HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack collected three out of a possible six points during their second three-in-three weekend of the season. The club now gets set for a three-in-four stretch that will feature the ‘School Day Game’ on Wednesday and a home-and-home with the Syracuse Crunch on Friday and Saturday.

Friday, November 10^th, 2023, @ Bridgeport Islanders (3-0 W): The Pack concluded their season-long, five-game road trip on Friday night with a 3-0 victory in Round 1 of the ‘Battle of Connecticut’. Anton Blidh scored the game-winning goal 12:25 into the tilt, jamming home a rebound for his second goal of the season. Riley Nash would complete the scoring with goals at 5:50 and 12:16 of the second period.

Dylan Garand recorded his first shutout of the season, making 37 saves to improve to 4-1-1.

The win gives the Wolf Pack four consecutive victories in Bridgeport and six straight wins in the head-to-head series.

Saturday, November 11^th, 2023, Vs. Providence Bruins (2-0 L): Olof Lindbom made 17 saves in his first career AHL start, but the Wolf Pack offense couldn’t get untracked in their first shutout defeat of the season.

Curtis Hall led the way with two points (1 g, 1 a) for the Bruins, including the game-winning goal just 2:57 into the game. Dan Renouf had the other goal for Providence at 8:34 of the third period.

The Wolf Pack surrendered a season-low 19 shots in the defeat while firing a single-period high of 19 shots in the final frame.

Sunday, November 12^th, 2023, @ Providence Bruins (3-2 OTL): Brandon Scanlin and Jonny Brodzinski both lit the lamp in the third period as the Pack erased a pair of deficits to earn a point in the weekend finale. Brodzinski’s tally came at 17:49 with the net empty, giving Hartford their second goal with the extra attacker this season.

The Bruins would earn the extra point 1:42 into overtime, however, as Jesper Boqvist sped in and beat Garand over his right shoulder for his third goal of the season.

The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for the Wolf Pack at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence.

Quick Hits:

• On Sunday, the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) named Kris Knoblauch head coach. Knoblauch has spent parts of five seasons as the Wolf Pack’s bench boss, amassing a record of 119-90-18-14 in 241 games.
• As a result, Steve Smith was named Wolf Pack interim head coach on Sunday. He served in that capacity during the club’s 3-2 overtime loss in Providence. Jamie Tardif remains behind the bench in his role as assistant coach.
• Smith played 804 games in the NHL as a defenseman with the Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Calgary Flames. He scored 375 points (72 g, 303 a) and won the Stanley Cup with the Oilers in 1987, 1988, and 1990.
• Smith has spent ample time behind the bench in his career. He previously was an assistant coach with the Flames (1997-98), Oilers (2010-14), Carolina Hurricanes (2014-18), and Buffalo Sabres (2018-21). He spent the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons as an assistant coach in Hartford under Knoblauch.
• Forward Brett Berard is tied for eighth in the American Hockey League in rookie scoring with nine points (2 g, 7 a) through 12 games.
• Goaltender Louis Domingue made 25 saves in his debut with the New York Rangers on November 9^th in a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Domingue was assigned to the Wolf Pack on Monday afternoon.
• Defenseman Connor Mackey was also assigned to Hartford on Monday afternoon.
• Goaltender Olof Lindbom was reassigned by the Rangers from the Wolf Pack to the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) on Monday.
• The Wolf Pack’s penalty kill went 9-for-11 over the weekend and sits 14^th in the league with an 84.3% success rate.

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 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.

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The post HARTFORD WOLF PACK WEEKEND RECAP: NOVEMBER 13TH, 2023 first appeared on Howlings.

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack 

HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack, in conjunction with the American Hockey League, announced today a pair of changes to the club’s 2023-24 schedule.

The Wolf Pack’s home game on Saturday, November 11^th, against the Providence Bruins will now be played at 7:30 p.m. The game was previously scheduled to have a 7:00 p.m. puck drop.

In addition, the club’s home game on Saturday, December 30^th, against the Bridgeport Islanders will begin at 6:00 p.m. The game was previously scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m.

All ticket holders for both games will automatically see their tickets for these games changed to the new times. Those with questions are asked to contact their sales representative or call 860-722-9425.

The full 2023-24 Wolf Pack schedule can be viewed HERE. For tickets, visit hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets, or call 860-722-9425.

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 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.

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The post HARTFORD WOLF PACK ANNOUNCES TWO TIME CHANGES first appeared on Howlings.

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack

HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack, in conjunction with the American Hockey League (AHL), announced today the club’s full schedule for the 2023-24 regular season.

The club’s 27^th season begins with a pair of road games for the second consecutive year. The Wolf Pack will visit the two teams they eliminated in the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs, playing the role of the visitor on their respective home opening nights. Hartford opens the season on October 13^th at Providence against the Bruins (7:05 p.m.) before concluding the weekend on October 14^th at Springfield against the Thunderbirds (7:05 p.m.).

The Pack will host their home opener on Friday, October 20^th at 7:00 p.m. when the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins come to town for the first of three visits on the season. The home opening weekend concludes on Saturday, October 21^st, when the Lehigh Valley Phantoms make their first appearance of the season in Hartford (7:00 p.m.).

After not playing the Laval Rocket and Belleville Senators a season ago, both will return to the slate this year.

The Wolf Pack and Rocket will face off four times, twice in Laval and twice in Hartford. The Pack will visit the Rocket on Friday, December 8^th (7:00 p.m.) and Saturday, December 9^th (3:00 p.m.), while the Rocket come to the XL Center on Friday, February 16^th (7:00 p.m.) and Friday, March 1^st (7:00 p.m.).

The Senators and Wolf Pack will meet twice, with the first meeting coming in Hartford on Saturday, November 25^th (7:30 p.m.). Sunday, March 24^th (2:00 p.m.) will be the series finale in Belleville.

The Cleveland Monsters will make a rare appearance on the schedule this season. It is the first time the Wolf Pack and Monsters will meet since they played a home-and-home set in the 2008-09 season. Hartford will visit Cleveland for two games on Friday, January 26^th (7:00 p.m.) and Saturday, January 27^th (7:00 p.m.). It marks the first time since November 16^th, 2008, that the Wolf Pack will visit Cleveland.

The Monsters, who last appeared in Hartford on February 13^th, 2009, will come to town on Wednesday, December 6^th (7:00 p.m.) and Saturday, February 24^th (7:00 p.m.).

Once again, the Wolf Pack will host games on Christmas, New Year’s, and St. Patrick’s Day weekends. The club will host the Bridgeport Islanders in the final game before the holiday break on Friday, December 22^nd (7:00 p.m.).

The Islanders return on New Year’s weekend for a Saturday night tilt, as the sides close out 2023 on December 30^th at the XL Center (7:00 p.m.). The Utica Comets make their lone appearance of the season on St. Patrick’s Day weekend as they visit Hartford on Saturday, March 16^th (6:00 p.m.).

This season also marks the return of the ‘School Day Game’ in Hartford. The Wolf Pack will host the rival Springfield Thunderbirds on Wednesday, November 15^th, at 11:00 a.m.

Thanksgiving Eve also returns to Hartford this season, as the Wolf Pack will welcome the Bruins to the XL Center on Wednesday, November 22^nd (7:00 p.m.). It will be the second of five visits to Hartford by the Bruins during the 2023-24 campaign.

The Pack closes out the 2023-24 season with a three-in-three against Atlantic Division foes. The club will host the Penguins in the home regular-season finale on Friday, April 19^th (7:00 p.m.). The weekend concludes with visits to Springfield on Saturday, April 20^th (7:05 p.m.) and Providence on Sunday, April 21^st (3:05 p.m.).

The full 2023-24 Hartford Wolf Pack schedule can be viewed here.

Full-season tickets, 20-game plans, 12-game plans, and flex plans for the 2023-24 season are on sale now! Visit hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets or call 860-722-9425 for more details!

Single-game tickets will go on sale on a to-be-announced date later this summer. Stay tuned to hartfordwolfpack.com for more details regarding single-game tickets.

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 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.

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The post HARTFORD WOLF PACK RELEASE 23-24 SCHEDULE first appeared on Howlings.

HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers Assistant General Manager and Hartford Wolf Pack General Manager Ryan Martin announced today that the club had signed defenseman Seth Barton and forward Drew Worrad to one-year AHL standard player contracts.

Barton, 23, appeared in 36 games with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins during the 2022-23 season. He scored five points (2 g, 3 a) during his AHL time. He also added eight points (2 g, 6 a) in ten games with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye. During the 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs, Barton scored 13 points (1 g, 12 a) in 13 games.

Selected in the third round, 81^st overall, in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, Barton has skated in 60 career AHL games with the Griffins. He’s scored 12 career points (3 g, 9 a) in that span.

Prior to turning pro, the native of Kelowna, British Columbia, played three seasons of college hockey at UMass-Lowell. While a member of the River Hawks, Barton collected 36 points (7 g, 29 a) in 83 career games.

Worrad, 26, also split the 2022-23 season between the Griffins and the Walleye. In 47 AHL games, Worrad collected four points (2 g, 2 a). In 25 ECHL games, he scored at a point-per-game pace with 25 points (10 g, 15 a). Worrad tacked on eight points (5 g, 3 a) in 13 Kelly Cup Playoff games.

The native of Denfield, Ontario, has skated in 58 career AHL games with the Griffins and scored eight points (3 g, 5 a).

Prior to turning pro, Worrad dressed in 129 career NCAA games with Western Michigan University, scoring 95 points (25 g, 70 a).

The Wolf Pack will host their 2023-24 home opener at the XL Center on Friday, October 20^th, when the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins come to town. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.

Full-season tickets, 20-game plans, 12-game plans, and flex plans for the 2023-24 season are on sale now! Visit hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets or call 860-722-9425 for more details!

Single-game tickets will go on sale on a to-be-announced date later this summer.

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 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.

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The post HARTFORD WOLF PACK SIGN BARTON AND WORRAD first appeared on Howlings.

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack

HARTFORD, CT – The New York Rangers, parent club of the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolf Pack, selected five players in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft held in Nashville, Tennessee.

The five picks were forward Gabriel Perreault (First Round – 23^rd overall), defenseman Drew Fortescue (Third Round – 90^th overall), defenseman Rasmus Larsson (Fifth Round – 152^nd overall), forward Dylan Roobroeck (Sixth Round – 178^th overall) and forward Ty Henricks (Sixth Round – 183^rd overall).

Perreault, 18, spent the 2022-23 season as a member of the U.S. National Team Development Program’s U18 Team. He scored 132 points (53 g, 79 a) in 63 games, setting a new single-season points record for the National Team Development Program.

Perreault also represented the United States internationally, appearing in seven games at the U18 World Junior Championships. He scored 18 points (5 g, 13 a) in those seven contests, helping Team USA take home the Gold Medal. His 13 assists led the tournament, and he was named a ‘Top Three Player on the Team’ for Team USA.

Perreault is slated to play for Boston College during the upcoming 2023-24 season.

Fortescue, 18, also spent the 2022-23 season as a member of the U.S. National Team Development Program’s U18 Team. In 62 games, Fortescue scored 26 points (1 g, 25 a) and finished with a +34 rating. He finished third in scoring among defensemen on the team.

The native of Pearl River, New York, also represented the United States at the U18 World Junior Championship, scoring three points (1 g, 2 a) in seven games en route to a Gold Medal.

Fortescue is expected to join Perreault at Boston College for the upcoming 2023-24 season.

Larsson, 19, skated in 50 games with Västerås IK J20 in Sweden’s J20 Nationell during the 2022-23 season. He scored 34 points (16 g, 18 a) in those 50 regular season games, then added five points (3 g, 2 a) in six Playoff games.

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His 34 regular season points led defensemen in scoring for Västerås IK J20.

Roobroeck, 18, appeared in 68 games with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals during the 2022-23 season. He scored 53 points (15 g, 38 a), finishing sixth on the club in scoring. His 38 assists were tied for the team lead, while his +1 rating was tied for fourth.

The native of London, Ontario, has scored 74 points (23 g, 51 a) in 132 career OHL games with the Generals and the Niagara IceDogs.

Henricks, 18, split the 2022-23 season between the Fargo Force and Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL. In 28 games with the Force, Henricks scored nine points (6 g, 3 a). In 19 games with the Lumberjacks, he tallied 10 points (3 g, 7 a).

The native of Mission Viejo, California, is committed to playing college hockey at Western Michigan University.

The Wolf Pack will host their 2023-24 home opener at the XL Center on Friday, October 20^th. Time and opponent will be released later, along with the 2023-24 regular season schedule.

Full-season tickets, 20-game plans, 12-game plans, and flex plans for the 2023-24 season are on sale now! Visit hartfordwolfpack.com or call 860-722-9425 for more details!

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.

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The post NEW YORK RANGERS 2023 DRAFT CLASS first appeared on Howlings.

HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack have their backs against the wall for the first time during the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs. Tonight, the Pack will look to keep their magical season alive as they try to stave off elimination against the Hershey Bears in Game Three of the 2023 Atlantic Division Finals.

Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., and coverage is available on both AHLTV and Mixlr.

Tale of The Tape:

The Wolf Pack and Bears met six times during the 2022-23 regular season, with the Bears taking four of the six meetings. Hershey ended the season series with a 4-2-0-0 record, while the Wolf Pack posted a mark of 2-3-0-1. The Bears won two of three meetings at the XL Center, going 2-1-0-0. They claimed a 2-1 victory on November 25^th and a 1-0 shootout decision on November 26^th.

Hartford won 4-2 on October 28^th. It was the Pack’s lone home-ice win in the season series. That victory was their first of the season.

The Bears won each of the final three regular-season meetings between the clubs and have since extended the winning streak to five games with victories in Games One and Two. In Game Two, the Bears put the Wolf Pack on the brink of elimination with a 4-2 triumph.

Mason Morelli opened the scoring 3:12 into the tilt, converting on the first powerplay attempt of the game. Will Cuylle drew Hartford even at 11:32, burying a centering pass for a powerplay goal of his own. The goal was Cuylle’s first career Calder Cup Playoff tally.

The draw would last just 72 seconds, however.

Beck Malenstyn sprung into the offensive zone and snapped a shot by Dylan Garand to give the Bears a lead they never lost. Mike Vecchione potted the eventual game-winning tally 8:48 into the middle stanza, making it 3-1 at the time. Hendrix Lapierre would then convert an odd-man rush at 13:14 of the third period, putting the Bears ahead 4-1 and cementing the 2-0 series lead.

Adam Clendening scored at 15:09 for Hartford, firing home his second goal of the postseason. It would not be enough to spark a rally, however.

Hartford’s last victory against Hershey came on November 20^th by a score of 4-2 at the Giant Center.

Wolf Pack Outlook:

The Wolf Pack have dropped back-to-back games for the first time since a four-game losing streak (0-3-1-0) that spanned from March 5^th through March 11^th. After going 1-for-2 on Saturday in Game Two, the Wolf Pack powerplay is 3-for-6 in the Atlantic Division Finals. They had been 2-for-16 through five prior playoff games.

Cuylle’s powerplay goal in the first period of Game Two was the first goal of his Calder Cup Playoff career. He became the tenth Wolf Pack player to score his first career playoff goal this spring.

Tanner Fritz, who racked up two assists in Game Two, leads the club in playoff scoring with ten points (1 g, 9 a) through eight games. It was Fritz’s third multi-point game of the postseason. Lauri Pajuniemi, meanwhile, paces the club in goals with four.

Bears Outlook:

The Bears finished second in both the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference with a record of 44-19-5-4 during the regular season. Their 97 points were fourth overall in the entire AHL during the 2022-23 regular season. The Bears received a First Round bye in the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs, then eliminated the Charlotte Checkers in four games (3-1) in the Atlantic Division Semifinals.

The Bears were the stingiest defensive team in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, allowing just 184 goals. Only the Calgary Wranglers (174) allowed fewer goals in the entire league.

The eleven goals allowed by Hershey through six playoff games are tied for the fewest allowed by any team with a minimum of five games played. They are tied with the Texas Stars.

Aliaksei Protas (3 g, 4 a) and Sam Anas (2 g, 5 a) are tied for the team lead in points with seven each. Protas, Morelli, and Connor McMichael are all tied for the team lead in goals with three each through six games.

Game Information:

WATCH: AHLTV
LISTEN: Mixlr

Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack, Alex Thomas, will have ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ starting live at 6:45 p.m. on both AHLTV and Mixlr.

If the Wolf Pack wins, Game Four will take place at the XL Center on Friday, May 19^th, at 7:00 p.m. For playoff ticket information, please visit HERE.

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.

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The post THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK AIMS TO STAY ALIVE VS. HERSHEY BEARS first appeared on Howlings.

HERSHEY, PA – The Hartford Wolf Pack struck on the powerplay for the second consecutive game on Saturday night, but ultimately the Pack couldn’t solve Hunter Shepard at five-on-five. The Hershey goaltender made 25 saves to preserve a 4-2 victory in Game Two for the Bears. The Bears now lead the Atlantic Division Finals 2-0 and can eliminate Hartford on Wednesday night.

Mike Vecchione scored his second goal of the Calder Cup Playoffs 8:48 into the second period, giving the Bears a 3-1 lead at the time. Ethen Frank fired a shot that Dylan Garand denied, but the rebound popped to Henrik Borgstrom. Borgstrom settled things down behind the Hartford net, then sent a centering pass to Vecchione in the slot. Vecchione fired a quick shot that beat Garand for the eventual game-winning marker.

The Bears struck just 3:12 into the game, taking advantage of an early powerplay. Joe Snively danced into the Wolf Pack zone, then floated a pass to Mason Morelli. Morelli sped his way to the net and slid a backhand shot under Garand’s pad for his third postseason goal.

Hartford’s powerplay would strike for the third time in the series, evening the tilt 1-1 at the 11:32 mark. Just seconds into the advantage, Ryan Carpenter hit Will Cuylle in the slot with a centering pass. Cuylle uncorked a shot that beat Shepard for his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal.

Just 72 seconds later, however, the Bears would regain the lead for good. Beck Malenstyn was fed on an odd-man rush by Morelli and broke toward the goal unabated. Malenstyn ripped a shot by the blocker of Garand for his second goal of the playoffs.

Vecchione collected the only goal of the middle stanza, making it 3-1 at 8:48.

The Bears made it a 4-1 game and ended the drama 13:14 into the third period. Logan Day’s clearing attempt went off the stick of Ty Emberson but clipped the official in the neutral zone. The puck bounced to Aliaksei Protas, who fed Hendrix Lapierre in the offensive zone. Lapierre snapped a shot by Garand for his second goal of the playoffs, sending the crowd of over 9,500 into a frenzy.

Adam Clendening fired a point shot that snuck through a screen and beat Shepard at 15:09, but that would be as close as the Pack could get on this night. The Bears’ stout defense held Hartford off in the final moments despite a strong push with the extra attacker.

The Wolf Pack returns to the XL Center for Game Three of the best-of-five series on Wednesday, May 17^th. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. To get tickets, visit HERE.

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.

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The post HARTFORD WOLF PACK DOUBLED UP BY HERSHEY BEARS IN GAME 2 first appeared on Howlings.

HERSHEY, PA – The Hartford Wolf Pack will look to earn a split on the road tonight as they visit the Hershey Bears for Game Two of the 2023 Atlantic Division Finals at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., and coverage is available on both AHLTV and Mixlr.

Tale of The Tape:

The Wolf Pack and Bears met six times during the 2022-23 regular season, with the Bears taking four of the six meetings. Hershey posted a record of 4-2-0-0, while the Wolf Pack managed points in three games, going 2-3-0-1. The Wolf Pack posted a 1-2-0-0 record at the Giant Center, with their lone victory coming on November 20^th by a final score of 4-2.

The Bears won each of the final three meetings between the sides in the regular season. Hershey took a 2-1 regulation decision on November 25^th, and a 1-0 shootout verdict on November 26^th. Both of those games were in Hartford. They also claimed a 2-1 victory in Hershey on February 11^th.

The Bears extended their winning streak against Hartford to four games with a 3-2 overtime decision in Game One of this playoff series. The Wolf Pack opened the scoring with a powerplay goal 6:55 into the game, as Lauri Pajuniemi chipped home a rebound for his fourth goal of the postseason.

Just 2:33 into the second period, Jonny Brodzinski fired his first goal of the playoffs by Hunter Shepard. Brodzinski was set up for a one-timer in the left-wing circle by Tanner Fritz, who collected his team-leading seventh assist. The goal was Hartford’s second powerplay tally of the night. They went 2-for-4 in the contest.

The Bears responded just 2:52 into the third period, however, as Logan Day scored a powerplay goal of his own. Day blasted a shot from the point that evaded the glove of Dylan Garand and gave the Bears the push they needed. Late in the frame, with Shepard making his way to the bench, Jake Massie sent a shot toward the goal from the blue line. The puck clipped Connor McMichael and beat Garand at 17:51 to tie the affair and send it to overtime.

Hershey made quick work in the extra session, the first for both teams in these playoffs. Henrik Borgstrom sniped a puck from the right-wing circle just 4:41 in, potting his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal in his Playoff debut.

Wolf Pack Outlook:

Last night’s overtime result was Hartford’s first trip to sudden death during the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs. It was the club’s first trip to playoff overtime since May 13^th, 2015, against the Bears in Hershey. On that night, Chris Mueller scored a shorthanded goal to stun the crowd and give the Wolf Pack a 5-4 victory.

The Wolf Pack’s powerplay converted on just two of 21 opportunities in six games against the Bears during the regular season. Through two rounds of the Calder Cup Playoffs, Hartford was 2-for-16 on the powerplay. In Game One, the Wolf Pack went 2-for-4, with both powerplay units finding the back of the net.

With an assist on Pajuniemi’s powerplay goal at 6:55 of the first period, Tim Gettinger became the first Wolf Pack player this postseason to score points at five-on-five on the powerplay (1 a), and the penalty kill (1 g, 1 a).

Gettinger (2 g, 6 a) and Fritz (1 g, 7 a) lead the Wolf Pack in points with eight each through seven Calder Cup Playoff games. Pajuniemi leads the team in goals with four through seven games. He has scored at least one goal in all three series thus far.

Bears Outlook:

The Bears completed their second consecutive multi-goal comeback on Thursday night. In Game Four of their Atlantic Division Semifinals series, the Bears trailed 2-0 after one period of play but rattled off six unanswered goals to win the game 6-2 and the series 3-1.

Day’s powerplay goal 2:52 into the third period was the second goal of his Calder Cup Playoff career and his first goal as a member of the Bears. Day appeared in 36 games with the Bears in his first season with the club, collecting 12 assists in the regular season. His other Calder Cup Playoff goal came as a member of the Bakersfield Condors in 2019.

Sam Anas leads the Bears in points with seven (2 g, 5 a) through five games. McMichael and Aliaksei Protas lead the Bears in goals with three each.

Game Information:

WATCH: AHLTV
LISTEN: Mixlr

Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack, Alex Thomas, will have ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ starting live at 6:45 p.m. on both AHLTV and Mixlr.

The series shifts back to Hartford for Game Three on Wednesday, May 17^th, at 7:00 p.m. For playoff ticket information, please visit HERE.

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.

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The post HARTFORD WOLF PACK LOOK TO SPLIT WITH HERSHEY BEARS first appeared on Howlings.

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack

HERSHEY, PA – The Hartford Wolf Pack has arrived in Chocolatetown, USA, for the 2023 Atlantic Division Finals. The Wolf Pack opens the best-of-five series against the Hershey Bears tonight with Game One at the Giant Center.

Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., and coverage is available on both AHLTV and Mixlr.

Tale of The Tape:

The Wolf Pack and Bears met six times during the 2022-23 regular season, with the Bears taking four of the six meetings. Hershey posted a record of 4-2-0-0, while the Wolf Pack managed points in three games, going 2-3-0-1. The Wolf Pack posted a 1-2-0-0 record at the Giant Center, with their lone victory coming on November 20^th by a final score of 4-2.

The sides last met on February 11^th in Hershey, with the Bears prevailing by a final score of 2-1. Mike Sgarbossa opened the scoring 12:13 into the tilt, potting his 16^th goal of the season. Just under three minutes later, at 15:08, Henrik Rybinski made it a 2-0 game with the first shorthanded goal of his career. The Bears’ two goals in the opening frame would be enough, despite a strong effort from the visitors.

Hartford outshot Hershey 13-7 in the middle stanza and got on the board courtesy of Will Cuylle. The rookie’s 15^th goal of the season put the Wolf Pack within one, but Hunter Shepard slammed the door shut from there. Shepard made 33 saves to cement the victory, earning first-star honors on the night.

The Bears won each of the final three meetings between the sides, including the February 11^th tilt. Hershey also took a 2-1 regulation decision on November 25^th and a 1-0 shootout verdict on November 26^th. Both of those games were in Hartford.

Wolf Pack Outlook:

The Wolf Pack advanced to the Atlantic Division Finals thanks to a 4-0 shutout of the Providence Bruins in Game Four of their Atlantic Division Semifinals series. The victory gave the Wolf Pack a 3-1 series decision. Hartford is 5-1 through six games during the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs.

Turner Elson scored his first goal of the playoffs 3:40 into Game Four, giving the Wolf Pack a lead they would not lose. Elson became the fifth different Wolf Pack skater to record a game-winning goal during the postseason. Jake Leschyshyn potted a rebound at 4:49 of the middle frame to extend the lead to 2-0. The goal was his first career Calder Cup Playoff marker. Ryan Carpenter then buried a rebound from the right-wing circle at 15:23, essentially ending the intrigue on this night.

Leschyshyn put home an empty net goal, his second of the night, 12:18 into the third period to make it a 4-0 game. Dylan Garand made 32 saves for his second career Calder Cup Playoff shutout.

Defenseman Ty Emberson leads the Calder Cup Playoffs in +/- with a +13 rating. Forward Anton Blidh is second in the league with a +11.

Tim Gettinger (2 g, 5 a) and Tanner Fritz (1 g, 6 a) lead the Wolf Pack in points through two rounds of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Lauri Pajuniemi, meanwhile, leads the team in goals with three through six games.

Bears Outlook:

The Bears completed a 3-1 series victory over the Charlotte Checkers with a 6-2 win in Game Four over the Charlotte Checkers on May 4^th. Jake Wise and Riley Nash scored at 2:00 and 7:54 of the opening stanza, respectively, to give the Checkers a 2-0 lead after one. It would be all Bears from there, however.

Mason Morelli got Hershey on the board at 10:15 into the middle stanza. Then Beck Malenstyn tied the game at 19:44. Aliaksei Protas broke the tie 8:59 into the third period, firing home a powerplay goal that would stand as both the game-winning and series-winning tally. Protas’ second goal at 10:57 gave Hershey the insurance they needed to close out the series.

Riley Sutter and former Wolf Pack defenseman Dylan McIlrath both hit the empty net in the final few minutes to end the suspense.

Sam Anas leads the Bears in points with six (2 g, 4 a) through four games. Protas, meanwhile, leads the Bears in goals with three.

Game Information:

WATCH: AHLTV
LISTEN: Mixlr

Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack, Alex Thomas, will have ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ starting live at 6:45 p.m. on both AHLTV and Mixlr.

Game Two of the Atlantic Division Finals takes place this Saturday, May 13^th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Giant Center in Hershey. The series shifts back to Hartford for Game Three on Wednesday, May 17^th, at 7:00 p.m. For playoff ticket information, please visit HERE.

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.

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The post HARTFORD WOLF PACK OPEN ATLANTIC DIVISION FINALS VS HERSHEY BEARS PREVIEW first appeared on Howlings.

HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack and Hershey Bears will face off in the Atlantic Division Finals in Round Three of the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs. The Division Finals series will be a best-of-five matchup and will follow a ‘two-two-one’ home ice format.

The Bears, who finished second in the Atlantic Division during the regular season with a 44-19-5-4 record, will hold home-ice advantage during the series. The Bears beat the Charlotte Checkers 3-1 in the Atlantic Division Semifinals, while the Wolf Pack defeated the Providence Bruins 3-1.

The series will kick off at the Giant Center on Thursday night, May 11^th, with the puck drop set for 7:00 p.m. The series will shift to the XL Center in downtown Hartford for Game Three on Wednesday, May 17^th, at 7:00 p.m. If necessary, the Wolf Pack would host Game Four at the XL Center on Friday, May 19^th.

The full Atlantic Division Finals series schedule is as follows:

Game 1: Thursday, May 11^th, @ Hershey (Giant Center, 7:00 p.m.)
Game 2: Saturday, May 13^th, @ Hershey (Giant Center, 7:00 p.m.)
Game 3: Wednesday, May 17^th, @ Hartford (XL Center, 7:00 p.m.)
Game 4*: Friday, May 19^th, @ Hartford (XL Center, 7:00 p.m.)
Game 5*: Tuesday, May 23^rd, @ Hershey (Giant Center, 7:00 p.m.)
*If necessary

Single-game tickets for the Atlantic Division Finals go on sale Monday, May 8^th, at 12:00 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit HERE.

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.

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The post HARTFORD WOLF PACK TO FACE HERSHEY BEARS IN ATLANTIC DIVISION FINALS first appeared on Howlings.