WOLF PACK DOUBLE UP I-91 RIVAL TBIRDS 4-2
WOLF PACK DOUBLE UP THUNDERBIRDS 4-2 IN ‘I-91 RIVALRY’
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack
SPRINGFIELD, MA – The Hartford Wolf Pack made it to points in three straight games with a 4-2 victory over the rival Springfield Thunderbirds on Sunday at the MassMutual Center.
A strong start led to the Wolf Pack getting the game’s first power play at 8:03 of the opening period when Jack Finley was whistled for holding. Just over a minute later, at 9:37, the Wolf Pack broke the ice off a net-mouth scramble.
Glenn Gawdin was able to locate a loose puck near the front of the crease and backhand a shot towards the net. Anton Blidh got a piece of the puck as it pinballed past the left pad of netminder Georgii Romanov to make it 1-0.
The goal was Blidh’s fourth of the season, which tied him for the team lead in goals at the time.
Just six seconds later, however, the Thunderbirds responded. Chris Wagner, playing in his 900th career professional game, beat Spencer Martin by the right pad for his first goal of the season. Wagner collected the puck right at the top of the crease and stuffed it by the veteran goaltender to even the score 1-1.
12:01 into the second period, Liam Greentree retook the team lead in goals when he potted his fifth goal of the season on the power play. Marc Del Gaizo fed Greentree in the right-wing circle, where he settled the puck and then snapped it over the right shoulder of Romanov to make it 2-1 for the Wolf Pack.
Del Gaizo’s assist on the goal was the 100th of his AHL career.
Nathan Walker drew the home side even 8:31 into the third period when he deposited a feed at the backdoor on the power play. T.J. Tynan fed Walker, who slid by the defense to bury his fourth goal of the season.
1:24 later, Gawdin restored the Wolf Pack lead for good. He backhanded a shot from the slot by Romanov for his third goal of the season, making it 3-2.
Juuso Pärssinen hit the empty net at 18:43, cementing two key points for the Wolf Pack.
The Wolf Pack continue their eight-game road trip on Wednesday night when they visit the Hershey Bears. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., and coverage is available starting at 6:45 p.m. with ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ on AHLTV on FloHockey and Mixlr.
The Pack is back at PeoplesBank Arena Saturday, Nov. 14! The puck drop is set for 7:15 p.m. as the Wolf Pack welcome the Thunderbirds to town. ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ begins at 7:00 p.m. on AHLTV, FloHockey, and Mixlr.
Tickets are available at www.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 been home to numerous current New York Rangers, including Igor Shesterkin, Will Cuylle, and Gabe Perreault. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
