WOLF PACK WEEKLY: November 30 – December 6, 2009

The Wolf Pack (13-8-1-2, 29 pts.) went unbeaten in regulation in four games (2-0-1-1) over Thanksgiving week, to move into second place in the Atlantic Division.  The Pack started the week with a 4-1 win Wednesday at division co-leading Lowell, and then scored a 4-3 overtime win at home over Portland on Friday.  That was the first of three trips beyond regulation time for the Wolf Pack, and they ended up with a 3-2 overtime loss to Providence at home on Saturday and a 3-2 shootout defeat in Bridgeport on Sunday.  Dale Weise was the week’s top offensive performer, with three goals and an assist in the four games.

This week:

The Wolf Pack hit the road for three games this weekend, traveling north for a date with Atlantic Division-leading Manchester Friday night (7:30 PM faceoff) and then heading south to visit Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Saturday (7:05) and defending Calder Cup-champion Hershey on Sunday (5:00).

Friday, December 4 at Manchester (Verizon Wireless Arena), 7:30 PM

· The Monarchs have won three in a row to climb to 15-6-1-2 for 33 points, which is tops in the Eastern Conference and good for a four-point lead on the second-place Wolf Pack in the Atlantic Division.

· The Wolf Pack have won two of the first three meetings with the Monarchs, but dropped a 2-1 decision in the only previous game in Manchester, November 11.

· Manchester goaltender Jonathan Bernier carries the AHL’s second-best save percentage, at 94.8, and stands third among league netminders in goals-against average (1.75).

· 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 5 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza) 7:05 PM

· This game concludes a two-game season series between the Wolf Pack and Penguins.  The Pack won the first get-together between the two teams, 5-3 in Hartford November 19.

· The Wolf Pack are 5(W)-2(L)-1(T) in eight all-time visits to Wilkes-Barre.

· Head Coach Todd Reirden’s Penguins have dropped three straight and five of their last seven, and stand fifth in the East Division at 10-9-1-1 for 22 points.

· Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s leading scorer, Dustin Jeffrey (3-19-22 in 19 GP), is tied for sixth in the AHL in points and trails only the Wolf Pack’s Corey Locke (21) 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 6 at Hershey (Giant Center), 5:00 PM

· The Wolf Pack will be looking for revenge in this game for a 6-0 pounding they absorbed at the hands of the reigning Calder Cup-Champion Bears October 30 at the XL Center.

· Former Wolf Pack Alexandre Giroux (2-2-4), who is currently on recall to the parent Washington Capitals, and Francois Bouchard (1-3-4) both struck for four points in that 6-0 Hershey win over the Wolf Pack.

· The Bears have won only two of their last five games (2-1-0-2), after triumphing in nine of their previous 10.  At 15-6-0-2 for 32 points, Hershey leads the East Division by a margin of seven points over Binghamton and Albany.

· The Wolf Pack are 9-3-0-0 all-time in road action at Hershey and have won eight of their last nine visits to Chocolate-town.

· 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:

Devin DiDiomete – reassigned by the New York Rangers to the Wolf Pack from Charlotte (ECHL) November 24.

Bobby Sanguinetti – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers November 26.

Mike Berube – recalled by the Wolf Pack from loan to Charlotte (ECHL) November 29.

Jared Nightingale – recalled by the Wolf Pack from loan to Charlotte (ECHL) November 29.

Pack Tracks:

The perfect gift idea for any hockey fan is a Wolf Pack Holiday Pack.  Wolf Pack Holiday Packs are available now through January 3, from the Wolf Pack ticket office (860-548-2000) and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  Each Holiday Pack includes two flexible game vouchers, redeemable at the XL Center box office for tickets to any regular-season home game, a Wolf Pack souvenir and a Chuck-a-Puck voucher.  The cost of the Holiday Pack package is $32 for adults, and packages for kids 16 or younger can be purchased for $22, with the purchase of at least one adult package (service charges, facility and handling fees may apply).

Saturday, December 12, when the Wolf Pack host Bridgeport in a 7:00 GEICO Connecticut Cup game, is “Hometown Hero Night” at the XL Center.  The Wolf Pack will be honoring various servicemen and women, including local Police and Fire departments, Military and Civil Service personnel, and will salute the 2009-10 “Hometown Hero of the Year”.  The December 12 game also features the Wolf Pack’s annual “Holiday Toy Toss”, and that night is a Boy Scout Night as well.  Information on Scout Nights, as well as all of the Wolf Pack’s many terrific ticket options, is available by calling the Wolf Pack ticket office at (860) 548-2000, and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com. 

At every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday-night Wolf Pack home game for the balance of the regular season, fans can enjoy $3 drafts and snacks in the XL Center Atrium.

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 or online at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

Every Friday-night Wolf Pack home game at the XL Center is Guida’s Family Value Night.  Family Value packages start as low as $45 and include three tickets, three hot dogs or pizza slices, three sodas and a Wolf Pack souvenir.  To order your Guida’s Family Value Night pack, visit the XL Center box office, or go on-line to www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  The next Friday Guida’s Family Value Night is the Wolf Pack’s next home game, December 11 vs. the Portland Pirates (7:00 PM faceoff).

Once again this season, the Wolf Pack are partnering with WTIC Radio to air Wolf Pack hockey action.  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.  The next Pack game scheduled to be on WTIC NewsTalk 1080 is coming up Saturday, December 12, when the Wolf Pack host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in GEICO Connecticut Cup action at the XL Center (7:00 faceoff).

The AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack is operated by Northland AEG LLC, a joint partnership between Northland Investment Corporation and AEG Facilities.  The team is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers.

Since 1972, the CT Lottery has generated more than $19.3 billion in sales and has transferred nearly $6.7 billion to the state’s General Fund.  Prizes have exceeded more than $11.1 billion.  Purchasers must be 18 years or older.  If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-346-6238.  For more information about the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, call (860) 713-2000, or visit the CT Lottery web site at ctlottery.org.

TRACK THE PACK AT WWW.HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM