Hartford Wolf Pack Weekly: Louis Domingue finds his game, Brett Berard re-adjusting after Rangers stint

Credit: Hartford Wolf Pack

The Hartford Wolf Pack, the New York Rangers’ American Hockey League affiliate, snapped a three-game losing streak (0-3-0-0) with a pair of wins this past weekend to hold onto the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. The sixth-place Wolf Pack (18-17-2-1, 39 points) delivered back to back wins against Charlotte (3-2 and 3-0)  after a 7-3 loss to Utica on Wednesday. The Wolf Pack’ continues to have a two-point cushion on seventh-place Springfield.

Mixed results for the Wolf Pack continue as they are 3-2-0-0 in their past five games and 5-5-0-0 in their past 10. The two recent wins allowed Hartford to close the gap for fourth and fifth in the division, with Lehigh Valley and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tied for fourth place. Each has a five-point cushion on the Wolf Pack.

Related: Brutal night for Rangers prospects in ugly loss to Devils farm team

Hartford Wolf Pack news-n-Notes

Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack

Louis Domingue improves

Louis Domingue won two of his past four starts and allowed fewer than three goals in three of them. Furthermore, the 32-year-old goalie stopped 117 of 126 shots, a .929 save percentage. His improvement comes at a time when standings points are important for the Wolf Pack to maintain playoff positioning. The veteran began the season 1-4-1, allowing more than two goals in five of six games. Domingue is now 5-10-1 with a 3.43 goals-against average and .924 save percentage.

Domingue’s improved play gives Hartford two solid goalies, joining Dylan Garand, who will take part in the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic.

Hartford coach Grant Potulny likes to rotate his goalies, so it’s optimal if each is on top of his game. Garand has played in 20 games, Domingue 16.

Alex Belzile continues to lead Hartford’s offense

Belzile had a goal and two assists Saturday and leads the team with 36 points. The 33-year-old forward’s consistency on the score sheet has been hugely important because of the ups and downs of Hartford’s offensive production all season. Belzile recorded two hat tricks in a six-game span and has nine multi-point games. He is on pace to exceed last season’s point total (50) with 37 games remaining. He is seven goals from tying a career high (19, done twice) and needs seven assists to tie last season’s total (31).

In addition, Belzile is tied for fifth in points (36) and tied for third in assists (24) in the AHL. His points per game is tied for 19th (1.03).

Brett Berard’s re-adjustment to AHL

Returning to the minors after playing 19 games with the Rangers, Brett Berard is struggling to find his game with Hartford. The 22-year-old forward has two assists in four games and was minus-5 in the first two upon returning from Broadway.

Berard was better the past two games and more involved in all aspects of the game. He’s shown he can be a big-time AHL player, leading the Wolf Pack with 25 goals last season. His 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) is fourth on the Wolf Pack in just 20 games played. Once he regains his footing, Berard will be leaned on down the stretch to help Hartford return to the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Notes

  • Garand earned his third shutout of the season on Sunday. He improved to 12-6-2 with a 2.29 GAA and .924 save percentage.
  • Benoit-Oliver Groulx has five points (four goals, one assist) in three games.
  • Brandon Scanlin recorded his first multi-goal game in the pros on Saturday.

Upcoming Games

All games can be watched on AHLTV and heard on Mixlr.

Friday, January 24th vs Laval Rocket (Canadians) at 7 p.m., XL Center

  • This is the second of four meetings in the season series. Hartford lost the first game 4-2 on Dec. 14. The last two meetings will be in Laval on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
  • Laval is 23-11-2-1 for 49 points, second in the North Division and third in the Eastern Conference. The Rocket are 6-3-1-0  in their past 10 games.
  • Joshua Roy (14 goals, 13 assists)  and Alex Barre-Boulet (eight goals, 19 assists) lead the Rocket with 27 points apiece. Jared Davidson is next with 24 points (14 goals, 10 assists).

Saturday, January 25th vs Rochester Americans (Sabres) at 6 p.m., XL Center

  • This is the second and final meeting this season. Hartford lost the first game 6-3 on Nov. 8.
  • Rochester is 23-11-3-1 for 50 points, first in the North Division and second in the Eastern Conference. The Americans are 7-2-0-1 in their past 10 games.
  • Isak Rosen leads the Americans with 31 points (16 goals, 15 assists). Brett Murray is next with 29 points (17 goals, 12 assists).

Sunday, January 26th vs Springfield Thunderbirds (Blues) at 3:05 p.m., MassMutual Center

  • This is the eighth of 10 meetings in the season series. Hartford is 2-5-0-0 against Springfield.
  • Springfield is 17-16-2-1 for 37 points, seventh in the Atlantic Division and 12th in the Eastern Conference. The Thunderbirds are 5-5-0-0 in their past 10.
  • Matthew Peca (13 goals, 13 assists) and Matt Luff (11 goals, 15 assists) lead the Thunderbirds with 26 points apiece. Dalibor Dvorsky is next with 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists).
Ricky Milliner is a Hartford Wolf Pack season ticket holder. While growing up, he discovered hockey by attending a ... More about Ricky Milliner
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