Wolf Pack Watch: Boys Never Say Die

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The Wolf Pack completed the 3 game mini series with the Providence Bruins on Saturday night in Hartford. The Pack finished 2-0-0-1, collecting 3 of the 4 points possible in the Atlantic Division rivalry. Hartford will have 3 games this week, featuring North Division action and kicking off a 5 game road trip.

Comebacks

Rounds 2 and 3 against the Bruins was a tale of two stories for Hartford. On Friday night in Providence, the Pack showed fight until the end. Despite getting down two goals late in the third, the Pack found themselves a way to tie the game, with goals a minute apart in the last 2 minutes of the game. First at 18:34, then at 19:34 to even up the score. The group played a flat game earlier and seemed to not get anything going. Tim Gettinger scored the lone goal in the skills competition. Hartford is now 0-5 in the shootouts.

Saturday featured a early 2-0 deficit from an awful start. The Pack woke up offensively, scoring 5 unanswered goals to win the game 5-2. The difference was that Adam Huska had a busy night in net, stopping 34 of 36 shots for the win. He faced 17 shots alone in the 2nd as Hartford was playing mainly defense in the middle frame. If it wasn’t for Huska or the offense, the Pack could have lost the game in regulation.

After both games, the Pack showed they can be comfortable playing from behind. Both games could have turned south, which in the past, were easily losses to the Wolf Pack. The difference in the roster and coaching staff continues to show a solid off-season by the Rangers organization.

Standings Update

Entering the week, Hartford is 11-1-0-5 for 27 points. That ranks the club 1st in the entire league. Milwaukee is in 2nd for 25 points.

Looking through the lense of the Atlantic Division, Hartford is 5 points ahead of 2nd place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and 3rd place Springfield Thunderbirds. The Pack maintain a cushion in the division, which is great to see as they progress in the year.

Analyzing Hartford’s Defense

Check out Greg Markiewicz’s article on the Wolf Pack’s defense here!

Roster moves

Announced on Sunday, the Rangers have called up forward Tim Gettinger while assigning Lias Andersson to Hartford.

Gettinger was a depth forward for the club and was slotted on the 3rd or 4th lines in Hartford. Despite a slow start to the season, the prospect has gradually improved as he has points in the last 3 of the 4 games.

Lias Andersson will be a great addition to the Pack. Once he gets going, I expect the prospect to make noise and bolster the offense. Hartford definitely needs the boost!

One Timers

  • Vinni Lettieri has points in the last 4 of 6 games. The forward has 3 goals and 1 assist for 4 points.
  • Danny O’regan had a 3 point weekend in the 2 games against Providence. The forward recorded 2 goals and 1 assist.
  • Joey Keane continues to produce. He has points in the last 6 of 7 games (2 goals, 4 assists for 6 points). Keane is 4th in the league among rookies for points.
  • Veteran Phil Di Giuseppe had a 3 point weekend, registering 2 goals and 1 assist.
  • Darren Raddysh has points in the last 4 of 5 games. He has 2 goals and 3 assists.
  • Nick Jones had 2 assists in Friday’s game.
  • Through 7 games, Adam Huska is 4-0-3-0 with a 2.07 goals against average and a .923 save percentage.
  • Through 10 games, Igor Shesterkin is 7-1-2-1 with a 1.77 goals against average and a .936 save percentage. Shesterkin has the lowest GAA in the league and ranks 6th in the highest save percentage.

Upcoming Games

Hartford will have one more game at home before going on a 5 game road trip.

Wednesday, November 20th vs Syracuse Crunch (Tampa) at 11am, XL Center

  • This is the 1st of 2 meetings in the season series against Syracuse. Hartford was 0-2 against the Crunch last season.
  • Syracuse is 5th in the North Division, going 8-6-2 for 18 points. The Crunch are 2-3 in their last 5 outings.
  • Defenseman Cameron Guance leads the Crunch in points. He has 1 goal, 13 assists for 14 points in 15 games. Alex Barre-Boulet leads the group in scoring with 8 goals. The forward also has 5 assists for 13 points in 16 games.
  • Hartford is 8-0-0-2 at home. Syracuse is 3-4-1 on the road.
  • Listen – Mixr. Watch – AHLTV.

Friday, November 22nd vs Rochester Americans (Buffalo) at 7:05pm, Blue Cross Arena

  • This is the 2nd and last meeting in the season series. Hartford lost the 1st game on October 13th in the shootout.
  • Entering the week, Rochester is 2nd in the North Division. The group is 10-3-1-2 for 23 points. The Americans are on a 5-0-0-1 streak.
  • Jean-Sebastien Dea and Tage Thompson are tied for the team lead in points (12). Dea has 7 goals and 5 assists while Thompson has 6 goals and 6 assists.
  • Hartford is 3-1-0-3 on the road. Rochester is 5-1-0-2 at home.
  • Listen – ESPN Rochester. Watch – AHLTV.
    • NOTE: Hartford does not broadcast away games unless noted otherwise.

Saturday, November 23rd vs Syracuse Crunch (Tampa) at 7pm, The Oncenter War Memorial

  • The final meeting in the season series against Syracuse.
  • Hartford is 3-1 in the last 5 seasons in Syracuse.
  • Listen – ESPN Syracuse. Watch – AHLTV.
    • NOTE: Hartford does not broadcast away games unless noted otherwise.
By Ricky Milliner

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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