DREW FORTESCUE SCORES FIRST CAREER GOAL AS WOLF PACK EDGE CRUNCH 3-2
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack
SYRACUSE, NY – Drew Fortescue’s first career professional goal was an overtime dagger on Saturday night that propelled the Hartford Wolf Pack to a 3-2 overtime victory over the Syracuse Crunch at Upstate Medical University Arena.
Justin Nachbaur continued a strong stretch of play with his first goal as a member of the Wolf Pack 9:11 into the hockey game. Bryce McConnell-Barker worked his way to the right-wing side of the offensive zone, then sent a pass to Nachbaur in the right-wing circle.
There, Nachbaur snapped a shot into traffic that beat Olivier Rodrigue to make it 1-0 for the Wolf Pack.
At 11:50, however, the Crunch drew even. Nick Abruzzese intercepted an outlet pass at the blueline and quickly sent the puck down low to Jakob Pelletier. Pelletier went to the front of the net and beat Callum Tung to make it a 1-1 game.
The goal was Pelletier’s ninth of the season.
The Crunch took a 2-1 lead 3:17 into the second period when Lucas Mercuri broke a five-game scoring draught. A miscommunication at the front of the Wolf Pack net led to Mercuri picking up a loose puck and beating Tung by the right pad for his third goal of the season.
The Wolf Pack buckled down from there and strung together numerous shifts for a solid response. They were rewarded with the equalizer at 11:58.
Liam Greentree flipped a puck through center that Carey Terrance picked up. Terrance entered on the right-wing side, then sent a cross-ice pass to Justin Dowling in the left-wing circle.
Dowling ripped a shot by the blocker of Rodrigue for his third goal of the season, evening the contest at 2-2.
Both sides received numerous power plays in the third period, but neither could break the tie. Tung made five saves in the final frame for the Wolf Pack, while Rodrigue made six stops for the Crunch.
Both teams had looks in overtime, but it was the Wolf Pack who made theirs count. Fortescue entered into the zone on a two-on-one with Juuso Pärssinen. Fortescue elected to shoot from the left-wing circle, beating Rodrigue to secure the victory at 2:59.
The Wolf Pack conclude their eight-game road trip Tuesday morning when they visit the Springfield Thunderbirds. Puck drop is set for 10:35 a.m. and coverage is available on AHLTV on FloHockey.
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 for the ‘I-91 Rivalry’ presented by Braman Pest. ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ begins at 7:00 p.m. on AHLTV of 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.
