WOLF PACK WEEKLY: December 8 – 14, 2008

The Wolf Pack finished off a stretch of four straight, and seven out of eight, on the road with a 1-2-0 week this past week.  The Pack came back from a 3-1 deficit Wednesday at Bridgeport, ultimately winning the game, 4-3 in overtime, but then went 0 for 2 on a trip to Pennsylvania.  The Philadelphia Phantoms took a 6-3 decision from the Wolf Pack Friday in the City of Brotherly Love, despite the fact that the Pack outshot their hosts, 41-25, and went 3/4 on the power play.  On Saturday vs. league-leading Hershey, the Wolf Pack fell by a score of 4-2, in the Bears’ tenth straight victory.  Artem Anisimov had goals in all three games (4-0-4), stretching his goal-scoring streak to a team season-high four games (5-0-5).

This week:

The Wolf Pack return to the XL Center for some holiday home cooking this week.  Wednesday night the arch-rival Providence Bruins make their first visit of the season to Hartford for a 7:00 game.  Friday night it’s Guida’s Family Value Night, as the Worcester Sharks invade the XL Center (7:00), and Saturday evening sees the Springfield Falcons come to town.  That’s Miika Wiikman Bobblehead Night, and faceoff is 7:00.  After those three home tilts, the Pack head to Worcester for a rematch with the Sharks Sunday (4:05).

Wednesday, December 10^th vs. Providence at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

· The P-Bruins are currently tied with Portland for first place in the Atlantic Division, sporting a record of 15-8-1-0 for 31 points.

· This is the third game of the season series between the two Atlantic-Division rivals, and the first of four in Hartford.  The Wolf Pack went 0-1-1-0 in two earlier games against the Bruins in Providence.

· Martin St. Pierre (7-20-27) has taken over the P-Bruins’ scoring lead, with at least a point in five straight (2-5-7) and 11 of his last 12 (4-14-18).

· 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.

Friday, December 12^th vs. Worcester at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

· Being a Friday night home game, this is a Guida’s Family Value Night.  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 Night pack, visit the XL Center box office, or go on-line to www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

· After going a perfect 8-0-0 against the Sharks last season, the Wolf Pack are 0-2-0-1 thus far in this year’s season series, including a pair of losses at the XL Center, 4-2 on Halloween Night and 4-3 November 7^th.

· Captain Ryan Vesce is the top scorer on the Sharks’ roster, with 5-16-21 in 24 games, and former Wolf Pack Cory Larose leads the team in goals (10 in 21 games).

· Worcester currently sits three points ahead of the Wolf Pack at 13-11-0 for 26 points, tied with Lowell for third place in the Atlantic.

· 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 13^th vs. Springfield at the XL Center, 7:00 p.m.

· The first 3,000 fans into this game will receive a free bobblehead of Wolf Pack goaltender Miika Wiikman, courtesy of Click it or Ticket.

· The Falcons (11-10-2-1, 25 pts.) are two points up on the Wolf Pack in the Atlantic Division standings.  Coach Jeff Truitt’s club has won two out of its last three, but has lost six of its last eight.

· Ryan Potulny leads the Springfield squad in points and goals, with 13-9-22 in 24 GP.

· The Wolf Pack and Falcons have split two previous meetings at the XL Center, with Springfield coming from 3-0 down to win, 4-3, October 11^th on opening night, and the Wolf Pack posting a 4-3 overtime triumph November 8^th.

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

Sunday, December 14^th at Worcester (DCU Center), 4:05 p.m.

· The Wolf Pack’s only previous trip to Worcester was a 5-4 shootout loss October 22^nd, in which the Pack rebounded from a 3-1 deficit to gain a standings point.

· The Sharks have won four out of their last five home 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.

Recent Transactions:

Patrick Rissmiller – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers December 2^nd.

Corey Potter – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers December 6^th.

Matt Stefanishion – Signed to Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement by the Wolf Pack December 6^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.

The Wolf Pack’s holiday “Teddy Bear Toss” highlights the Pack’s home game Saturday, December 20^th against the Hamilton Bulldogs (7:00).  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.

Following the Wolf Pack’s last pre-Christmas home game, December 21^st vs. Toronto (4:00 faceoff), there will be a postgame skate on the XL Center ice.  Bring your skates to the game and have a little fun on the ice after the players do.

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
Wolf Pack hat with your Holiday Hat Trick purchase.  Order on-line at www.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 skates), 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.