WOLF PACK WEEKLY: February 2 – 8, 2009

The Wolf Pack (25-18-2-3, 55 pts.) finished the month of January with a 9-4-1-0 record in 14 games, by far their most successful month of the season, after a 2-0-0-0 week last week.  The two victories also gave the Pack a share of first place in the Atlantic Division for the first time all season, although the Providence Bruins have now jumped two points ahead of the Wolf Pack.

The Pack improved to 3-0-0-0 in GEICO Connecticut Cup home games with a 3-1 victory over Bridgeport on Friday night, and then, in its first visit of the season to Manchester Saturday, the Pack knocked off the Monarchs, 4-3, running their record in that season series to 3-0-0-0.

Matt Zaba was the winning goaltender in both victories, allowing a total of only four goals on 62 shots, and team points leader P.A. Parenteau paced the offense with a goal and three assists.

This week:

Three Atlantic-Division tilts are on the Wolf Pack’s schedule this week, starting with a home game Wednesday vs. Manchester (7:00 faceoff).  Saturday finds the Pack in Springfield to take on the Falcons (7:00), and the Wolf Pack will visit Lowell on Sunday (4:00).

Wednesday, February 4^th vs. Manchester at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

· After Saturday night’s 4-3 victory in Manchester, the Wolf Pack are 3-0-0 in the season series against the Monarchs.  The previous two meetings were in Hartford, with the Pack winning 4-1 on October 25^th and 2-1 November 29^th.

· Manchester currently stands sixth in the Atlantic Division, with a record of 19-23-0-5 for 43 points, five points behind fifth-place Portland.

· Monarch captain Marty Murray netted two of Manchester’s three goals in Saturday’s game and Scott Parse contributed a goal and an assist, giving him 3-1-4 in his last two games.

· Radio – live with Bob Crawford in HD on WTIC’s 96.5 HD 2 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and www.wtic.com.

Saturday, February 7^th at Springfield (MassMutual Center), 7:00 p.m.

· The Falcons are winless in their last four games (0-3-1-0) and reside in seventh place in the Atlantic, at 16-24-6-1 for 39 points.

· The Wolf Pack are 4-1-0-1 in six games vs. the Falcons thus far this season, but three of the wins have been in overtime, including both previous visits to Springfield, a 4-3 verdict December 27^th and a 1-0 victory January 9^th.

· With Ryan Potulny (19-14-33 in 38 GP) on recall to Edmonton, the Falcons’ leading scorer currently on the roster is Ryan Stone (10-21-31 in 44 GP), who has 1-2-3 in six games since being acquired by the Oilers from Pittsburgh January 17^th.

· Radio – live with Bob Crawford in HD on WTIC’s 96.5 HD 2 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and www.wtic.com.

Sunday, February 8^th at Lowell (Paul E. Tsongas Arena), 4:00 p.m.

· The Wolf Pack are winless in three games (0-2-0-1) against the Devils in 2008-09 and suffered a 5-4 loss December 28^th in their only trip to Lowell thus far.

· The Devils are fifth in the Atlantic Division at this point, five points out of the fourth-and-final playoff spot, with a record of 22-21-1-3 for 48 points.

· Barry Tallackson (6-4-10 in 28 AHL games) has tallied the game-winning goal in the Devils’ last two wins over the Wolf Pack, including a 3-2 victory January 23^rd at the XL Center in the last meeting between the two teams.

· Radio – this game will be carried live on the 50,000-watt AM powerhouse, WTIC NewsTalk 1080.  Bob Crawford and WTIC NewsTalk 1080’s Scott Gray will be at the mikes.  The action can also be heard live in HD on WTIC’s 96.5 HD 2 and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and www.wtic.com.

Recent Transactions:

Jared Nightingale – released by the Wolf Pack from Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement, and signed to AHL contract, January 29^th.

Maxime Daigneault – recalled by the Wolf Pack from loan to Charlotte (ECHL) January 30^th.

Pack Tracks:

Adult tickets for Wolf Pack home games can be purchased for as low as $10 each for the rest of the regular season, sponsored by Click It or Ticket.  Individual tickets for Wolf Pack games are on sale now at the XL Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations including Macy's at the Buckland Hills Mall and at the Westfarms Mall. Tickets may also be charged by phone at 1-800-745-3000, and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  Season tickets, six and 10-game packages, coupon books and group tickets are also available.  Contact 860-548-2000 for more details.

At the Wolf Pack’s Valentine’s Night home game, Saturday, February 14^th vs. Manitoba (7:00 faceoff), the first 2,500 fans will receive a free bobblehead of former Wolf Pack star, and current New York Ranger, Nigel Dawes.

Kids can save with Sonar, the Wolf Pack’s mascot, by attending the Pack’s home game Wednesday, February 18^th, a GEICO Connecticut Cup battle with Bridgeport (7:00 faceoff).  The first 1,500 kids into the game will receive their very own, free Sonar piggy bank.

The Wolf Pack Community Foundation’s annual “Tip a Player” Dinner and Sports Carnival is coming up Sunday, March 1^st at the XL Center from 4-7 PM, benefitting Gaylord Hospital.  For ticket information, visit the Wolf Pack’s official website, www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  The Wolf Pack Tip-a-Player Dinner and Sports Carnival features great food, donated by Hartford-area restaurants and served by the Wolf Pack players.  Players compete to earn tips in "pucks bucks" for their service and for entertaining guests.

The Wolf Pack has a new broadcast partnership this season with WTIC NewsTalk 1080 and WTIC-FM.  All of the Wolf Pack’s regular-season and playoff games will air on 96.5 WTIC-FM’s HD 2 channel and will be streamed on-line at www.wtic.com . Select games will be carried live on the 50,000-watt AM powerhouse, WTIC NewsTalk 1080.  And, as part of the partnership, all Wolf Pack full season ticket accounts will receive a free HD car radio, with installation from JoDi’s Sound Center, courtesy of the two stations and the Wolf Pack.  To purchase your season seats, contact the Wolf Pack ticket office at 860-548-2000.

TRACK THE PACK AT WWW.HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM