Hartford Wolf Pack weekly: Goalie decisions, power-play issues for Rangers AHL affiliate
The New York Rangers top minor league affiliate in the American hockey League, the Hartford Wolf Pack, are now nine games though their schedule. They’re trying to find consistency and have posted a 4-3-1-1 record (10 points, .556 point percentage), ranking them fourth in the Atlantic Division, ninth in the Eastern Conference, and 15th in the AHL overall.
Hartford collected three of six points last week, posting a 3-2 comeback win against the Grand Rapids Griffins and securing a point against the Syracuse Crunch in a 3-2 overtime loss. The Wolf Pack dropped the last game of a two game road-trip, a 2-1 loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Hartford has yet to win a game on the road but will have two opportunities to do so this week.
Related: First-hand look at Rangers top pick EJ Emery
Wolf Pack news-n-notes
Dylan Roobroeck – photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
Dylan Roobroeck heats up
Carrying the Wolf Pack last week was Dylan Roobroeck, who is on a four-game point streak (three goals, one assist). The 21-year old rookie center found his game after being held off the score sheet in his first five games. The prospect is using his size (6-foot-7) well, converting on opportunities near the net and is helping Hartford generate offense with the transition game. The Wolf Pack will need scoring contributions all around and Roobroeck is beginning to be play a role in offensive depth for the club.
Dylan Garand’s consistent performance; Louis Domingue struggles
In the final season of his entry-level contract, 22-year old goalie Dylan Garand impressed early the season. Garand, splitting time with veteran netminder Louis Domingue, has a 3-0-1 record with a 2.94 goals-against average and .894 save percentage. He’s been solid, and in net for three of Hartford’s four wins.
Garand has left left off from where he was last spring, in the Calder Cup Playoffs, when he was Hartford’s best player. As a result, Garand played both games this past weekend, facing a hot Grand Rapids team, who came in the game winning five straight and with only one loss all season. He also faced a club with a well balanced roster offensively and defensively, the Syracuse Crunch. Garand stopped 40 of 45 shots in the two difficult games.
Domingue, though, is off to a slow start to the season, posting a record of 1-3-1 with a 3.78 GAA and .885 save percentage. While both goaltenders’ stats are affected by Hartford’s defensive struggles this season, Domingue has not found his game yet. The 32-year-old is capable of bouncing back and is expected to do so soon. Domingue has allowed five goals twice in his five starts, and three or more four times.
It’ll be interesting to see if coach Grant Potulny will ride Garand for a bit or stick to a rotation, which we’ve seen each of the previous two seasons.
Power-play issues
The Wolf Pack miss injured forward Brennan Othmann on the power play. Since his upper-body injury Oct. 19, Hartford is 0-for-21 on the power play. After having early success between buoyed by Othmann and Brett Berard, the man advantage unit has struggled and at times produced minimum pressure and shots on goal. The power play dropped to 17th in the AHL, with a conversion rate of 14.6 percent (six power play goals, 41 chances).
The Wolf Pack had three opportunities in their 2-1 loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday. A power-play goal could’ve made a huge difference. That’s just the latest example.
One Timers
- Matthew Robertson recorded two assists and was instrumental in Hartford’s OT win against the Griffins. The 23-year-old defenseman had a mixed bag of games early on.
- Casey Fitzgerald recorded five assists in the past seven games.
- The overall defense improved significantly in Hartford’s past three games. Hartford allowed two goals against in two games and three in another.
Wolf Pack schedule this week
Wednesday, November 6th vs Syracuse Crunch (Lightning) at 7pm, XL Center
- This is the second and final meeting in the season series. Hartford lost 3-2 in overtime to the Crunch on Friday.
- Entering the week, Syracuse is 5-4-0-0 for 10 points. The Crunch are fourth in the North Division and seventh in the Eastern Conference. They are 2-3-0 on the road.
- Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Dylan Duke leads the Crunch in points with seven (four goals, three assists). Derrick Poulliot (three goals, three assists) and Gabriel Szturc (six assists) are tied for the second in scoring with six points apiece.
- Listen – Mixlr. Watch – AHLTV.
Friday, November 8th vs Rochester Americans (Sabres) at 7:05pm, Blue Cross Arena
- This is the first of two meetings in the season series. The final meeting will be in Hartford on Jan. 25. The Wolf Pack dropped the series last year, 0-1-1.
- Entering the week, Rochester is 5-3-0-0 for 10 points. The Americans are fifth in the North Division and eighth in the Eastern Conference. They are on a four-game winning streak and 4-1-0-0 at home.
- Isak Rosen (three goals, six assists) lead the Americans in scoring with nine points. Viktor Neuhev is second with eight (one goal, seven assists).
- Listen – Mixlr. Watch – AHLTV.
Sunday, November 10th vs Providence Bruins (Boston) at 3:05pm, Amica Mutual Pavillion
- This is the first of 10 meetings in the season series. Hartford split the series, 5-4-1-0 last season.
- Entering the week, Providence is 3-6-0-0. Providence is seventh in the Atlantic Division and 13th in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins are on a two-game skid and lost four of their past five games.
- Former Rangers forward Vinni Lettieri leads the Bruins with seven points (five goals, two assists). Jordan Oesterele (two goals, four assists) and Georgii Merkulov (one goal, five assist) are tied for the second most points on the team.
- Listen – Mixlr. Watch – AHLTV.
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