CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: April 2-8, 2018
BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack
HARTFORD, CT – The Wolf Pack (31-31-6-3, 71 pts., .500) played three home games this past week and garnered three of a possible six points. Hartford notched its ninth shootout win of the season in a Wednesday-night battle with Springfield, besting the Thunderbirds 4-3. Vinni Lettieri, Brandon Crawley, and Adam Tambellini scored Wolf Pack goals in that game, and Scott Kosmachuk had the only goal of the shootout. Extra time was required again Friday night, and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins edged the Wolf Pack, 4-3, in overtime. Kosmachuk had a goal and an assist in that contest, and Alexandar Georgiev made 43 saves. On Saturday night, the Wolf Pack suffered just their second regulation loss in the last eight games (5-2-1-0), in a 5-1 defeat vs. Bridgeport. A Boo Nieves power-play goal was the only Wolf Pack tally in that game.
For the latest AHL standings, click here.
This week:
The Wolf Pack play their last three-game weekend of the season, with two of the games on home ice. After traveling to Providence Friday night for a 7:05 PM date with the Bruins, the Wolf Pack have home contests Saturday night (7:00) vs. division-leading Lehigh Valley and Sunday (5:00) against Springfield.
Friday, April 6 at the Providence Bruins (Boston) at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence, 7:05 PM
- This is the last of ten games on the season between the Wolf Pack and the P-Bruins, and the Wolf Pack’s record in the season series stands at 4-3-1-1. They are 1-1-1-1 in previous road action vs. Providence.
- The Bruins (41-23-3-2, 87 pts., .630) come into the week one point behind second-place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and three points ahead of fourth-place Charlotte, in the Atlantic Division. Prior to Friday night’s game, Providence plays a morning-start game Tuesday in Bridgeport.
- Rookie Trent Frederic had the game-winning goal, his second tally in six games (2-1-3) since joining Providence out of the University of Wisconsin, in the Bruins’ last game, a 3-1 victory at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Saturday night. Frederic was a first-round pick (29th overall) by the parent Boston Bruins in the 2016 NHL Draft.
- Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford on-line at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio. Video streaming at ahllive.com.
Saturday, April 7 vs. the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia) at the XL Center, 7:00 PM
- This is the Wolf Pack’s “Guns & Hoses Night”, as local fire and police department teams square off in multiple pregame battles.
- The Wolf Pack have swept all five of their previous meetings with the first-place Phantoms, and are 2-0-0-0 on home ice vs. Lehigh Valley.
- Former UConn Husky defenseman David Drake had an assist for the Phantoms in his pro debut, a 4-2 Lehigh Valley win Saturday at home vs. Belleville. Drake was a seventh-round selection by the parent Philadelphia Flyers in 2013.
- The Phantoms (44-17-4-5, 97 pts., .693), who come into the week with a nine-point lead over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for first place in the Atlantic Division, are 21-4-2-2 in 29 games since January 20.
- At this and every Wolf Pack home game, fans are encouraged to come early for “Hockey Happy Hour” in the Comcast Coliseum Club. Enjoy $2 domestic beers and $5 appetizers from 5:00 PM until puck drop.
- Tickets for this and all 2017-18 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, online at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger are just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $2 day-of-game increase.
- Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford and Mark Bailey on-line at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio. Video streaming at ahllive.com.
Sunday, April 8 vs. the Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida) at the XL Center, 5:00 PM
- This is the final Wolf Pack “Click It or Ticket Family Value Pack” game of the season. The Family Value Pack includes two tickets, two sodas and two hot dogs, all for just $40.
- This game completes a 12-game season series between the Wolf Pack and their I-91 rivals the Thunderbirds. The Wolf Pack are 4-5-1-1 thus far in the head-to-head matchup, 3-2-0-0 at home.
- The Thunderbirds snapped a 0-5-1-1 drought with a 5-0 home shutout of Bridgeport on Friday night, but fell to 29-34-5-2 (65 pts., .464) Saturday, with a 6-5 loss at home to Utica.
- Dryden Hunt (20-18-38 in 52 GP) had a goal and an assist in the last Wolf Pack/Thunderbirds encounter, a 4-3 Wolf Pack shootout win Wednesday night at the XL Center, and also had 1-1-2 in Springfield’s 6-5 home setback vs. Utica Saturday.
- At this and every Wolf Pack home game, fans are encouraged to come early for “Hockey Happy Hour” in the Comcast Coliseum Club. Enjoy $2 domestic beers and $5 appetizers from 3:00 PM until puck drop.
- Tickets for this and all 2017-18 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, online at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger are just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $2 day-of-game increase.
- Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford and Mark Bailey on News Radio 1410 WPOP, online at iheart.com and on iHeartRadio. Video streaming at ahllive.com.
Recent Transactions:
Alexandar Georgiev – returned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers March 27.
Chris Nell – reassigned by the New York Rangers from the Wolf Pack to Greenville (ECHL) March 27.
Drew Melanson – signed by the Wolf Pack to an Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement March 29.
Pack Tracks:
Friday, April 13, the Wolf Pack play their last home game of the season, hosting the Binghamton Devils in a 7:00 PM game. That is “Fan Appreciation Night”, as the Wolf Pack pay tribute to all the great fans who have supported the team throughout the 2017-18 season.
Once again this season, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $2 beers at every Friday Wolf Pack home game, through the start of the second period, presented by Dave & Buster’s. The Wolf Pack’s last Friday-night date of the season is April 13, when they host the Binghamton Devils at 7:15 PM.
Wolf Pack home game tickets can be purchased at the XL Center ticket office, online at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger are just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $2 day-of-game increase.
To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.
TRACK THE PACK ON-LINE AT HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM
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