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, will shift to the XL Center in Hartford for Game 3 on Wednesday night.

The Bruins jumped to an early lead, striking 2:43 into the contest. Brett Harrison won a faceoff directly back to Jared McIsaac, who fired a shot from the point that Vincent Arseneau deflected for his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal.

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After each team failed to convert on their first powerplay of the night, the Bruins struck twice in 24 seconds. Patrick Brown won a board battle on the left-wing wall in the Wolf Pack zone. He quickly flipped the puck into the slot for Jayson Megna, who snapped home his first goal of the postseason at 13:44.

Harrison then made it 3-0, tapping the puck into an empty net after Aresneau set him up at the backdoor. Trevor Kuntar forced a turnover in the neutral zone and pushed the puck ahead for Arseneau. The veteran fed Harrison, who potted his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal at 14:08.

The Bruins continued their offensive attack in the second period, extending the lead to 4-0 with a five-on-three powerplay goal. With Nikolas Brouillard and Matthew Robertson in the penalty box, Ian Mitchell blasted home his first postseason goal at 7:38, set up by Georgii Merkulov.

Arenseau ballooned the lead to 5-0, potting his second goal and third point (2 g, 1 a) of the game. A turnover led to possession for Harrison, who fed Aresneau in the left-wing circle. The veteran forward snapped a low shot by Dylan Garand at 15:49. Harrison’s assist was his third point (1 g, 2 a) of the hockey game.

Mitchell finished the scoring on this night just 52 seconds into the third period with his second goal of the contest. While on a powerplay to begin the period, Mitchell fired a shot from the right-wing wall that snuck by Garand to make it 6-0 Bruins.

The Wolf Pack had a five-on-three powerplay for two minutes at the 3:44 mark of the third period, but Brandon Bussi stood strong to preserve the shutout. Bussi made 34 saves.

Single-game tickets for Game 3 and Game 4 of the Atlantic Division Semifinals are on sale now!

For playoff information, please visit hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets/playoff-information.

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.

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

HOWLINGS

The post WOLF PACK SUFFER UGLY LOSS TO P-BRUINS IN GAME 2 first appeared on Howlings.

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 2,683 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, RI.

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Blidh’s line, composed of himself, Jake Leschyshyn (1 goal, 1 assist), and Tyler Pitlick (1 goal, 2 assists), was dominant, contributing six points. They generated the majority of the Pack’s Game One offense. “They dominated,” Interim Wolf Pack Head Coach Steve Smith said. “They looked like NHL players tonight. They were physical. They were simple. They were hard to play against both offensively and defensively. Quite frankly, they were the difference makers tonight.”

Pitlick led the way for the Pack’s third line and was humble afterward. “It’s always good to get on the score sheet,” He said. “I’ve just been focusing on getting physical and doing the little things, and sometimes you get rewarded.”

Blidh tallied the visitors’ game-winner at 1:28 of the third period. Providence had failed to clear the puck from their zone. Leschyshyn recovered the puck at the blue line and fired a shot that rebounded off Providence netminder Brandon Bussi’s pads. A wide-open Johnny-On-The-Spot Blidh took full advantage of the screen on Bussi. He recovered the rebound, drew the Bruins’ goalie out of the crease, and sent a backhander past the netminder’s pad into the net to make it 4-2.

Following Blihd’s goal, and with time ticking down, the Bruins turned up their intensity in a desperate effort to tie the game. They did manage to get a third tally, but it was too little, too late.

After a successful penalty kill with 1:42 left, the Bruins called a timeout and pulled Bussi for an extra attacker. With 47 seconds left, Patrick Brown deflected Anthony Richard’s shot to make it a one-goal differential in the final score.

The Pack drew first blood in the series at 1:07 of the first period on the team’s first shot. Leschyshyn tallied in transition. After Pitlick was doubled-teamed by Jimmy Lambert and Michael Callahan, he wisely advanced the puck to the open and on-rushing Leschyshyn, who had a clear lane to the net. His top-shelf shot gave the Wolf Pack an early lead and set the tone for the rest of the first period.

“We started on time. We were really good in the first period,” Smith said. He also said he felt his team had the upper hand. “[The Bruins] were a little flat because they hadn’t played in ten days.”

The Baby Bruins were off for ten days after earning a first-round bye from their regular reason performance.

Hartford’s efforts to extend its lead looked like it would come in a quick transition after Brennan Othmann’s stretch pass to Brett Berard sent him into the Bruins’ zone. But Berard ran out of ice. Instead,  he waited for a better opportunity, which became Blake Hillman. Hillman took Berard’s pass in the slot and blasted a shot past Bussi’s blocker to put the Wolf Pack up by two at 5:27.

Providence shook off its rust by the second period and began chipping away at Hartford’s lead. Their first goal came on the rush as Lambert skated past the Wolf Pack defense, which was caught a bit flat-footed. Lambert’s hustle earned him a clear shot at the net, which successfully sailed past the pad of Hartford goalie Dylan Garand at 6:19, making it 2-1.

Lambert scored again for the P-Bruins on another Pack defensive error, this time as he was again left wide-open. Bruins forward Oskar Steen recovered a failed Hartford clearing attempt. He passed it to Lambert, who was driving the slot. He got the puck and went top shelf to Garand’s blocker side, knotting the game 2-2 at 13:41 of the second period.

“They came out to play in the second and made a game of it,” remarked Smith. Besides Providence’s rising competitive level, Smith acknowledged that the Wolf Pack also made a number of mistakes. “We didn’t manage the puck particularly well in the second.”

As the second-period clock ticked down, things seemed like things would be inconsequential but that changed quickly when Victor Mancini’s high shot in front of the net was tipped by Pitlick past Bussi and into the Providence goal, reclaiming Hartford’s lead as the second period expired.

The series continues with Game Two in Providence at 7:05 on Friday before shifting to Hartford and the XL Center for Games Three and Four next week.

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

HOWLINGS

The post WOLF PACK TAKE GAME ONE OF SEMIS IN P-TOWN first appeared on Howlings.

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 struck four times at five-on-five to take the game 4-3.

Anton Blidh gave the Wolf Pack a 4-2 lead 88 seconds into the third period. Jake Leshyshyn fed a pass down low to Blidh, who waited out Brandon Bussi before tucking in a backhander for his first goal of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Blidh’s tally would stand as the eventual game-winning goal.

Leschyshyn opened the scoring 1:07 into the hockey game, burying his first goal of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Leschyshyn entered the zone on the right-wing side, rushed into the right-wing circle, and then cut into the slot before ripping home the icebreaker on Hartford’s first shot of the game.

Matthew Robertson was credited with the secondary assist on the goal, the first point of his Calder Cup Playoff career.

4:20 later, the Wolf Pack extended the lead thanks to Blake Hillman’s first postseason goal. Brett Berard entered the zone on the left-wing side, setting up along the wall before finding Hillman in the slot. The former Bruin let a quick shot go that beat Bussi for his third career Calder Cup Playoff tally at 5:27.

Both Berard and Brennan Othmann picked up their third assists of the playoffs on the marker.

The Bruins battled back to even the game 2-2 in the second period, striking twice in a span of 7:22. Jimmy Lambert got the Bruins on the board at 6:19, firing his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal by Dylan Garand from the right-wing side.

Lambert then scored his second career playoff goal to tie the game at 13:41. An attempted zone exit was turned over to Oskar Steen, who fed Lambert in the slot. Lambert snapped a quick shot from a high-danger area by Garand to even the game, putting the Wolf Pack on their heels.

Pitlick ripped the lead back for the Wolf Pack with 33.5 seconds remaining in the period, tipping home his first goal of the playoffs. Victor Mancini fired a shot towards the net that Pitlick got a piece of, beating Bussi to make it 3-2 in the final minute of the period.

Blidh’s goal 88 seconds into the third period made it 4-2, giving the Wolf Pack the needed offense on this night. Pitlick collected an assist on the goal, completing his three-point night (1 g, 2 a).

Patrick Brown drew the Bruins within a goal at 19:12, tipping in an Anthony Richard shot with the extra attacker. It would not be enough on this night, however, as Garand slammed the door shut from there.

Single-game tickets for both Game 3 and Game 4 of the Atlantic Division Semifinals are on sale now!

For playoff information, please visit hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets/playoff-information.

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 public 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.

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

HOME

The post WOLF PACK GET 3-PT NIGHT FROM PITLICK IN GM 1 WIN first appeared on Howlings.

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 is available on AHLTV and Mixlr.

Tale of The Tape:

The Wolf Pack and Bruins met ten times during the regular season, with each team winning five games. The Wolf Pack posted a record of 5-4-1-0, while the Bruins went 5-3-1-1. The Wolf Pack went 2-2-1-0 in Providence during the 2023-24 campaign.

The Wolf Pack drew first blood in the series on Wednesday night, taking Game 1 4-3 in Providence. Jake Leschyshyn opened the scoring just 67 seconds in, cutting down the right-wing side before maneuvering to the slot and snapping his first goal of the Calder Cup Playoffs by Brandon Bussi.

4:20 later, at 5:27, Blake Hillman extended the lead to 2-0 with his first postseason goal. Brett Berard found Hillman in the slot, who fired a one-timer by Bussi. The goal was Hillman’s third career Calder Cup Playoff tally.

The Bruins drew even in the second period, striking twice. Jimmy Lambert collected his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal 6:19 into the period, driving into the right-wing circle before snapping a shot by Dylan Garand. Oskar Steen then set Lambert up in the slot at 13:41, where the forward ripped home his second goal of the contest.

Tyler Pitlick ripped the lead back for the Wolf Pack with 33.5 seconds left in the middle stanza. Victor Mancini fired a puck toward the goal that Pitlick got a piece of, beating Bussi for his first goal of the playoffs.

Anton Blidh then displayed great patience before tucking in a backhander for his first goal of the postseason 88 seconds into the third period. The goal, which made it 4-2 then, would be the eventual game-winner.

Patrick Brown drew the Bruins within one at 19:12, deflecting home an Anthony Richard shot with the extra attacker out, but it would not be enough on this night.

The Wolf Pack’s victory in Game 1 was its third consecutive postseason victory at the Amica Mutual Pavilion, dating back to Game 1 and Game 2 of last year’s Atlantic Division Semifinal.

Wolf Pack Outlook:

Hartford’s victory in Game 1 was its third straight this postseason. The club will play its fifth consecutive road playoff game tonight.

Pitlick’s goal in Game 1 was his first in the Calder Cup Playoffs since May 3^rd, 2013, as a member of the Oklahoma City Barons. His three points in Game 1 (1 g, 2 a) are the most by a Wolf Pack player in a postseason game this year.

Berard collected two assists in Game 1, giving him a three-game point streak. That is the longest active point streak among Wolf Pack players.

Garand picked up his third consecutive victory in Game 1. He made 32 saves. Garand is 3-1 during these Calder Cup Playoffs with a .945 save percentage.

Berard leads the Wolf Pack in points with five (1 g, 4 a) through four games during these Calder Cup Playoffs. Riley Nash’s two goals lead the Pack, while Berard’s four assists lead the way in that category.

Bruins Outlook:

The Bruins earned a bye for the second consecutive spring through the First Round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

The Bruins finished second in the Atlantic Division with a record of 42-21-6-3, good for 93 points behind only the Hershey Bears. Their 93 points were good for second in the Eastern Conference, behind only the Bears, and fourth in the AHL behind the Bears (111 points), Coachella Valley Firebirds (103 points), and Milwaukee Admirals (97 points).

At home this season, the Bruins went 21-9-3-3. They finished with 48 points at home, which is second in the Eastern Conference behind only the Bears. Their 21 wins at home were also second in the Eastern Conference, once again only trailing the Bears (29).

The Bruins were 0-for-two on the powerplay in Game 1. Bussi made 23 saves in defeat, falling to 1-4 in his Calder Cup Playoff career against the Wolf Pack.

Lambert, who had two goals in his Calder Cup Playoff debut, led the Bruins with six shots in Game 1.

During the regular season, Georgii Merklov led the Bruins in both goals with 30 and points with 65 (30 g, 35 a). Jayson Megna, meanwhile, led the club in assists with 37. He recorded three assists in the regular season finale against the Wolf Pack.

Game Information:

WATCH: AHLTV
LISTEN: Mixlr

The Wolf Pack’s play-by-play voice, Alex Thomas, will host ‘Wolf Pack Pregame,’ which will air live on AHLTV and Mixlr at 6:50 p.m.

Single-game tickets for Game 3 and Game 4 of the Atlantic Division Semifinal are on sale now!

For playoff information, please visit hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets/playoff-information.

About Oak View Group (OVG): Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues, and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Established by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since its inception in 1997. It 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.

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

HOWLINGS

The post PREGAME: WOLF PACK HOPE TO BUILD ON WIN OVER B’S first appeared on Howlings.

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins open their second Calder Cup Playoff series in as many years against each other tonight at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence.

The puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m., and coverage is available on AHLTV and Mixlr.

Tale of The Tape:

The Wolf Pack and Bruins met ten times during the regular season, with each team winning five games. The Wolf Pack posted a record of 5-4-1-0, while the Bruins went 5-3-1-1. The Wolf Pack went 2-2-1-0 in Providence during the 2023-24 campaign.

The Bruins claimed a 4-2 victory at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in the last team meeting on April 21^st, which was the regular season finale for both sides.

Trevor Kuntar opened the scoring 13:29 into the game, driving to the net and beating Dylan Garand with a backhand bid for his tenth goal of the season. However, the Wolf Pack responded moments later, tying the game at 16:14. Jake Leschyshyn took a pass from Anton Blidh at the net front and buried his eighth goal of the season.

1:28 later, at 17:42, Blake Hillman shot the Wolf Pack ahead through traffic that Brandon Bussi never saw. The goal was Hillman’s career-high fourth of the season.

Georgii Merkulov drew the Bruins even 5:41 into the second period, jamming home a rebound for his 29^th goal of the season after Garand made the save on the initial point shot from Mason Lohrei. The goal sent the sides to the third period deadlocked 2-2.

Patrick Brown drove down the right-wing side just over the halfway mark of the period, flipping a pass to Nick Zabaneh in front of the Wolf Pack net. Zabaneh, in his professional debut, buried his first career goal at 11:11 to make it 3-2 Bruins. The goal would stand as the game-winner.

Merkulov hit the empty net at 18:38, potting his 30^th goal of the season. He became the first Bruin since Frank Vatrano in 2015-16 to hit the 30-goal plateau in a single season.

Veteran forward Jayson Megna led the way for the Bruins in the season series against the Wolf Pack, scoring nine points (3 g, 6 a) in ten games. Brett Berard (4 g, 3 a) and Alex Belzile (3 g, 4 a) led the way for Hartford with seven points each against the Bruins this season.

Wolf Pack Outlook:

The Wolf Pack became just the second team in 21 tries to win a best-of-three, First Round Calder Cup Playoff series after losing Game 1. The comeback was completed on Sunday afternoon in Game 3 when the Wolf Pack defeated the Charlotte Checkers 3-1.

Jaroslav Chmelař broke the ice 10:10 into the game with his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal, giving the Wolf Pack a lead they never lost. Chmelař drove in on the right-wing side before cutting to the net and snapping a shot by Magnus Hellberg.

Riley Nash extended the lead to 2-0 at 4:21 of the third period. Brett Berard found Nash at the backdoor, hitting him with a pass that set the veteran up to slam the puck into an empty net for his second goal of the series. The powerplay goal would stand as the game-winner and the series-winner for Nash against his former team.

Berard then used a burst of speed to create a shorthanded breakaway, which he converted for his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal at 14:52 of the third period.

Brendan Perlini got the Checkers on the board 39 seconds later at 15:37, scoring from the top of the left-wing circle on a six-on-four advantage, but it would not be enough. Garand slammed the door shut from there to help the Wolf Pack complete the comeback.

Garand made 38 saves in the victory, tying the single-game Calder Cup Playoff career-high he set in Game 1.

Nash (2 g, 1 a), Berard (1 g, 2 a), and Nic Petan (1 g, 2 a) are all tied for the team lead in points with three each through the First Round. Nash’s two goals led the Pack against the Checkers, while Berard, Petan, Brennan Othmann, and Mac Hollowell all exited the series with a pair of assists to their credit.

Bruins Outlook:

For the second consecutive spring, the Bruins earned a bye through the First Round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

The Bruins finished second in the Atlantic Division with a record of 42-21-6-3, good for 93 points behind only the Hershey Bears. Their 93 points were good for second in the Eastern Conference, behind only the Bears, and fourth in the AHL behind the Bears (111 points), Coachella Valley Firebirds (103 points), and Milwaukee Admirals (97 points).

At home this season, the Bruins went 21-9-3-3. They finished with 48 points at home, which is second in the Eastern Conference behind only the Bears. Their 21 wins at home were also second in the Eastern Conference, once again only trailing the Bears (29).

During the regular season, Merklov led the Bruins in both goals with 30 and points with 65 (30 g, 35 a). Megna, meanwhile, led the club in assists with 37. He recorded three assists in the season finale against the Wolf Pack.

Game Information:

WATCH: AHLTV
LISTEN: Mixlr

Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack Alex Thomas will have ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ starting live at 6:50 p.m. on both AHLTV and Mixlr.

Single-game tickets for both Game 3 and Game 4 of the Atlantic Division Semifinals are on sale now!

For playoff information, please visit hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets/playoff-information.

About Oak View Group (OVG): Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since the team’s 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.

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

HOWLINGS

The post WOLF PACK PREGAME: ATLANTIC SEMIS VS. BRUINS first appeared on Howlings.

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack

Bryce McConnell-Barker Reassigned by Rangers, Maxim Barbashev Released from ATO

HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the club has reassigned forward Bryce McConnell-Barker to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack from the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds.

Additionally, Rangers Assistant General Manager and Wolf Pack General Manager Ryan Martin announced today that the club has released forward Maxim Barbashev from his amateur tryout agreement (ATO).

McConnell-Barker, 19, appeared in 52 games with the Greyhounds this season, scoring 51 points (22 g, 29 a). He finished third on the club in points, tied for third in goals, and fifth in assists. In eleven playoff games this spring, the 6’1”, 199-pound forward tacked on 15 points (5 g, 10 a). He was the second-highest scorer on the Greyhounds during their postseason run.

The native of London, ON, has appeared in 188 career OHL games with Greyhounds over four seasons. He recorded 177 points (75 g, 102 a) in that span.

McConnell-Barker was selected in the third round, 97^th overall, of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft by the Rangers.

Barbashev, 20, appeared in 15 games with the Shawinigan Cataractes and 44 games with the Rimouski Océanic of the QMJHL this season. In 15 games with the Cataractes, Barbashev scored nine points (2 g, 7 a). He was traded to the Océanic on November 21^st, 2023, and scored 26 points (12 g, 14 a) in 44 games.

The 6’1”, 191-pound forward tacked on two assists in five QMJHL Playoff games.

The native of Moskva, RUS, has played in 195 games in his QMJHL career, scoring 152 points (67 g, 85 a) with the Océanic, Cataractes, and Moncton Wildcats.

Barbashev was selected in the fifth round, 161^st overall, by the Rangers in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He made his professional debut in the Wolf Pack’s 6-4 victory over the Springfield Thunderbirds on April 20^th at the MassMutual Center.

The Wolf Pack are off to the Atlantic Division Semifinals! The club will take on the Providence Bruins in a best-of-five Calder Cup Playoff series. Game 1 is at the Amica Mutual Pavilion tonight, May 1st, at 7:05 p.m.

The series shifts to Hartford for Game 3 at the XL Center next Wednesday, May 8^th, with the puck drop set for 7:00 p.m.

Single-game tickets are on sale now at hartfordwolfpack.com!

To learn more about Wolf Pack playoff ticket strips and to be up-to-date on everything Calder Cup Playoffs, visit hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets/playoff-information.

About Oak View Group (OVG): Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since the team’s inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack are the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers and play 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.

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

HOWLINGS

The post WOLF PACK COMPLETE PAIR OF TRANSACTIONS first appeared on Howlings.

WOLF PACK TO FACE PROVIDENCE BRUINS IN ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS

Foes Faceoff For Second Straight Postseason

HARTFORD, CT—For the second straight postseason, The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins will face off in the Atlantic Division Semifinals. This series will follow a 2-2-1 setup, with the Bruins hosting three of the games.

The Bruins finished second in the Atlantic Division with a record 42-21-6-3. The club had a bye through the First Round of the Calder Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive season.

The Wolf Pack finished fifth in the Atlantic Division with a record of 34-28-7-3. The club eliminated the Charlotte Checkers in three games in their First Round series, winning the series 2-1 thanks to Sunday’s 3-1 triumph. Sunday’sss the seventh meeting between the foes in the Calder Cup Playoffs, the most of any opponent for the Wolf Pack. The rivals met in the 1999, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2015, and 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs. The Pack are 14-17 all-time in the Calder Cup Playoffs against the Bruins, while each team has won three series head-to-head.

The Wolf Pack have won each of the last two playoff series, coming in 2015 and 2023.

The series will kick off at the Amica Mutual Pavilion on Wednesday night, May 1^st, with the puck drop set for 7:05 p.m. The series will shift to the XL Center a week later on Wednesday, May 8^th, with the puck drop set for 7:00 p.m.

The entire Atlantic Division Semifinals series schedule is as follows:

Game 1: Wednesday, May 1^st, @ Providence (Amica Mutual Pavilion, 7:05 p.m.)
Game 2: Friday, May 3^rd, @ Providence (Amica Mutual Pavilion, 7:05 p.m.)
Game 3: Wednesday, May 8^th, @ Hartford (XL Center, 7:00 p.m.)
Game 4*: Friday, May 10^th, @ Hartford (XL Center, 7:00 p.m.)
Game 5*: Sunday, May 12^th, @ Providence (Amica Mutual Pavilion, 3:05 p.m.)

*If necessary

Tickets for Games 3 and 4 at the XL Center will go on sale tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. To purchase tickets, visit hartfordwolfpack.com.

To learn more about Wolf Pack playoff ticket strips and stay up-to-date on everything related to the Calder Cup Playoffs, visit hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets/playoff-information.

About Oak View Group (OVG): Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues, and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Established by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since its inception in 1997. It 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.

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

HOWLINGS

The post WOLF PACK TO PLAY BRUINS IN ATLANTIC SEMIS first appeared on Howlings.

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack

CHARLOTTE, NC – Dylan Garand made a playoff career-high 39 saves on Sunday afternoon to help the Hartford Wolf Pack complete their First Round series victory over the Charlotte Checkers. The Wolf Pack used a five-on-five, powerplay, and shorthanded goal to win Game 3 3-1, advancing to the Atlantic Division Semifinals for the second consecutive season.

Just 2:39 into the third period, Mike Benning was whistled for tripping, giving the Wolf Pack their fourth powerplay of the game. The Pack connected for the third time in the series, ballooning their lead to 2-0.

Brett Berard sent a backdoor pass to Riley Nash, who settled the puck and tapped home a backhander for his second goal of the Calder Cup Playoffs at 4:21. The goal would stand as the game-winner and series-winner.

The Wolf Pack jumped out to a first-period lead with the icebreaker for the second time in the series. Mac Hollowell found Jaroslav Chmelař just outside the Charlotte zone, hitting the young forward with a pass. Chmelař entered the zone and danced around Skyler Brind’Amour, who blew a tire. Chmelař then cut to the goal and snapped home his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal at 10:10 of the first period.

Garand was tested late in the period when the Checkers were awarded the game’s first powerplay. At 17:24, Anton Blidh flipped the puck over the glass and out of play, taking a delay-of-game penalty. Garand and the penalty kill stood tall, pushing the game to the intermission with the Pack still ahead.

The netminder made twelve saves in the opening stanza.

Garand also stood firm in the second period, making 15 saves to keep the Wolf Pack ahead through 40 minutes. Garand’s best save of the period came during a stretch of four-on-four play when Casey Fitzgerald was teed up for a one-timer from the slot. Garand kicked the bid away with his right pad, keeping it 1-0 for the Wolf Pack.

Nash’s goal early in the third period gave the Wolf Pack a 2-0 lead and the necessary offense to complete their series comeback.

Jake Leschyshyn was whistled for holding the stick at 13:39, giving the Checkers a late powerplay look to draw back into the game.

Berard extinguished the hopes at 14:52, making it 3-0 with the first goal of his Calder Cup Playoff career. Berard took a pass from Nash and rushed shorthanded into the offensive zone on the right-wing side. Berard used his speed to create a breakaway before snapping a shot by Hellberg.

The Checkers quickly responded on the powerplay, however, as Brendan Perlini snapped home his first goal of the postseason from the left-wing circle at 15:37.

The Checkers pressed hard in the final moments with the goaltender pulled but could not solve Garand.

With the victory, the Wolf Pack advance to the Atlantic Division Semifinals, where they will take on the Providence Bruins in a best-of-five series.

For playoff information, please visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets/playoff-information.

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.

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

HOWLINGS

The post GARAND AND WOLF PACK ELIMINATE CHECKERS IN 3 first appeared on Howlings.

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 night. The win for the Swamp Rabbits splits the series at 1-1 heading into the next three games in Orlando this weekend.

Both teams repeated Game 1 and skated scoreless through 20 minutes of play. Jacob Ingham manned the net again for Greenville and staved away only four shots on the net, while Evan Fitzpatrick turned away 15 in the opening frame.

The deadlock was finally broken by the Swamp Rabbits, who jumped out to a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes. Josh McKechney started off the scoring when he slammed a Colton Young effort in close range of the net past Fitzpatrick to push the Swamp Rabbits ahead 1-0 at 2:28 (Young and Quinn Olson assisted, the latter earning his first professional point). Following the goal, the Swamp Rabbits penalty kill was tested, and a five-minute major was needed to kill off due to an elbowing penalty assessed to Bobby Russell. The Swamp Rabbits thwarted the effort and followed it with a power play goal of their own, the only one in the series thus far. With 8:33 left in the second, Carter Souch, on the team’s second power play, took a Sam Jardine pass on the left side of the zone and rifled a shot over Fitzpatrick’s shoulder to double the Swamp Rabbits lead at 2-0 (Jardine and McKechney assisted).

The Solar Bears stormed out of the gate to start the third, tying the game at two in the blink of an eye during a wild scoring exchange. Brayden Low got Orlando on the board when he deflected a Jimmy Mazza shot past Ingham at 2:09 of the third, slashing the Greenville lead to 2-1 (Mazza and Aaron Luchuk assisted). Exactly 1:36 later, Spencer Kersten maneuvered the puck in close range of the Swamp Rabbits’ net and redirected it off of his body and by Ingham to square the game at 2-2 at 3:45 of the third (Darik Angeli and Alex Frye assisted). Ingham was replaced in net by Luke Richardson for the Swamp Rabbits, who didn’t allow anything behind him for the remainder of the game. The switch kicked the Swamp Rabbits in gear: 51 seconds later, Carter Souch found Tanner Eberle streaking to the back of the net, resulting in a backdoor tap-in for the veteran to put Greenville ahead for good, 3-2 at 4:36 (Souch and Nick Prkusic assisted). Eberle’s tally ended a scoring run of three goals between teams over 2:27 of hockey in the third. Adding insurance for Greenville was Quinn Olson, who batted the puck out of mid-air on a skilled maneuver late in the game past Fitzpatrick to push the Swamp Rabbits ahead at 4-2, bringing the game to its final score (Anthony Beauchamp and Josh McKechney assisted).

In relief, Luke Richardson picked up his first career postseason win, stopping all 11 shots he saw in 16:15 of work (1-0-0). Jacob Ingham started for Greenville and turned aside 10 of 12 in 43:42 game time.

The Swamp Rabbits shift the series to Orlando for Game 3 on Friday night, April 26^th. Puck drop at the Kia Center is slated for 7:00 p.m. EST.

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has been providing family-friendly, live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly, the Greenville Road Warriors and the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier ‘ AA’ Hockey League.

GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS

HOWLINGS

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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 by a 1-0 score.

Both goaltenders answered each other’s energy with game-breaking save after game-breaking save. Jacob Ingham, manning the Swamp Rabbits net, stopped all seven shots he saw, while Evan Fitzpatrick, in net for the Solar Bears, returned serve with a dozen saves in the first 20 minutes.

Special teams factored into the second frame, with both teams going 0-for on their respective advantages. The physical element was evident between both combatants, and the goalies again did their jobs. Fitzpatrick turned away 14 shots in period two, while Ingham denied five sent his way.

By the end of the third period, both teams combined for six posts clanked: four for Swamp Rabbits, including a crossbar, and two crossbars for the Solar Bears. Orlando fired a game-high 11 shots to Ingham in the final 20 minutes, which he thwarted. Fitzpatrick matched his counterpart, staving away nine shots.

One goal was all that was needed in this tight affair, and it eventually came from Spencer Kersten. With 7:38 left in the first overtime, Luke Boka worked the puck from behind his back in the right-wing corner to Kersten, who had space in the same side faceoff circle. Kersten fired his shot that squeaked through Ingham and in, ending the game after 72:22 in favor of Orlando. The 1-0 final score coincidentally gives the Solar Bears a 1-0 series lead.

Jacob Ingham turned aside only one shot of 29 and chucked his way in his playoff debut (0-0-1).

The 2024 South Division Champions now look to rebound against the Orlando Solar Bears in Game 2 of the South Division Semifinals. Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is tomorrow, Monday, April 22^nd, and is slated for a 7:05 p.m. EST puck drop at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has been providing family-friendly, live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly, the Greenville Road Warriors and the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s LA Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier’ AA’ Hockey League member.

GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS

HOWLINGS

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