WOLF PACK RIDE REIMER TO 2-0 SHUTOUT OF B’S
WOLF PACK RIDE REIMER TO 2-0 SHUTOUT OF B’S
By: Jason Alwang, Howlings
HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack, led by a 35 save shutout performance from newly acquired veteral goaltender James Reimer, defeated the Providence Bruins 2-0 before 5,295 at PeoplesBank Arena Friday night.
“I think we were on our heels early; we were a fragile group, we got some big saves from (Reimer).” Wolf Pack Head Coach Jay Leach said. “(Reimer) was the guy that allowed us to find our way.”
Reimer, who played his first career game for the Wolf Pack after signing a Professional Try-Out (PTO) contract on October 15, debuted by making several key saves ensured the Wolf Pack gained their first home ice win of the season.
Liam Greentree recorded the game’s first goal, and would be all the Pack would need to secure the victory. With just nine seconds left in the second frame, Dans Locmelis took a hooking call. It would be a pivotal penalty in the game, because just 57 seconds into the third period, Glenn Gawdin batted the puck in midair and found Greentree at the doorstep for the tap-in past Simon Zajicek (15 saves) to give Hartford the 1-0 lead. The goal was Greentree’s fourth of the season and Gawdin earned his fifth helper of the season.
“I had a couple chances earlier in the game that I would’ve wished to have back, but it was nice to see that one go in the net,” Greentree said.
Carey Terrance tallied his score of the season, sealing the game with an the empty net goal with 42 seconds remaining for the final 2-0 score. Gawdin picked up second point of the night on his sixth assist of the season.
Despite leaving some juicy rebounds, Reimer made all the saves he needed to including his biggest coming late in the first period, when he extended out his pad to stop Jordan Harris after facing back-to-back shots.
Reimer was pleased by the total team effort. “I thought we battled and the tide got turned in the third and the rest is history.”
The Pack only managed to put 17 shots on goal for the entire game, with Greentree heavily involved in the few opportunities the Wolf Pack had. It was Greentree who had a breakaway opportunity as Nathan Aspinall was exiting the penalty box after a penalty kill for Hartford. Greentree’s shot was stopped with a big rebound for Aspinall, who couldn’t finish the follow-through.
Leach liked what he saw in Greentree. “He had his best game for us.”
The Wolf Pack begin their longest road trip of thee season with eight games before returning to PeoplesBank Arena on November 14 against the Springfield Thunderbirds.
The Wolf Pack record is now 3-4-0-0.
