By: Jason Alwang, Howlings
HARTFORD, CT: The Hartford Wolf Pack could not rally in the season’s penultimate game, as the Charlotte Checkers defeated the home team, 3-2, on Wednesday night at the XL Center.
“For sixty-five of those games, whether we won or lost, we competed at a very high level.” Wolf Pack Head Coach Grant Potulny on the team’s overall performance throughout the year. “For us, we want to make sure we finish that way and finish the year with a win.”
Charlotte’s game-winning goal came late in the second period after the Wolf Pack made it a one-goal game. Oliver Okuliar capitalized on a net battle and punched in a rebound behind Talyn Boyko (28 saves) at 18:04 to give the Checkers the 3-1 lead, reestablishing their two-goal lead.
John Leonard scored his 35th goal of the season on the backhand off a rebound off the pad of Boyko to give the Checkers the early 1-0 lead at 3:35 in the first period. Jack Devine took the initial shot, creating the rebound opportunity for his first professional point in his first professional game.
Okuliar received the puck down low in the slot to fire a shot past Boyko to extend the lead to 2-0 on the power play with 6 seconds remaining in the opening period. The tally was Okuliars’ 17th of the season and his first of two goals.
Anton Blidh scored in the second period on a deflection off a laser shot from behind the circle by Chad Ruhwedel, after Dylan Roobroeck won a battle along the boards to get the puck to Ruhwedel for the shot at 16:38, beating Kaapo Kahkonen (20 saves). The goal was Blidh’s 19th of the season to cut the Charlotte lead to 2-1.
“What he was able to get away with in (college) and what is required at this level is a monumental difference.” Potulny on Roobroeck’s rookie season. “He’s really had a great year and come a long way, and for us, that’s fun to see the growth of a player like that.”
Adam Sykora scored his ninth of the season off a feed from Ruhwedel to cash in from the slot to cut the Charlotte lead to 3-2 at 12:11 of the third period. The goal came a few minutes after Boyko stopped Leonard on a breakaway chance while the Wolf Pack were on the power play.
“It’s nice to see guys who work hard get rewarded.” Potulny on Sykora. “To get that and move past that, especially as we’re getting to the end of the season, I think is important for him.”
With Boyko pulled, Jake Leschyshyn surrendered a penalty for tripping with 52 seconds remaining, securing Charlotte’s win.
The Wolf Pack will conclude their 2024-25 campaign on Friday night when they host the final battle of Connecticut at the XL Center against the Bridgeport Islanders. The Wolf Pack are 29-33-7-2 on the season.
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