BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings
HARTFORD, CT – Grigori Denisenko scored his second goal of the game 1:17 into overtime on a three-on-one to the short side on goalie François Brassard to help the Charlotte Checkers escape with a 2-1 road win over the Hartford Wolf Pack at the XL Center.
Denisenko scored his ninth goal of the season off an outlet pass from Logan Hutchko. The only Pack defending on the three-on-one was forward Patrick Khordorenko.
“We ran out of gas at the end, and we coulda’, shoulda’ won the game. We had the chances we had and should have capitalized on them,” said interim Pack Head Coach Steve Smith.
Checkers goalie Joey Daccord made the important saves and got help from the goal post as well.
BREAKAWAY CHANCE FOR THE PACK IN OT
Just prior to the game-winner, and with 3:45 remaining, the Wolf Pack had a glorious chance. Khordorenko hit Rueschoff with a stretch pass that sent him in all alone.
“I tried the first move and (Daccord) just covered it well,” remarked Rueschoff.
It looked like Austin Rueschoff’s late second-period goal might have been enough, but Denisenko had other ideas.
Denisenko tied the game off a lead pass by Max Zimmer. His initial shot off his break-in hit the post, but the puck bounced off the back of Brassard’s leg and went into the net.
PACK GET FIRST GOAL
The Pack’s Michael O’Leary set the tone for the third period by drilling Luke Henman into the Wolf Pack bench.
The game’s first goal was scored when Tanner Fritz received a short pass from defensemen Nils Lundkvist, who was back playing in his first AHL game after being sent back to Hartford by the parent New York Rangers. Fritz was at the blue line and weaved his way in on the left-wing side. Fritz found Rueschoff, in full flight and the 6’7 forward whistled his fourth goal of the season past Daccord with 1:04 left in the period.
“It just starts me playing simple. First part of the season was tough for me (being in-and-out of the lineup) and the coaches said I’ve been doing well behind the net, playing physical, keeping pucks down low. It’s starting to click,” Rueschoff said.
COACH ASSESSMENT OF RUESCHOFF
The second-year forward’s overall performance impressed Smith.
“His play is really coming along. He had the puck on his stick. Tonight was the best game I’ve seen him play so far, and it all turned around a couple of weeks ago when his puck protection got better,” Smith continued, “Early in the year he was exposing himself too much. Now he has found a nice little niche for himself on that line (with Mike O’Leary and Alex Whalen).”
The first period was scoreless as each team had their chances. The Wolf Pack had the edge in shots. Just past the midway point, they had their most effective offensive zone possessions.
DACCORD STRONG
Daccord is a product of Arizona State University. He who was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the seventh round two years ago and who is now the property of the expansion Seattle Kraken. He made several saves including Cristiano Di DiGiacinto twice, Ty Ronning, and Zach Giutarri, all in a two-minute span.
“I thought we were dominant there. We gave up too many chances. We weren’t particularly good defensively, but we were creative offensively. We protected the puck well and got quality shots on net. We got pucks behind their net and made their D turn and gave us opportunities.”
On the other end of the ice, for the Wolf Pack, Brassard made several stops including on Zac Dalpe, Henry Bowlby, and did so in a very economical, well, constructed effort. “He works hard when the others (goaltenders) are called up. He’s been unreal for us. Like the other guys, he kept us in games. He got some time in camp, now he is getting chances. It’s good to see him getting time in net,” Rueschoff stated.
BRASSARD
Several things about Brassard leap out at Smith.
“There are a couple of things he does very well. One or two things stand out. He handles the puck around the net so well and secondly, he continues to compete. There were some real Grade-A opportunities on the other side tonight. Obviously, we had some good chances ourselves, and their guy (Daccord) was sharp. I would like less of those chances, but he battles for us and gives us a chance,” remarked Smith.
The Wolf Pack battled the Charlotte Checkers at the XL Center with several new faces on the bench. Leading the team were Steve Smith, Casey Torres, and Rangers Assistant Director of Player Development, Tanner Glass. There were two new players including Nils Lundkvist on defense and forward Jacob Hayhurst. They were also minus two players in Braden Schneider and Justin Richards.
The Pack begins a busy stretch of four games in eight days. They play the Providence Bruins on Thursday.
LINES
Ronning-Fritz-Luchuk
Rueschoff-Khordorenko-DiGiacinto
Whalen-O’Leary-Hayhurst
Skinner-Elmer-Pecararo
Zach Berzolla-Bitetto
Lundkvist-Robertson
Guittari-Reunanen
François Brassard
Wall
SCRATCHES
Brandon Fortunato
Sanchez
Taylor
LUNDKVIST
The Lundkvist arrival was warmly greeted by Smith.
“It’s tough to come in and play 23 or 24 minutes as he did tonight. He made some NHL quality-like plays. He has the ability to grab the puck and carry the puck through the neutral zone, like none of the other guys can. He was hungry, defensively. He was sound and offensively he did some good things. He did some nice things offensively in bringing the puck up. He can really snap a pass. He defends well by having the puck.”
The Wolf Pack got the first year Lundkvist from Sweden. After not playing a ton in New York, he’s been sent to Hartford to get some playing time in. He may only be with the Pack for a few games, much like Libor Hajek and Jarred Tinordi did before him.
NOTES
Wednesday’s announced crowd of 1,699 was the 17th worst in team history, and 31st of 44 under 2,000 attendees under the Global Spectra/Spectra banner.
Charlotte had Quinnipiac grad Craig Martin on a Professional Try-Out deal. They also have fellow Bobcat, Chase Priskie back from the Florida Panthers (NHL), ex-Bridgeport Sound Tiger, Christopher Gibson, ex-Springfield Falcon, and Canadian Olympic hopeful, Devan Dubnyk in the net.
The Pack exchanged righty rearguards as Braden Schneider with Matt Robertson, who flew cross-country to possibly make his NHL debut in San Jose against the Sharks tomorrow night (MSG 10 pm) as the Rangers continue their road trip.
It’s likely D-man Brandon Fortunato (QU) will be sent back to the Packs’ ECHL affiliates, the Jacksonville Icemen to get needed ice time.
MORE NEWS
Defenseman Hunter Skinner was dressed as an extra forward and got into an early good scrap with Serron Noel.
Jacob Hayhurst was wearing #95 and on his third ECHL team in three years. He did a four-game recall stint in Springfield in December. He comes from the Worcester Railers (ECHL) where he’s coached by ex-Pack David Cunniff, the son of the late New England Whaler great John Cunniff.
Hayhurst played collegiately for RPI (ECACHL) and did a pandemic-shortened grad transfer year at the University of Michigan (Big 10) two years ago.
The timetable for Kris Knoblauch’s return as head coach is expected to be Monday when the team finishes up its road trip in Philadelphia on Saturday. It’s also where he finished up last year. This is his second COVID coaching relief experience. He was an assistant coach in Philadelphia three years ago.
MISCELLANEOUS
Ex-Pack Mike Lee (Hamden/the Gunn School) signs a PTO with the Rockford IceHogs closer to where he is playing currently, the Indy Fuel (ECHL).
The Wolf Pack have used 29 players so far this season.
Goalie Tyler Wall was returned for his paper transaction from the Rangers taxi squad to keep the numbers up before he was returned yesterday with Tarmo Reunanen and Lundkvist. However, Justin Richards, who was recalled midday, now makes seven players from Hartford off to New York.
One of those seven, Jonny Brodzinski, nearly had a late goal against LA, but goalie Cal Peterson made a right shoulder save.
The Providence Bruins are Friday’s opponent. They returned Steven Fogarty, Troy Grosenick from Boston, but took Tyler Lewington to the taxi squad and Urho Vaakanainen, who will skate for them against the Montreal Canadians in their first game in two weeks. Thankfully, Tuukka Rask was released from his PTO deal and did not to face the Wolf Pack. Rask signed with the Boston Bruins and will play tomorrow night. They did send Jeremy Swayman instead.
Jake Lechyshyn, the son of former Hartford Whaler Curtis Lechyshyn, left Henderson and is off to Las Vegas, then Casey Fitzgerald, nephew of former Whaler Keith Primeau heads to Buffalo from Rochester, then ex-Sound Tiger Kevin Czucman heads from Iowa to Minnesota and Odeen Tufto (Quinnipiac University) goes from Syracuse to Orlando (ECHL).
Mike McKee (Kent School) goes from Tulsa Oilers (ECHL) to the San Diego Gulls.
