WOLF PACK BEAT BRUINS 4-2 AS REMPE GETS TWO POINTS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack
HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack picked up their second consecutive win to open their season-long, six-game homestand on Saturday night. Four different goal scorers helped the club double up the Providence Bruins by a score of 4-2, knotting the season series at one win a piece.
Connor Mackey’s second goal of the season put the Wolf Pack ahead 3-1 8:15 into the third period. The club entered the zone on a three-on-two, with Brett Berard holding possession. Berard connected with Mackey, the trailer, who whistled a shot by Brandon Bussi for his first game-winning goal of the season.
The Wolf Pack’s defense opened the scoring for the second straight night. Berard fired a backhand pass to Blake Hillman, who worked into the left-wing circle and blasted a shot by Bussi for his first goal of the season at 5:02. Alex Belzile picked up the secondary assist, his team-leading seventh of the season.
Matt Rempe was whistled for an interference minor at 6:49, giving the Bruins their first power play of the night. Vinni Lettieri would even the game at 8:14, tipping in a point shot from Ian Mitchell for his eighth goal.
Matt Poitras picked up the secondary assist on the goal, his first career point in the AHL.
With Berard in the penalty box for tripping at 11:30 of the second period, the Wolf Pack’s penalty-killing unit generated one of the game’s best scoring chances. Rempe and Anton Blidh entered the zone on a two-on-one, with Rempe holding possession on the left-wing side.
His pass connected with Blidh, who was robbed by Bussi late in the middle stanza.
Dylan Garand made 13 saves in the second period as the Bruins outshot the Wolf Pack by a 13-8 margin.
The Wolf Pack entered the third period with a 1-1 stalemate for the second consecutive night.
Two early goals gave the Wolf Pack a 3-1 lead in the final frame for the second straight night.
Casey Fitzgerald blasted home his third goal of the season at 5:42, taking a pass from Adam Sýkora at the right-wing point and beating Bussi. The goal was Fitzgerald’s second in as many nights and his first five-on-five season tally.
Mackey’s goal at 8:15 made it a 3-1 game and was the seventh straight goal scored by a Wolf Pack defenseman.
Marc McLaughlin extended his goal-scoring streak to four games at 16:12, firing a shot from the right-wing side that snuck by Garand. The goal was McLaughlin’s second against the Wolf Pack in as many games.
Just 23 seconds later, Rempe responded with his first goal of the season. Rempe gained the zone on the left-wing side on a two-on-one, electing to shoot. His shot rocketed by Bussi, giving the Wolf Pack the necessary insurance. It was the second point of the night for Rempe, who also collected an assist.
The Pack is back Tuesday morning for the annual ‘School Day Game’ against the Checkers! The puck drop is set for 11:00 a.m.
Tickets are available at hartfordwolfpack.com.
Full-season tickets, 20-game plans, 12-game plans, flex plans, and single-game tickets for the 2024-25 season are on sale now! Visit hartfordwolfpack.com or call 860-722-9425 for more details!
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ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since its 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.
