Hartford Wolf Pack Weekly: Brennan Othmann regains scoring touch, Lucas Edmonds gets fresh start

Credit: Hartford Wolf Pack

The Hartford Wolf Pack dug themselves a hole in the American Hockey League standings when they dropped three straight games in regulation this past weekend. Concerning trends emerged for the New York Rangers top affiliate, with lack of discipline and slow starts were consistent themes.

As such, the Wolf Pack’s comeback bids fell short against Laval (4-3) and Springfield (3-2). Then Hartford’s 6-3 blowout loss to Rochester featured a line brawl and a near goalie fight.

Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack

The seventh-place Wolf Pack (18-20-2-1, 39 points) will attempt to reset with three games on the road this week. The Wolf Pack have little margin for error as they are three points behind Springfield for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. Hartford is 2-3-0-0 in their past five games and 4-6-0-0 in their past 10.

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Hartford Wolf Pack news-n-notes

Brennan Othmann heats up

Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack

Othmann has four points (three goals, one assist) in his past five games. That’s significant because the 22-year old forward had trouble finding his scoring touch after he returned from a two-month injury absence. He recorded a goal in three straight games and registered 13 shots in the past four games.

Othmann’s knack to generate offense comes at a time when Hartford is struggling to score consistently. His three goals were all important: he tied the game against Laval at three and sparked Hartford’s comeback from a 2-0 deficit against Springfield to tie the game.

In addition to his offense, Othmann has shown his trademark grit. He dropped the gloves twice to try and spark the Wolf Pack. Hartford scored a goal two minutes after his tilt against Springfield on Jan 12. Furthermore, he stood up for his linemates when Hartford shut out Charlotte on Jan. 19. Othmann continues to find ways to be impactful in the lineup, on night she scores or doesn;t land on the score sheet. His well-rounded development will benefit the Rangers long-term and he could be an option for New York in the NHL as the season progresses.

Yet again, slow starts and lack of discipline haunt Hartford

A recurring theme, the Wolf Pack remain undisciplined. They took 17 penalties the past three games. As a result, they conceded four power play goals in two games where better discipline could have made a difference.

They took eight penalties against Rochester and killed five. But they allowed three power-play goals and lost by … three. In addition, they surrendered Springfield’s game winning goal down a man. The lone game last weekend when Hartford was perfect on the penalty kill was against Laval, clearing four of four.

Coach Grant Potulny has much work to do to ensure his team can play clean hockey. 

Another struggle is Hartford’s inability to rally after allowing the first goal. The Wolf Pack conceded the game’s first goal in each of the past three games. In fact, when giving up the game’s first goal, Hartford is 1-9-0-0 in the past 10 instances, outscored 40-17. They were also shut out in three of those games. Hartford is 2-9-1-0 when trailing after one period, and 1-12-2-0 when trailing after two.

Wolf Pack welcome Lucas Edmonds after trade with Lightning

NHL: Preseason-Tampa Bay Lightning at Carolina Hurricanes
James Guillory-Imagn Images

Acquired by the Rangers on Jan. 25 in exchange for Ryder Korczak, the Lucas Edmonds is looking for a fresh start with a new organization. The 24-year-old forward didn’t find his footing as a Lightning prospect, derailed by injuries and uneven play in the AHL the past three seasons. He did have 15 goals and 27 points in 49 AHL games in 2022-23, a year after he scored 34 goals and finished with 113 points in 68 OHL games as an overage player.

Edmonds is a playmaker, with an emphasis on defense and being a solid forechecker. He registered five points (one goal, four assists) with Syracuse in 26 games this season.

Upcoming Games

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

Wednesday, January 29 vs Belleville Senators (Ottawa) at 7pm, CAA Arena

  • This is the first of two meetings in the season series. Hartford swept the series last season, 2-0-0-0.
  • Belleville is 16-14-1-4 for 37 points. They are sixth in the North Division and 13th in the Eastern Conference. The Senators are 3-6-1-0  in their past 10.
  • Stephen Halliday leads the Senators with 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists). Angus Crookshank (15 goals, nine assists), Jeremy Davies (four goals, 20 assists), and Garrett Pilon (three goals, 21 assists) are tied for second with 24 points.

Friday, January 31 vs Laval Rocket (Monreal) at 7pm, Place Bell

  • This is the third of four meetings this. The teams split the first two games.
  • Laval is 26-11-2-1 for 55 points. They are first in the North Division and second in the Eastern Conference. The Rocket are 8-1-1-0 in their past 10 games.
  • Alex Barre-Boulet leads the Rocket with 32 points (nine goals, 23 assists). Next is Lauren Dauphin with 28 points (13 goals, 15 assists).

Saturday, February 1 vs Laval Rocket (Montreal) at 3pm, Place Bell

  • The final meeting in the series.
  • Hartford is 7-10-1-1 on the road.
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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