Hartford Wolf Pack Weekly: Handling adversity, Talyn Boyko, Hugo Ollas get opportunity in goal
The Hartford Wolf Pack enter 2025, coming off an impressive 7-0 win against Springfield earlier in the week, but recent results are mixed. The New York Rangers AHL affiliate is 1-2-0-0 post Holiday break, 2-3-0-0 in their past five games, and 5-5-0-0 in their past 10.
January will be an important month as the Wolf Packs battles to maintain a playoff spot approaching the halfway point of the season. The Wolf Pack are 14-13-2-1 (.517) and have 31 points. They are tied for fifth with Lehigh Valley in the Atlantic Division, 11th in the Eastern Conference, and 21st in the AHL. Hartford is five points behind Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for fourth. A threat to Hartford and Lehigh Valley, Springfield is only two points behind each with the three teams battling for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division (sixth).
Related: Brennan Othmann scores first goal after two-month injury absence
Hartford Wolf Pack news-n-notes
Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
Road improvements
After dropping seven straight road games (0-5-1-1), the Wolf Pack found the right formula to win away from the XL Center. December featured three road victories and the Wolf Pack were 3-2-0-0 in five away games. Of their 33 goals scored on the road this season, 21 were scored last month. Furthermore, two of Hartford’s three victories were blowouts, a 6-1 victory against Bridgeport on Dec. 4 and a 7-0 win Tuesday in Springfield. Furthermore, the Wolf Pack gave up three goals in the three road victories In December. One more key was the power play, 7-for-15 during December’s road slate.
The Wolf Pack must continue to find strides on the road as they will be away from home for 11 of the next 16 games.
Handling adversity
Hartford is expected to go with ECHL call-ups Hugo Ollas and Talyn Boyko in goal this weekend. Dylan Garand is out day to day with an injury and Louis Domingue was recalled by the Rangers after Igor Shesterkin landed on IR with an upper-body injury.
Boyko was terrific in his AHL debut Tuesday, stopping all 33 shots in the 7-0 win against Springfield. Ollas won his one start with Hartford last season in his pro debut after finishing his collegiate career at Merrimack. The 22-year-old from Sweden has a 3.18 goals-against average in 11 games this season with Bloomington of the ECHL.
The Wolf Pack also could be again without captain Casey Fitzgerald (day to day) and Ryder Korczak this weekend.
Speaking of adversity, the Wolf Pack aim to jump out to fast starts this weekend since their win/loss disparity is great whether they score or allow the game’s first goal. When they are down after the first period, they are 1-5-1-0. If the Wolf pack continue to trail after the second, they are 1-12-0-1. In the past five games when the opponents score first, Hartford is 0-5-0-0.
Top line leading the way
Alex Belzile (29 points; 10 goals, 19 assists) and Benoit-Oliver Groulx (27 points; nine goals, 18 assists) are crushing it on Hartford’s top line. Combined, the forwards recorded 19 goals out of the team’s 89 for a 21 percent ownership. Furthermore, they also recorded 56 assists of Hartford’s 155 total, a 36 percent rate. Now with Brennan Othmann back from a two-month injury absence, that top line is set to cook even more. Othmann has a goal and assist since returning three games ago.
There is concern in the drop of production behind the top line, though. Adam Sykora’s 17 points (six goal, 11 assists) is third on Hartford’s roster. Eight players have five or more goals in the lineup, but Belzile is the only one in double digits. The Wolf Pack have missed Othmann and Brett Berard, who’s currently playing on the Rangers third line. More production is needed behind the top line in Hartford.
Notes
- Jaroslav Chmelar recorded three assists in the previous game. The Rangers forward prospect has five points (one goal, four assists) in his past four games.
- Adam Sykora recorded two goals in the previous game. He has four points (two goals, two assists) in four games.
Upcoming Games
All games can be watched on AHLTV and listened on Mixlr.
Saturday, January 4th vs Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh) at 6pm, Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza
- This is the third of six meetings in the season series. Hartford is 0-2-0-0 in the first two games.
- Entering the week, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is 17-8-2-0 for 36 points. They are fourth in the Atlantic Division and eighth in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins are on a four-game point streak (3-0-1-0).
- Emil Bemstorm leads the Penguins with 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists). Ville Koivunen has 22 points (six goals, 16 assists), second best on the Penguins.
Sunday, January 5th vs Bridgeport Islanders (New York) at 3pm, Total Mortgage Arena
- This is the fifth of 10 meetings in the season series. Hartford is 2-2-0-0 in the first four games.
- Entering the week, Bridgeport is 7-19-2-2 for 18 points. They are eighth in the Atlantic Division and tied for 14th in the Eastern Conference. The Islanders are 2-7-1-0 in their past 10 games.
- Brian Pinho leads the Islanders with 24 points (15 goals, nine assists). Chris Terry has 23 points (four goals, 19 assists), second best on the Islanders.
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