Hartford Wolf Pack Weekly: Juuso Pärssinen rediscovers scoring touch
The Hartford Wolf Pack’s three-game winning streak was snapped when they split a two-game series against Lehigh Valley in Allentown over the weekend. But the past week was, by and large, a productive one for the New York Rangers affiliate’ in the American Hockey League.
Saturday featured a 5-4 shootout win, led by Dylan Garand’s heroic efforts after he relieved starter Spencer Martin for the final 58:37 of the game. Garand stopped 24 of 26 shots, then denied 10 of 12 attempts in the victorious shootout. Veteran Justin Dowling scored the deciding goal for the Wolf Pack in their longest shootout of the season.
However, Hartford couldn’t keep the good mojo rolling Sunday, when it lost 6-3.
The eighth-place Wolf Pack (20-26-4-2, 46 points) are six points out of a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. They begin a crucial five-game homestand on Wednesday.
Hartford Wolf Pack News-n-Notes
Juuso Pärssinen finds scoring touch with Wolf Pack
***UPDATE*** The Rangers recalled Juuso Parssinen on Tuesday, along with forward Jaroslav Chmelar, after placing J.T. Miller on injured reserve. Forward Brendan Brisson and defenseman Scott Morrow were reassigned to Hartford.
Finally healthy, Juuso Pärssinen is coming alive for the Wolf Pack. The 25-year-old forward has five points (four goals, one assist) in his past five games. On Saturday, Pärssinen was rewarded with a tip-in goal when battling in front of the Lehigh Valley net. One day later, Pärssinen converted a rebound of Travis Dermott’s shot. He also had a secondary assist on Hartford’s first goal by Anton Blidh, at first protecting the puck to keep the play alive.
After two injury absences (Nov. 28 to Jan. 22; Jan. 23 to Feb. 5) and a disappointing start in New York with the Rangers (two goals, one assist in 14 games), Pärssinen is beginning to find his stride.
Pärssinen has six points (five goals, one assist) in 11 AHL games.
Brennan Othmann producing in AHL ahead of uncertain NHL Trade Deadline
Returning from his fourth callup of the season, Brenann Othmann scored in back-to-back games this past weekend. Othmann, a first-round pick (No. 16) by the Rangers in the 2021 NHL Draft, has nine points (seven goals, two assists) in his past 10 AHL games, even though he struggled mightily in the NHL and has just one goal with the Rangers.
On Saturday, he was on the second line, paired with Blidh and Pärssinen, and given significant ice time, something that didn’t happen in his fourth-line role with the Rangers. The 23-year-old provided an offensive spark for the Wolf Pack, tying the game 4-4 on Saturday with a snipe in a 4-on-4 situation.
The next day, Othmann skated on a line with Dylan Roobroeck and Jaroslav Chmelař and scored a third-period goal, though it was on a mixed line with Trey Fix-Wolansky picking up the assist.
Othmann is up to 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) in 25 AHL games this season. With the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday and Othmann’s name mentioned often on the rumor mill, he could play his final game with the organization in Hartford this week.
Adam Sýkora sets career high by scoring 10th goal
Adam Sykora scored in three consecutive games to establish a career high with 10 goals this season. A second-round pick (No. 63) by the Rangers in the 2022 NHL Draft, Sykora is tied for third in goals on Hartford with Gabe Perreault, who’s in New York and scored two goals in the Rangers’ 5-4 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday.
On Feb. 22, he got in on the forecheck against Providence, eventually leading to him scoring a rebound goal.
Known for being a key cog on the penalty kill and defensive situations, Sýkora is beginning to build his offensive skillset, proving he can be effective on both ends of the ice. A depth player for Hartford, Sýkora is quietly establishing himself as a callup candidate to fill in the Rangers’ bottom six.
Upcoming Games
All games can be viewed on AHLTV and heard on Mixlr.
Wednesday, March 4 vs Providence Bruins (Boston) at 7:00pm, PeoplesBank Arena
- This is the eighth of 10 meetings in the season series. Hartford is 2-3-1-1 against Providence.
- Providence is 41-10-1-0 (83 points), first in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference. They are second overall in the AHL.
- Patrick Brown leads the Bruins with 48 points (17 goals, 31 assists) and is tied for 12th in the AHL. Next is Georgii Merkulov with 42 points (17 goals, 25 assists).
Friday, March 6 vs Bridgeport Islanders (New York) at 7:00pm, PeoplesBank Arena
- This is the ninth of 12 meetings in the season series. Hartford is 3-5-0-0 against Bridgeport.
- Bridgeport is 22-24-3-5 (52 points), sixth in the Atlantic Division and 11th in the Eastern Conference.
- Matt Luff leads the Islanders with 42 points (15 goals, 27 assists). Next is Adam Beckman with 37 points (22 goals, 15 assists).
Saturday, March 7 vs Hershey Bears (Capitals) at 6:00pm, PeoplesBank Arena
- This is the third of four meetings in the season series. Hartford won the first two meetings in regulation.
- Hershey is 26-20-6-2 (60 points), fourth in the Atlantic Division and eighth in the Eastern Conference.
- Ilya Protas leads the Bears with 45 points (22 goals, 23 assists). Next is Andrew Cristall with 42 points (12 goals, 30 assists).
