HOWLING WITH THE PACK 1/24 – 1/26

Will Cullen Updated: Apr 10, 2024

FAST FRIDAY
On Friday (1/24) Jasper Fast set a Wolf Pack Record for the fastest goal to start a game when he scored just 7 seconds in. He helped lead the Wolf Pack to a 5-3 win over rival Springfield. This is the first Pack win over the Falcons in the last seven games, dating back to April 5, 2013.

As mentioned, Fast got the party started scoring on a backhand off of assists from JT Miller and Danny Syvert. Danny Kristo made it 2-0 after he fought off a check and cashed in on a garbage goal. After the Falcons came back to tie the game up at two, Oscar Lindberg took the game over scoring the next two goals and buried the Falcons for good. T.J. Hensick iced it with an empty-net goal and Dov Grumet-Morris made 22 saves in net for the win.

Lindberg, Fast, Miller and Kristo were buzzing all night. They clearly stood out as the best players on the ice. The four combined for 4 goals, 1 assist, +5 and 11 shots. You got the feeling that every time they were on the ice something good was going to happen.

Connor Allen continued to play a strong and solid game with 2 assists. Allen saw time on the second pair with Danny Syvert (also 2 assists), played on the Power Play, Penalty Kill and finished with a +3 rating, and two shots. Dylan McIlrath (assist) made a strong return to the line up, playing on the top pair with Aaron Johnson. McIlrath used his size and strength to keep guys to the outside all game, finished his checks, and chipped in an assist. McIlrath added a shot and finished with an even rating.

SATURDAY NIGHT BLUES
On Saturday (1/25) Jasper Fast was the lone bright spot for the Wolf Pack, as they got blown out 6-2 by the St John Ice Caps. The score makes it seem closer then it actually was, as the Pack were out played, out classed and dominated in every way imaginable.

After being down 4-0, Jasper Fast chipped in two PP goals, to cut the lead, but that was as close as it would get as the Ice Caps would score the next two goals and close out the game.

Oscar Lindberg continued his hot play, chipping in on two assists, JT Miller Added an assist as well. Danny Kristo finished with no points, no shots and a -2 rating. Conor Allen and Dylan McIlrath were on their heels all night, finished with no points and a combined -5.

Over all it was a terrible performance by everyone and not much to talk about.

COMEBACK SUNDAY
Despite being down 3-1 late in the second to Adirondack on Sunday (1/26), the Wolf Pack came back to score the next five goals to win 6-3. Fitting since the big club did that and better at Yankee Stadium against the hated Devils for a 7-3 drubbing.

For the second game in a row, Jasper Fast had a two goal night and JT Miller was a magician who finished with three assists. The six goals were the most goals the Wolf Pack Scored all season long. Jasper Fast had two, Marek Hrivik and Kyle Beach added one apiece and Danny Syvret and Dylan McIlrath both scored empty-netters. JT Miller led the way with three assists, Ryan Bourque, Oscar Lindberg, Mike Haley, Danny Syvert and Aaron Johnson each had one assist.

Being down 2-0 heading into the second, Jasper fast scored a PP goal with a one timer from the right circle off of a JT Miller pass. After the Phantoms regained their two goal lead, Hrivik made an appearance and cut the lead to one again on another PP goal, late in the second. Finally in the third, it was all Pack as Beach tied the game at 5:11 and Fast buried the eventual game winner.

Jasper Fast, JT Miller and Oscar Lindberg all continued their hot steaks as they once again carried the team and willed them to victory. After a poor performance Saturday and in an attempt to get the team’s attention, Danny Kristo was a healthy scratch for the first time this season.

Conor Allen and Dylan McIlrath both bounced back from rough outings the night before. Allen was a +2 had two shots, and played big minutes on the PP, and PK. McIlrath brought the nasty play, hitting everything that moved and took a roughing penalty and Cross Checking Penalty both while clearing the crease.

3 STARS:
1. Jasper Fast: 5g-0a-5Points +5 9 shots
2. Oscar Lindberg: 2g-3a- 5 points +3 and 9 shots
3. JT Miller: 0g-5a-5 points +3 rating and 11 shots

By: Will Cullen