game. The goal by Belzile was the fastest to start a period in franchise history. Robertson’s goal, his first of the season, and Belzile’s goal were both scored on the powerplay.

Despite Hartford’s late push, Cole Bardreau put the game away at 12:42 when he buried a rebound for his third goal of the season. Belzile netted his second goal of the night at 16:39 of the third period, but it would not be enough.

The rivals meet again on Thursday, January 4^th, in Bridgeport. The next game at the XL Center is on February 9^th, 2024. That game will be the 2,000^th game in Wolf Pack history.

Wolf Pack Outlook:

The Wolf Pack dropped their fifth consecutive game on Wednesday night, falling 3-1 to the Springfield Thunderbirds at the MassMutual Center. Turner Elson opened the scoring for the Wolf Pack 12:42 into the game, ripping his third goal of the season top-shelf after a pass from Bobby Trivigno.

Jakub Vrana evened the tilt 2:25 into the second period, tipping home a shot from Joseph Duszak for his third goal in just five games with the team. 5:58 into the third period, Mikhail Abramov fired home his fifth goal of the season to put the T-Birds ahead for good.

Despite a late push from the Wolf Pack, Matthew Peca ended the intrigue with an empty-net tally at 19:36.

Belzile and Jonny Brodzinski, on recall with the parent New York Rangers (NHL), lead the Wolf Pack in goals with eleven each. Belzile leads the team in points with 26 (11 g, 15 a), while Mac Hollowell leads the team in assists with 21.

On Thursday, the Rangers recalled forward Adam Edström.

Islanders Outlook:

The Islanders won a wild 6-5 affair over the Thunderbirds on Friday night in Springfield. Will Bitten and Grant Hutton exchanged goals in the opening frame before the Isles exploded for four goals in the middle stanza.

Dufour struck twice in the period, while both Dennis Cholowski and Bardreau tacked on goals. For the second time in as many games against the T-Birds, a three-goal lead would not be enough to secure a regulation victory. The T-Birds struck three times in the first 9:37 of the final frame, storming back from down 5-2 to force overtime.

Nathan Walker’s goal at 9:37 tied the tilt, his 13^th of the year.

In the end, the Isles found a way as Iskhakov prevented a second straight devastating loss at the MassMutual Center, striking 1:38 into the extra session to give the Islanders the extra point.

Iskhakov leads the club in both goals with nine and points with 23 (9 g, 14 a). He and Cholowski are tied for the team lead in assists with 14 each.

On Thursday, the Islanders completed a series of transactions. Goaltender Henrik Tikkanen and defenseman Trevor Cosgrove were both recalled from loan to the ECHL’s Worcester Railers. Defenseman Grant Hutton was assigned by the parent New York Islanders (NHL), while New York recalled goaltender Ken Appleby.

Game Information:

WATCH: AHLTV
LISTEN: Mixlr

Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack, Alex Thomas, will have ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ starting live at 5:45 p.m. on both AHLTV and Mixlr.

The Wolf Pack begin a four-game road trip on Thursday night when they visit the Islanders for round four of the ‘Battle of Connecticut.’ Full coverage is available on AHLTV & Mixlr starting live at 6:45 p.m.

The Pack is back at the XL Center on Saturday, January 13^th, when they host the Providence Bruins. The puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m.; tickets are available at hartfordwolfpack.com.

ABOUT OVG360:

OVG360, a division of Oak View Group, is a full-service venue management and hospitality company that helps client partners reimagine the sports, live entertainment, and convention industries for the betterment of the venue, employees, artists, athletes, and surrounding communities. With a portfolio of more than 200 client partners spanning arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers, cultural institutions, and state fairs around the globe, OVG360 provides a set of services, resources, and expertise designed to elevate every aspect of business that matters to venue operators. Service-oriented and driven by social responsibility, OVG360 helps facilities drive value through excellence and innovation in food services, booking and content development, sustainable operations, public health, public safety, and more.

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.

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

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