Hartford Wolf Pack Weekly: Brett Berard builds confidence after slow start
The Hartford Wolf Pack’s four-game point streak (2-0-2-0) ended last weekend and dissolved into a four-game winless skid (0-2-2-0). The New York Rangers AHL affiliate dropped two consecutive games in regulation on their Canadian road-trip, losing 4-2 to Laval on Friday, and 2-1 to Belleville on Saturday.
Hartford lost those games without forward Gabe Perreault, its leading scorer, who was sidelined by a minor injury. And it looks like the Wolf Pack must get used to playing without the 20-year-old forward a bit longer, though for good reason.
Perreault was recalled by the Rangers on Sunday and picked up his first NHL point with an assist in their 6-3 win over the Nashville Predators on Monday. It’s great for Perreault and the Rangers organization, but not so much so for Hartford, which is 25th out of 32 AHL teams in scoring with 27 goals in 11 games.
The seventh-place Wolf Pack (3-6-2-0, eight points) are three points behind Bridgeport for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. They will have an opportunity to get back on track with three games this week.
Hartford Wolf Pack News-n-Notes
Brett Berard improves after slow start
Third-year forward Brett Berard found his game after beginning the season minus-five and off the score sheet through five games. Berard, a fifth round pick (No. 134) in the 2020 NHL Draft by the Rangers, has five assists in his past six games. Despite not scoring a goal in 11 games, Berard is generating opportunities nightly. In fact, he is second on the team in shots with 28, and leads the forwards in this category.
The Wolf Pack need Berard to produce more, especially with Perreault in New York. The 23-year-old is more than capable, of course. He has 35 games of NHL experience, had 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in 30 games with Hartford last season, and led the Wolf Pack with 25 goals as a rookie pro in 2023-24.
Blake Hillman steady on blue line
Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
Blake Hillman, a sixth round pick (No. 173) in the 2016 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks, is playing his best hockey right now with the Wolf Pack. The 29-year-old is tied for the team lead (with Perreault) in plus-minus at plus-7, and has four points (one goal, three assists), tied for best among all Hartford defensemen with Jackson Dorrington and Derrick Pouliot.
His scoring pace is way up. Hillman had 10 points (three goals, seven assists) last season and his career high is 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) with the Wolf Pack in 2023-24. He’s on pace for roughly 24 points this season.
Hillman has four games of NHL experience with the Blackhawks, and is now in his fourth season with Hartford as a steady presence on the blue line. In 148 games with the Wolf Pack, Hillman has 34 points (eight goals, 26 assists) and is plus-12.
Wolf Pack struggle to close out games
A significant cause for concern is Hartford being unable to close out games. They missed clear opportunities to secure wins during their four- game skid. In their loss to Belleville, Hartford had a late power play in a tie and conceded the game-winning short-handed goal instead with five seconds remaining. The Wolf Pack earlier allowed the Senators to stay in the game; despite outshooting them 18-8 in the second period, Hartford conceded a backbreaking power-play goal.
In the loss against Laval, Hartford had control in the first two periods, outshooting the Rocket 19-12. In the third, the Wolf Pack were outshot 17-8 and the Rocket scored a power play-goal, taking advantage of Hartford’s lack of discipline. Hartford was assessed four minor penalties, including a double minor by Pouliot for spearing.
A similar story occurred against Lehigh Valley the previous weekend when Hartford surrendered a late power-play goal.
Finding a way to win and close out games is critical if Hartford wants to snap out of its funk.
Upcoming Games
All games can be viewed on AHLTV and heard on Mixlr.
Wednesday, November 12 vs Providence Bruins (Boston) at 7:00pm, Amica Mutual Pavilion
- This is the second of 10 games in the season series. Hartford lost the first meeting, 5-2 on Oct. 18.
- Providence is 10-1-0-0 for 20 points. They are first in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference. The Bruins are second in the AHL.
- Riley Tufte leads the Bruins with 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) and is tied for second in the league in scoring. Patrick Brown has 13 points (five goals, eight assists), and is tied for sixth in the AHL scoring race.
Friday, November 14 vs Rochester Americans (Sabres) at 7:00pm, PeoplesBank Arena
- This is the first of two meetings in the season series. Hartford was swept by Rochester (0-2-0-0) in 2024-25.
- Rochester is 8-5-0-0 for 16 points. They are tied for first in the North Division (with Laval and Syracuse) and tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference.
- The Americans recently lost their top two scorers, former Rangers defenseman Zac Jones (13 points) and Isak Rosen (12 points), each of whom was recalled by the Buffalo Sabres.
- Konsta Helenius has 10 points (four goals, six assists) for Rochester, and Viktor Neuhev has nine points (four goals, five assists).
Saturday, November 15 vs Laval Rocket (Canadians) at 6:00pm, PeoplesBank Arena
- This is the second and final meeting in the season series. Hartford lost the first game, 4-2 on Nov. 7.
- Laval is 8-4-0-0 for 16 points. They are tied for first in the North Division (with Rochester and Syracuse) and tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference.
- Laurent Dauphion leads the Rocket with 14 points (eight goals, six assists) and is tied for second in league scoring. Jared Davidson has 11 points (nine goals, two assists).
