Alex Belzile hat trick, heroics save Wolf Pack in thrilling win for Rangers’ AHL affiliate
Alex Belzile did it all for the Hartford Wolf Pack on Tuesday at XL Center. The veteran forward had a hat trick and scored the winning goal in the shootout, helping the New York Rangers’ AHL affiliate rally for a 5-4 win against Charlotte.
The 33-year-old forward had one goal and seven assists entering the School Day 11 a.m. start Tuesday, but ended the afternoon with a goal in each period including the shootout to save the Wolf Pack, who let a 3-1 third-period slip away.
Belzile also scored one of each type of goal — even strength, short-handed, power play and shootout.
“‘Belzy’ with the hat trick and shootout goal, what a great game,” Hartford coach Grant Potulny said postgame.
Added Belzile, with a smile, “”it was a good day.”
Belzile’s first goal, at 15:51 of the first period, gave Hartford a 2-1 lead. The puck found him in front after he tried to connect on a pass cross-crease, and Belzile buried it for an even-strength goal.
He made it 3-1 with a simply gorgeous short-handed goal at 10:33 of the second period.
Then, after the Wolf Pack allowed three straight goals to start the third period to fall behind 4-3, Belzile saved them with a power-play goal at 10:23. He slipped behind the defense to accept a pass and quickly deposit it past Checkers goalie Chris Driedger.
Hartford entered the game in a 0-for-36 slide on the power play.
Belzile scored the only goal in the shootout, supporting veteran goalie Louis Domingue, who stopped all three shots in the shootout and finished with 41 saves.
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Rangers’ prospects ‘keeping me young’ playing on Belzile’s line
Alex Belzile — photo courtesy of Hartford Wolf Pack
Belzile discussed his growing chemistry with linemates Brett Berard and Dylan Roobroeck after the game. He even got a laugh when referencing how he’s the old man on a line with a 22-year-old (Berard) and 20-year-old (Roobroeck).
“I played with Berard a lot last year. He’s a really fast player, he’s dynamic, really good offensively,” he explained. “Dylan is the new guy, but he’s really smart, he’s a really smart hockey player. I feel like it’s easy to play with him he fits right in. His head is in the right place. He wants to be a better hockey player and it’s fun to play with these guys. … They’re keeping me young. That’s a good thing.”
Berard, who had the primary assist on Belzile’s third-period tying goal, leads the Wolf Pack with 12 points (six goals, six assists). Belzile is tied for second with 11 points (four goals, seven assists) and Roobroeck, who had the primary assist on Belzile’s first goal, is tied for sixth with seven points (four goals, three assists).
Bo Groulx scored Hartford’s first goal, just 14 seconds into the game, assisted by Rangers forward prospect Jaroslav Chmelar. Groulx also has 11 points (six goals, five assists) and is tied with Berard for the Wolf Pack lead in goals.
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