Wolf Pack Weekly: On the Prowl of Catching Up In Standings
The Wolf Pack won their last two of three games last weekend. All three were divisional games and helped the club push forward in the standings until Sunday’s action against the Providence Bruins. Hartford’s three game winning streak was snapped against the Bruins. The boys will be back at it for this upcoming weekend for additional Atlantic Division action.
The Wolf Pack are 17-16-2-2 in the division with 38 points. That ranks the group 6th in the Atlantic Division. The last playoff spot is currently held by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Hartford is three points from tying the Penguins for fourth and two points from tying the fifth place Springfield Thunderbirds.
Standings Update
Another week, another change in the look of the standings for Hartford. As you noticed, the are hovering around the mid to bottom of the Atlantic Division. Out of context, that seems troublesome. However if we take a look at the standings, the division is a continual dogfight. Hartford finds ways to be on the prowl and is working hard to catch up. The issue with the season is the lack of consistency shown in games. We have seen amazing games while others are a dumpster fire, so to speak.
On the plus for this year’s roster, they do catch up and be in the striking distance to make noise. The club has not made noise, yet to bump a team from a higher position. In reality, Hartford has a chance to catch up to third place Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The gap between third place to sixth is five points. Hartford could climb that high depending on the outcomes of each contest along with the out of town scores.
The Charlotte Checkers continue to roll on and will be out of reach for Hartford, so you can cross off clinching the division off for the group. The gap between Hartford and Charlotte is 19 points. The Bridgeport Sound Tigers had made room for themselves as well. They are in second. Hartford is ten points behind. Any losing streak of Hartford plus a Bridgeport winning streak will make the group have difficulty reaching that high. Is it possible? It is as of now.
As I watch the continual changes in the division, a common trend for Hartford is being down but not out. If the group pulls off a strong second half of the season, they could definitely make noise and take advantage of a few teams ahead of them. We shall see.
Vince Pedrie Leaves Organization
Defenseman Vine Pedrie was placed through unconditional waivers on Monday and cleared. The Rangers prospect had a brief stint in Hartford. His first game was in the 2018-19 season as he joined Hartford to play in seven games. Then he played a full season with the club in the 2017-18 season. This season was different as the Rangers had an influx of defenseman on the blue line. Vince Pedrie became the extra man out and played in nine games with Hartford. He spent majority of the season in the ECHL with Maine.
From my viewpoint of the situation, Vince Pedrie was still developing. He had potential, but we do not know his true limit. The prospect had a ways to go. The young defenseman called it quits with the Rangers as the termination was mutual. This is the second player this season that was leaving the organization in Hartford.
Milwaukee Admirals
The Admirals announced today that the team has signed defenseman Vince Pedrie to an American Hockey League contract for the rest of the 2018-19 season.
Pedrie has split time this season between the Hartford Wolfpack (AHL) where he had three assists in seven games and the Maine Mariners (ECHL) where he has tallied four points on two goals and two assists. The Penn State alum spent last season with the Wolfpack and collected 14 points (3g-11a) and 43 penalty minutes in 58 games.
Transactions Update
The Pack was active lately on the transaction wire. Let’s get up to date with the latest roster moves.
- Forward Drew Melanson returned to Maine on December 5th. The forward is on an AHL deal with Hartford.
- Forward Terrence Wallin was released from his PTO and re-signed with Maine.
- Brandon Halverson was called up to Hartford earlier in the week. This move was interesting as Hartford had Dustin Tokarski and Marek Mazanec. However, the flu has been going around in the locker room and potentially one of the goalies have it. I do not expect any roster moves coming from New York.
What’s Ahead
This Saturday you are able to watch the Wolf Pack for free on AHLTV! The league will have all games for free on watchtheahl.com. Every team will be in action on that day. Hartford will face Bridgeport on the road.
A little over two weeks is the AHL All-Star Classic. This year’s classic is close to home as the games are in Springfield Massachusetts. Be on the lookout for comments regarding the fun activities in a couple of weeks. The future starts of tomorrow will all be present, including Pack defenseman John Gilmour.
Upcoming Games
The group have two games on the road before returning to Hartford for more divisional action.
Friday, January 11th vs Providence Bruins (Boston) at Dunkin Donuts Center, 7:05pm
- Hartford is finishing back to back games against the Bruins. Last Sunday the Bruins defeated Hartford 5-1. This was the first regulation loss against Providence.
- This will be the seventh of ten meetings against Providence. Hartford is 4-1-1 against the Bruins. Hartford has won their last six of ten outings while Providence is 5-5 in their last 10 outings.
- After Friday’s contest, Hartford returns to Providence for the eighth meeting of the season on Sunday, January 20th.
- Providence enters the week one point behind Hartford. The Bruins are 16-16-5 for 37 points for 7th place.
Saturday, January 12th vs Bridgeport Sound Tigers (Islanders) at Webster Bank Arena, 7pm
- This is the eighth of ten meetings against Bridgeport. Hartford is 3-3-1 against the Sound Tigers. Bridgeport has won the last three meetings in the season series.
- Entering the week, Bridgeport is ten points ahead of Hartford. The Sound Tigers have lost three straight (0-2-0-1) and lost their last five of ten meetings.
- After Saturday’s contest, meeting nine is on February 5th followed by the grand finale on February 16th. One divisional season series would be completed. After that, Hartford will not face Bridgeport anymore. The timing against the rivalry match up came quick and multiple games was in a short time period. The AHL schedule can be wacky.
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