#LiborHájek

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK DROP SHOOTOUT TO SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Despite Louie Domingue's repeating his season-high 42 saves, the Hartford Wolf Pack lost 1-0 to the Springfield Thunderbirds on Quinnipiac grad Matt Peca's glove-high game-winner. Dylan Garand posted a scoreless 65 minutes against Hershey, making the Pack 2-7 in shutouts this season. The lone Pack shootout goal was by a defenseman, newcomer Adam Clendening wearing jersey #5. In overtime, the Pack displayed a strong PK after Matt Robertson was penalized on a Will Bitten clean breakaway. The Pack had three blocks, and broke-up two plays, and Domingue, was solid on the delayed penalty situation on Robertson, while making a beautiful right pad save on Hugh McGing. He had three strong late OT saves on a stick save on Adam Gaudette, Matt Kessel, and Martin Frk to keep it scoreless. The Pack got a solid bid to win early in OT by Will Cullye. In the third period, Domingue was strong, made early saves on Gaudette, leading scorer Matt Highmore, who was just sent down by the St. Louis Blues, and Mathias Laferriere. McGing and Kessel tested Domingue. Steve Santini had a quality shot with Mikhail Abramov in front waiting for the rebound. Zac Jones followed with a good stick stop on Santini on his next shift. The Pack’s Bobby Trivigno, Ryan Carpenter, and then Libor Hájek tested Springfield goalie Joel Hofer in the last five minute overtime. In the final minute, with 45.7 seconds left, Hofer stopped Abramov. Cullye had a good chance as time expired in regulation. The second period saw Springfield mount some sustained offensive zone pressure. First, Carpenter had two shots five seconds apart in the first three minutes. He was left muttering to himself and six minutes in Cullye tested Hofer. Springfield Frk, Mitchell Hoelscher, and Peca were in on Domingue. Matt Rempe was in front and was pushed away by Griffin Luce (Salisbury School). Dmitri Samurukov had a quality shot at Domingue. Karl Henriksson, made a smart defensive covering the left point as Carpenter had two shorts five seconds apart in the first three minutes, left muttering to himself. Karl Henriksson made a quality defensive play at the left point, preventing any Springfield breakout and keeping the puck in as Hájek pinched in. The first period felt like a training camp period with the Wolf Pack, as they have had seven players traded over the last 72-hours all finding new addresses. Finding chemistry was going to be tough. Not changing was captain Jonny Brodzinski. At 3:40, the Pack had the first quality shot on goal in a scoreless first period. Matt Robertson from the left point. Hofer stopped Rempe on the Springfield doorstep. At 10:03 the Pack tested Hofer with their tenth shot on goal. Both teams had a powerplay chance, and neither registered a shot on goal. Domingue made a save at 12:57 and at 14:23. Newcomer Jake Leschyshyn had a chance with 1:50 to go in the period. Riding a four-game winning streak, and enduring having their lineup changed during the week. the Wolf Pack were ready for an all-important three-games-in-three-days weekend. The first two games are on the road. On Friday, they head twenty minutes up the road back to Springfield and then an hour South to Bridgeport to meet the Islanders on Saturday. Then, they have a Sunday mid-afternoon clash with the Charlotte Checkers at 3 pm at the XL Center. LINES: Cullye-Brodzinski-Pajuniemi Gettinger-Elson-Carpenter Trivigno- Fritz-Jake Leschyshyn DiGiacinto-Henriksson- Rempe Jones-Hájek Emberson-Robertson Scanlin-Adam Clendening Garand SCRATCHES: Joe Lockwood (healthy) Cooper Zech (healthy) Wyatt Kalynuk (unavailable in transit) Anton Blidh (unavailable in transit) Ben Tardif (healthy) Patrick Khordorenko (season-ending shoulder surgery) C.J. Smith (hip area surgery done for the season) NOTES: Bridgeport's top goal scorers Simon Holmstrom and Otto Koivula were recalled by the big Islanders. They returned Arnaud Durandeau, a notorious Pack killer for the past three years. Winger Collin Adams was recalled from Worcester (ECHL). Calgary Wranglers (AHL) recalled ex-Pack defenseman Tyson Helgesen and ex-Sound Tiger Calder Brooks from Rapid City (ECHL). Goalie Jon Gillies (Salisbury School) goes from Tucson to Cleveland. Hamden’s Jonathan Quick was traded twice this week, first from LA to Columbus, and then Blue Jackets moved him the next day to the Vegas Goldne Knights. Quick (AOF), who won two Stanley Cups with Los Angeles has struggled this year. He was pulled in New York despite two of the three goals not being his fault, and his visible annoyance was shown by the 37-year-old exiting on TV. He flew back with the team at the end of a road trip to LA and then was told he was traded to Columbus. Nick Bonino (Farmington/AOF) was traded from the San Jose Sharks to Pittsburgh. Vladislav Namestnikov, the son of ex-Pack Evegeni “John” Namesnikov, now a Maple Leaf scout was traded from San Jose to Winnipeg. Ex-Pack Sammy Blais who was just traded to St. Louis. He signed a contract extension. Ex-Pack goalie J.F. Berube was recalled then sent back to Charlotte by Florida. Adam Erne, (North Branford) was called up from Grand Rapids by Detroit. Pete DiLiberatore (QU) was recently sent to Savannah (ECHL) by Henderson and was dealt by Vegas to Wilkes Barre/Scranton. Fellow former Bobcat Chase Priskie goes from Rochester to San Diego. Kevin O’Neil (UCONN/Yale) was cut loose by Colorado Eagles (AHL) released from his PTO, and heads back to South Carolina (ECHL). The team also had ex-Pack goalie Keith Kinkaid, who just traded and recalled by the Avalanche. Luke Evangelista was recalled from Milwaukee by parent Nashville. Ex-CT Whale Mike Pelech of the Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL) is officially now the second all-time leader in assists in ECHL history, recording three on the road in Savannah, GA, Thursday night. Former UCONN forward Jordan Timmons was dealt from the Reading Royals (ECHL) to the Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL). HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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HERSHEY BEARS COME FROM BEHIND IN GAME ONE OT WIN OVER HARTFORD WOLF PACK

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HERSHEY, PA - The Hartford Wolf Pack built a 2-0 lead through two periods in Game 1 of the Atlantic Division best-of-five finals, but the Hershey Bears scored twice in the third period before Henrik Borgstrom scored at 4:41 of overtime to 3-2. The game-winner came on the third odd-man rush of overtime. Pack defenseman Wyatt Kalynuk collided with the linesman at center ice, creating a two-on-one that Dylan Garand stopped. Then there was a four-on-two after Joe Snively, a Yale alum, was stopped, with the upper part of the net staring at Garrett Pilon. On the final two-on-one came, Borgstrom scored to allow the Bears to come away with the win. GAME WINNER Pilon sent a stretch pass to Borgstrom, who came in with Snively. They attacked the Pack's number one defensive pair of Zac Jones - Ty Emberson, who had just come on the ice for their shift. Borgstrom didn’t play in the first Bears series against the Charlotte Checkers in the lineup because Mike Sgarbossa couldn’t go for Hershey. Rumors have Borgstrom heading back to Sweden next year, and he made the most of his time in this opportunity. Borgstrom went from the right wing to center and fired his shot past Garand. The goal sent the crowd of 7,274 into a frenzy. Game Two between the two teams is Saturday night at 7 PM in Hershey. Early in the third period, Hershey cut the Wolf Pack lead to one. Sam Anas was at the right point on their fourth power play of the contest. He shuffled the puck over to the left point. Logan Day one-timed a rising rocket of a shot going off the crossbar and into the net. It was his first goal as a Bear and his first goal of the season. It came at 2:52. It was former QU Bobcat Anas team-leading fifth assist and seventh point of the playoffs. PLAY INTENSIFIES After Tim Gettinger was stopped early on the Pack’s power play bid, Pilon crunched Lauri Pajuniemi as Gettinger made a drop pass that inadvertently left him vulnerable. Pilon nailed Will Lockwood, who took a retaliation penalty that led to the power play goal by Day. Lockwood would find his moment to return the hit later in the game when he drove Pilon into the curved portion of the glass on a clean, hard hit at 4:51, but the Bears had already done their damage. GAME TYING GOAL The Bears pressed the Pack and came up with a game-tying goal late in the third period. Day was at the right point, settled the puck down, and sent it over to Jake Massie. He waited for the screen to materialize in front of Garand. Just as he unleashed his shot, Connor McMichael was cruising in front of Garand and got a piece of it before Jones could get to him. Emberson was keeping an eye on Joe Snively. This happened before goaltender Hunter Shepard could even get to the bench for the extra attacker at 17:51. SECOND PERIOD Anton Blidh took a hard hit along the boards and skated back to the bench, bent over and in what appeared to be some manner of discomfort. Paramedics immediately came to the bench to deal with whatever was ailing Blidh. Referees and the coaches decided to send the teams to their respective locker rooms while a determination was made about Blidh's condition. The final 2:39 of the period would be played prior to the second period after a one-minute intermission and the switching of sides.  The actions of the paramedics in treating Blidh were considered "precautionary." Fortunately for Blidh and the Wolf Pack, he was able to return to play for the second period and played to the finish. The official word from the Wolf Pack was that Blidh developed an upper-body non-life-threatening injury. According to other non-team attendees at the site of the game, Blidh had the wind knocked out of him, The Wolf Pack scored early on their second power play of the game. Tanner Fritz, at the right point, fed it over to captain Jonny Brodzinski, who tallied with his first of the post-season. The whole play started after Shepard made the original stop, but in scrambling around the net, was unable to get into position before Brodzinski’s shot. The Wolf Pack had two power play goals in the six regular season games between the two rosters. They now had two in Game 1. It's the first meeting between the two teams since February. In the second period, the Wolf Pack got far more shots (16) and offensive riding time than they did in the first, when they only mustered three shots for the entire first twenty minutes. At 11:43, Garand made an impressive glove save, but the goal judge turned the red light on. The refs took the puck from Garand's glove and chatted among themselves, confirming there was no goal. The Pack's penalty killers were a perfect three for three in the first two periods. FIRST PERIOD In the first period, the Pack was under constant attack and pressure from the Bears, both with rubber being fired at Garand and physically. Still, despite that, they were able to leave the bench for intermission with the period's only goal. The Pack had to handle the first three shots and had a seemingly early PK they would have to kill after Snively lost an edge and ducked a Pajuniemi hit attempt.  At first, referees Beau Halkidis and Jack Young signaled a call. It was clear that Pajuniemi was hot, and he vehemently protested. The refs huddled mid-ice, and they decided that there was no penalty on the play, and the call was reversed. Good thing Pajuniemi was not ejected, as he would play the primary role in the Pack taking the 1-0 lead. Gettinger sent a pass up the left wing to Jones, who broke into the clear and fired a shot at Shepard. He gave up a rebound, and Pajuniemi was there to scoop it up and bury his fourth goal of the postseason. Garand was the difference for the Pack in the first period, as they were outshot 17-3. The Pack didn’t get their first shot till 4:05. LINES: Brodzinski-Carpenter-Cullye Fritz-Pajuniemi-Blidh Leschyshyn-Gettinger-Lockwood Elson-Henriksson-Trivigno Jones-Emberson Hillman-Scanlin Hájek-Kalynuk Garand Domingue SCRATCHES: Adam Clendening (suspended the first two games of the series) Talyn Boyko #40 Matt Rempe (healthy) Adam Edström  (healthy) Louie Roehl #4 (healthy) Brett Berard #27 (healthy) Matt Robertson (upper body, may return in the latter half of this  round of the playoffs) Patrick Khordorenko (season-ending shoulder surgery). C.J. Smith (hip area surgery done for the season) NOTES: The Wolf Pack have just one player with an overtime game-winner in their lineup. Ryan Carpenter, with the San Jose Barracuda. The last OT goal in franchise history was on May 13, 2015, by Chris Mueller in a shorthanded goal against Hershey. Hershey won four of the six meetings this year. The last contest was on February 11th, resulting in a 2-1 Hershey win as Shepard made 33 saves. In one of the worst-kept secrets, a week after his season ended ex-Pack Gustav Rydahl is heading back to Sweden and the SHL signing with Frölunda HC. Rydahl started the talks in Hartford but was loyal and finished out the year out West playing 12 games with the Eagles. Now 16 AHL players have signed for Europe for next year. He had a strong training camp, with many feeling he should have been in New York. He played effectively on a Wolf Pack team that struggled most of the year until recently. Being scratched twice in the last 10 days before his trade didn’t help. MORE NOTES: Ex-Pack in Winnipeg Neal Pionk, youngest brother Aaron commits to Minnesota-Duluth (NCHC) from Waterloo (USHL). News on a trio of ex-Sound Tigers, Travis St. Denis (Quinnipiac University) switches teams in Germany going from EHC Straubing (Germany-DEL) and signs with ERC Ingolstadt for next year. Jesse Graham changes teams in the Russian-based KHL from Barys Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan) to HK Sochi (Russia). Johan Sundstrom heads from Frölunda HC (Sweden-SHL) to Sport Vassa (Finland-FEL). Former Quinnipiac University goalie Dylan St. Cyr, post-graduation, played one game with Grand Rapids after his transfer year at Michigan St. (Big 10). He is heading to France to continue his career. St. Cyr will play for HC Anglet of the French Elite Magnus League. He has a brother Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen who is playing with the US National Development Team-NDTP (USHL).  His cousin Nick Rhéaume plays at UMASS-Lowell (HE). His uncle is ex-Pack and Ranger Pascal Rhéaume, who is an assistant coach with the Trois-Rivières Lions (ECHL), the Canadiens Double AA team to Laval. COLLEGE A few college assistant coaching moves. In the process of a complete coaching change, Dana Borges leaves the Colgate Red Raiders (ECACHL) for the Arizona St. Sun Devils (NCAA Independent) leaves for the assistant coach/player development position. Tayler Nelson, UMass-Lowell Assistant Coach, is the new assistant with the brand new D1 program at  Augustana University (SD) Vikings (NCAA Independent). At Canisius College (AHA), he had four years there and two years at UMASS-Lowell (HE). American International College-AIC (Springfield, MA) has announced the promotion of assistant coach Matthew Woodard to the position of associate head coach. At one time, he was Yale's women’s hockey coach. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP The IIHF World Hockey Championship begins on Friday. The Team USA captain is Nick Bonino (Unionville via Farmington/AOF), Jack McBain, son of ex-New Haven Senator Andrew, Springfield Thunderbird Scott Perunovich, and ex-Springfield Falcon, two-time AHL MVP former Springfield Falcon T.J. Tynan. The assistant coach is an ex-New Haven Nighthawk, Scott Gordon. He's from the Columbus Blue Jackets and will feature GM Chris Clark (South Windsor). Team Canada ex-Pack Sammy Blais and Springfield Thunderbirds Jake Neighbours and goalie Joel Hofer. The GM is ex-Springfield Falcon Shane Doan. Czechia (Czech Republic) has Ranger and ex-Pack, Filip Chytil and ex-Pack Tomas Kundratek. Denmark-Ex-Pack Nicklas Jensen Finland-Ranger Kappo Kakko and ex-Springfield Thunderbird Juho Lammikko Germany-Former P-Bruin Kai Wissman Latvia-Ex-Thunderbird Rodrigo (father, Artis, will be the assistant coach), Karlis Cuskte (Quinnipiac University-ECACHL), and ex-Sound Tiger Kristers Gudlevskis. The head coach will be ex-New Haven Senator Harijs Vitolins. Sweden-Ex-Pack Oscar Lindberg and son of Ranger/Whaler Mikael Nylander, his son Alexander. Former Springfield Falcon, Assistant GM Josef Boumedinne Slovakia-Ex-Sound Tiger Richard Pánik. Switzerland-Playing in his record-setting 13th World Hockey tourney is ex-Pack Andres Ambühl and ex-Sound Tiger Nino Neiderreiter. Sad news, former UMass-Lowell and Quinnipiac goaltender and 2005 Hockey East rookie of the year Peter Vetri passed away unexpectedly on May 4, 2023. Vetri was age 37. Vetri was awarded a full athletic scholarship to play hockey at UMass-Lowell (HE). He transferred to Quinnipiac University (ECACHL) for his junior season in 2007-08 and played just nine games for the Bobcats. He left during his senior year to pursue professional hockey in the SPHL and ECHL. Vetri played for the SPHL’s Twin City Cyclones, ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers, and one full season with the FPHL’s Danbury Whalers and a total of 41 games for them over four years. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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GAME 3, HARTFORD WOLF PACK LOSE TO PROVIDENCE BRUINS

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – After taking the first two games of the Atlantic Division Semifinals on the road, the Hartford Wolf Pack returned to the XL Center on Wednesday night, eyeing a sweep of the Providence Bruins. The Pack challenged Providence late, but the Bruins stifled the comeback attempt, forcing Game Four with a 6-3 decision. Jack Achan potted his first career playoff goal about six minutes into the final stanza. Achan intercepted a pass in the neutral zone, sped towards the Hartford net on a breakaway opportunity, and ripped a wrist shot under the glove of Dylan Garand and into the Hartford net. The goal made the score 4-2 at the time and stood as the eventual game-winning tally. Providence broke the ice just under the 16-minute mark of the first period. With Libor Hájek in the penalty box for tripping, a scrum for a loose puck ensued in front of the Hartford net. Garand denied Connor Carrick's initial attempt, but Justin Brazeau collected the rebound and slid the puck through the five-hole, giving Providence a lead they would not give up. The goal was Brazeau's first career Calder Cup Playoff goal. Oskar Steen stretched the lead to two just before the final buzzer of the opening stanza. John Beecher won a battle along the wall and found Fabian Lysell in the right-wing circle. Lysell fed the puck to Josiah Didier at the blue line, and the Providence captain stepped into a shot that was redirected into the net by Steen. The shot beat the buzzer by .2 seconds and put the Bruins up by two, heading into the second period. Providence gained their biggest lead of the night just over 14 minutes into the second period. Zac Jones was sent to the box for tripping, setting up the second Bruins powerplay of the night. In the waning seconds of the man advantage, Luke Toporowski managed to sneak behind the Wolf Pack defense and flip a shot that beat Garand on the short side, giving the Bruins a three-goal lead. Jones finally put the Wolf Pack on the board at 19:35 of the middle stanza. Penalties to Steen, Joona Koppanen, and Adam Clendening initiated a four-on-three powerplay for Hartford. Jake Leschyshyn won a faceoff in the Providence zone, and Jones corralled the puck. Jones blasted a one-timer that Brandon Bussi never saw, cutting the lead to two heading into the final stanza. Hartford stayed hot to begin the third period. With Clendening still in the box serving a five-minute major for interference, Hájek rimmed the puck around the boards to clear it. Anton Blidh won a footrace for the puck and blasted a shot that Bussi denied with the blocker. Tim Gettinger tipped the puck toward the goal, and Blidh attempted to jam it home but was again denied. Finally, the rebound bounced to Gettinger, who stepped into a blast that beat the Providence netminder to bring the Wolf Pack within one. The goal was Gettinger's second career playoff marker. Achan converted on the breakaway at 5:58, putting the game out of reach for good. The Wolf Pack drew back within one at 13:34, as Lauri Pajuniemi tipped a pass from Tanner Fritz over Bussi for his team-leading third goal of the playoffs. Pajuniemi was again set up with a glorious opportunity, but Bussi flashed the leather to keep the Bruins ahead by a goal late in regulation time. The Bruins would then get a pair of empty net goals from Brazeau and Vinni Lettieri to cement the victory. Game Four of the Atlantic Division Semifinals between the Wolf Pack and the Bruins is now set for this Friday, May 5th, at the XL Center. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. To get tickets, visit HERE. ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since the team's inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and plays at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack has been home to some of the Rangers' newest faces, including Igor Shesterkin, Filip Chytil, and Ryan Lindgren. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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NEW YORK RANGERS RETURN 4 TO HARTFORD WOLF PACK

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the club has assigned forwards Jonny Brodzinski and Jake Leschyshyn, defenseman Libor Hájek, and goaltender Louis Domingue to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. Brodzinski, 29, led the Wolf Pack in scoring with 48 points (21 g, 27 a) in 47 games this season. The native of Ham Lake, Minnesota, was named the AHL’s ‘Player of the Month’ for the month of March after scoring 20 points (11 g, 9 a) in just eleven games. Brodzinski also suited up in 17 games with the Rangers during the 2022-23 season, scoring two points (1 g, 1 a). Over the course of three seasons, Brodzinski has appeared in 96 games with the Wolf Pack, scoring 45 goals and 59 assists for 104 points. He has scored ten points (5 g, 5 a) in 13 career Calder Cup Playoff games, all with the Ontario Reign. He has also been the Wolf Pack’s captain for the last two seasons. Leschyshyn, 24, scored 15 points (5 g, 10 a) in 18 games with the Wolf Pack this season after being assigned to the club on February 26th. He also appeared in 13 games with the Rangers and 22 games with the Vegas Golden Knights during the 2022-23 campaign. The native of Raleigh, North Carolina, was claimed off waivers by the Rangers from the Golden Knights on January 11th. He has appeared in 155 career AHL games, scoring 61 points (29 g, 32 a), and 76 NHL games, scoring six points (2 g, 4 a). He has also suited up in nine career Calder Cup Playoff games with the Chicago Wolves and Henderson Silver Knights. Hájek, 25, dressed in 24 games with the Wolf Pack during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring six points (2 g, 4 a). Both of his goals were game-winning, including his tally in Hartford’s 5-3 victory at the Providence Bruins on April 8th that clinched the club's first playoff berth since 2015. He also skated in 16 games with the Rangers this season, scoring one goal. Domingue, 31, appeared in 44 games with the Wolf Pack, posting a record of 22-12-8 with a .911 save percentage and 2.51 goals against average. He also registered four shutouts during the regular season. The native of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, won nine straight starts from March 15th through April 14th, helping lead the Wolf Pack to the playoffs. The Wolf Pack return to the XL Center for Game Three of their Atlantic Division Semifinals series on Wednesday, May 3rd. The Wolf Pack lead the Providence Bruins 2-0 in the series and can advance with a victory. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. Please visit HERE. ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since the team’s inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and plays at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack has been home to some of the Rangers' newest faces, including Igor Shesterkin, Filip Chytil, and Ryan Lindgren. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK AND PROVIDENCE BRUINS TANGLE IN ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS - PREVIEW

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – For the sixth time in franchise history, the Hartford Wolf Pack are set for a playoff series against Providence Bruins. The sides kick off the series tonight with the first of a back-to-back set at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m., and coverage is available on both AHLTV and Mixlr. Tale of The Tape: The Wolf Pack and Bruins met ten times during the regular season, with Hartford winning the season series 6-4. Hartford collected points in seven of the ten meetings, posting a record of 6-3-1-0. Despite losing the season series, the Bruins did manage to grab points in seven games as well, going 4-3-3-0. The Wolf Pack took the last meeting between the foes on April 8th, scoring a 5-3 decision in Providence that clinched the club a Calder Cup Playoff berth. Turner Elson opened the scoring 2:42 into the game, converting a backdoor feed from Zac Jones for his 14th goal of the season. The Bruins answered back at 6:31, however, as Josiah Didier fired a shot from the point that beat Dylan Garand. Luke Toporowski gave the Bruins their first and only lead of the game at 10:54, rifling home his 14th goal of the season. Elson pounced on a rebound at 16:46, burying his second goal of the night to send the game to the intermission tied 2-2. Hartford regained the lead for good at 6:03 of the middle stanza, as Ryan Carpenter found a rebound and beat Kyle Keyser for his 21st goal of the season. Libor Hájek tacked on the insurance marker at 2:21 of the third, stepping into a blast from the left-wing circle. Didier scored his second goal of the night at 8:33 of the third to make things interesting, but Tanner Fritz hit an empty net to solidify the victory. The Wolf Pack have won three straight in the season series. They took a 3-2 overtime decision at the XL Center on February 18th and a 5-0 decision on home ice on March 31st prior to their 5-3 win on the road on April 8th. This is the sixth playoff series between the Wolf Pack and the Bruins and the first since 2015. The Bruins knocked the Wolf Pack out of the Calder Cup Playoffs in 1999, 2001, and 2007, while Hartford returned the favor in 2000 and 2015. The Wolf Pack won the 2015 Atlantic Division Quarterfinals series 3-2 over the Bruins. Wolf Pack Outlook: The Wolf Pack swept the defending Eastern Conference Champion Springfield Thunderbirds 2-0 in their Atlantic Division First Round series. Hartford completed the sweep with a 7-1 drubbing of their rivals in Game Two at the XL Center on Friday, April 21st. The win gave the Wolf Pack their first playoff series victory since 2015 when they advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. Seven different Wolf Pack scored in the Game Two victory, with Wyatt Kalynuk being credited with the game-winning goal. Kalynuk’s goal was his first as a member of the Wolf Pack. Fritz (1 g, 2 a) and Anton Blidh (1 g, 2 a) both recorded three points in the victory, while Zac Jones and Turner Elson each recorded a pair of assists. Garand made 19 saves for his second career Calder Cup Playoff victory. Fritz leads the Wolf Pack in playoff scoring with six points (1 g, 5 a) through two games. That ties him with Coachella Valley’s Kole Lind (3 g, 3 a) for the playoff scoring lead. Fritz does lead the Calder Cup Playoffs in points-per-game with a 3.00 mark through two games. Meanwhile, Ty Emberson, Blake Hillman, and Lauri Pajuniemi lead the Wolf Pack in goals with two each through two games this postseason. Both Emberson and Blidh are +8 through two games, tied for the Calder Cup Playoff lead in +/-. In fact, seven of the top ten league-wide in +/- are Wolf Pack. Fritz, Hillman, and Pajuniemi are tied for third at +6, Jones for sixth at +5, and Tim Gettinger for ninth at +4. Bruins Outlook: The Bruins have not played since they defeated the Springfield Thunderbirds by a final score of 7-3 on April 16th. They will go 12 days between the end of their regular season and the start of their Calder Cup Playoff journey. The Bruins were one of two teams in the Atlantic Division, along with the Hershey Bears, to earn a bye through the First Round of the playoffs. Providence finished with a record of 44-18-8-2, good for 98 points, and the Atlantic Division regular season championship. The Bruins also finished as the top team in the Eastern Conference and will have home ice throughout the Eastern Conference portion of the playoffs as a result. The Bruins finished third in the AHL, behind only the Calgary Wranglers (106 points) and the Coachella Valley Firebirds (103 points). Rookie forward Georgii Merkulov led the Bruins in points with 55 (24 g, 31 a) in 67 regular season games. His 24 goals also led the Bruins in that category. Goaltender Brandon Bussi, meanwhile, led the way in goal for Providence with a 22-5-4 record in 32 games as a rookie. He was 0-0-1 against the Wolf Pack. Game Information: WATCH: AHLTV LISTEN: Mixlr Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack, Alex Thomas, will have ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ starting live at 6:50 p.m. on both AHLTV and Mixlr. Game Two of this Atlantic Division Semifinals series goes tomorrow night, right back in Providence, at 7:05 p.m. The series shifts to the XL Center in Hartford on Wednesday, May 3rd, for Game Three. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. For playoff ticket information, please visit HERE. ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since the team’s inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and plays at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack has been home to some of the Rangers' newest faces, including Igor Shesterkin, Filip Chytil, and Ryan Lindgren. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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NEW YORK RANGERS RECALL FOUR FROM HARTFORD WOLF PACK

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the club has recalled forwards Jonny Brodzinski and Jake Leschyshyn, defenseman Libor Hájek, and goaltender Louis Domingue from the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. Brodzinski, 29, leads the Wolf Pack in scoring with 48 points (21 g, 27 a) in 47 games this season. The native of Ham Lake, Minnesota, was named the AHL’s ‘Player of the Month’ for the month of March after scoring 20 points (11 g, 9 a) in just eleven games. Brodzinski has also suited up in 17 games with the Rangers during the 2022-23 season, scoring two points (1 g, 1 a). Over the course of three seasons, Brodzinski has appeared in 96 games with the Wolf Pack, scoring 45 goals and 59 assists for 104 points. He has also served as the team’s captain for the last two seasons. Leschyshyn, 24, has scored 15 points (5 g, 10 a) in 18 games with the Wolf Pack this season since being assigned to the club on February 26th. He’s also appeared in 13 games with the Rangers and 22 games with the Vegas Golden Knights this season. The native of Raleigh, North Carolina, was claimed off waivers by the Rangers from the Golden Knights on January 11th. He has appeared in 155 career AHL games, scoring 61 points (29 g, 32 a), and 76 NHL games, scoring six points (2 g, 4 a). Hájek, 25, has dressed in 24 games with the Wolf Pack during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring six points (2 g, 4 a). Both of his goals have been game-winning, including his tally in Hartford’s 5-3 victory at the Providence Bruins on April 8th that clinched the club's first playoff berth since 2015. He has also skated in 16 games with the Rangers this season, scoring one goal. Domingue, 31, appeared in 44 games with the Wolf Pack, posting a record of 22-12-8 with a .911 save percentage and 2.51 goals against average. He also registered four shutouts during the regular season. The native of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, won nine straight starts from March 15th through April 14th, helping lead the Wolf Pack to the playoffs. The Wolf Pack conclude the 2022-23 regular season tomorrow night when they visit the Springfield Thunderbirds. The puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. The club kicks off the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs next week! Hartford’s First Round opponent, game dates, and times are still to be determined. For more information on Hartford’s opponent and to purchase playoff tickets, please visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets/playoff-information. ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since the team’s inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and plays at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack has been home to some of the Rangers' newest faces, including Igor Shesterkin, Filip Chytil, and Ryan Lindgren. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. NEW YORK RANGERS HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK REGULAR SEASON FINALE PREVIEW

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack open the final weekend of regular season play tonight at the XL Center as they welcome the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to town for their home finale. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., and coverage is available on both AHLTV and Mixlr. Tale of The Tape: This is the sixth and final meeting between the Wolf Pack and the Penguins during the 2022-23 season. It is also the third and final meeting between the clubs at the XL Center and marks the second year in a row in which the Wolf Pack wrap up their home schedule against the Pens. The Wolf Pack have won each of the last two games against the Penguins, most recently taking a 5-1 decision on March 26th in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Zac Jones opened the scoring just 16 seconds into the contest, scoring Hartford’s fastest goal to start a game on the road this season. Will Lockwood potted the eventual game-winner on a two-on-one with Ryan Carpenter at 6:25 of the period, while Jonny Brodzinski blasted home a one-timer on the powerplay at 13:33 to allow the Wolf Pack to pull away. Anton Blidh tacked on an insurance marker 10:27 into the second period, while Turner Elson polished off the scoring with an empty net goal at 19:24 of the third. Jonathan Gruden scored the only goal for the Penguins, coming 10:31 into the third period on the powerplay. The Wolf Pack have points in all five games against the Penguins this season and six consecutive meetings dating back to the 2021-22 campaign. Hartford is 3-0-1-1 head-to-head this season, while the Penguins have a record of 2-3-0-0. The sides split the previous two meetings at the XL Center, with the Penguins taking a 4-3 shootout decision on October 22nd and the Wolf Pack an 8-2 decision on February 4th. Wolf Pack Outlook: The Wolf Pack won their seventh straight game on Saturday night, clinching a playoff berth in a 5-3 triumph over the Providence Bruins in Rhode Island. Elson opened the scoring 2:42 in, taking a pass from Jones at the backdoor and burying it. The Bruins would take a 2-1 at 10:54 after goals from Josiah Didier and Luke Toporowski, but Elson would jam home his second of the night at 16:46 to even the affair 2-2. Carpenter put Hartford back in the lead at 6:03 of the second period, firing home a rebound for his 21st goal of the season. Libor Hájek tacked on the insurance, and eventual game-winner, at 2:21 of the third, blasting home a shot from the left-wing circle. After Didier’s second goal of the night, Tanner Fritz hit the empty net at 19:34 to cement the victory and snap Hartford’s playoff drought of seven seasons. Hartford’s current seven-game winning streak is their first since a seven-game winning streak during the 2020-21 season. The franchise’s longest winning streak is nine games. That occurred during the 2004-05 season. Brodzinski leads the Wolf Pack in points with 48 (21 g, 27 a) in 46 games. Will Cuylle, meanwhile, leads the team in goals with 25. Penguins Outlook: The Penguins suffered a 4-0 setback at the hands of the Laval Rocket on Monday night in Quebec. Rafaël Harvey-Pinard opened the scoring 2:36 into the game, scoring a powerplay goal that would stand as the eventual game-winner. Jesse Ylönen tacked on a powerplay goal of his own 7:22 into the third period, while Gabriel Bourque and Danick Martel both scored late. Cayden Primeau made 41 saves for the shutout victory. Valtteri Puustinen leads the Penguins in scoring with 56 points (23 g, 33 a) through 70 games. His 23 goals lead active Penguins in scoring. Alex Nylander, currently on recall with the parent Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), leads the club in goals overall with 25 on the campaign. Game Information:  WATCH: AHLTV LISTEN: Mixlr Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack, Alex Thomas, will have ‘Wolf Pack Pregame’ starting live at 6:45 p.m. on both AHLTV and Mixlr. The Wolf Pack wrap up the 2022-23 regular season tomorrow night when they visit the Springfield Thunderbirds for the final installment of the ‘I-91 Rivalry’ this season. The Wolf Pack will begin the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs next week. Hartford’s First Round opponent and game dates and times are still to be determined. For Calder Cup Playoff tickets and seeding information, please visit  hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets/playoff-information. ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since the team’s inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and plays at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack has been home to some of the Rangers' newest faces, including Igor Shesterkin, Filip Chytil, and Ryan Lindgren. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK ARE BOUND FOR THE PLAYOFFS

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings PROVIDENCE, RI - The Hartford Wolf Pack extended their winning streak to seven games with a 5-3 win over the Providence Bruins. Combined with a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 8-2 thrashing of the Bridgeport Islanders to clear the last hurdle, the Pack ended an eight-year playoff drought. The Pack extended their winning streak to seven games and punched a playoff ticket in the process on Libor Hajek's early third-period goal, which stood as the game-winner. The winning streak, the first since the late season run in the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season, along with the deadline acquisitions of Will Lockwood, Anton Blidh, Wyatt Kalynuk, and Adam Clendennine, paid off. With the win, the Pack returns to the Calder Cup playoffs for the first time since 2015-16. The last playoff series the team won was against the Hershey Bears, with two of the home games played in Worcester. The eventual Calder Cup champions, the Manchester Monarchs, swept them in the conference finals. The Wolf Pack started the third like they did the first - by scoring. Bobby Trivigno had a game-best three assists. He was stopped from the right wing. Turner Elson, already with two goals in the contest, made a hat trick. However, he was stopped as he went to play the rebound attempt. Karl Henriksson took a swing-and-a-miss, but Libor Hájek came in off the left point and caught the puck instead. His blast made it 4-2. Josiah Didier made it 4-3 and doubled his goal total with a right-point low shot with two Bruins in front, creating havoc as the puck eluded Pack netminder Dylan Garand. Tanner Fritz scored his tenth into an empty net at 19:34 to clinch the game and secure a career-best 42 points. In the second period, the Pack took the lead and showed resilience. Trivigno started with a shot toward the net that hit some skates and sticks and came to Tim Gettinger. He tried a wraparound that went to Ryan Carpenter, who fired his 21st goal of the season at 6:03 The Pack had the game's first goal. The team has been getting solid offensive zone entries. Henriksson came across and found Zac Jones. He, in turn, found Elson as he deposited his 14th from the right-wing circle. Ty Emberson, who seems to have one big hit per game during the recent surge, took down Didier early. Providence showed why they have been at or near the top Atlantic Division most of this year. Didier curled off the right-wing wall and fired into traffic. Samuel Asselin moved in front and created a screen getting Didier's shot past Garand. Then the Bruins took a 2-1 lead as Luke Toporowski, back from an early season injury, was on the left wing side. He zipped his 14th into the net using Jones as a screen as he beat his former junior teammate at 10:54. Elson tallied his second of the night and 15th of the season as he filled the gap in front of the net while Kale Keyser made a shoulder save. Elson found the loose biscuit and put the Pack in a two-two tie at 16:46. The Pack saw the Bruins nearly score late in the first period as Wyatt Kalynuk intercepted Justin Brazeau's feed bound for Toporowski. LINES: Cullye-Leschyshyn-Brodzinski Gettinger-Lockwood-Carpenter Fritz-Pajuniemi-Blidh Elson-Henriksson-Trivigno Jones-Emberson Hájek-Scanlin Clendening-Kalynuk Domingue Garand SCRATCHES: Matt Rempe (healthy) Blake Hillman (healthy) Adam Edström #34 (healthy) Brett Berard #27 (healthy) Adam Sýkora  #29 (healthy) Bryce McConnell-Barker #8 (healthy) Matt Robertson (upper body, week-to-week, may be ready by the first of the playoffs) Patrick Khordorenko (season-ending shoulder surgery). C.J. Smith (hip area surgery done for the season). NOTES: Wilkes Barre/Scranton romped over Bridgeport 8-2 at the Total Mortgage Arena. The win by the Penguins also sent Charlotte and Springfield to the Calder Cup playoffs. On a set play, Quinnipiac University's Jacob Quillan zoomed in on the left wing, taking Arizona Coyotes draftee Sam Lipkin's backhand pass ten seconds into OT to score and secure the Bobcats their first NCAA title of any kind for the Hamden-based school defeating midwestern powerhouse Minnesota. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK CLINCH PLAYOFFS WITH 5-3 WIN OVER PROVIDENCE BRUINS

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack are returning to the Calder Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2015. Hartford’s 5-3 triumph in Providence over the Bruins and an 8-2 victory by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins over the Bridgeport Islanders pushed them back into the playoffs, snapping an eight-year drought. Libor Hájek scored his second goal of the season 2:21 into the third period, extending Hartford’s lead to 4-2. Bobby Trivigno was sprung into the Providence zone but denied by Kyle Keyser on a partial breakaway. The rebound came to Turner Elson, but his shot hit the side of the net and came into the left-wing circle. Hájek stepped into a blast that beat Keyser for the eventual game-winning goal. It was Hájek’s second game-winner of the season. The Wolf Pack opened the scoring just 2:42 into the game, with Elson potting his 14th of the season. Zac Jones darted into the left-wing circle and sent a backdoor pass to Elson, who easily beat Keyser for the icebreaker. However, the Bruins responded with two goals, turning the tide in the game. First, Josiah Didier fired a shot from the right-wing point that snuck through traffic and beat Dylan Garand for his third goal of the season at 6:31. Then, with the Bruins pressing, rookie Luke Toporowski put them ahead at 10:54. Toporowski snapped a shot over the glove of Garand for his 14th goal of the season, igniting the Amica Mutual Pavilion. Hartford got to work in the offensive zone and found a response marker of their own at 16:46. After a hard-working shift in which Hartford forced a pair of turnovers, Elson found the puck at the top of the crease and beat Keyser for his second of the night and 15th of the season. Tied 2-2 early in the second period, Hartford would regain the lead after a scramble in the Providence zone. Trivigno’s initial shot hit a leg and ended up behind the Bruin goal, where Tim Gettinger collected it. Gettinger’s wraparound attempt was denied, but the rebound came right to Ryan Carpenter. His shot snuck through Keyser at 6:03, giving the Wolf Pack a lead they never lost. Hájek’s goal at 2:21 of the third period gave Hartford the insurance needed to push this win over the finish line, as Garand largely stood tall. Didier fired another shot through traffic at 8:33 to make it a 4-3 game, but Tanner Fritz potted an empty net goal at 19:34 to cement the two points. The goal, Fritz’s 10th of the season, gives him 43 points on the campaign. That’s a new career-high for the veteran forward. The win clinches Hartford their first playoff berth since 2015, snapping the longest drought in the American Hockey League. The Wolf Pack is sixth in the Atlantic Division with 79 points, one back of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Springfield Thunderbirds, and Charlotte Checkers. All of those teams are tied for third place with 80 points. The Wolf Pack returns to the XL Center for the final regular season home game on Friday, April 14th, hosting the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Join us for Fan Appreciation Night featuring special guest Johnny Damon! The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. To get tickets, visit hartfordwolfpack.com. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK TAKE DECISIVE WIN OVER BRIDGEPORT ISLANDERS

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack moved a step closer to earning a spot in the playoffs by moving their clinching magic number to 4 points in the tight Atlantic Division playoff chase with a solid two-way 6-2 victory over the Bridgeport Islanders before a raucous crowd of 5,886, Friday night. Tanner Fritz led the way with three assists, while Will Lockwood, Adam Clendening, and Karl Henriksson each had a goal and an assist. Pack Captain Jonny Brodzinski chipped in two assists. The Pack entered the game having won a season-high, five straight, to put themselves in the playoff picture and push the Islanders out. This was a four-point game for both teams, and the Pack passed with flying colors. The Wolf Pack have four games remaining in their season, while the Islanders, with a game-in-hand, have five. Any combination of Wolf Pack wins and Islander losses equaling 4 points, and the Pack return to the playoffs. The Pack looks to keep the winning going and pick up another two points tonight in Providence at 7 PM. "That game gave us a little breathing room," Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch said. "We have a lot of good hockey players. They're playing good hockey right now." THIRD PERIOD The Pack continued their 200' of defensive play in the third period. After being checked off on a sure goal on his last shift, Anton Blidh make his next one count. Lauri Pajuniemi found him open on the left side and sent a backhander off the stick of an Islander defenseman and into the back of the net at 8:36. "All of them, Blidh, (Will) Lockwood and (Adam) Clendening, had a good game. They've become comfortable with their game and their teammates, and it showed." The Islanders got the goal back on a goal by Kyle MacLean, his 10th of the season, coming off the left wing. William Dufour (two assists) slipped him the lead pass at 9:58. Cullye made it 6-2, coming off the left-wing and drilling home his 25th of the campaign off a pass from Brodzinski at 11:24. SECOND PERIOD In the second period, the Pack picked up right where they left off in the first, on the power play, and extended their lead to three goals. Fritz sent a pass from the right-wing back to the right point. Brodzinski one-timed a blast from the right point that an unchecked Carpenter tipped home his 20th of the year. He becomes the third Wolf Pack player to garner 20 goals. He pumped his right fist igniting the roar of the crowd at 2:35. "Tanner's been doing a very good job distributing the puck. Being up on the first powerplay unit helps." At 11:45, some rough stuff, as there always seems to be between these two intra-state rivals. Carpenter tripped Vincent Sévigny to earn a penalty call. However, Sévigny face-washed Carpenter and pushed him, leading to some wrestling. Fritz and Jeff Kubiak bearhugged and wrestled in the corner. The Pack maintained solid defensive pressure in the second half of the period limiting the Islanders again to only seven shots on goal and 14 total for the first two periods. "Your best defense is a good offense. We did a very good job moving the puck around," said Knoblauch. FIRST PERIOD It wasn't a winner-take-all game, but at the start, it sure had the feel of it. The XL Center had another large crowd infused by a pre-game and, between periods, autograph signing with the 2000 Calder Cup champion Wolf Pack team from 23 years ago. Riding the energy and a strong game plan, the Pack jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first five minutes. Clendening took a Fritz pass and slid from the right point to the center-left point position before drilling his fifth overall and second as Wolf Pack over Jakub Skarek's glove hand at 1:21. The second goal came off Lockwood's stick. Part of the trio of acquired players at the trade deadline, all three were involved in the good offense Knoblauch talked about. Lockwood was in front and found the rebound of Turner Elson's shot. Skarek was too far to his right allowing Lockwood the space to put in his 14th overall goal at 3:45. "Everybody in the locker room knew what we needed to do and we had four lines out rolling together right off the bat. It was a crazy win. It was kinda of a funny play (when he scored). Karl got it out there (in front). I was searching around for it, but we had good support all night, and I was able to find it and put it in, "Lockwood said in his post-game remarks to the media. Fritz was receiving post-game medical treatment. Bridgeport cut the lead down as Sévigny matched his father, Pierre Sévigny, a Pack player from 25 years ago, by scoring in Hartford. He rifled his fifth goal of the season from the right point past the blocker side of Louie Domingue. It was the first father-son duo to score at the XL Center, albeit for different teams, since the Howe duo did it more than 40 years ago. The Wolf Pack answered right back just 1:39 later. Clendening had his shot stopped from the lower left-wing side, but the rebound returned to him. He found a wide-open Henriksson on one knee in the shooter's position. Henriksson fired his seventh goal of the campaign past Skarek at 10:46. "That (goal) was one of the big factors in the game, and when we went up 3-1, the penalty kill late in the first period did an excellent job keeping them off the board. We went into the second period feeling good about ourselves. If they score there and make it 3-2, it makes a big difference and a whole different game. That (fourth) line might not score every game, but they get chances every night. Tonight they had a lot of offensive zone time and are tough to play against. That's all we want," said Knoblauch. Lockwood said the crowd and getting the lead were important. "It was good way to play hockey, getting ahead like that. Playing in front of a good crowd, makes it fun to play. Our PK has been very good as of late and not letting any (opponents) get momentum (from it)," commented Lockwood. His line's chemistry has been quietly mojo. "We started off well, and then we had a little (lull). We have just clicked lately. We responded well, and that's where the chemistry builds, and we're always on the same page and in constant communication, and it's paying off for us, "said Lockwood. The Pack had a season-best 21 shots at Skarek, led by Lockwood and Cullye with four apiece. LINES: Cullye-Leschyshyn-Brodzinski Gettinger-Lockwood-Carpenter Fritz-Pajuniemi-Blidh Elson-Henriksson-Trivigno Jones-Emberson Hájek-Scanlin Clendening-Kalynuk Domingue Garand SCRATCHES: -Matt Rempe (healthy) -Blake Hillman (healthy) -Adam Edström #34 (healthy) -Brett Berard #27 (healthy) -Adam Sýkora  #29 (healthy) -Bryce McConnell-Barker #8 (healthy) -Matt Robertson (upper body, week-to-week. He could be ready by the first round of the playoffs) -Patrick Khordorenko (season-ending shoulder surgery). -C.J. Smith (hip area surgery done for the season NOTES West Hartford native, Jordan Samuels-Thomas (Canterbury/Quinnipiac University), was one of the two referees working the game. Adam Fantilli won the Hobey Baker Award. Minnesota and Quinnipiac University play for the national title Saturday night in Tampa. Fantilli will likely go #2 behind Connor Bedard. After changing his line often, for the fifth straight game, Knoblauch mostly kept his lineup intact with minor tweaks. Ex-Pack Paul Thompson and Libor Hájek battled with 10.2 seconds to go. Neither got an instigator in the last five minutes called. Domingue got a two-minute unsportsmanlike conduct call for shooting the puck down the ice in frustration when the scrap started next to him. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK WIN 5TH STRAIGHT

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack continued their chase to return to the Calder Cup Playoffs on Wednesday night, welcoming the Toronto Marlies to the XL Center for the only time this season. The Pack picked up two massive points, scoring a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over the Marlies to lower their magic number to eight. Jake Leschyshyn scored the game-winner for the Wolf Pack 1:42 into the extra frame. Libor Hájek collected the puck behind the Toronto net and sent a centering pass to Leschyshyn. Leschyshyn snapped a shot, but Keith Petruzzelli denied his attempt. However, Petruzzelli couldn’t hang onto the rebound, and Leschyshyn jammed it home to secure the extra point for the Wolf Pack. The goal was Leschyshyn’s second game-winning tally on the campaign and his 14th  point in 16 games with Hartford. Petruzzelli and Louis Domingue kept things quiet throughout most of the contest. The netminders allowed no goals for almost 59 minutes of play. The Wolf Pack had a pair of powerplay opportunities in the first period, but the Toronto penalty kill prevented the Pack from breaking the ice. Hartford’s defense in the opening stanza was equally good, allowing just five shots on goal. The goaltenders continued their strong play in the middle frame. The Marlies earned a pair of powerplay opportunities in this period, but the Wolf Pack penalty kill was equally up to the task, preventing the Marlies from getting on the board. Hartford also had a powerplay opportunity in the middle stanza after Jordie Benn was called for tripping at 8:02. Still, they could not find the icebreaker again, and the game remained scoreless heading into the third period. Anton Blidh finally broke the ice at 18:48 of the third period. Ty Emberson fired the puck into a scrum in front of the Toronto net. Leschyshyn corralled it and attempted to jam it home, but Petruzzelli turned it aside. Blidh found the rebound at the top of the crease and buried it into the net to give the Wolf Pack the game’s first lead. The goal was Blidh’s sixth since joining the Wolf Pack and his 12th on the season overall. The Marlies would answer back a minute later. Petruzzelli was lifted in favor of the extra skater, putting Toronto up six-on-five. Topi Niemelä fired a shot from just beyond the right circle into traffic in front of the Hartford net. The puck snuck past the glove of Domingue and into the goal, tying the contest with just 12.2 seconds remaining in regulation. Niemelä’s first goal in the AHL sent the game to overtime. Leschyshyn lit the lamp 1:42 into the overtime period to give the Wolf Pack a much-needed extra point and their fifth straight victory. The Wolf Pack returns to the ice on Friday, April 7th, hosting the Bridgeport Islanders in the final ‘Battle of Connecticut’ this season. Join us for Wolf Pack Alumni Night and an Igor Shesterkin bobblehead giveaway! The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. To get tickets, visit hartfordwolfpack.com. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK FACE CRUCIAL TEST

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack  ALLENTOWN, PA – The Hartford Wolf Pack finish their weekend back-to-back tonight when they visit the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for the final time this season. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m., and coverage is available on both AHLTV and Mixlr. In addition, tonight's game will also air on NHL Network. Tale of The Tape: This is the season's fourth and final meeting between the Wolf Pack and Phantoms. It is also the second and final meeting between the foes at the PPL Center in Allentown. The sides last met on February 19th in Allentown, with the Wolf Pack scoring a wild 6-4 comeback victory. Trailing 3-1 entering the third period, Will Cuylle scored on the powerplay at 7:16 of the third to draw Hartford within one. However, over two minutes later, Garrett Wilson completed the hat trick to restore the two-goal Phantoms lead. From there, Hartford would take the game over. Gustav Rydahl completed a hat trick of his own, scoring his second goal of the night at 12:50 and then his third at 15:32 to tie the game. Libor Hájek broke the tie at 18:00, blasting a shot through a scrum in front of the Phantoms' goal. Turner Elson would hit the empty net at 19:25 to cement the victory. The Wolf Pack has taken two of the first three meetings from the Phantoms. They also claimed a 3-2 victory at the XL Center on December 7th. The Phantoms' lone win in the series came in Hartford on February 10th by a final score of 5-2. Wolf Pack Outlook: The Wolf Pack won their third straight game on Friday night, snapping the Providence Bruins' eight-game winning streak with a dominant 5-0 decision. Ryan Carpenter tipped a Zac Jones shot home for the eventual game-winning goal 17:43 into the game on the powerplay. Anton Blidh then buried a centering pass from Tanner Fritz at 19:57, extending the lead to 2-0. Blidh scored two points (1 g, 1 a) against his former team, while the assist gave Fritz a career-high 29 on the season. After a scoreless middle stanza, Hartford struck three times in the third to pull away. Will Lockwood scored his 15th goal of the season 3:20 into the final frame, as his shot hit the stick of Dan Renouf and snuck through the five-hole of Kyle Keyser. Fritz tipped home a centering pass to make it 4-0 at 5:09, while Jake Leschyshyn went bar down at 9:00 to finish the scoring. Louis Domingue made 25 saves for his third shutout of the season. It was his sixth consecutive victory and 19th overall on the season. The win pushed Hartford three points ahead of the Bridgeport Islanders for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. Brodzinski leads the Wolf Pack in points with 45 (20 g, 25 a) in 42 games. Cuylle, meanwhile, leads the team in goals with 24. Phantoms Outlook: The Phantoms opened their three-in-three weekend with a comeback victory on Friday night, knocking off the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 4-2 at the PPL Center. Ty Smith broke a 1-1 tie at 13:27 of the second period, giving the Penguins a 2-1 lead through forty minutes. However, the Phantoms would score three unanswered in the third to pull away for two points. Jordy Bellerive tied the game at 6:37, potting his seventh goal of the season. Bobby Brink then netted the eventual game-winner at 10:37, his ninth of the season. Finally, Brink polished off the victory with his second goal of the contest into an empty net at 18:41. Tyson Foerster, who scored in last night's win, leads the Phantoms in scoring with 41 points (20 g, 21 a) in 59 games. Elliot Desnoyers, meanwhile, leads the Phantoms in goals with 21 on the season. Game Information: WATCH: AHLTV LISTEN: Mixlr Play-by-play voice of the Wolf Pack, Alex Thomas, will have 'Wolf Pack Pregame' starting live at 6:50 p.m. on both AHLTV and Mixlr. The Pack is back at the XL Center on Wednesday night when the Wolf Pack hosts the Toronto Marlies for the only time this season. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at hartfordwolfpack.com. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK BEAT BRIDGEPORT ISLANDERS

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack employed solid defense, good goaltending, and opportunistic scoring to defeat the Bridgeport Islanders 4-1  in a must-win game for the New York Rangers AHL affiliates. The win propelled the Wolf Pack past the Islanders by a point for the sixth and final playoff spot. Seven games remain for both teams. The Wolf Pack hosts the Providence Bruins on Friday. The sixth-place team would likely play the Bruins, who had already made the playoffs. On Saturday, the team travels to Allentown, PA, to play the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The game will be broadcast on the NHL Network live at 7 PM. "I was very happy down 1-0 in a must-win game. We came out in the second with no nerves and just let's get this done; do it right. We made a lot more easy, simple plays and forechecked better," Pack Head Coach Kris Knoblauch said while unloosening his tie. Unlike past third-period struggles, the Wolf Pack buckled down. At 1:02, the Pack nearly extended the lead as Brandon Scanlin put a huge drive from the point toward the net, but starting netminder Corey Schneider made a shoulder save. The rebound went to his left-wing side. With the net wide-open, Tanner Fritz fanned on his shot. "We knew they would come back in the third with a big push (16 shots). They need points too and to score. We did all the right things and we put pressure at the right time when they had the puck," Knoblauch commented. The physical play picked up. In one sequence, in the right-wing corner at 6:21 and after a super right shoulder save by the Pack's Louis Domingue on Arnaud Durandeau. It prevented the game from becoming a 3-2 contest early in the third. However, Ryan MacKinnon was stopped on the rebound. "Louis is one of the better goalies in this league, and that (sequence) showed it. We're very fortunate to have him when the game is on the line. His save percentage when the game is on the line has gotta be there. I don't know it, but it's very favorable to him," said Knoblauch. After Bridgeport's Cole Bardreau jumped at Pack Captain Jonny Brodzinski, Scanlin backed up his captain, and all five Wolf Pack - Brodzinski, Cullye, Scanlin, Lockwood, and Elson were involved. "Guys want to win," Knoblauch said. "They know what's on the line." Ultimately, the commitment to team defense and outstanding goaltending for the Pack prevailed. Brodzinski became the second Wolf Pack to hit the 20-goal mark with his 20th at 17:57 with an empty-netter. In the second period, the Pack evened the score at 2:10 on a two-on-one break-in. Brodzinski was on the right wing and used Will Cullye as a decoy before firing in his 19th upstairs over Schneider. Brodzinski successfully maneuvered around a sliding Islander, trying to block the shooting lane. The Pack took the lead on the power play to register their second goal. Jake Lechyshyn went down the left wing, took Lauri Pajuniemi's pass, and fired it over Schneider's right shoulder for his third tally at 9:49. "Jake, great shot," Knbolauch said. "He had a very strong game, very good defensive plays and face-offs and was rewarded with a goal. He had a lot of crucial face off wins in the defensive zone tonight." Leschyshyn knew where he wanted to go with his shot and the game's magnitude. "I saw a little room and put the shot there, and it went in. It was a big game. We all knew what was at stake to go with his shot." The Pack extended the lead to 3-1 late in the second. Scanlin was at the right point and launched a rocket off Pajuniemi's pass. It hit the stick of Karl Henriksson past Schneider's blocker side at 17:02. It was Henriksson's sixth goal. Pajuniemi's all-around efforts at both ends of the ice were appreciated. "Lauri has been playing really well for us lately. I was happy with the way a lot of guys that have been playing when games have been on the line. Scanlin's been playing very played where Robertson (out injured) left off. Henriksson's play brought a smile to Knoblauch's face. "We appreciate his play and he's appreciated in that locker room. He's going to continue to get better and better. Next year he has a lot of upside going in. He's very polular in the room and guys were cheering for him," said Knoblauch. The play was aided by the Islanders' Ryan MacKinnon, who fell trying to execute a crossover skating backward that allowed the play to stay in the zone. The Pack held the Islander offense in check to just four shots on goal but faced 16 in the third when the expected push-back came. But, when it did, the Pack held firm. The first period was played in classic playoff style with close-checking. It was the Islanders, though, who would score the first goal. Collin Adams won the four-player rugby scrum with teammate Dennis Cholowski on the right wing boards battling Tim Gettinger and Libor Hájek. The puck came out to ex-Pack Paul Thompson (game-high six shots), who snapped his ninth of the year over Louie Domingue's blocker side just above the right-wing face-off dot on just their sixth shot of the game. Thompson helped create space for himself with a small crosscheck to the back of Pack's Ryan Carpenter and skated backward into the slot. The Pack had two quality chances of their nine shots. The first came early by Cullye at the right-wing side of the net and another by Leschyshyn. "Guys all stepped from Lauri to Brandon to every one in the room. It was obviously a big win for us. Everybody was important and going forward, with everybody pitching in," remarked Leschyshyn. LINES: Cullye-Leschyshyn-Brodzinski Gettinger-Lockwood-Carpenter Fritz-Pajuniemi-Blidh Elson-Berard-Trivigno Jones-Emberson Hájek-Scanlin Clendening-Kalynuk Domingue Garand SCRATCHES: Matt Robertson (upper-body, long-term) Karl Henriksson (Healthy) Matt Rempe (Healthy) Blake Hillman (Healthy) Adam Sýkora  #29 (Healthy) Bryce McConnell-Barker (Healthy) Patrick Khordorenko (Season-Ending, Shoulder surgery). C.J. Smith (Hip Area Surgery, Season Over) NOTES: The crowd was announced at 2,007, which seemed exceptionally generous. Goalie Carter Hart was injured in Philly. That forced the team to recall Samuel Ersson from Lehigh Valley, likely nixing him from Saturday's game. In addition, Lehigh Valley recalled Pat Nagle from the Reading Royals (ECJL). He is a 37-year-old journeyman with success against the Pack. The Pack added two players and deleted one. They have added Adam Sýkora from HK Nitra (Slovakia-SLEL) and Bryce McConnell-Barker from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL). Sýkora was the first pick last year in the second round (63rd overall) in 2023 in Montreal. He played with Slovakian WJC the previous summer in Edmonton and this year in Moncton/Halifax. He also played for the Slovakia World Championship team. With HK Nitra this season, Sýkora registered 21 points (8 goals, 13 assists), tying him for third-best in the club's scoring. His 13 assists tied him for second on the team. The goal he scored in Edmonton was the highlight of last summer's WJC tournament. But, surprisingly, he didn't play with the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL), who had selected him #1 overall in the CHL Import Draft but elected to go back to Slovakia instead. McConnell-Barker was a third round (97th overall) in the 2022 draft. Both players are 18 years old and signed Amateur Try-Out (ATO) deals. Both have had their respective European and junior seasons end. Both arrived late yesterday and didn't play. Depending on Knoblauch's evaluation after a practice, they should either play against Providence Friday or, in Allentown, PA, against Lehigh Valley on Saturday. McConnell-Barker is a left-handed centerman. In 68 games with the OHL's Soo (Sault Ste. Marie) Greyhounds this season. He finished the 2022-23 OHL season with 77 points (30 goals, 47 assists). His 47 assists and 77 points led the Greyhounds; his 30 goals were second on the club. Gettinger is a program graduate, and current assistant coach Jamie Tardif coached him for two years in Sault Ste. Marie. McConnell-Barker was the team captain of the Greyhounds and was named the OHL's Player of the Week the first week of January after he recorded eight points (four goals and four assists) in three contests. Because both players will be 19 next year, as per the CBA, they will be ineligible for the AHL. As a result, neither will be able to play in the AHL until their junior seasons end next year. "We'll see after (Thursday) practice, and we'll make decisions then. We're hoping to get both players some American (Hockey) League time at some point," remarked Knoblauch. Cristiano DiGiacinto was sent back to the Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL), where he started the season to get some game time. The addition of these two players slides DiGiacinto down the depth chart. This season, DiGiacinto appeared in 36 games, with the Wolf Pack scoring 12 points (3 goals and 9 assists). In ten games with the Icemen earlier this season, DiGiacinto scored six points (3 goals and 3 assists). Matt Stienburg, the son of former New Haven Nighthawk Trevor Stienburg, will sign shortly with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) coming out of Cornell University (ECACHL). However, he is likely waiting until mid-August to get more from the Avalanche, who drafted him as per the CBA. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

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HARTFORD WOLF PACK BEAT WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings WILKES-BARRE, PA - The Hartford Wolf Pack defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 5-1 to finish their final three-in-three weekend of the season in a strong fashion at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday. With eight games to go, the win sets up a major contest with in-state, Atlantic Division rival, the Bridgeport Islanders (30-25-7-1 68 points). The Wolf Pack trail Bridgeport by one point for the last playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. They head for a showdown for a crucial mid-week showdown Wednesday night at the XL Center. In the third period, the Wolf Pack (28-25-4-7 67 points) effectively kept the Penguins, undermanned by recalls and injuries, under wraps and at bay to secure the win. With Libor Hajek in the penalty box on a Tripping call at 9:40,  on the resulting power play, Drew Cagguila collided with Jonny Brodzinski at the Penguins' blue line. Afterward, Cagguila got back into the flow and received a pass at the midway point of the Wolf Pack zone. He then found Jon Gruden all alone on the left wing-side. Gruden wired a shot high to the short side inside the right post on Louis Domingue to register the only Penguins goal on the power play at 10:31. That made it 4-1, and it remained that way until, with only 36 seconds left, Turner Elson took a Tim Gettinger pass to score the empty net goal for the 5-1 final. The Penguins had plenty of Grade-A scoring chances that Domingue stopped.  Tyler Sikura, Sam Houde, and Nathan Légaré all challenged Domingue with their chances only to see those chances evaporate. With 4:06 left, Filip Hållander had a golden opportunity over a down on the ice Domingue but put his backhander over the crossbar. After Josh Maniscalco's effort that Domingue denied, the Pack netminder tried to shoot for the empty net after former Pack goaltender Dustin Tokarski was pulled for an extra attacker, but his airborne attempt was knocked down in the zone and forced him to make a save instead. The Pack could have scored two final empty net goals, but Tanner Fritz’s tally was ruled offside. SECOND PERIOD In the second period, the Penguins came out gunning and fired the first seven shots before the Pack registered their first shot at 9:35. Despite being held to one credited shot on goal to that point, the Pack made the second one count. Newcomer Anton Blidh tallied his tenth of the season after Turner Elson fired it behind the net. Penguins defenseman Jon Lizotte mishandled the puck and gave it right to Blidh, who quickly lifted it over Tokarski's right shoulder, off the crossbar, and in for a 4-0  lead at 10:27. Shortly afterward, the Penguins nearly scored as Peter DiLibertore’s dump-in ricocheted off a stanchion that separates the glass behind the net, which trapped Domingue, who was out to play the puck. The carom went to Cagguila, but a combination of defenseman Wyatt Kalynuk and Domingue each got a piece of the puck and incredibly kept it out of the net at 10:54. With 3:06 left, Tokarski made a remarkable right skate save, preventing Will Cullye from a goal celebration. He then stopped Will Lockwood with a blocker save and denied Elson with 1:31 remaining. Blidh, just one game removed from returning from his transatlantic trip from Sweden, put the puck off the crossbar on Tokarski. FIRST PERIOD The Pack controlled the game from the start in a must-win game situation. 16 seconds after the opening faceoff, Zac Jones maneuvered with the puck through the whole Penguins team and fired the first Wolf Pack shot of the game that found the back of the net. It was the fastest-scored goal for the Pack to start a road game this season and second fastest overall. It was Jones' eighth of the season. At 6:25, the Wolf Pack pushed the gas pedal to the floor as Ryan Carpenter was on the left wing side. He found Will Lockwood, speeding through the middle of the ice and surging past the Penguins' defense, and gave him the puck. Lockwood registered his second Wolf Pack goal and 14th of the season overall for the 2-0 lead. Former Quinnipiac player and now Penguins' defenseman Peter DiLiberatore put the puck out of play, earning a two-minute visit to the penalty box for a Delay of Game call at 13:19. It took the Pack only 14 seconds to make the Penguins pay for the 23-year-old's mistake. Fritz was low the right-wing wall and fired a perfect cross-ice pass through the box to Pack captain Jonny Brodzinski, who buried his 19th of the season at 13:33. At 18:05, rookie Brett Berard had a quality chance on one of the 14 shots the Pack fired at Tokarski, who was just sent down from the parent Pittsburgh Penguins. LINES: Cullye-Leschyshyn-Brodzinski Gettinger-Lockwood-Carpenter Fritz-Pajuniemi-Blidh Elson-Berard-Trivigno Jones-Emberson Hájek-Scanlin Clendening- Kalynuk Domingue Garand SCRATCHES: Matt Robertson (Upper-body, long-term) Cristiano DiGiacinto (Healthy) Karl Henriksson (Healthy) Matt Rempe (Healthy) Blake Hillman (Healthy) Patrick Khordorenko (Season-ending shoulder surgery) C.J. Smith (Hip area surgery done for the season) NOTES: Wilkes Barrer/Scranton recalled Louie Roehl from the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL), but he was scratched. Quinnipiac was victorious at the NCAA Regional in Bridgeport 4-1 over Ohio State. They advance to the Frozen Four in Tampa against Michigan, where Sandy Hook’s Mackie Samoskevich (Chicago) scored at 52 seconds of overtime with a lightning wrist shot over Penn State that sent Michigan to their 27th Frozen Four appearance. Boston University, who feature former Avon Old Farms player Jamie Armstrong, the son of Arizona Coyotes' GM Bill Armstrong, will play Bryce Brodzinski, the youngest brother of Jonny Brodzinski and Minnesota, in the other semifinal game. Next Saturday night’s Wolf Pack game against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms will be broadcast on the NHL Network live in a prime-time slot at 7 PM. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article