Wolf Pack Weekly: Hartford With Up and Down Weekend
Last weekend had the ups and downs for Hartford. The club lost two of three games. However, they snapped their three game losing streak on Sunday evening against Springfield. With this upcoming weekend, the Pack look to build from their win on Sunday that was spirited. Coming into the weekend, Hartford is seventh in the Atlantic Division with a record of 5-7-0-1 for 11 points (0.423 point percentage).
Hot Power Play
The Wolf Pack power play continues to impress. The entire weekend allowed the club to maintain their status as the number one power play in the league. On average, Hartford was middle of the Pack. The power play units are consistent on producing and can be lethal when needed. For instance, Hartford recorded six power play goals out of fourteen opportunities between the games on Friday and Sunday. Statically, the power play converts at 27.1%. The second best club is the San Diego Gulls, which convert at 24.6%. That is a good distance between the first and second best power plays in the league.
.@filip_chytil may or may not be taking over the whole planet now ? pic.twitter.com/QgM3R1mrbU
— Hartford Wolf Pack (@WolfPackAHL) November 9, 2017
Ryan Sproul Comfortable
In his fourth game, Ryan Sproul found his offensive game. He is managing the blue line well, especially on the power play. Over the weekend he earned three assists (two on Friday, one Sunday). He is a solid puck mover as well. He is not afraid to shoot and has bonded well with his teammates. The return on investment is starting to kick in for the Rangers from the trade.
Hartford Blue Line Less Crowded
Earlier in the week, Alexei Bereglazov was released from Hartford and reassigned to overseas. Prior to the move, the Pack had eight defenseman. Now they are reduced to seven.
Rangers have assigned/loaned D Alexei Bereglazov to Magnitogorsk of KHL, as confirmed by NYR.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) November 6, 2017
The coaching staff rotated the defenseman with the abundance of players on the blue line. Two guys were scratched, which generally played the previous game. This will now give opportunities for the current players left in Hartford on defense.
Rookie Brandon Crawley can play quite physical and can drop the gloves. On Sunday he dropped the gloves with veteran Bobby Farnham. I was impressed on how he won the fight. You can check it out here.
Upcoming Games
- Saturday, November 11th vs Bridgeport Sound Tigers (Islanders) at 7:00 pm, Webster Bank Arena
- This begins a home at home series with Bridgeport. This is the third game in the season series. Hartford is 0-2 in the ten game series. Bridgeport started the season 1-4, however now have won five of their last six games.
- Sunday, November 12th vs Lavel Rocket (Monteral) at 5:00 pm, XL Center
- This is the first of two in the series against Montreal’s new American Hockey League club. The Rockets are second in the North Division with a 7-4-2 record. Prior to this season, Montreal’s affiliate was in St. John’s.
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