MAXIM BARBASHEV SCORES FIRST CAREER AHL GOAL IN 4-1 LOSS TO PENGUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack
HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack fell behind early on Friday night and were unable to dig out of the hole in front of 7,833 fans at the XL Center in Hartford. The result was the club’s fourth straight loss, 4-1 at the hands of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
For the second straight meeting in Hartford, the Penguins erupted to take control of the hockey game in the first period. The visitors outshot the Wolf Pack 14-6 and outscored them 3-0.
Rutger McGroarty opened the scoring just 29 seconds in, firing a shot by Louis Domingue from the left-wing circle. The goal was McGroarty’s seventh of the season and his third against the Wolf Pack. It was also the fastest goal surrendered by the Wolf Pack to start a game this season.
At 10:44, Lucas Edmonds was whistled for a high-sticking minor, giving the Penguins the game’s first power play. Following the play, however, the Wolf Pack would be assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty when a puck was fired into the net after the whistle.
On the ensuing five-on-three, Avery Hayes banked a puck off the left pad of Domingue and into the net from the left-wing circle at 12:03. The goal extended Hayes’ point streak to six games (5 g, 3 a, 8 pts).
At 15:58, Boris Katchouk extended the lead to 3-0, firing a shot from the left-wing circle that beat a diving Domingue. The goal was Katchouk’s first in five games, set up by Vasily Ponomarev and Ville Koivunen.
The Wolf Pack turned in a strong second period, outshooting the Penguins by a 13-5 margin. They finally broke through on goaltender Filip Larsson at 7:34, as Maxim Barbashev potted his first career AHL goal.
Brett Budgell fired a shot from the point that Larsson denied, but the rebound came to forward Blake McLaughlin. McLaughlin jammed the puck toward the net, where it hit a Penguin and came to Barbashev below the right-wing circle. There, he banged home the loose puck to make it a 3-1 contest.
Budgell picked up the secondary assist, his first point as a member of the Wolf Pack.
The sides played a relatively even third period, with the Penguins holding a slight 9-8 edge in shots. The Wolf Pack had some good looks while attacking six-on-five, but Larsson was strong in net for the Penguins.
Marc Johnstone put the game out of reach at 19:31, hitting the empty net from center ice to give the Penguins their fourth straight win over the Wolf Pack.
The homestand continues tomorrow night when the Wolf Pack welcome the Providence Bruins to town! The Pack will be hosting their annual food drive on this night. We ask that all fans bring a nonperishable canned food item to donate. All donated items will benefit ‘Hands on Hartford’!
The puck drop is set for 6:00 p.m.
Tickets are available at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.
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RANGERS ASSIGN DYLAN GARAND TO WOLF PACK, LOAN ZAC JONES ON CONDITIONING STINT
Rangers Recall D Matthew Robertson, Wolf Pack Recall F Maxim Barbashev From Loan
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack
HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the club had assigned goaltender Dylan Garand to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack and recalled defenseman Matthew Robertson from the Wolf Pack.
Additionally, Drury announced that the Rangers had loaned defenseman Zac Jones to the Wolf Pack for a conditioning stint.
Rangers Assistant General Manager and Wolf Pack General Manager Ryan Martin announced that the club had recalled forward Maxim Barbashev from the ECHL’s Bloomington Bison.
Garand, 22, has posted a record of 13-7-5 with the Wolf Pack in 25 appearances this season. The third-year netminder has amassed a .914 save percentage, a 2.73 goals-against average, and three shutouts.
The native of Victoria, BC, was named to the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic earlier this month.
Garand was selected in the fourth round, 103rd overall, by the Rangers in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
Robertson, 23, has recorded 18 points (1 g, 17 a) in 47 games with the Wolf Pack this season. His 17 assists are one away from his career-high of 18, set during the 2022-23 campaign.
The native of Edmonton, AB, has scored 73 career points (11 g, 62 a) in 237 AHL games, all with the Wolf Pack.
Robertson was selected in the second round, 49th overall, of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Rangers.
Jones, 24, has appeared in 28 games with the Rangers this season, recording eight points (1 g, 7 a). He has appeared in 97 career games with the Rangers, scoring 25 points (4 g, 21 a).
The native of Richmond, VA, last skated with the Wolf Pack during the 2022-23 campaign. He scored 31 points (8 g, 23 a) in 54 games, representing the Wolf Pack at the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic. He tacked on six points (2 g, 4 a) in nine Calder Cup Playoff games during the spring of 2023.
Jones was selected in the third round, 68th overall, of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Rangers.
Barbashev, 21, has scored seven points (3 g, 4 a) in 27 games with the Bison this season. He recorded 35 points (14 g, 21 a) in 59 QMJHL games split between the Shawinigan Cataractes and Rimouski Océanic a season ago. He also appeared in one game with the Wolf Pack, making his professional debut on Apr. 20 against the Springfield Thunderbirds.
The native of Moscow, RUS, was selected by the Rangers in the fifth round, 161st overall, of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He signed an AHL contract with the Wolf Pack on July 31.
Verizon powers Hartford Wolf Pack transactions during the 2024-25 season.
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 www.hartfordwolfpack.com or call 860-722-9425 for more details!
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WOLF PACK DROP 5-3 DECISION TO SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack
SPRINGFIELD, MA – The Hartford Wolf Pack outshot the rival Springfield Thunderbirds 40-22 on Wednesday night at the MassMutual Center. Despite that advantage, the Wolf Pack dropped a 5-3 decision as the Thunderbirds went three-for-three on the power play.
For the second straight meeting, Nikita Alexandrov opened the scoring for the Thunderbirds. On the first power play of the night for the Thunderbirds, Alexandrov entered the zone before connecting with Aleksanteri Kaskimäki along the left-wing wall. Kaskimäki returned the puck to Alexandrov, who cut to the goal and beat Louis Domingue with a backhander just 1:29 into the game.
Anton Blidh drew the Wolf Pack even at 14:20, potting his 16th goal of the season. Applying all kinds of pressure in the offensive zone, the Wolf Pack could strike when Nathan Sucese found Blidh in the slot. There, he beat Vadim Zherenko with a clean shot for his second goal in as many visits to Springfield.
Connor Mackey was whistled for a cross-checking minor at 17:01, giving the Thunderbirds their second power play of the game. On the skater advantage, Kaskimäki took a pass in the slot from MacKenzie MacEachern and beat Domingue for his tenth goal of the season.
Despite a good push from the Wolf Pack in the opening minutes of the second period, the Thunderbirds extended their lead. Matthew Peca took a centering pass from Matt Luff and beat Domingue by the right pad at 12:56, making it 3-1 for the home side.
Less than a minute later, Scott Harington was whistled for tripping, giving the Wolf Pack their second power play of the game. The Wolf Pack’s power play responded with their fifth goal of the season against the Thunderbirds when Mackey fired a shot from the blue line that snuck by Zherenko at 15:33.
The goal was Mackey’s fourth of the season and his sixth point (1 g, 5 a) against the Thunderbirds.
The two-goal lead was restored 6:26 into the third period when Alexandrov struck for the second time on the power play. The veteran gained possession in the left-wing circle and snapped a shot over Domingue’s right shoulder right shoulder of Domingue.
The third goal of the power play for the Thunderbirds would be a game-winning strike.
The Wolf Pack pushed late, attacking both six-on-four and six-on-five. On the six-on-five advantage, Sucese fed Alex Belzile in the left-wing circle. The veteran forward blasted home a one-timer at 17:30 to make it 4-3.
The goal was Belzile’s 15th of the season.
After regaining the offensive zone and pulling Domingue for the extra attacker, the Wolf Pack pushed for the tying goal but were unsuccessful. Harrington chipped the puck out to center ice, where Luff collected it and hit the empty net at 18:36.
The Pack is back at the XL Center on Friday, Feb. 21, when the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins come to town. Join us for $2 drafts and $2 hot dogs until the end of the first intermission!
The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are available at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.
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HARTFORD WOLF PACK COMPLETE SERIES OF TRANSACTIONS
Wolf Pack Recall Four From Bloomington, Rangers Reassign Talyn Boyko to Hartford
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack
HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the club has reassigned goaltender Talyn Boyko to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack from the ECHL’s Tulsa Oilers.
Rangers Assistant General Manager and Wolf Pack General Manager Ryan Martin announced today that the club has recalled forwards Blake McLaughlin and Brett Budgell and defensemen Carter Berger and Ryan Siedem from the ECHL’s Bloomington Bison.
Additionally, forwards Brett Berard, Brennan Othmann and Jake Leschyshyn, and defenseman Matthew Robertson, have reported to New York to participate in practice with the Rangers.
They join goaltender Dylan Garand, who was recalled by the Rangers on Tuesday.
Boyko, 22, has appeared in 25 gamers with the Oilers this season, posting a record of 15-5-5 with a .921 save percentage, a 2.43 goals-against average, and two shutouts. In two games with the Wolf Pack, Boyko is 1-1-0 with a .921 save percentage and a 2.50 goals-against average.
The native of Drumheller, AB, collected a 32-save shutout in his first career AHL start on Dec. 31 against the Springfield Thunderbirds.
Boyko was selected in the fourth round, 112th overall, by the Rangers in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
McLaughlin, 24, has scored 23 points (10 g, 13 a) in 29 games with the Bison this season. He is currently third on the club in goals, and fifth in points.
The native of Grand Rapids, MN, has also skated in four games with the Wolf Pack, recording two assists. In 64 career AHL games with the Wolf Pack and San Diego Gulls, he has scored five points (1 g, 4 a).
McLaughlin was selected in the third round, 79th overall, by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He inked a contract with the Wolf Pack on Aug. 12.
Budgell, 23, has dressed for 37 games with the Bison this season, scoring 30 points (11 g, 19 a). He currently sits second on the team in both goals and points.
The native of St. John’s, NL, has appeared in two games with the Wolf Pack this season. He has dressed for 21 career AHL games with the Wolf Pack and Iowa Wild, scoring an assist.
Budgell signed a one-year deal with the Wolf Pack on Oct. 20. He attended training camp on a professional tryout agreement (PTO) after signing with the Bison on Sep. 26.
Berger, 25, has recorded 24 points (5 g, 19 a) in 47 games as a rookie this season with the Bison. The native of North Vancouver, BC, currently leads the Bison in points by a defenseman and is fourth overall on the club in scoring.
The former University of Connecticut Husky and Western Michigan University Bronco signed as a free agent with the Wolf Pack on May 30.
Siedem, 23, has skated in 36 games with the Bison as a rookie this season, scoring 16 points (3 g, 13 a). He has also appeared in two games with the Wolf Pack, recording an assist.
The native of Madison, NJ, signed with the Wolf Pack on Mar. 25 after completing his NCAA career with the University of Notre Dame. He appeared in two games with the Wolf Pack during the 2023-24 campaign.
Hartford Wolf Pack transactions during the 2024-25 season are powered by Verizon.
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 www.hartfordwolfpack.com or call 860-722-9425 for more details!
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WOLF PACK WEEKEND RECAP: FEBRUARY 17th, 2025
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack
HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack went 1-1-1-0 in three games last week. After taking a 4-3 overtime decision over the Bridgeport Islanders on Wednesday night, the Wolf Pack ventured to Charlotte, NC, for a pair of games.
The club was swept by the Charlotte Checkers, picking up just one of the four available points.
Saturday, February 15th, 2025, at Charlotte Checkers (0-4 L): The Checkers picked up their second straight shutout victory over the Wolf Pack on Saturday afternoon, holding them to a season-low 18 shots on net.
Wilmer Skoog scored the game-winning goal 10:31 into the second period, taking a pass from Trevor Carrick in the left-wing circle and snapping home his first goal in 19 games.
Justin Sourdif extended the lead to 2-0 at 13:50, taking a pass from Will Lockwood in the left-wing circle and beating Louis Domingue for his tenth goal of the season. Sourdif added his second tally of the game 14:40 into the third period, waiting out a defenseman before sniping his eleventh goal of the season by Domingue from the slot.
Rasmus Asplund hit the empty net at 16:56, cementing the two points for the Checkers. The goal was a four-on-six shorthanded tally.
The shutout was Hartford’s sixth shutout defeat of the season and their second at the hands of the Checkers.
Sunday, February 16th, 2025, at Charlotte Checkers (3-4 OTL): Brennan Othmann gave the Wolf Pack an early lead on Sunday, striking on the power play at 4:42 of the first period. Othmann fired a shot from the right-wing wall that clipped the stick of Matt Kiersted and found the back of the net.
Lucas Edmonds then made it 2-0 at 6:15, jamming home a rebound on the backhand from the top of the crease.
Mike Benning struck twice in just under ten minutes to tie the game heading into the first intermission, however. Benning snuck a shot by the left pad of Dylan Garand 6:52 into the period, then fired a laser over Garand’s left shoulder from the right-wing circle at 15:39.
Garand stole the show in the second period, making 22 saves to keep the game tied 2-2. The 22 shots allowed by the Wolf Pack in the second period were the most in a single period this season.
Othmann restored the Wolf Pack’s lead 10:12 into the third period, blasting home a one-timer from the right-wing circle off a feed from Matthew Robertson. Defending their lead late, the Wolf Pack were forced to the penalty kill at 18:03 when Bo Groulx was whistled for slashing.
On the ensuing six-on-four advantage, John Leonard tied the game when he backhanded home a rebound at 19:30 to force overtime.
In overtime, the Wolf Pack turned the puck over in their own zone, leading to the dagger. C.J. Smith fed Kyle Criscuolo in the right-wing circle, and he beat Garand to complete the comeback for the home side.
Quick Hits:
- The Wolf Pack allowed a season-high 49 shots in Sunday afternoon’s loss to the Checkers.
- The Wolf Pack fired a season-low 18 shots in Sunday afternoon’s loss to the Checkers. It tied their previous season-low of 18, set in Saturday’s loss to the Checkers.
- The Wolf Pack are now 20-23-5-1 on the season, good for 46 points. They sit five points behind the Springfield Thunderbirds for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division.
The Week Ahead:
- Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at Springfield Thunderbirds (7:05 p.m., MassMutual Center)
- Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, Vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (7:00 p.m., XL Center)
- Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, Vs. Providence Bruins (6:00 p.m., XL Center)
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WOLF PACK LOSES LATE LEAD, FALLS 4-3 TO CHECKERS IN OVERTIME
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack
CHARLOTTE, NC – The Hartford Wolf Pack gave up a late goal in regulation time on Sunday evening, surrendering their 3-2 lead to the Charlotte Checkers. After tying the game late, the Checkers completed the comeback early in overtime to take a 4-3 decision from the Wolf Pack.
Kyle Criscuolo applied the dagger 2:29 into overtime, taking a pass from former Wolf Pack forward C.J. Smith in the right-wing circle and beating Dylan Garand. The goal handed the Wolf Pack their third loss in their last five outings.
Brennan Othmann opened the scoring 4:42 into the game, striking on the power play. Matthew Robertson played a puck down the right-wing wall to Othmann, who turned and fired a shot. Othmann’s bid went off Matt Kiersted’s stick and found the back of the net, breaking the ice for the Wolf Pack.
The goal was Othmann’s eleventh of the season.
Lucas Edmonds scored his third goal with the Wolf Pack moments later, taking advantage of some chaos in front of Cooper Black. Blake Hillman snapped a pass from the left-wing boards to Erik Brännström, who worked into the slot and fired a shot that Black denied. Edmonds located the rebound and jammed it home on the backhand at 6:15.
The goal was Edmonds’ fourth overall on the season.
Mike Benning drew the Checkers even, scoring twice before the intermission.
Benning’s first goal came at 6:52, as he entered down the right-wing side and snapped a shot by Garand’s left pad for his fourth goal of the campaign.
At 15:39, Benning finished a nice offensive zone play when he took a pass from Rasmus Asplund, worked his way into the right-wing circle, and snapped a shot top-shelf over Garand’s left shoulder.
The goal was Benning’s fifth of the season, which gave him six points (2 g, 4 a) against the Wolf Pack this season.
Garand stole the show in the second period, making 22 saves to keep the game tied 2-2 through 40 minutes. Garand’s best save came late when the netminder came out to play a puck to deny Jaycob Megna a breakaway opportunity.
While Garand kept the puck from Megna, John Leonard knocked down his clearing attempt on the left-wing wall. Leonard took a few strides and fired a shot that Garand desperately dove to deny. Garand got a piece of the shot with his stick, keeping the sides even.
The 22 shots allowed in the second period marked the most Hartford has permitted in a single period this season.
Othmann blasted home his second goal of the game 10:12 into the third period on the team’s first shot of the frame. Robertson sent a perfect pass from the left-wing circle to Othmann in the right-wing circle. He fired home a one-timer to put the Pack ahead 3-2.
Late in the game, Bo Groulx was whistled for a slashing minor, giving the Checkers a late six-on-four advantage. With their two-man advantage, the Checkers tied the game at 19:30 when Leonard jammed home a rebound for his 20th goal of the season.
In overtime, Criscuolo completed the comeback at 2:29, scoring his 16th goal of the season to give the Checkers their third straight win over the Wolf Pack.
The Wolf Pack managed just 18 shots in the game, tied for a single-game low. They also recorded just 18 shots in yesterday’s 4-0 loss to the Checkers.
The Wolf Pack return to action on Wednesday night with the latest installment of the ‘I-91 Rivalry’ against the Springfield Thunderbirds. The puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. from the MassMutual Center.
The Pack is back at the XL Center on Friday, Feb. 21, when the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins come to town. Join us for $2 drafts and $2 hot dogs until the end of the first intermission!
The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are available at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.
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WOLF PACK SHUTOUT 4-0 BY THE CHECKERS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack
CHARLOTTE, NC – The Hartford Wolf Pack were shutout 4-0 by the Charlotte Checkers on Saturday night, snapping their two-game winning streak. It marked the club’s second straight shutout defeat against the Checkers.
Neither side was able to break the ice in the opening stanza. Louis Domingue made nine saves for the Wolf Pack to keep the Checkers at bay, while Ken Appleby made eight stops for the home side.
Each team received a power play in the opening frame, but both penalty kills stood strong. Patrick Giles was whistled for cross-checking at 13:48, while Brett Berard took a hooking minor to prevent a shorthanded rush up the ice at 15:40.
This marked the first time in the season series that the Wolf Pack and Checkers failed to score in the first period.
Wilmer Skoog broke the ice 10:31 into the second period, scoring his first goal in 19 games. Trevor Carrick entered the zone with possession before tapping a backhand pass to Skoog in the left-wing circle. There, the second-year forward ripped a shot by Domingue for his seventh goal of the season.
Just over three minutes later, at 13:50, Justin Sourdif extended the lead to 2-0. With the Checkers applying sustained pressure, Will Lockwood sent a perfect pass from the right-wing wall to Sourdif in the left-wing circle. Unmarked, Sourdif was able to corral the puck and snipe home his tenth goal of the season.
Sourdif made it 3-0 at 14:40 of the third period, beating Domingue for the second time. Sourdif waited out a defender, displaying great patience, before ripping his eleventh goal of the season home to put the result out of reach.
It marked the fourth time this season that Sourdif scored against the Wolf Pack.
The Wolf Pack’s last-ditch effort came at 15:39 when John Leonard was whistled for a high-sticking minor. Despite their six-on-four push, the Wolf Pack failed to test Appleby and surrendered an empty net goal when Rasmus Asplund applied the dagger at 16:56.
The club managed 18 shots on Appleby, a season-low for a single game.
The Wolf Pack and Checkers conclude their weekend series tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. in Charlotte. Full coverage starts at 3:45 p.m. with ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ on AHLTV on FloHockey and Mixlr.
The Pack is back at the XL Center on Friday, Feb. 21, when the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins come to town. Join us for $2 drafts and $2 hot dogs until the end of the first intermission!
The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are available at hartfordwolfpack.com.
About Oak View Group (OVG): Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues, and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues, either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
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.
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