Hartford Wolf Pack Weekly: Brendan Brisson improves after rough start
The Hartford Wolf Pack ended a six-game road losing streak (0-5-1-0) on Saturday in Milwaukee with a 4-2 win. But the New York Rangers AHL affiliate lost two other games last week, 2-1 to Grand Rapids on Wednesday, followed by a 4-0 shutout defeat at the hands of Rockford on Friday.
The seventh-place Wolf Pack (25-29-5-2, 57 points) are nine points behind the sixth-place Springfield Thunderbirds for the final playoff spot in the American Hockey League’s Atlantic Division. Time is the enemy for the Wolf Pack with 11 games remaining.
Related: Rangers ‘change the scenery’ to get most out of 2 young forwards
Hartford Wolf Pack news-n-notes
Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
Road struggles reappear
A concern from earlier in the season, the Wolf Pack cannot find wins on the road. They are 2-6-2-0 in their past 10 road games. In fact, they were shutout twice and outscored 36-22. The Wolf Pack were out-shot 324-267, leading to an over-reliance on defense and goaltending. And that didn’t work out so well.
Hartford is 9-16-4-1 on the road. They have six road games remaining and need to win the majority if they have any chance at landing a playoff spot.
Penalty kill woes
Another struggle is the Wolf Pack’s lack of discipline and penalty kill woes have continued throughout the season. In fact, they lead the AHL in times short-handed (232) and are fourth in penalty minutes (895). These stats are of concern since the penalty kill is 25th in the league, operating at 78.4 percent. Hartford’s conceded 50 power-play goals (third highest).
It’s costing them crucial standings points. For instance, the Wolf Pack were unable to kill a five-on-three penalty against Grand Rapids on Mar. 12, giving the Griffins a regulation win with 2:02 remaining in the game. Another instance was against Rockford on Mar 14., when the Wolf Pack gave the IceHogs six power-play opportunities. Hartford cleared five of six penalties, but were unable to generate their own chances because they were short-handed so often. It’s a big reason why Hartford was out-shot 17-2 in the first period.
New acquisition updates
Brendan Brisson
Rebounding from his worst game of the season on March 7 with a penalty and minus-5 rating, newcomer Brendan Brisson has two assists in three games since. The 23-year-old forward also recorded eight shots last week. Brisson, a former first round pick, has played consistently in the top six since his arrival. Though he has not fared well defensively (also minus-3 against Rockford), Brisson is picking up his overall game.
So far this season with Hartford and Henderson, Brisson has 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) in 50 games.
Nicolas Aubé-Kubel
Nicolas Aube-Kubel debuted with Hartford on March 9 and the veteran was injured late in the game and did not return. The 28-year-old forward is day to day but his injury is not a major concern. He joined the team on the road trip and could return this weekend.
Upcoming Games
All games can be watched on AHLTV and listened on Mixlr.
Friday, March 21 vs Hershey Bears (Capitals) at 7pm, XL Center
- This is the second of four meetings in the season series. Hartford shut out Hershey 3-0 on Dec. 11.
- Hershey is 37-15-5-1 for 80 points. They are first in the Atlantic Division and second in the Eastern Conference. The Bears are on a five game point streak (4-0-0-1) and 7-2-0-1 in their past 10 games.
- Defenseman Ethan Bear leads the Bears with 40 points (nine goals, 31 assists). Next is Alex Limoges with 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists).
Saturday, March 22 vs Milwaukee (Predators) at 7pm, XL Center
- This is the final meeting in this season between the teams. Hartford defeated Milwaukee 4-2 on March 15.
- Milwaukee is 31-19-4-6 for 72 points. They are first in the Central Division and tied for second in the Western Conference. The Admirals are 5-2-1-2 in their past 10 games.
- Cal O’Reilly leads the Admirals with 41 points (10 goals, 31 assists). Next is Ozzy Wiesblatt with 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists).
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