WOLF PACK WEEKLY: December 15 – 21, 2008

The Wolf Pack enjoyed its most successful week of the season last week, going 3-0-0-1 in four Atlantic Division games. The Pack started the week with its first shutout of 2008-09, a 2-0 blanking of the Providence Bruins Wednesday at the XL Center. That was followed by a 4-1 home win over Worcester on Friday, the Pack’s first triumph in four tries on the year vs. the Sharks. Three third-period goals-against in a span of 2:27 caused the Wolf Pack to lose a 3-0 lead Saturday night at home against Springfield, in what would end as a 4-3 shootout loss. Ken Gernander’s club rebounded Sunday in Worcester, though, besting the Sharks again, this time by a count of 2-1. Jordan Owens was the Pack’s top offensive threat in the four games, rolling up 2-3-5, and Miika Wiikman posted his third career AHL shutout in Wednesday’s game. Defenseman Jared Nightingale, just up from Charlotte of the ECHL, garnered a pair of First-Star nods, Wednesday with the game-winning goal and Sunday with an assist on the game-winner and a +2.

This week:

The Wolf Pack head into the Christmas holiday with three home games this week. First the Providence Bruins come to town for a second straight Wednesday, with faceoff at 7:00. Saturday night sees the Hamilton Bulldogs make their only visit of the year to Hartford (7:00), for a game highlighted by the Wolf Pack’s “Teddy Bear Toss”. Another north-of-the-border adversary, the Toronto Marlies, provides the opposition on Sunday for a 4:00 date, after which there will be a post-game skate at the XL Center.

Wednesday, December 17^th vs. Providence at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

· These two clubs also tangled this past Wednesday in Hartford, and the Wolf Pack shut the Bruins out, 2-0, gaining their first victory in three games in this year’s season series. The Pack had suffered a regulation loss and an overtime defeat in two previous meetings, both in Providence.

· Only four points separate the Wolf Pack and the first-place Bruins in the Atlantic Division. Providence is 16-10-1-1 for 34 points, and is 0-1-0-1 in its last two games.

· Bruin leading scorer Martin St. Pierre (9-22-31 in 28 GP) is up to a tie for fourth in the AHL in assists and fifth in points.

· 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, December 20^th vs. Hamilton at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

· This game features the Wolf Pack’s holiday “Teddy Bear Toss”. Fans are encouraged to bring new soft toys to the game, toss them on to the ice when the Wolf Pack score their first goal of the game, and enjoy the spectacle as the cuddly playthings come cascading out of the stands. The toys collected will be donated to local children’s charities.

· The Bulldogs, top affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, are currently second in the North Division, two points behind Western Conference-leading Manitoba, with a record of 16-9-2-0 for 34 points. Hamilton is 9-3-1-0 in 13 road games on the year.

· This is the second and final meeting of the year between these two teams. In the first encounter, October 17^th in Hamilton (the Wolf Pack’s third game of the season), the Bulldogs handed the Pack their only shutout defeat thus far on the season, a 2-0 verdict. Marc Denis, who made 27 saves in that game for Hamilton, is currently on recall to the Canadiens.

· Seventh-year pro Yanick Lehoux (6-22-28 in 27 GP) leads Hamilton in points, and is tied for fourth in the league in assists.

· 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, December 21^st vs. Toronto at the XL Center), 4:00 p.m.

· The Wolf Pack and Marlies complete a two-game season series with this match up. The Marlies downed the Pack by a score of 4-1 October 18^th in Toronto in the first meeting.

· Head Coach Greg Gilbert’s Marlies are right at the .500 mark, 12-12-0-2 for 26 points, and in fifth place in the North Division.

· Kris Newbury (6-17-23), who had two goals and an assist against the Wolf Pack on October 18^th, and Tim Stapleton (4-19-23) are tied for the Toronto team points lead.

· Following this game, there will be a post game skate on the XL Center ice. Bring your skates to the game and have a little fun on the ice after the players do.

· This is also a Guida’s Family Value game. Family Value packages start at $39 and include three tickets, three hot dogs or pizza slices, three sodas and a Wolf Pack souvenir. To order your Family Value pack, visit the XL Center box office, or go on-line to www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

· 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.

Recent Transactions:

Matthew Ford – Released from Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement by the Wolf Pack December 8^th.

Brandon Sugden – Released from Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement, and signed to an AHL contract, by the Wolf Pack December 9^th.

Jared Nightingale – Signed to Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement by the Wolf Pack December 10^th.

Corey Potter – returned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers December 11^th and recalled again December 13^th.

Pack Tracks:

The Wolf Pack has announced an exciting new ticket-pricing promotion, effective now through January 2^nd. Starting immediately, adult tickets for every home game through January 2^nd will be available for as low as $10 each. 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 (860) 525-4500, (203) 744-8100, (203) 624-0033 or (413) 733-2500 or online at www.hartfordwolfpack.com. Season tickets, six, 10 and 20-game packages, coupon books and group tickets are also available. Contact 860-548-2000 for more details.

Fans can take advantage of a fantastic ticket deal, and come to three prime Saturday-night Wolf Pack games, by purchasing the Wolf Pack’s “Holiday Hat Trick” package. The three games in the Holiday Hat Trick are: Saturday, January 3^rd vs. Hershey, Saturday, January 17^th against Providence, and Saturday, January 24^th vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The package price for blue-level seats, a $57 value, is only $39, and red-level packages, a $69 value, are only $48. Plus, you get a free, limited-edition Wolf Pack hat with your Holiday Hat Trick purchase. Order on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com, or by calling the Wolf Pack ticket office at 860-548-2000.

The Wolf Pack’s annual “Scout Sleepover” is coming up Saturday, January 24^th at the XL Center. The Pack host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins that night at 7:00, and all scouts, family and friends are invited to the post-game sleepover. The special Scout Sleepover offer includes a ticket to the game, a post-game skate (bring your own sk
ates), a post-game movie and the special Wolf Pack scout patch, and costs only $14 per person. To order Scout Sleepover tickets, call the Wolf Pack ticket office at 860-548-2000.

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.