By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack
HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack dropped their second straight game on Sunday afternoon, falling 4-1 to the Bridgeport Islanders at the XL Center.
Marc Gatcomb netted the game-winner for the Islanders at the 4:11 mark of the third period, putting home a rebound for his seventh goal of the season. Louis Domingue denied Justin Gill’s shot from the right-wing circle, but the rebound came right to the stick of Gatcomb.
The goal put the Islanders ahead 2-1 at the time and was the first of two points for Gatcomb (1 g, 1 a) in the game.
The Islanders began to find their stride following an early penalty kill, registering a flurry of scoring chances that kept Domingue on his toes. Chris Terry had a dangerous bid just outside the blue paint that the veteran netminder could deny, keeping the game goalless.
Domingue saved the period in the final minute, as a centering feed from Tyce Thompson caught a body before deflecting over him. Domingue could narrowly get a glove on the puck right along the goal line, keeping it 0-0.
He made ten saves in the opening stanza.
Bo Groulx went off for a double minor for high-sticking early in the second period, giving the Islanders their first power play of the game. The Wolf Pack killed off the first two minutes and then drew a penalty with 1:49 remaining on the power play. Matthew Maggio was whistled for high-sticking.
Just ten seconds into four-on-four hockey, Travis Mitchell broke the ice on a breakaway. Following a turnover along the blueline, Mitchell gained possession and burst down the ice on the left-wing side. He snapped a shot that beat Domingue at 5:56 for his third season goal and second in as many nights.
The Wolf Pack got their answer six minutes later as Matthew Robertson fired a shot through several screening bodies. The shot was deflected home by Groulx to make it 1-1 at 11:57. The goal was Groulx’s seventh of the season.
The Islanders came out swinging in the third period, registering the first four shots on goal. Their fourth shot, the rebound bid from Gatcomb, would prove to be the difference.
The Wolf Pack pushed in the final frame but could not find a late equalizer for the second straight night.
Liam Foudy hit the empty net at 18:16, making it a 3-1 game with his third goal as an Islander. Ten seconds later, Brian Pinho blasted home a one-timer from the left-wing side on a feed from Chris Terry to make it 4-1.
The Wolf Pack concludes its six-game, season-long homestand on Wednesday night when the Lehigh Valley Phantoms visit. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are available at hartrfordwolfpack.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.
