By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack
BRIDGEPORT, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack struck twice in the third period on Saturday night to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead at the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport. However, the lead lasted only 1:22 as the Islanders tied it up and eventually won it 3-2 in the shootout.
Ruslan Iskhakov dazzled in the bottom half of the shootout’s third round, going behind the back and beating Dylan Garand for victory. Iskhakov’s goal broke a 1-1 tie in the third round, giving the Isles a 2-1 edge in the skills competition.
The first 20 minutes of the game passed without much in the way of scoring chances, as both teams played a responsible defensive game. Garand made eleven saves in the frame, while Jakub Skarek turned aside five bids from the Wolf Pack.
Each team got a late powerplay in the first period, but both teams would take penalties to negate their skater advantages.
The Islanders broke through 5:05 into the second period, as a bad break for the Wolf Pack ended up in the back of the net. Brandon Scanlin inadvertently lost his balance when hitting a discarded stick in his own zone, resulting in a turnover.
William Dufour found the loose puck and sent a pass to Brian Pinho, who polished off the play for his sixth goal of the season.
Alex Belzile drew the Wolf Pack even 6:48 into the third period, jamming home a rebound for his 16th goal of the season. Nic Petan’s shot from the high slot was denied by Skarek but popped to the top of the crease. Belzile found the rebound and beat Skarek to tie the contest.
3:53 later, the Wolf Pack took a 2-1 lead when Jake Leschyshyn converted a pass from Adam Edström for his sixth goal of the season. Edström muscled into the zone and set up Leschyshyn directly before Skarek.
82 seconds later, however, Dufour evened the affair with a goal from the right-wing circle. His shot snuck over Garand’s shoulder at 12:03 of the third period, forcing an eventual overtime.
After the Wolf Pack killed off a too many men of the ice penalty early in overtime, Brett Berard had an opportunity to end the game. Skarek’s right pad stoned him; however, he sent the game to a shootout.
Matthew Maggio opened the shootout with a goal in the bottom half of the first round, the only tally through four shooters. Petan tied the shootout in the top half of the third round, snapping a shot by Skarek’s glove.
Iskhakov’s brilliant move in the bottom half of the third round would prove to be the difference, however, as the Isles prevailed 2-1 in the shootout and 3-2 in the game.
The loss snapped the Wolf Pack’s six-game overall winning streak against the Islanders and seven-game winning streak at Total Mortgage Arena.
The Wolf Pack continue their three-game road trip Tuesday night when they visit the Charlotte Checkers. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., with ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ starting at 6:45 p.m. on AHLTV & Mixlr.
The Pack is back at the XL Center on Saturday, March 16th, when the Utica Comets come to town. The puck drop is set for 6:00 p.m., and tickets are available at hartfordwolfpack.com.
About OVG360: OVG360, a division of Oak View Group, is a full-service venue management and hospitality company that helps client partners reimagine the sports, live entertainment, and convention industries for the betterment of the venue, employees, artists, athletes, and surrounding communities. With a portfolio of more than 200 client partners spanning arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers, cultural institutions, and state fairs around the globe, OVG360 provides a set of services, resources, and expertise designed to elevate every aspect of business that matters to venue operators. Service-oriented and driven by social responsibility, OVG360 helps facilities drive value through excellence and innovation in food services, booking and content development, sustainable operations, public health and safety, and more.
ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since its inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers and plays at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack has been home to some of the Rangers’ newest faces, including Igor Shesterkin, Filip Chytil, and Ryan Lindgren. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
Related
Related posts
Top picks
WOLF PACK SUFFER UGLY LOSS TO P-BRUINS IN GAME 2
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack were forced to settle for a split in Providence, as the Bruins roared back to take Game 2 6-0 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion on Friday night. The series, now tied 1-1,…
WOLF PACK TAKE GAME ONE OF SEMIS IN P-TOWN
By: Shay Costa, Howlings PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack’s Anton Blidh scored 1:28 into the third period to give the team a 4-3 road win against his former team, the Providence Bruins, in Game One of the Atlantic Division semifinal in front of…
WOLF PACK GET 3-PT NIGHT FROM PITLICK IN GM 1 WIN
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – Tyler Pitlick picked up three points on Wednesday night as the Hartford Wolf Pack marched into the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence and took Game 1 of their best-of-five Atlantic Division Semifinals series. The Wolf Pack…
PREGAME: WOLF PACK HOPE TO BUILD ON WIN OVER B’S
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins meet tonight for Game 2 of their best-of-five Atlantic Division Semifinal series at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. The puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m., and coverage…
WOLF PACK SUFFER UGLY LOSS TO P-BRUINS IN GAME 2
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack were forced to settle for a split in Providence, as the Bruins roared back to take Game 2 6-0 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion on Friday night. The series, now tied 1-1,…
WOLF PACK TAKE GAME ONE OF SEMIS IN P-TOWN
By: Shay Costa, Howlings PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack’s Anton Blidh scored 1:28 into the third period to give the team a 4-3 road win against his former team, the Providence Bruins, in Game One of the Atlantic Division semifinal in front of…
WOLF PACK GET 3-PT NIGHT FROM PITLICK IN GM 1 WIN
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – Tyler Pitlick picked up three points on Wednesday night as the Hartford Wolf Pack marched into the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence and took Game 1 of their best-of-five Atlantic Division Semifinals series. The Wolf Pack…
PREGAME: WOLF PACK HOPE TO BUILD ON WIN OVER B’S
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins meet tonight for Game 2 of their best-of-five Atlantic Division Semifinal series at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. The puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m., and coverage…
ORLANDO ENDS SWAMP RABBITS SEASON
Swamp Rabbits show life late, but Orlando pulls away to win the series BY: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC– Jaydon Dureau’s two-goal night spearheaded a 5-1 Orlando Solar Bears win over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Tuesday to win the South Division Semifinals…
SWAMP RABBITS ANSWER BACK IN GAME 2
Eberle nets game-winner; three multi-point performers shine in win BY: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—Tanner Eberle broke a deadlock in a wild third period to headline the Greenville Swamp Rabbits’ Game 2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears by a 4-2 score on Monday…
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
SWAMP RABBITS SCHEDULE FOR SOUTH DIVISION SEMIFINALS
Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears begin a best-of-seven series this Sunday in Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced the full schedule for the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs…