By: Jason Alwang, Howlings
HARTFORD, CT: The Hartford Wolf Pack concluded their 2024-25 campaign with a 4-1 victory over the Bridgeport Islanders in front of the faithful 7,842 at the XL Center Friday night.
“Great organization, great group of guys.” Wolf Pack Head Coach Grant Potulny on the season. “The progress the young players made, there’s some ownership in that in the veterans.”
Dylan Roobroeck’s game winning goal came in the second period when he took a saucer from along the boards from Anton Blidh to the middle of the offensive zone and firing a wrister, beating Lennox for his team-leading 20th goal of the season, giving the Wolf Pack the 2-1 lead at 12:21 of the period.
Alex Jefferies got the scoring started for his 13th on the season when he took the puck near the high slot from linemate Liam Foudy and skated to the crease and roofed the puck over the shoulder of Dylan Garand, giving Bridgeport a 1-0 lead at 4:05 of the opening period.
Nathan Sucese fired away a shot to the net that was pushed aside right in front for Brandon Scanlin to punch in the rebound to knot the game up at one a side, beating Tristan Lennox (22 saves) at 10:11 of the second period for his 8th goal of the season.
Noah Laba broke free down the ice with speed, taking a pass down the middle for a breakaway from Adam Sykora and putting on a nifty move, finishing on the backhand for his 3rd goal of the season, giving the Wolf Pack a 3-1 lead with 28 seconds remaining in the second period. This marker came eight minutes after the game-winning goal from Roobroeck.
“His speed is the number one asset he has.” Potulny on Laba. “This was a really good taste for him, and I think you’re going to see a much more well-seasoned player.”
Jaroslav Chmelar got his stick down on a slapper at the net from the boards from Casey Fitzgerald that flew by Lennox on the inside corner of the net, giving the Wolf Pack a 4-1 lead one minute into the third period. The tally was Chmelars’ 12th of the season.
“It was an honor, especially coming in as a new guy to take on that responsibility.” Fitzgerald on what the captaincy meant to him. “It was an unsuccessful first year, I’d say but at the same time, it was a lot of good things to take out of it. I hope next year is a better outlook for us, and I think it will be.”
Garand, who made 23 saves, recorded his 20th win of the season.
“He’s just been the same. As a pro hockey player, that’s probably the best compliment you can get.” Potulny on Garand.
As the game ended, the loyal and proud Hartford fans gave a standing ovation to the 2024-25 Wolf Pack, marking the end of their season.
“It’s a first-class fan base, and I hope we can give them some playoff hockey next year,” Potulny said of the Hartford fans.
The Wolf Pack finishes the campaign with a 30-33-7-2 record and seventh in the Atlantic division.
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