By: Jason Alwang, Howlings
HARTFORD, CT: Jake Leschyshyn plays hero, scores game winner as the Hartford Wolf Pack make history with the two fastest goals in AHL history as they pick up a much needed 4-1 victory over the Belleville Senators in front of 5061 strong at the XL Center on Sunday night.
“It was a really important win for us for a lot of reasons.” Wolf Pack Head Coach Grant Potulny on tonight’s win. “Guys gutted out and got it done.”
Leschyshyn scored the game-winning goal and his second of the game on the powerplay at 16:26 of the third period. A shot by Matthew Roberston got through to the net, where Leschyshyn was there to tip it in behind Leevi Merilainen (25 saves) to give the Wolf Pack a 2-1 lead. Leschyshyn recorded both his 10th and 11th goals of the season on Sunday.
“Do you get a goal when you need a goal at the most important time, and tonight we did.” Potulny said. “That was the difference in the game.”
Hayden Hodgson opened the scoring when he entered the offensive zone, flying through the circle with a beaming slap shot that zipped by Dylan Garand (26 saves) to give the Senators the 1-0 lead at 18:28 of the first period. The goal was Hodgson’s 4th.
With 14 seconds remaining in the first period, Chad Ruhwedel ripped a wrister from the point that was deflected in by Leschyshyn to knot the game up at one before the end of the period.
“Over the years, I found success just getting to the front of the net.” Leschyshyn on his net-front presence. “I take a lot of pride in that.”
A quiet second on the scoresheet, but not in physicality, including lots of drama, with a hit on Brandson Scanlin by Hodgson along the boards that caused chaos, including Blake Hillman and Maxim Barbashev getting some jabs in. From that moment in the period, it remained physical, with a few more penalties being dished out throughout the period, including Anton Blidh receiving a 10-minute misconduct for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Garand had to make several key saves in the game, including late in the third period when the puck got near the goal line and he stuffed his pad and was able to leave it out of the Hartford net, protecting the lead.
“Huge moment in the game.” Potulny said. “He was strong enough to keep his leg there, and there was a little bit of a scrum, it wasn’t on the pipe, it had to be his leg kind of windshield wiping that puck, it was a huge save.”
Nathan Sucese found an opening for the empty Belleville net and didn’t waste it, firing it down the ice and into the net to give the Wolf Pack a 3-1 lead.
Connor Mackey wasted no time off the next faceoff, firing the puck off into the empty net, setting the AHL record for the two fastest goals in an astounding 2.8 seconds.
Leschyshyn had to exit the game in the second period after getting banged up on a play, but he returned for the 3rd and had the eventual game-winning goal.
“It’s nice to have some offensive success.” Leschyshyn said. “There’s a big stretch for us so we got to play well individually and as a team, get into this last playoff spot here.” The Wolf Pack sits 10 points behind a playoff spot with 14 games left to play.
The Wolf Pack now heads on a three-game road trip before returning home on March 21st, when they host the defending champions, Hershey Bears. The Wolf Pack are now 24-27-5-2 on the season.
