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THOMAS: (2/26) PACK PUNISH PROVIDENCE 5-2

BY: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack snapped a nine-game point streak for the Providence Bruins in the head-to-head rivalry on Saturday night with a 5-2 victory at the XL Center in Hartford. Five different players lit the lamp for the Pack in the win, while captain Jonny Brodzinski added three assists. Nils Lundkvist scored his second AHL goal 11:44 into the second period, getting Hartford’s powerplay off the schneid. Lundkvist took a pass from Brodzinski and blasted a heavy shot from the point through traffic to break a 2-2 tie. The goal stood as the game-winner, giving Lundkvist his second game-winning goal of the season. For the fourth time in a row, the Wolf Pack found themselves trailing. Adam Húska came out to play a puck but mishandled it and turned it over to Joona Koppanen. Koppanen had a wide-open net and deposited his ninth goal of the season just 2:56 into the contest. The goal gave Providence the icebreaker for the eighth time in as many games in the season series. The Wolf Pack fought back and tied the tilt just under two minutes later. Brodzinski took the puck deep into the Bruins’ zone, then fired a backhand pass into the slot for Matt Lorito. Lorito quickly fired a one-time shot that beat Kyle Keyser for his second of the season at 4:33. The Pack took their first lead of the game 5:02 later as Austin Rueschhoff buried his 12th goal of the campaign. Lorito took a pass from Brodzinski and got a high-danger scoring chance but was denied by Keyser. Rueschhoff followed up the play and put the rebound home at 9:35. The seesaw first period continued just under seven minutes later at 16:32. Justin Brazeau checked in, scoring his seventh goal of the season. Jack Studnicka and Cameron Hughes picked up the helpers. The Wolf Pack took over the game in the final forty minutes, scoring the game’s final three goals. First, Lundkvist lit the lamp on the powerplay at 11:44 of the second period. Then, Patrick Khodorenko scored his fifth goal of the season 9:44 into the third and final stanza. Ty Ronning tapped the puck to Khodorenko at the side of the Bruin goal after taking a pass from Anthony Bitetto. Khodorenko took the feed, then danced in front of the net while going forehand-to-backhand before tucking the puck in beyond an outstretched Keyser. The powerplay goal, Hartford’s second of the night, was Khodorenko’s second against the Bruins this season. The scoring was punctuated with Ronning’s career-high eleventh goal just under two minutes later at 11:37. Anthony Greco drove to the net but was denied by Keyser. The rebound popped into the slot, where Ronning was waiting to pounce. The goal gives Ronning four points (2 g, 2 a) in third periods this weekend. The Pack concludes this key three-in-three weekend tomorrow with a trip to Providence, with puck drop set for 3:05 p.m. The Wolf Pack return home on Wednesday night when they host the Belleville Senators at the XL Center. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. and tickets are available at hartfordwolfpack.com. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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COLLINS: PACK CLOSE OUT WEEKEND WITH LOSS TO BRUINS

BY: Micah Collins, Hartford Wolf Pack Hartford, CT, March 1, 2020 – A power-play goal by Brendan Gaunce early in the third period was the difference Sunday, in a 3-2 win by the Providence Bruins over the Hartford Wolf Pack at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack concluded a weekend that had them playing three games in three days, going 1-2 during that time. “The guys worked really hard,” said Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch. “They could have phoned it in, with it being their third game in as many days, but they just don’t have any quit in them.” Providence got on the board first when Oskar Steen scored his seventh goal of the year shorthanded 8:19 into the game. Trent Frederic and Josiah Didier assisted on the goal. Shortly thereafter, Jack Studnicka would score to put the Bruins up 2-0 at 11:32. Cameron Hughes had the lone assist. “They got up 2-0 early, and we really knew we weren’t playing our best,” the Wolf Pack’s Tim Gettinger said.  “They really took it to us in the first, we weren’t moving our feet. We had some chances later in the game, though.” The second period seemed like it would be a stalemate, until Libor Hajek scored his first goal of the season with 11:56 left in the middle frame, firing a laser past Max Lagace (21 saves). “Hajek had a great play there, moving up the ice, and it was a really good shot,” said Gettinger.  That really helped to give us some energy and get back in it.” Vinni Lettieri had the lone assist. With 5:55 left in the second period, Gettinger scored his 16th goal of the year, and his third in the last two games, to make it 2-2. Patrick Newell and Vincent LoVerde assisted on the tally. Gettinger was quick to credit his teammates. “ made a great play to Patty, luckily I was able to put it in.” The goal would send the two teams into the second intermission tied. The winning goal came 2:40 into the third, 17 seconds after Steven Fogarty was whistled for tripping.  Studnicka moved the puck from the right-wing side, and Peter Cehlarik deflected it to Gaunce, who sent a low shot past Wolf Pack goaltender J-F Berube (23 saves). The Pack would pull Berube in the dying minutes to try to get the equalizer but to no avail. “They can’t all go our way,” said Knoblauch.  “We gave ourselves an opportunity to get it to overtime at least, but we couldn’t make it happen.” The loss dropped the Wolf Pack (31-16-6-5, 73 pts.) into third place in the Atlantic Division, one point behind the 34-18-3-3 (74 pts.) Bruins, who extended a winning streak to eight games. The Wolf Pack’s next action is back at the XL Center this Friday, March 6, a 7:15 tilt vs. the division-leading Hershey Bears.  All Friday-night Wolf Pack home games feature $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period, presented by Nomads Adventure Quest. Tickets for all 2019-20 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at [phone].  Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger start at just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $3 day-of-game increase. To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call [phone], or click here to request more info.  To visit the Wolf Pack online, go to hartfordwolfpack.com. Providence Bruins 3 at Hartford Wolf Pack 2 Sunday, March 1, 2020 - XL Center Providence 2 0 1 - 3 Hartford     0 2 0 - 2 1st Period-1, Providence, Steen 7 (Frederic, Didier), 8:19 (SH). 2, Providence, Studnicka 22 (Hughes), 11:32. Penalties-Gaunce Pro (hooking), 5:09; Senyshyn Pro (slashing), 7:22. 2nd Period-3, Hartford, Hajek 1 (Lettieri), 8:04. 4, Hartford, Gettinger 16 (Newell, LoVerde), 14:05. Penalties-Woods Pro (fighting), 6:18; Ebert Hfd (fighting), 6:18; LoVerde Hfd (hooking), 10:04; Lauko Pro (roughing), 17:52; Ebert Hfd (roughing), 17:52. 3rd Period-5, Providence, Gaunce 17 (Cehlarik, Studnicka), 2:40 (PP). Penalties-Fogarty Hfd (tripping), 2:23; Petrovic Pro (fighting), 3:48; Beleskey Hfd (fighting), 3:48. Shots on Goal-Providence 10-7-9-26. Hartford 3-7-13-23. Power Play Opportunities-Providence 1 / 2; Hartford 0 / 2. Goalies-Providence, Lagace 21-7-3 (23 shots-21 saves). Hartford, Berube 13-14-4 (26 shots-23 saves). A-5,100 Referees-Corey Syvret (42), Guillaume Labonte (35). Linesmen-Mike Baker (11), Derek Wahl (46). Read the full article

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CANTLON: PACK SHUT OUT P-BRUINS IN BATTLE FOR FIRST PLACE

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Igor Shesterkin made 31 saves. Matt Beleskey contributed a goal and an assist plus the Hartford Wolf Pack received timely goals came from Phil Di Giuseppe and Vitali Kravtsov en route to the team's third shutout of the season, a 3-0 win over the Providence Bruins. The Wolf Pack (17-7-2-5) are in first place in the Atlantic Division just .40 percentage points ahead of the Bruins, who have two more wins. The Wolf Pack also remain undefeated (13-0-1-2) when having a lead entering the third period. “For forty minutes we played the best we could defensively. We were OK in the third period. Providence is a good hockey team, and they put a big push on us. They didn’t score and put everything on the line. The story again is how Shesty (Shesterkin) played.” Pack head coach, Kris Knoblauch stated. Shesterkin was at the top of his game, especially in the final three minutes when he stopped point blank quality shots from Bruins' captain Paul Carey (Salisbury Prep), who Shesterkin stopped twice on the right wing side of the net. Shesterkin also blanked Cameron Hughes and Trent Frederic with his blocker and left pad respectively, allowing him to keep the "biscuit" out of the net. “After we got the second and third goals, we relaxed a bit. After some icings we were a bit tired. We got some fresh guys out there, but Shesty was the difference,” Knoblauch said. If there were any questions remaining in how Shesterkin would handle adversity, he answered them all in this contest. Not since Yann Danis patrolled the Wolf Pack net five years ago, have the Wolf Pack had a goalie of this quality and level of mental toughness. “He’s a top caliber AHL goalie, and he showed he can do lots of things out there, either stopping the puck or moving it up (ice).” The Wolf Pack scored twice in a 62-second span to pull away for the win. Steven Fogarty corralled a loose puck and slipped a pass to Vincent LoVerde at the left point, who then put a low, hard wrist shot on net that Kravtsov redirected for his first AHL goal at 16:13. Kravtsov was given the team's "Heavyweight belt" afterwards. It's a far cry from his first game of the season where he was benched. “He has played very well since he came back. He's playing some good players (Fogarty and Danny O'Regan) tonight they show some chemistry. It’s a difficult situation coming back a second time, but he has done everything we have asked of him. He’s worked hard in the gym and worked hard in practice, playing the systems, and that’s what we expect from all our guys," Knoblauch stated. 90 seconds later, Beleskey tallied an empty-net goal earning him his second point for the game at 17:21. “That’s was a good comeback game for us that we needed going into the break.” said Beleskey. The Wolf Pack used their second power play opportunity to score the game's first goal early in the second period. It was truly a 200 foot goal. Shesterkin fired the puck to Beleskey, just coming on after his line change. He was on the left wing at center ice and dished off a nice short pass to Phil Di Giuseppe, who was in full flight. Di Giuseppe danced between three P-Bruins and roofed a perfect shot over the left should of the Bruins' netminder, Max Lagace at 4:20. “I had a good first step and there was a pretty deep gap there and I was able to take it right to the net,” said Di Giuseppe on his ninth goal of the season. Having a "third defenseman" like Shesterkin makes a major difference. “He’s gonna score a goal this year sometime and catch me in assists soon too,” Beleskey said with a laugh. Shesterkin was in fine form between the pipes, sharp using all the goalie equipment he had to make nine saves. Oskar Steen was stopped with his right shoulder. Cooper Zech was denied with a left pad then Jeremy Lauzon saw his attempt from the left point gloved. A late Loverde turnover in the final 20 seconds, but some good team defense didn’t allow Jack Studnicka to get off a quality shot on goal. Mason Geersten, was like a big house on the blueline, had a strong game. He made a jarring hit on the Bruins' Trent Frederic, fresh off a scoring play and generally doing a job at clearing pucks calmly and efficiently and physically keeping Providence at bay. “He makes it difficult for people to compete in our zone with that high level of physicality. He has done very good at the little things. Our defense as a whole represents the team well. All six guys. Geersten plays a tough, physical game, and yet doesn’t take penalties. That's a hard thing to do. He has done a very good job in that role,” Knoblauch said of the veteran defenseman who had a team high three shots on net. The chances in the first period were few and far between with just six shots between the two teams in the first ten minutes. The pace picked up in the second half of the period. On their second power play, Beleskey was on the doorstep for the Pack but was stopped by Lagace after Di Giuseppe and Nick Ebert went wide on both of their shots. The next shift Ryan Gropp had a quality chance denied. Shesterkin faced just seven shots in the first period, which was among his strongest, especially on a three-on-two shorthanded break by Providence. Josiah Didier had a chance from the right wing face-off dot that Shesterkin handled by kicking out the left pad. Then in the last minute of the period he dropped Zach Senyshyn twice, once on the right wing coming out to challenge him, and then right in front seconds later. LINES: Nieves - Newell - DiGiuseppe O’Regan - Kravtsov - Fogarty Jones - Lettieri - Gettinger Zerter - Gossage - Beleskey - Gropp Raddysh - LoVerde Keane - Geersten Rykov - Ebert SCRATCHES: Jeff Taylor (healthy) Lias Andersson (suspended) Gabriel Fontaine (season-ending shoulder surgery) Read the full article

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CRAWFORD: SOMETHING'S BRUIN WITH THE WOLF PACK

Hartford Wolf Pack 4, Providence Bruins 1 BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack  Providence, RI, December 8, 2019 – Vinni Lettieri scored twice for the Hartford Wolf Pack, and Patrick Newell had a goal and an assist, Sunday at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence, as the Wolf Pack completed a sweep of a three-game weekend with a 4-1 win over the Providence Bruins. Phil DiGiuseppe had the other Wolf Pack goal, and Igor Shesterkin stopped 32 out of 33 Providence shots.  With the victory, the Wolf Pack improved to 14-4-2-5 for 35 points and moved into a first-place tie with the Bruins in the Atlantic Division.  Providence had won six straight games was 7-0-1-0 in its previous eight. “Shesterkin was outstanding, made some really key saves,” Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch said.  “I think that was the biggest part of our game.  But again, we got contributions from our top guys, Lettieri two goals, DiGiuseppe.  It looks like right now our top two lines are rotating who’s going to do the majority of the scoring, but I thought it was a good team effort.” The only scoring in the first period was a goal on the first shot of the game by Newell, 1:02 in. Boo Nieves carried into the Providence zone to the right side and then fed to Tim Gettinger in the middle.  He handed to Newell on left-wing, and his quick shot went high into the net behind Bruin goaltender Max Lagace (18 saves). The Wolf Pack scored an early goal in the second as well, with Lettieri tallying his eighth of the season on a power play at 1:08, just seven seconds after Cameron Hughes was called for tripping. Lettieri and Joey Keane exchanged the puck, with Keane setting Lettieri up for a one-timer from the left circle. DiGiuseppe made it a 3-0 lead at 10:18, just 18 seconds after a Hartford man advantage expired.  Newell moved into the Providence zone on left-wing and handed across the middle to DiGiuseppe, who made a nifty move to the backhand to put the puck past Lagace. The multiple-point effort was the rookie Newell’s first in the pro ranks, and, according to Knoblauch, Newell is finding more than just his offensive touch. “Newell’s finding pretty much everything,” the Wolf Pack bench boss said.  “His offensive game, his defensive game, he’s skating, he’s complimenting guys.  Very happy with him.” The Bruin power play cut the lead back to two, though, with 4:17 remaining in the second.  With Vincent LoVerde off for tripping, Ryan Fitzgerald played the puck into the slot from the right circle, and Hughes redirected it into the net past Shesterkin. The Wolf Pack netminder would yield nothing else, however, and Lettieri ended any Bruin comeback hopes with his second of the game at 14:32 of the third period. Providence defenseman Cooper Zech moved out from behind his own net and tried the pass the puck from in front, only to have Lettieri grab it away.  He then had Lagace to himself and slipped the puck into the net, moving into a tie with Steven Fogarty for the Wolf Pack team goals lead with his ninth of the year. The Wolf Pack’s next action is on home ice this Wednesday night, December 11, a 7:00 PM battle with the Binghamton Devils.  That is another chance to take advantage of the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Hat Trick Pack”.  The Hat Trick Pack includes two tickets, two sodas, and one large popcorn, all for just $40. Tickets for all 2019-20 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at [phone].  Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger start at just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $3 day-of-game increase. To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call [phone], or click here to request more info.  To visit the Wolf Pack online, go to hartfordwolfpack.com. Hartford Wolf Pack 4 at Providence Bruins 1 Sunday, December 8, 2019 - Dunkin' Donuts Center Hartford     1 2 1 - 4 Providence 0 1 0 - 1 1st Period-1, Hartford, Newell 3 (Gettinger, Nieves), 1:02. Penalties-Gaunce Pro (holding), 14:30. 2nd Period-2, Hartford, Lettieri 8 (Keane, O'Regan), 1:08 (PP). 3, Hartford, Di Giuseppe 6 (Newell, Shesterkin), 10:19. 4, Providence, Hughes 3 (Fitzgerald, Zech), 15:43 (PP). Penalties-Hughes Pro (tripping), 1:01; Fogarty Hfd (slashing), 2:57; Lauzon Pro (tripping), 8:00; Gettinger Hfd (cross-checking), 10:50; LoVerde Hfd (tripping), 15:10. 3rd Period-5, Hartford, Lettieri 9   14:32. Penalties-Lettieri Hfd (interference), 8:24; Shesterkin Hfd (roughing), 10:59; Frederic Pro (slashing, roughing), 10:59; Steen Pro (elbowing), 17:29. Shots on Goal-Hartford 8-7-7-22. Providence 14-10-9-33. Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 1 / 5; Providence 1 / 4. Goalies-Hartford, Shesterkin 9-3-3 (33 shots-32 saves). Providence, Lagace 11-3-2 (22 shots-18 saves). A-5,472 Referees-Reid Anderson (49), Brandon Schrader (46). Linesmen-Dmitrii Antipin (77), Kenneth Gates (91). Read the full article