WOLF PACK WIN 3RD STRAIGHT, 3-2 OVER TBIRDS
WOLF PACK WIN THIRD STRAIGHT, 3-2 OVER THUNDERBIRDS
BY: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack
HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack returned home to PeoplesBank Arena on Saturday night to take on the rival Springfield Thunderbirds. 6,298 fans were treated to a 3-2 shootout victory for the Wolf Pack.
The club’s third straight win gives them a record of 9-8-1-0 on the season.
Just 37 seconds into the game, the Wolf Pack broke the ice with Nathan Aspinall’s second career goal. Justin Dowling picked off a pass in the neutral zone, entered on the right-wing side, and fed a pass to Aspinall for a chance in front. Aspinall converted on the game’s first shot, putting the Wolf Pack ahead 1-0.
Just over five minutes later, at 5:42, Zach Dean drew the Thunderbirds even. An offensive zone turnover by the Wolf Pack led to a three-on-one rush the other way. Dean elected to shoot from the right-wing side, beating Callum Tung for his second goal of the season.
Tung was strong in the second period, making seven saves to keep the score 1-1 heading into the final stanza. The Wolf Pack’s penalty kill also was heard from in the frame, as they went a perfect two-for-two.
Anton Blidh restored the lead 30 seconds into the final frame, firing a puck from below the goal line that banked in off of Will Cranley.
The goal, Blidh’s fourth of the campaign, was the fastest to start a period for the club this season.
Jack Finley responded for the Thunderbirds, however, potting his first goal of the season at 6:50. Finley pounced on a rebound while on the power play and made it 2-2.
The goal earned each team a point, as the Wolf Pack were forced to overtime for the third time this season.
Overtime solved nothing, despite both teams having numerous chances. For the first time this season, the Wolf Pack were pushed to a shootout.
In the shootout, Dowling and Otto Stenberg traded goals in the first round, then Taylor Raddysh put the Wolf Pack ahead in the middle round. In the third round, Cranley denied Aspinall, setting up a showdown between Nathan Walker and Tung.
Tung denied Walker, pushing the Wolf Pack into the winner’s circle for the third time in as many games against the Thunderbirds.
The Pack is back at PeoplesBank Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 17! The puck drop is set for 11:00 a.m. as the Wolf Pack welcome the Charlotte Checkers to town. ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ begins at 10:45 a.m. on AHLTV on 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.
