WOLF PACK DROP 2-1 HEARTBREAKER TO CHECKERS
WOLF PACK DROP 2-1 HEARTBREAKER TO CHECKERS
BY: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack
CHARLOTTE, NC – The Hartford Wolf Pack dropped their fourth straight game on Friday night, 2-1 to the Charlotte Checkers at Bojangles Coliseum.
For the second straight game, the Wolf Pack played to a 0-0 tie through 20 minutes. Callum Tung was perfect in the Wolf Pack net, making 17 saves. Kirill Gerasimyuk was equal to the task in the Charlotte net, making 11 saves in the opening frame.
The Checkers drew first blood 1:38 into the second period. Donovan Sebrango fired from the right-wing circle to beat Tung for his first goal as a member of the Checkers. Gracyn Sawchyn and Nathan Bastian picked up the assists on the goal.
Bryce McConnell-Barker tied the game at 8:50, ripping home his first goal of the season. McConnell-Barker led a two-on-one rush into the offensive zone as the Wolf Pack worked left to right. From the right wing, McConnell-Barker outwaited a defenseman, worked into the slot, and snapped a shot past Gerasimyuk to make it 1-1.
Unfortunately for the Wolf Pack, the third period proved costly in their second straight outing.
At 15:10 of the final frame, Cole Reinhardt was whistled for goaltender interference. The Wolf Pack power play surrendered its second shorthanded goal of the season, giving the Checkers a two-goal lead.
A costly Wolf Pack turnover in the offensive zone set up a two-on-one for the Checkers. John Beecher entered on the left-wing side, then dished off to Hunter St. Martin on the right wing. St. Martin beat Tung at 16:14 to make it 2-1.
Despite a late Wolf Pack push, Hartford couldn’t find a second goal.
The loss was the club’s first road loss this season (3-1-0-0).
The Wolf Pack conclude their back-to-back set with the Checkers tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 17, at 6:00 p.m. Coverage is available on AHLTV on FloHockey.
The Pack returns to PeoplesBank Arena Friday, Oct. 23! The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. as the Wolf Pack welcome the Providence Bruins to town. ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ begins at 6:45 p.m. on AHLTV of FloHockey and Mixlr.
Tickets are available at hartfordwolfpack.com.
Join the Wolf Pack for the 2026-27 season by becoming a member today! For more information, click here.
ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since the team’s inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack are the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers and play at PeoplesBank Arena. The Wolf Pack has developed numerous current New York Rangers, including Igor Shesterkin, Will Cuylle, and Gabe Perreault. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
