#RyanDmowski

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CANTLON: SYRACUSE CRUNCHES PACK

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings SYRACUSE, NY - A three-goal third period sparked by a goal and two assists from Otto Sompii led the Syracuse Crunch over the Hartford Wolf Pack 4-2 on Wednesday night. The Wolf Pack (27-19-5-2) have lost three in a row and have a .575 winning percentage which puts them just ahead of the fifth-place Hershey Bears (.570). Syracuse (26-21-6-2) has a .546 winning percentage just behind the Belleville Senators who are in fourth place at .549 in the North Division for their last playoff spot. The Wolf Pack head across the border to Canada to play the Laval Rocket on Friday and then on to Belleville on Saturday. GAMEPLAY The Crunch struck first with two goals in the first five minutes while holding Hartford without a shot on the net. Sompii went out on a two-on-one by Simon Ryfors and as Matt Robertson sprawled out on the ice, slid past him with a toe drag before Sompii went upstairs on Adam Huska for his fifth at 2:04. Just a couple of minutes later, ex-Pack Darren Raddysh migrated from his right point to the left wing where Ryfors was controlling the puck off a feed from Sompii. Ryfors dropped it off and Raddysh did the rest. Raddysh made a little dipsy-doodle move in the left-wing circle on Nils Lundkvist and put his sixth goal of the season going bar down, increasing the Crunch lead by two goals at 4:19. Raddysh scored for the second straight game and the sixth time in the last fifteen games. MORE GOALS At 14:44 Gabriel Fortier took the puck from Sompii behind the net and snapped his eleventh goal of the season dashing hopes of a comeback. The Pack closed out the scoring. Jeff Taylor was high along the right-wing boards. He found Zac Jones alone at the back door and deposited his sixth with exactly two minutes to go. The Pack finally showed some life albeit too late on the next shift pulled Huska for the extra attacker and only Anthony Greco got a shot with 48 seconds to go that didn’t go in ending his eight game scoring streak. In the first period, Syracuse scored in the last minute of play registering its lone power-play goal by Alex Barré-Boulet after second-year pro, Cole Koepke, skated in short-handed past Tarmo Reunanen who pulled him down. An unforced turnover by Nils Lundkvist went to Boulet who went behind the Wolf Pack net. He was looking to chip a backhanded pass out front to Raddysh, who was a wide-open. Barré-Boulet’s attempt went off the back of the net and right back to him. Huska reacted to the move, but Barré-Boulet swept in and stuffed in his ninth goal of the season in the open right side. Huska reacted thinking Barré-Boulet was coming out on the left side. WOLF PACK TIE THE GAME The Wolf Pack tied the game at one each five minutes into the second. Hunter Skinner came down the right-wing boards. He fought off a slash by Charles Hudon and dished off the puck to Justin Richards. On his 24th birthday, Richards moved into open ice in the slot about fifteen feet out before rifling his sixth goal of the season upstairs over the left shoulder of Syracuse netminder Max Lagace. Syracuse dictated play the rest of the period as the Pack to five shots on goal while they took twelve shots on Huska. NOTES Rangers sent down Morgan Barron late in the day and he wasn’t available to play. He wasn’t getting any game time. Calle Järnkrok, the cousin of ex-New Haven Nighthawk Mikael Lindholm is traded from Seattle to Calgary to play with his cousin Elias. Ty Smilanic of Quinnipiac University (ECACHL) had his rights traded from Florida to Montreal for Ben Chiarot. Ex-Pack Ryan Dmowski (Old Lyme/the Gunn School) goes from South Carolina (ECHL) to Idaho (ECHL) after spending two months in Hershey. Chase Zieky (Avon/Avon Old Farms) departs Idaho for Greenville (ECHL) as does goalie Matt Tugnutt (Sacred Heart University) Ex-Pack Peter Holland 31, retires from hockey. Syracuse didn’t dress ex-Packs P.C. Labrie and Brandon Crawley, but did dress ex-Pack Daniel Walcott along with Day and Raddysh. LINES Fritz-Gettinger-Rueschoff Ronning-Khordorenko-Greco Richards-Lorito-Greco Whalen-O’Leary-Taylor Jones-Lundkvist Robertson-Skinner Bitetto-Tinordi Reunanen Huska Kinkaid HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

#AdamHuska #AnthonyGreco #AvonOldFarms #BenoitGroulx #BrandonCrawley #CalleJärnkrok #ECHL #HartfordWolfPack #JustinRichards #NewHavenNighthawk #NilsLundkvist #PeterHolland #QuinnipiacUniversity #RyanDmowski #SacredHeartUniversity #SeanDay #SyracuseCrunch #TarmoReunanen #TimGettinger

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CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: February 24-March 1, 2020

BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT - The Wolf Pack (30-14-6-5, 71 pts.) finished the week one point out of first place in the Atlantic Division, after a 4-1 win at Bridgeport Sunday, in the last of three games on the weekend.  J-F Berube made 17 saves to bank his first Wolf Pack win in that game, and Tim Gettinger (first pro SHG) and Nick Jones had a goal and an assist apiece.  The Wolf Pack began the weekend with a 4-1 defeat in Springfield on Friday night and then battled back from 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 deficits at home against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday night, to earn a standings point in a 4-3 overtime loss.  Vinni Lettieri and Vitali Kravtsov had a goal and an assist each in that game. For the latest AHL standings, click here. This week: It’s another full three-game slate for the Wolf Pack this weekend.  The team heads to Binghamton on Friday night for a 7:05 battle with the Devils and then returns to Bridgeport on Saturday night to rematch with the Sound Tigers at 7:00.  The Wolf Pack is then back home on Sunday, hosting the Providence Bruins at 3:00. Friday, February 28 at the Binghamton Devils (New Jersey) at the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena, 7:05 PM This is the last of four meetings on the year between the Wolf Pack and the Devils, and Hartford has swept the first three, including a 4-3 overtime win October 19 in the Wolf Pack’s only previous visit to Binghamton. The Devils started their season 9-17-4-0 in their first 30 games, but since Christmas, they have gone 18-7-0-0 in 25 contests, to climb to within three points of a playoff spot in the North Division, at 27-24-4-0 for 58 points. Binghamton rookie goaltender Gilles Senn is 7-1-0 in his last eight appearances, with a 1.74 goals-against average, a 94.2% save percentage and one shutout over that span. Broadcast – live online at https://www.iheart.com/live/fox-sports-1430-3544/.  Video streaming at ahllive.com. Saturday, February 29 at the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (Islanders) at Webster Bank Arena, 7:00 PM This is the Wolf Pack’s second visit to Bridgeport in less than a week and the fourth time of the season.  After Sunday’s 4-1 road win over the Sound Tigers, the Wolf Pack are 6-1-0-0 in the season series, 2-1-0-0 on the road. Josh Ho-Sang had Bridgeport’s only goal in Sunday’s Wolf Pack-Sound Tigers tilt, his third in 16 games on the season and the Sound Tigers’ fourth power-play goal in their last two games. Sunday’s loss to the Wolf Pack dropped the Sound Tigers to 0-3-0-1 in their last four games and to below .500 at home, 11-12-2-2. Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV. Sunday, March 1 vs. the Providence Bruins (Boston) at the XL Center, 3:00 PM This 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 a large popcorn, all for just $40. The Wolf Pack will celebrate their mascot Sonar’s birthday at this game, with a number of the lovable wolf’s mascot friends in attendance. Fans are encouraged to bring their skates to this game, for a free post-game twirl on the XL Center ice. The Bruins come into this week on a 5-0-1-0 run, and 11-3-2-1 in their last 17 games, and trail the Wolf Pack by three points in the Atlantic Division playoff race. Veteran Bruin forward Brendan Gaunce (16-15-31 in 45 GP) has goals in four of Providence’s last five games (5-2-7) and points in six straight (5-3-8). The Wolf Pack have won their last five head-to-head battles with the Bruins and are 6-0-0-1 on the season against Providence, 3-0-0-0 at home. Tickets for this game, and 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. Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford and Mark Bailey on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV. Wolf Pack Community Appearances: The Wolf Pack have the following appearances scheduled this week.  For further information on these, or any other Wolf Pack community initiatives, contact Wolf Pack community relations manager Frank Berrian, at [phone]: Tuesday, February 25, 7:00-8:30 PM, Buffalo Wild Wings, 1267 Silas Deane Hwy., Wethersfield, CT The Wolf Pack are throwing a Rangers “watch party” at Buffalo Wild Wings, and Wolf Pack players Danny O’Regan, Darren Raddysh, Vincent LoVerde, Adam Huska, Libor Hajek, and Ryan Dmowski are scheduled to be on hand, along with the Wolf Pack’s iconic mascot, Sonar, to watch the Rangers’ game against the Islanders.  Fans can get autographs and take pictures and will be automatically entered to win prizes just by showing up. Saturday, February 29, 10:30 AM, Crystal Lake, 144 Prout Hill Rd., Middletown, CT Sonar cheers on those “freezin’ for a reason” in the annual Special Olympics Connecticut “Penguin Plunge”. Recent Transactions: Joey Keane – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers, and traded to Carolina, February 18. Jean-Francois Berube – loaned to the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers, after being acquired in a trade from Philadelphia, February 19. Tom McCollum – traded by the Wolf Pack to Lehigh Valley on February 20. Lewis Zerter-Gossage – recalled by the Wolf Pack from Maine (ECHL), and traded to Lehigh Valley, February 20. Pack Tracks: Saturday, March 7, when the Wolf Pack host the Hershey Bears at 7:00, is Military Appreciation Night at the XL Center.  The Wolf Pack will be paying tribute to all veterans and active-duty military for their service to our country, and the first 2,000 fans will take home a free Wolf Pack reversible drink koozie, courtesy of CT-DOT. Each of the Wolf Pack’s Sunday and Wednesday home games feature the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Hat Trick Pack”.  The Hat Trick Pack includes two tickets, two sodas, and a large popcorn, all for just $40.  After this Sunday, the next Hat Trick Pack game is Wednesday, March 11, a 7:00 battle with the Providence Bruins. In partnership with the Hartford Chamber of Commerce, the Wolf Pack is offering “Suit to Sweater Wednesdays”, to wash away the mid-week work blues.  Any fan showing a company ID at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket office can purchase Blue-Level tickets to Wolf Pack Wednesday home games for only $15 each (limit two tickets per ID).  The Wolf Pack’s next Wednesday home date is March 11, when the Providence Bruins invade the XL Center for a 7:00 game. Once again this season, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs, and $2 draft beers and fountain sodas, at every Friday Wolf Pack home game, through the start of the second period, presented by Nomads Adventure Quest.  The Wolf Pack’s next Friday-night home outing is March 6, when they entertain the Hershey Bears in a 7:15 PM game. Wolf Pack home game tickets can be purchased 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. TRACK THE PACK ONLINE AT HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM Read the full article

#AdamHuska #AHL #BinghamtonDevils #BrendanGaunce #BridgeportSoundTigers #CHL #DannyO’Regan #ECHL #FrankBerrian #HartfordWolfPack #HersheyBears #JoshHo-Sang #NewYorkRangers #NickJones #ProvidenceBruins #RyanDmowski #TimGettinger #VinniLettieri #VitaliKravtsov #WebsterBankArena #XLCenter

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GRUNDY: PENGUINS SQUEAK PAST PACK 2-1

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 2, Hartford Wolf Pack 1 BY: Bryce Grundy, Hartford Wolf Pack Hartford, CT, February 12, 2020 – A Hartford Wolf Pack franchise-record 12-game home winning streak came to an end Wednesday night at the XL Center, in a 2-1 loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. It was only the second regulation defeat at home all season for the Wolf Pack, who are an AHL-best 20-2-0-2 on home ice. Rookie defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph, who had scored only once in 39 previous pro games, tallied both Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goals, and Casey DeSmith made 25 saves.  Ryan Dmowski scored the only Wolf Pack goal, and Adam Huska stopped 17 Penguin shots. “I don’t think there was many scoring chances either way,” said Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch. “I thought we turned the puck over, especially in the first period, and did a good job of denying the blue line.” It was an uneventful first period until the Penguins drew first blood with 1.6 seconds remaining in the period. An aggressive forecheck by Myles Powell and Kevin Roy led to a shot from Joseph at the point. Wolf Pack forward Vinni Lettieri blocked the initial shot, but Joseph was able to gather his own rebound and put his second shot past Huska. The Wolf Pack responded only 2:08 into the second period when Dmowski scored from a nearly impossible angle along the goal line.  Persistent pressure in the offensive zone by Hartford’s fourth line led to a Penguins turnover in front of their own net, and Dmowski was able to capitalize. Shawn McBride and Vincent LoVerde were awarded the assists. “I was just putting it to the net,” said Dmowski. “Goalie was mid-slide, but I was just trying to get it to the net. I was lucky I was right there for a perfect rebound. “What we’ve been doing best is working down low, limiting turnovers, forecheck hard and create opportunities off of that. That’s pretty much how we scored that goal.” “I think our fourth line has been maybe our best line in the last three games,” Knoblauch said. “They’re very consistent, they work hard every shift. It’s tough when you play against a line that’s got three guys with that intensity.” Joseph blasted the game-winning goal past a screened Huska with 5:09 remaining in the second period. “I thought we defended really well…fewest scoring chances we’ve given up all year,” Knoblauch said.  “We had to work harder to create more scoring chances.” “Every team goes through this, where they might have a little slump,” commented Dmowski, “but the best teams come back, and they get the confidence back and find a way to win games, and that’s what we’re going to do moving forward.” The Wolf Pack is back at the XL Center this Friday night, hosting the Laval Rocket at 7:15.  That is “Love is Love Night” at the XL Center.  The Wolf Pack will be wearing specialty pride jerseys, which will be auctioned off in the second intermission, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Connecticut Gay and Lesbian Collective, the Hartford Gay Men's Chorus and Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford.  Also, 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. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 2 at Hartford Wolf Pack 1 Wednesday, February 12, 2020 - XL Center Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 1 1 0 - 2 Hartford                         0 1 0 - 1 1st Period-1, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Joseph 2 (Powell, Roy), 19:58. Penalties-No Penalties 2nd Period-2, Hartford, Dmowski 3 (LoVerde, McBride), 2:08. 3, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Joseph 3 (Lizotte, Cassels), 14:51. Penalties-Lucchini Wbs (delay of game), 5:26; Huska Hfd (interference), 8:43; Blandisi Wbs (holding), 19:40. 3rd Period- No Scoring.  Penalties-LoVerde Hfd (slashing), 3:27; Keane Hfd (hooking), 11:04; Di Pauli Wbs (hooking), 19:57. Shots on Goal-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 7-7-5-19. Hartford 7-13-6-26. Power Play Opportunities-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 0 / 3; Hartford 0 / 3. Goalies-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, DeSmith 17-12-2 (26 shots-25 saves). Hartford, Huska 10-7-5 (19 shots-17 saves). A-1,527 Referees-Casey Terreri (75), Jim Curtin (90). Linesmen-Jonathan Deschamps (84), Nick Briganti (58). Read the full article

#AdamHuska #AHL #HartfordWolfPack #LavalRocket #RyanDmowski #VinniLettieri #Wilkes-Barre/ScrantonPenguins #XLCenter

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CANTLON: (SAT) THUNDERBIRDS DOUBLED UP BY PACK

Wolf Pack Entertain Thunderbirds BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Joey Keane paced the Wolf Pack with a three-point effort as they scored four goals in the third period to pull away from the Springfield Thunderbirds to win by the count of  6-3. The Wolf Pack continue their scorching play at home in raising their record at the XL Center to 18-1-0-2 on the season. The Wolf Pack also maintained its hold on first place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 26-10-4-5 for 61 points. Hershey kept pace with a 4-1 over Bridgeport at the Webster Bank Arena. The two teams square off tomorrow night at the Mass Mutual Center at 7 pm. “We came out good in the first, we were sluggish in the second too many penalties we just didn’t get any rhythm. The third period was much closer to how we want to play and we played much better,” remarked head coach Kris Knoblauch. In the third, the Wolf Pack were able to score early in the period to regain a one-goal lead. Vitali Kravtsov picked up his second assist of the night and made a dead stop in the right-wing faceoff circle after winning a one on one battle and then sent a perfect cross-ice lead pass that Phil Di Giuseppe skated into and deftly redirected his 14th goal into the net. “That was a sweet play he got it right to me. He’s gonna be a special player,” remarked DiGiuseppe The Wolf Pack didn’t stop there they restored a two-goal lead as Ryan Dmowski potted his second of the night off the left with his shot going off the arm of Thunderbirds goalie Philippe Desrosiers and into the net at, “It was a two on one and it was a weird bounce.  Behind the net, he put it out in front went off his foot and I just got it and it went right through his arm. I didn’t even see it go in till I heard the (goal) horn,” said Dmowski. The second period was choppy between penalties, offsides and play stoppages and the fourth line didn’t get the ice time they got some in third and made it count. “You control what you can control. When we got the call we went out and did our best every shift,” Dmowski remarked. Knoblauch is happy with the fourth line contribution. “McBride, Newell, and Dmowski that’s the second game in which they set up and important goal in the third period. They set up the game-winner in our last game before the break (Lehigh Valley) tonight Dmowski picks up with two goals. They deserve more ice time they way they have been playing and contributing.” Then Joey Keane capped his three-point night going in on a right-wing move after Thunderbirds turnover he seemed to be too deep almost behind the goal line sent the shot it went off the right post and off Desrosiers skate and into the net for a 5-2 Wolf Pack lead and the crowd was roaring a the Wolf Pack were pouring it on. “We got all four lines going tonight were able to push deep in their zone and made our shots count once we got that first one by Ryan we took control of the game,” said Keane. Springfield didn’t quit as their forechecking forced Yegor Rykov was hit behind the net by Jack Rodewald to turn the puck over to the Thunderbirds Jonathan Ang who spotted Rodrigo Abols parked in front of the net and flipped his third goal of the season into the net at 16:09 to make it 5-3. The Wolf Pack insurance goal and rarely do empty netters mean something, but this one did. Matt Beleskey outraced two Thunderbirds Ethan Prow and veteran Paul Thompson dove forward falling down with a one-hand swipe put in the insurance tally with 43.9 seconds left for the final score of 6-3. Keane was amazed by effort on the play. “That was unbelievable he was behind those two guys and he hustled past them I didn’t think he had a chance great play by a veteran.” Head coach Kris Knoblauch was highly complimentary of the effort. “That insurance goal was big for us and he fought hard to get it for us. Nobody on the team is happier to see Beleskey score because of what he means to our dressing room. He is such a great team guy everybody on the bench was yelling for him,”. The second period was a tight-checking affair though Springfield had some strong time in the Hartford zone. Jonathan Ang had a quality right-wing bid stopped by Husk just after a Mason Geertsten left point drive was kicked aside by Desrosiers. Springfield finally made an offensive foray count as they tied the game at two. Took the turnover by and came across the Wolf Pack blue line in a quick transition and sent a drop pass to Thomas Schmetisch who walked in off the right point and buried his fourth of the season five-hole on Adam Huska at 16:23. The Wolf Pack came roaring out of the gate grabbing a 2-0 lead in the first period. AHL All Stay Joe Keane did his best Vinni Lettieri impression top of the left-wing circle took the right point feed from his season-long defense partner Mason Geerstan with the blast that was stopped with a left pad save by Philippe Desrosiers, but the big rebound went right to Ryan Dmowmski (Old Lyme/Gunnery Prep) and he fired a 30 footer inside the right post past the left leg of Desrosiers.at 9:25. It was Dmowski’s first of the year and his first goal in two months. “It’s been too long of a while for me,” remarked Dmowski. Then “Ovi” Lettieri showed Keane how it's really done as the two practice mates hooked with Keane’s right point pass and Lettieri sent a rocket into the upper part of the net that the rookie Desrosiers could only wave.  It was Lettieri’s 19th of the season at 11:24. “There were a lot good plays and Keane was one of them sliding the puck over to me, He has own spot at the top of the circle gotta get my own there,” laughed Lettieri taking the Ovechkin reference in good stride “no way do I have the shot he has and it's one of those little things he does. That’s why he is one of the greatest goal scorers of all time.” Earlier in the evening Ovechkin surpassed Rangers great Mark Messier on the goal-scoring list and is now five away from the magical 700 plateaux. Knoblauch just smiled about his two All-Star amigos. “The goal Vinni scored and Keaner made the pass to him they practice that play probably 45 times a practice. Every single day after practice that one-timer on the powerplay. Vinni comes up with another big goal,” remarked Knoblauch breaking into a broad wide grin. The Thunderbirds answered back on the powerplay at 13:24 as Ethan Prow’s right point shot was stopped by starter Adam Huska, but came right to Alexsei Heponiemi who sent a smart short pass to an open Dryden Hunt and he banged in his ninth of the year into the open right side at 13:24. It looked if Springfield had tied the game at 15:21 as the Springfield put big pressure on Huska who stopped Rodrigo Abols from 10 feet out and then, Joel Lowry, he never had control of the puck till came barreling off the left-wing and knocked the puck and Huska over the goal line and dislodged the net. The referees ruled the net was off the pegs before the puck crossed the goal line. The hockey gods were smiling. The Pack had three late quality chances to get another two-goal lead Steven Fogarty hit the posy with 2:27 left in the period, then Matt Beleskey with 29 seconds left and Patrick Newell off the right-wing just before the period expired. LINES: Gettinger-Kravtsov-Lettieri O’Regan-Fogarty-Di Giuseppe Jones-Gropp-Beleskey McBride-Newell-Dmowski Hajek-Raddysh Keane-Geersten Rykov-LoVerde SCRATCHES: Nick Ebert (lower body, day to day) Boo Nieves (flu, day to day) Jeff Taylor (healthy) Gabriel Fontaine (shoulder surgery-season ending). NOTES: Rearguard Yegor Rykov likely suffered a broken nose when hit with an errant puck that force the ice crew to come out to clean up a large amount of blood about 10 feet from the Wolf Pack bench in the first period. He didn’t put on a full visor for the rest of the game. We'll see how it is in Springfield tomorrow. -The AHL announced today that next year’s AHL All-Star Classic is in Laval, Quebec. If you haven’t gone to Laval yet make your plans now located just outside of Montreal easily accessible by the Metro Orange line by 25 minutes leaving from the Bell Centre location and arriving at the end of the Montmorency line in Laval with Place Bell Arena across the street from the Metro station. Montreal will also be the site for this summer’s NHL Entry Draft. -Knoblauch’s return from California was interesting, to say the least. “I started in Ontario our plan never showed up. We go to the other airport the plane has mechanical difficulties and we finally leave late. Get to Minneapolis and we miss our connecting flight. It was a long day.” -UCONN picked up an important Hockey East win in New Hampshire beating UNH 7-4. Jonny Evans recorded his second hat trick of the season and five points and freshmen Alexander Firstov had a goal and three assists. UCONN raced out to a 3-0 lead in the first minutes before the Wildcats clawed their way back to tie at three with three power play tallies. The Huskies with two late second period goals pulled ahead and never looked back. The two teams play at the XL Center at 4:00 pm on Saturday and it’s a televised gamer on NESN. Read the full article

#AdamHuska #AHLAll-StarClassic #BellCentre #BooNieves #DrydenHunt #GabrielFontaine #HockeyEast #Howlings #JoelLowry #MarkMessier #MattBeleskey #NHL #RyanDmowski #SpringfieldThunderbirds #StevenFogarty #UConn #VinniLettieri #VitaliKravtsov #WebsterBankArena #XLCenter #YegorRykov

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CANTLON: SOUND TIGERS TAKE WHOOPING IN HARTFORD

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Igor Shesterkin made 30 saves and Matt Beleskey had two goals to help the Hartford Wolf Pack snap their four-game losing streak as they beat the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4-1 on Friday in an Atlantic Division meeting at the XL Center before a season-best crowd of 5,707. The Wolf Pack record improves to 24-10-4-5 (57 points). They will play host to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms Saturday night before their brief three-day AHL All-Star break. The Wolf Pack retains first place by percentage points (.30) as the Hershey Bears won Friday as well, 5-2 over the Springfield Thunderbirds. Shesterkin will start again in net against the Phantoms. Bridgeport record drops to 15-24-4-1 (35 points). They occupy the eighth and final place in the Atlantic Division. The Sound Tigers head to Springfield Saturday. “The best recipe to break a losing streak is to come back and play at home,” said Wolf Pack head coach, Kris Knoblauch. The Wolf Pack home record stands at 17-1-0-2 and 7-9-4-3 on the road. Having Shesterkin back in net makes a big difference. Would the coach ever lobby GM Chris Drury to have the Russian rookie stay a little longer? “That would be nice,” Knoblauch said with a laugh. “We realize this is temporary, and we'll use him for as long as we can and enjoy him while we can until he returns to New York.” In the second period, Hartford pulled away and took control of the game. The Wolf Pack pocketed their second goal shorthanded. Captain Steven Fogarty, always a threat with a man down, capitalized for his third shorthanded tally of the season. Fogarty pried the puck away from Sebastian Aho then outmuscled him as he drove to the net on the left-wing and slipped a backhander into the net for his 11th of the season by netminder Christopher Gibson at 5:22. “That was the difference in the game tonight. Fogarty was very persistent in getting that puck. He was able to break away (from his check) and did the right thing with it,” said Knoblauch. Beleskey was highly complimentary. “(It was a) great move, great hands, great goal. It changed everything and definitely got us going.” Bridgeport head coach and ex-Wolf Pack, Brent Thompson, was none too pleased. He called a timeout and read his team the riot act. “Anytime the other team takes a timeout middle of the game (early in the second period) you know you're doing something good,” said Beleskey, The Wolf Pack got stronger and picked up the third goal in spectacular fashion. Four of the five players on the ice, except Yegor Rykov, got touches of the puck. The sixth guy got the scoring play started. It all started with Shesterkin behind the goal cage. He zipped a perfect lead pass to Phil Di Giuseppe at the Sound Tigers blue line. Di Giuseppe turned and curled and fired a pass to Darren Raddysh who was coming with speed coming through the middle and just entering the offensive zone. Raddysh dished it off beautifully to Boo Nieves in the right circle. He was standing in the right-wing circle and one touched the pass to Beleskey coming off the left-wing. He redirected his 12th into the net at 15:20. “That was a great passing play all around. All I had to was just tap it in,” remarked Beleskey of the second powerplay goal of the evening. Knoblauch is in awe of Shesterkin’s skills. “That’s the second time he has set up a powerplay goal for us this year with his passing. Its so nice to have that extra defenseman back there. We moved the puck and our powerplay ahs to get better and it was important we got of them tonight (two on three not shabby) we got those contributions.” Raddysh felt fortunate on the play. “Igor got it going and Phil made a nice move and pass and everything was in front of me, everything just worked perfect for that goal.” Shesterkin factored in the fourth goal doing his regularly appointed duty of stopping pucks. Coming out on Bridgeport’s Colin MacDonald (Wethersfield) on a breakaway with 2:54 left in the period and he came out and challenged him and cutting the angle down and made the stop. “Your not going to replace a goalie like that,but we also how how important he is to this team. but we have to tighten up defensively we got outshot again tonight. We can’t always rely on that (having Shesterkin) it’s certainly nice have him,” said Beleskey with a smile of acknowledgement of what he means to this team. Later in that sequence with the Sound Tigers pushing back. The puck was pitchforked out of the zone seemingly by Mason Geersten who was credited with the assist. However, head coach Knoblauch after viewing the video several times said in the post game that it was actually Ryan Gropp who got the puck in front of Shesterkin and sent it off the center ice boards to give the Beleskey the breakaway. Then Beleskey hopped off the bench screamed across the ice right to left retrieved the loose puck off the left wing boards in the Sound Tigers zone. Beleskey caught Gibson cheating too far on his right post fired his second of the night 13th of the season over his glove hand far side at 17:25 for a 4-0 lead. “To be honest, I was asleep at the bench I forgot to go out for my shift !! So I jumped on at the right time they usually don’t end up happening that way ! Again it was another nice pass,” said Beleskey sheepishly laughing at himself turning a potential bad moment into a goal. Likely Gropp will get the official assist when a scoring change request is filed with the league. In the third period, the Wolf Pack continued their season long third period shutdown routine and are now 18-0-1-2 when leading after two periods. Of the 10 shots in the third period just one got by Shesterkin on the evening as Travis St. Denis was able to corral a bouncing puck off a Steve Bernier shot attempt. Igor got a piece  of, but couldn’t contain the wobbly puck and former QU Bobcat spoiled the shutout bid with his seventh goal at 15:07, Shesterkin almost had the capper for the evening with the goalie pulled he wanted the puck to try to put the puck in the net. “I didn’t hear him call for the puck I wish I had heard him, I would have gladly given him the puck,” smiled Raddysh. The Wolf Pack were able to cash in on their second powerplay to take a 1-0 lead. The power play defense combo of Raddysh and Yegor Rykov were able to generate offense quickly as Rykov at the right point sent a pass from the right point to Raddysh at the top of the left wing circle. Raddysh’s shot went off the back of Sound Tigers defenseman Sebastien Aho as he turned to block the shot and protect himself, but the puck richochet right over to an open Phil Di Giuseppe. Di Giuseppe one timed the puck past a diving Christopher Gibson at 16:42 for his 12th of the season in his first game back from Rangers recall. Head coach Kris Knoblauch was true to his word and change his defense combos going for the lefty-righty combo set. He split his top pair of Vincent LoVerde and Darren Raddysh pairing them Libor Hajek and Yegor Rykov respectively and reunited Mason Geersten and AHL All Star selection Joey Keane. “Were happy with things we just aiming to find the right balance we haven’t had (lefty and righty shooters) and it was a good night,” said Knoblauch. While they tossed nine shots pm goal the Wolf Pack to have missed the net as on that many as well. In one sequence they had four good quality open shots on net sent it either high or wide. “There is fine line between waiting to make the play and holding it too long. I think if we can get into a better groove on that will do better,” said Beleskey. The Wolf Pack got much better in the second period. LINES: Nieves-Di Giuseppe-Lettieri O’Regan-Fogarty-Kravtsov Jones-Newell-Gettinger Beleskey-McBride-Groppn Hajek-Raddysh Keane-Geersten Rykov-LoVerde SCRATCHES: Jeff Taylor (healthy) Ryan Dmowski (healthy) Lias Andersson (suspended) Gabriel Fontaine (shoulder surgery-season ending). NOTES: -Knoblauch is looking forward to his time in California as the head coach of the Atlantic squad. “I very much am looking forward to this. Look, I’m just the guy representing us. There are more players who have contributed to the success of this team than I have. I just hope Vinni and Joey score some goals and we get the win !!” remarked Knoblauch. Keane is quite excited. “I’m really looking foward to it get a chance to meet some new guys and enjoy the sun and the game. I worked really hard last summer to prepare for my first season and this is the reward.” -Boo Nieves has 11 points in his last eight games. -Beleskey has three goals in his last two games -Shesterkin lowered his AHL best GAA to 1.89 GAA  and has a 16-4-3 record. If he played a full year he might challenge all the Wolf Pack goalie records held by Jason LaBarbera. -In Portland, Maine tonight goalie Adam Huska  stopped 44 of 45 shots in his ECHL debut and Ty Ronning scored a hat trick as the Maine on just 22 shots scored an 8-1 tout over the Worcester Railers in the battle of the affiliates of the Wolf Pack and Sound Tigers. Lewis Zerter-Gossage tallied his first ECHL goal of the year in his first game since being sent back. While former QU Bobcat Jordan Samuels-Thomas (West Hartford) had a tough night going a team worst minus four. The Mariners are in fourth place in the ECHL North Division with a record of 21-18-1-1 with 44 points in the six points behind Brampton. Maine has a rematch in Worcester Saturday night at the DCU Center with the David Cuniff coached Railers who started the year as the Wolf Pack assistant coach. -Former QU Bobcat Sam Anas of Iowa with 45 points in 45 games and is the third leading scorer in the AHL was added to AHL All Star Classic roster. -Ex-Pack Justin Fontaine (no relation to current Wolf Pack Gabriel Fontaine) signs a contract for the rest of the season with the Cologne Sharks (Germany-DEL). Read the full article

#AdamHuska #BooNieves #BrentThompson #BridgeportSoundTigers #ChrisDrury #ChristopherGibson #DCUCenter #ECHL #GabrielFontaine #GerryCantlon #HartfordWolfPack #HersheyBears #JasonLaBarbera #LehighValleyPhantoms #LiasAndersson #MattBeleskey #RyanDmowski #RyanGropp #SebastianAho #SpringfieldThunderbirds #SteveBernier #StevenFogarty #TravisSt.Denis #TyRonning #Wethersfield #WHA #WorcesterRailers #XLCenter #YegorRykov

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CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: February 3-9, 2020

BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT - The Wolf Pack (26-11-4-5, 61 pts.) split a home-and-home set with their I-91 rivals the Springfield Thunderbirds, topping the Thunderbirds 6-3 Friday night at the XL Center before falling by a 2-0 score the next night in Springfield.  A trio of rookies had big games in Friday’s win, with Ryan Dmowski striking for his first multiple-point game in the AHL with two scores, Joey Keane notching his first three-point effort as a pro with a goal and two assists, and Vitaly Kravtsov adding two assists, for his first multiple-point outing in North American pro. For the latest AHL standings, click here. This week: The Wolf Pack finish a run of three straight games against Springfield Wednesday night at the XL Center, with faceoff at 7:00.  After that, the club makes its second journey of the season down to Charlotte, NC, for dates Friday night (7:00) and Saturday night (6:00) with the Checkers. Wednesday, February 5 vs. the Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida) at the XL Center, 7:00 PM This 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 a large popcorn, all for just $40. This is also a “Suit to Sweater Wednesday”, offered in partnership with the Hartford Chamber of Commerce.  Any fan showing a company ID at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket office can purchase Blue-Level tickets to Wolf Pack Wednesday home games for only $15 each (limit two tickets per ID). If the Wolf Pack win this game, they set a new franchise record for consecutive home wins.  The Wolf Pack has currently triumphed in 11 straight at home, tying a team mark that was set from December 17, 2004, through February 18, 2005. Saturday’s 2-0 win over the Wolf Pack in Springfield was the Thunderbirds’ first victory in five meetings between the two clubs this season.  The Wolf Pack are 3-0-0-0 at home vs. Springfield on the year. Thunderbird winger Dryden Hunt scored in both games against the Wolf Pack this past weekend and brings a three-game goal-scoring streak (3-1-4) into this contest. Springfield has won five of its last seven games and 10 of its last 14, and the Thunderbirds enter this week tied with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the fourth spot in the Atlantic Division. Tickets for this game, and 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. Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford and Mark Bailey on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV. Friday, February 7 at the Charlotte Checkers (Carolina) at Bojangles’ Coliseum, 7:00 PM The Checkers (25-17-3-0, 53 pts.) stopped a three-game losing streak in their last action, a 4-3 win at Toronto Saturday.  Charlotte comes into the week one point out of an Atlantic Division playoff spot. The Wolf Pack and Checkers have met four times previously this season, and the home teams have been perfect in the season series thus far.  The Wolf Pack lost two earlier visits to Charlotte by a combined margin of 13-4, December 17 and 18. Checker forward Morgan Geekie (15-16-31 in 42 GP) has scored in three straight games (3-1-4) and five of the last six (6-3-9), and has at least a point in 11 consecutive contests (8-6-14), the longest current such streak in the AHL. Broadcast – live online at HERE Video streaming at com/AHLTV Saturday, February 8 at the Charlotte Checkers (Carolina) at Bojangles’ Coliseum, 6:00 PM The Checkers are 12-9-1-0 on home ice for the year, and the Wolf Pack, who have never won in 12 all-time visits to Charlotte (0-12-0-0), are 7-10-4-3 on the road. Broadcast – live online at HERE Video streaming at com/AHLTV. Recent Transactions: Phil DiGiuseppe – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers February 2. Pack Tracks: Friday, February 14, when the Wolf Pack host the Laval Rocket at 7:15 PM, it’s “Love Is Love Night” at the XL Center, as the Wolf Pack celebrates the love for hockey, pride, and diversity.  The Wolf Pack will be wearing specialty pride jerseys, which will be auctioned off in the second intermission, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Connecticut Gay and Lesbian Collective, the Hartford Gay Men's Chorus and Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford. Each of the Wolf Pack’s Sunday and Wednesday home games feature the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Hat Trick Pack”.  The Hat Trick Pack includes two tickets, two sodas, and a large popcorn, all for just $40.  After this Wednesday night, the next Hat Trick Pack game is next Wednesday, February 12, a 7:00 battle with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. In partnership with the Hartford Chamber of Commerce, the Wolf Pack are offering “Suit to Sweater Wednesdays”, to wash away the mid-week work blues.  Any fan showing a company ID at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket office can purchase Blue-Level tickets to Wolf Pack Wednesday home games for only $15 each (limit two tickets per ID).  After this Wednesday night, the Wolf Pack’s next Wednesday home date is next Wednesday, February 12, when the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins invade the XL Center for a 7:00 game. Once again this season, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs, and $2 draft beers and fountain sodas, at every Friday Wolf Pack home game, through the start of the second period, presented by Nomads Adventure Quest.  The Wolf Pack’s next Friday-night home outing is February 14, when they entertain the Laval Rocket in a 7:15 PM game. Wolf Pack home game tickets can be purchased 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. TRACK THE PACK ONLINE AT HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM Read the full article

#AHL #BobCrawford #Chamberofcommerce #CharlotteCheckers #DrydenHunt #HartfordWolfPack #Howlings #LavalRocket #NewYorkRangers #RyanDmowski #SpringfieldThunderbirds #UBS #Wilkes-Barre/ScrantonPenguins #XLCenter

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COLLINS: (FRI) PACK TAKE THE THUNDER OUT OF SPRINGFIELD

Hartford Wolf Pack 6, Springfield Thunderbirds 3  BY: Micah Collins, Hartford Wolf Pack Hartford, CT, January 31, 2020 – The Hartford Wolf Pack came back from their All-Star break in style Friday night at the XL Center, beating the Springfield Thunderbirds 6-3, led in part by Ryan Dmowski’s two-goal night. The victory was the Wolf Pack’s 11th straight on home ice, tying a franchise record set in the 2004-05 season. The game was the first of three straight between the two teams.  Joey Keane had a goal and two assists for the Wolf Pack, and Vinni Lettieri added a goal and an assist. The Wolf Pack got on the board first when Dmowski scored his first goal of the season with 10:35 remaining in the opening period.  Keane and Mason Geertsen assisted on the goal. “It felt good to get my confidence back and put the puck in the net, it’s been too long for me,” Dmowski said. “I was just a lucky recipient on the first goal. It came right in front, and I was lucky to be the one there.” Not long after, Hartford would make it 2-0 when Lettieri fired a slap shot over the glove of Philippe Desrosiers (25 Saves) with 8:13 left in the period. Keane and Vitali Kravtsov assisted on the goal. “It’s insane what Lettieri and Keane can do with their hands and the way they think the game,” noted Dmowski of his All-Star teammates. “It’s definitely been impressive to watch.” Springfield would cut the lead to 2-1 just 1:37 later, at 13:24, when Dryden Hunt scored his ninth goal of the year during a Thunderbirds power play. Aleksi Heponiemi and Ethan Prow assisted on the tally. The second period appeared as though it would be scoreless until Thomas Schemitsch scored his fourth of the year off a shot that snuck through Adam Huska’s (26 saves) pads with just 3:37 left in the middle frame. The Wolf Pack regained the lead just 3:35 into the final period when Phil Di Giuseppe put the puck into a wide-open net after a beautiful cross-ice pass from Kravtsov. The goal was Di Giuseppe’s 14th of the year, and Kravtsov’s assist was his second of the night. The Wolf Pack would continue to put on the pressure until Dmowski scored his second goal of the night to put Hartford up 4-2 with 7:41 remaining.  Lettieri assisted on the goal. “Dmowski and his line have been really good for us lately in setting up key plays,” said Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch. “Unfortunately they couldn’t get much ice time in the second because we kept getting trapped in our zone, but they were ready when called upon.” Just 1:22 later, at 13:41, Keane snuck a puck just past the goal line to further pad the lead. Danny O’Regan had the lone assist. Springfield was able to close the gap soon after when Rodrigo Abols scored his third goal of the game with 3:51 left in the final frame to pull his team within two goals of the Wolf Pack, with Jonathan Ang and Jack Rodewald assisting on the goal. Springfield would then pull the goalie, but it would prove in vain with Matt Beleskey making a diving play to score on the empty net with 43.9 seconds left. The Wolf Pack and Thunderbirds clash again Saturday night in Springfield, with faceoff at 7:05.  All of the action can be heard live on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com.  Video streaming is available at theahl.com/AHLTV. The Wolf Pack’s next home game is also against Springfield, this Wednesday night, February 5.  Faceoff is 7:00, and 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 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. Springfield Thunderbirds 3 at Hartford Wolf Pack 6 Friday, January 31, 2020 - XL Center Springfield 1 1 1 - 3 Hartford     2 0 4 - 6 1st Period-1, Hartford, Dmowski 1 (Keane, Geertsen), 9:25. 2, Hartford, Lettieri 19 (Keane, Kravtsov), 11:47. 3, Springfield, Hunt 9 (Heponiemi, Prow), 13:24 (PP). Penalties-Audette Spr (hooking), 5:47; Hajek Hfd (holding), 12:24. 2nd Period-4, Springfield, Schemitsch 4 (Audette, Rodewald), 16:23. Penalties-Hajek Hfd (holding), 3:42; Geertsen Hfd (delay of game), 7:03. 3rd Period-5, Hartford, Di Giuseppe 14 (Kravtsov, Hajek), 3:35. 6, Hartford, Dmowski 2 (Lettieri), 12:19. 7, Hartford, Keane 7 (O'Regan), 13:41. 8, Springfield, Abols 3 (Ang, Rodewald), 16:09. 9, Hartford, Beleskey 14 19:16 (EN). Penalties-Lettieri Hfd (tripping), 13:59. Shots on Goal-Springfield 8-9-9-26. Hartford 9-10-12-31. Power Play Opportunities-Springfield 1 / 4; Hartford 0 / 1. Goalies-Springfield, Desrosiers 12-7-1 (30 shots-25 saves). Hartford, Huska 9-5-5 (26 shots-23 saves). A-4,824 Referees-Jeremy Tufts (78), Brett Roeland (59). Linesmen-Nick Briganti (58), Paul Simeon (66). Read the full article

#AdamHuska #AHL #DannyO’Regan #DrydenHunt #HartfordWolfPack #Howlings #MattBeleskey #RyanDmowski #SpringfieldThunderbirds #VinniLettieri #VitaliKravtsov #XLCenter

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GRUNDY: (1/25) PACK DOUBLE UP PHANTOMS

Hartford Wolf Pack 4, Lehigh Valley Phantoms 2 BY: Bryce Grundy, Hartford Wolf Pack Hartford, CT, January 25, 2020 – The Hartford Wolf Pack completed a sweep of a two-game weekend Saturday night at the XL Center, defeating the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 4-2, in both teams’ last action before the AHL All-Star break. The Wolf Pack had knocked off the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on home ice by a 4-1 score on Friday night. Hartford is now 18-1-0-2 at home on the season and is currently on a 10-game win streak at the XL Center. Igor Shesterkin shined yet again in net Saturday, stopping 28 of 30 shots. Ryan Gropp’s two-goal night included the third-period game-winner. “We played a good team game,” said Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch. “A lot of respect for our opponent tonight.” Relentless offensive-zone pressure by the Phantoms led them to a 2-0 lead early in the game. The first Lehigh Valley goal came from their forward, Max Willman at 5:39 of the first period, and it only took 31 seconds for the Phantoms to find the back of the net again, this time on a goal by winger Greg Carey. “A lot of credit to the Phantoms,” mentioned Knoblauch. “They came out hard and wanted to win this game.” The Wolf Pack responded with two unanswered goals of their own shortly thereafter. Phil Di Giuseppe’s shot went wide into the right-wing corner, and a charging Darren Raddysh shot the puck on net and caught Phantoms starting netminder Jean-Francois Berube by surprise, cutting the lead in half and 7:49. Then Hartford created an offensive-zone turnover, as a result of an aggressive forecheck that started with forward, Ryan Dmowski. Gropp took advantage of an out of position Berube with a whistling one-timer in the slot at 10:58. Forward Shawn McBride assisted on the goal. That ended the night for Berube, who was replaced by Alex Lyon after making two saves. Defense and goaltending highlighted the second period, as both clubs were held scoreless. Gropp snipped the game-winner at 9:01 of the third frame. Linemate Dmowski created another scoring opportunity, as he sped through the neutral zone, attracting three Phantom players towards him and freeing up the slot for a wide-open Gropp. “I thought we were the better team in the second half.  Our fourth line came up huge,” noted Knoblauch. Di Giuseppe added an empty-netter to his two-point night, sealing the win for Hartford with 7.7 left. The Wolf Pack returns from the All-Star break with a home game this Friday, January 31 vs. the Springfield Thunderbirds.  Faceoff is 7:15, and 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. Lehigh Valley Phantoms 2 at Hartford Wolf Pack 4 Saturday, January 25, 2020 - XL Center Lehigh Valley 2 0 0 - 2 Hartford         2 0 2 - 4 1st Period-1, Lehigh Valley, Willman 3 (de Haas, Willcox), 5:39. 2, Lehigh Valley, Carey 13 (O'Reilly, Kase), 6:10. 3, Hartford, Raddysh 6 (Di Giuseppe, O'Regan), 7:49. 4, Hartford, Gropp 2 (McBride), 10:58. Penalties-Fogarty Hfd (tripping), 1:50. 2nd Period- No Scoring.  Penalties-Bunnaman Lv (tripping), 13:55. 3rd Period-5, Hartford, Gropp 3 (Dmowski, Nieves), 9:01. 6, Hartford, Di Giuseppe 13 (Jones, O'Regan), 19:52 (EN). Penalties-No Penalties Shots on Goal-Lehigh Valley 13-7-10-30. Hartford 6-12-8-26. Power Play Opportunities-Lehigh Valley 0 / 1; Hartford 0 / 1. Goalies-Lehigh Valley, Berube 9-8-4 (4 shots-2 saves); Lyon 9-13-2 (21 shots-20 saves). Hartford, Shesterkin 17-4-3 (30 shots-28 saves). A-6,617 Referees-Conor O'Donnell (41), Mike Dietrich (15). Linesmen-Nick Briganti (58), Glen Cooke (6). Read the full article

#AHL #BridgeportSoundTigers #HartfordWolfPack #Howlings #LehighValleyPhantoms #RyanDmowski #RyanGropp #SpringfieldThunderbirds #XLCenter

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CANTLON: (FRI) PACK POUND CHARLOTTE

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack sought to get retribution on the team that they played their two worst games of the 2019-20 season again, the Charlotte Checkers three weeks ago at the Bojangles Coliseum when the two teams squared off at the XL Center Friday night in the two team's first meeting there since opening night. Five players had multiple-point games and led by Vinni Lettieri’s four-point night (goal and three assists) beating Charlotte 6-3. The Wolf Pack kept their hold on first place in the AHL’s Atlantic Division 23-8-2-5 with 53 points and remain four points ahead of Hershey who beat Wilkes Barre/Scranton 2-1 in OT. The Wolf Pack travels to Wilkes Barre/Scranton tomorrow with Tom McCollum getting the start in goal his first AHL action of the season. The Wolf Pack, are a third-period beast to play against. They scored twice to extend their lead to three goals and now have a record when leading after two periods of 17-0-1-2. With extra hustle, Tim Gettinger picked up the fifth goal as he got to Mason Geersten bouncing dump-in and chipped it past Anton Forsberg at 3:43. “Gert just dumped in and took a weird bounce off a guy there and there were a lot of sticks in the way. I was just trying to get mine on it and played through the whole play and was able to put it in,” remarked Gettinger, who had a goal and two assists. Then late in the game at 14:23, Gettinger hit Boo Nieves with a gorgeous pass coming with speed down the middle. He made a beautiful move to his backhand and tucked it under Forsberg's left pad to seal the game's final score at 6-3 to run their home record to 16-1-0-2. “Last few years the third period was our kryptonite. We didn’t play with confidence and go the things we needed to do very well. This year we have a whole different mindset. We’ve been getting pucks deep and were more relaxed and were getting good energy on penalty kills in third. We didn’t have that last year at all everybody is buying and its inspiring everyone else and we're all feeding off that,” Nieves, who had a goal and an assist, said. Gettinger was involved the whole third period and was the first star (not correctly announced) with the early goal, off a superb set-up on the last goal and in between a PK block and half that left him hobbled but were out there battling. “We take a lot of pride defensively and everybody, (Nick) Ebert was out there with a couple of blocks on the PK. Everyone is buying into things and we capitalized on the chances we got. The head coach marvels at what the Nieves has done. “He started the season on the fourth line and works his way up and now he gets power play, penalty kill, five-on-five. He is developing into a complete player,” said Knoblauch. Nieves has nine points in his last seven games. Gettinger has six points in his last four games while Lettieri has nine points in his last six games. The line had nine points for the game and was a combined plus-9 as each recorded a plus-3. “I think I’m gonna have to break them up,” Knoblauch joked. “That’s our defensive line and it's great to be getting that type of production.” The formula for its success is the use of all three player's best assets. “I think Vinni, with his shooting, me, with my speed and Gets uses his size so well and he has speed. We're doing the simple things and its working well for us that way right now,” said Nieves. In the second period, the pace was good. It was not as chaotic as the first, but still, there were some golden offensive chances had by the two teams. Hartford was able to extend the lead to 4-3. At 4:23 they scored their second powerplay tally of the game. Joey Keane’s right-point blast was tipped up high by Danny O’Regan snagging his second of the game and eighth of the season with Gettinger providing the perfect screen as Forsberg never saw the shot. Before the power play, Adam Huska stopped Gustav Forsling who's shot came from dead center, 30-feet out. The Wolf Pack had a five-on-three powerplay for a 1:10 span and couldn’t put one past Forsberg after having trouble with their zone entries. The Checkers used an early scoring barrage at the XL at 2:55. Clark Bishop had inside position on Ebert and put the pass from the deep right-wing side from ex-Sound Tiger Colin Markison in for the goal. The Wolf Pack answered back 26 seconds later with Nieves taking a Phil Di Giuseppe rebound and opening his legs to create space protection of the puck zipped a pass to Lettieri located in the left-wing circle and ripped his shot to the short-side past Forsberg at 3:22. “It's always good to get some time and space in this league, and Vinni has one of the better shots in the league," said Nieves. The Checkers regained the lead with Julien Gauthier in the slot was able to take a pass from Max McCormick and put it past Huska at 5:29. Then 1:03 later the Wolf Pack tied it up. Matt Geersten got the puck off a faceoff win from O’Regan. He launched a shot from the left point. He then flicked in a rebound at the side of the net where it had just gone off the side of the cage, then off of Forsberg’s stick. Forsberg was all tangled up and it somehow sneaked into the short-side to even the game at 2. O’Regan helped break up a long scoring drought with no goals and one assist in his last eight games. Just 10 seconds after the goal, the Wolf Pack took a lead. Darren Raddysh was the center and on the right-wing. He took an outlet pass from his defensive partner, Vincent LoVerde, got in deep to the goal line and put the puck out front to an open Matt Beleskey who was barreling down an open left-wing. Beleskey as he was falling down flipped to the puck to the top part of the net for his tenth of the season at 6:42. “I picked up that move along the way,” Beleskey said with a laugh acknowledging the improbability of his shot. The Checkers answered back to tie the game at three on the powerplay. Morgan Geekie won the offensive zone draw from Nieves and was open in the slot. He took a short backhanded pass and beat Huska to the far side with his ninth of the season. The teams came up for air in the second half of he period trying to control the game’s pace. LINES: Nieves-Gettinger-Lettieri O’Regan-Kravtsov-Di Giuseppe Jones-Beleskey-Gropp Zerter-Gossage-Newell-McBride Raddysh-LoVerde Keane-Geersten Rykov-Ebert SCRATCHES: Ryan Dmowski (healthy) Jeff Taylor (healthy) Lias Andersson (suspended) Gabriel Fontaine (shoulder surgery-season ending) NOTES: The strong play of the Springfield Thunderbirds continues as they shut out the Bridgeport Sound Tigers for their fifth win in a row. They are now in third place, just nine points behind the Wolf Pack -The Toronto-Texas game in Austin was canceled as 1-0 forfeit for Texas because the Marlies experienced a  serious medical emergency with assistant coach Rob Davison who was stricken in the locker room and taken to a local hospital. No further word was available regarding his condition. Read the full article

#AdamHuska #AHL #AntonForsberg #BooNieves #BrianGibbons #GabrielFontaine #GerryCantlon #JulienGauthier #LiasAndersson #MattBeleskey #RobDavison #RyanDmowski #TimGettinger #VinniLettieri #XLCenter

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CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: January 6-12, 2020

BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack (21-8-2-5, 49 pts.) are riding a four-game winning streak, after three victories this past week.  The Wolf Pack rang out 2019 in winning fashion on Tuesday night at home, jumping out to a 3-0 first-period lead over Bridgeport and hanging on for a 3-2 triumph.  Matt Beleskey scored two goals, including the power-play game-winner, in that contest.  On Friday night in Providence, a Vinni Lettieri goal broke a 1-1 tie with 25.8 seconds left in the third period, and Tim Gettinger scored his second tally of the game into an empty net, lifting the Wolf Pack to a 3-1 win over the Bruins.  Then, the Wolf Pack faced off against the Utica Comets for the first time on the year Saturday night at the XL Center, and came away with a 3-1 victory.  Phil DiGiuseppe had a goal and an assist in that game, and Vincent LoVerde scored his first Wolf Pack game-winner.   For the latest AHL standings, click here. This week: The Wolf Pack have a three-game divisional slate on tap this week, starting with a trip to Hershey for a 7:00 date with the Bears on Wednesday night.  The Wolf Pack are back home on Friday night, hosting the Charlotte Checkers at 7:15, and then it’s back to the Keystone State on Saturday night, for the Wolf Pack’s first look at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (7:05). Wednesday, January 8 at the Hershey Bears (Washington) at Giant Center, 7:00 PM The Bears have been the hottest team in the AHL since a 4-3 overtime win over the Wolf Pack in the last meeting between the two teams December 1 in Hershey.  That result started a stretch in which the Bears have won 13 of 14 games, to climb into second place in the Atlantic Division. Hershey goaltender Vitek Vanecek is 8-1-0 in his last nine appearances, with a 1.77 GAA and a 93.7% save percentage over that span. This is the third meeting of the season between the Wolf Pack and Bears, and, prior to Hershey’s overtime victory December 1, the Wolf Pack took the first encounter November 8 in Hartford, 2-1. Broadcast – live on-line at HERE.  Video streaming at com/AHLTV. Friday, January 10 vs. the Charlotte Checkers (Carolina) at the XL Center, 7:15 PM The first 2,000 fans into this game will receive a free Wolf Pack clear tote bag, intended to reduce plastic waste, courtesy of Lewis Real Estate Services, LLC. This and every Friday-night Wolf Pack home game features $1 hot dogs, and $2 draft beers and fountain sodas, through the start of the second period, presented by Nomads Adventure Quest. The Wolf Pack defeated the Checkers in both teams’ season opener October 5 at the XL Center, 5-3, but lost a pair of subsequent meetings in Charlotte, December 17 and 18, by a combined margin of 13-4. The defending Calder Cup-champion Checkers have won a season-high five straight games, and nine of their last 11. Checker forward Julien Gauthier totaled six points (3-3-6) in Charlotte’s back-to-back home victories (6-3 and 7-1) over the Wolf Pack December 17 and 18. At this and every Wolf Pack Friday or Saturday home game, fans are encouraged to come early for “Hockey Happy Hour” in the XL Center’s Coliseum Club.  From 5:15 PM until puck drop, a $5 wrist band gives fans access to the “Chill Zone” of the Coliseum Club, which features an appetizer buffet and $2 beers, presented by Minuteman Press. Tickets for this and 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. Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford and Mark Bailey on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV. Saturday, January 11 at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh) at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, 7:05 PM The Penguins are the only team on the Wolf Pack’s schedule this season that Hartford has not yet played.  This is the first of six meetings for the Wolf Pack with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, against whom the Wolf Pack went 3-2-1-0 in a six-game series last year, 2-1-0-0 on the road. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s head coach this year is Mike Vellucci, who piloted the Charlotte Checkers to a Calder Cup championship last season, in his second year behind the Charlotte bench. The Penguins come into this week having lost back-to-back home games, 6-2 vs. Hershey on Friday night and 6-3 against Springfield on Saturday. Broadcast – live on-line at HERE.  Video streaming at com/AHLTV. Recent Transactions: Ryan Dmowski – recalled by the Wolf Pack from Maine (ECHL) January 2. Dillan Fox – released from Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement by the Wolf Pack January 2. Tom McCollum – recalled by the Wolf Pack from Florida (ECHL) January 6. Igor Shesterkin – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers January 6. Pack Tracks: Friday, January 24, when the Wolf Pack host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 7:15 PM, it’s “Pucks and Paws Night” at the XL Center.  Sixty-dollar packages are now available that include: two general admission game tickets for section 234 only, one canine ticket in section 234, and one wolf pack collapsible pet dish for the first 200 orders.  To order Pucks and Paws Night packages, or for more information, go to hartfordwolfpack.com. Each of the Wolf Pack’s Sunday and Wednesday home games feature the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Hat Trick Pack”.  The Hat Trick Pack includes two tickets, two sodas and a large popcorn, all for just $40.  The next Hat Trick Pack game is Wednesday, February 5, a 7:00 PM battle with the Springfield Thunderbirds. In partnership with the Hartford Chamber of Commerce, the Wolf Pack are offering “Suit to Sweater Wednesdays”, to wash away the mid-week work blues.  Any fan showing a company ID at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket office can purchase Blue-Level tickets to Wolf Pack Wednesday home games for only $15 each (limit two tickets per ID).  The Wolf Pack’s next Wednesday home date is February 5, when the Springfield Thunderbirds invade the XL Center for a 7:00 PM game. Once again this season, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs, and $2 draft beers and fountain sodas, at every Friday Wolf Pack home game, through the start of the second period, presented by Nomads Adventure Quest.  After this Friday, the Wolf Pack’s next Friday-night home outing is January 24, when they entertain the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in a 7:15 PM game. Wolf Pack home game tickets can be purchased 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 on line, go to hartfordwolfpack.com. TRACK THE PACK ON-LINE AT HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM Read the full article

#AHL #BridgeportSoundTiger #BridgeportSoundTigers #CalderCup #CharlotteCheckers #DillanFox #ECHL #GiantCenter #HartfordWolfPack #HersheyBears #JulienGauthier #MattBeleskey #MikeVellucci #MoheganSun #MoheganSunArenaatCaseyPlaza #NewYorkRangers #RyanDmowski #SpringfieldThunderbirds #TimGettinger #UticaComets #VinniLettieri #Wilkes-Barre/ScrantonPenguins #XLCenter

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CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK MAKE ROSTER MOVES

Ryan Dmowski Recalled from Maine, Dillan Fox Released from PTO BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, January 2, 2020:  Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Chris Drury announced today that the Wolf Pack has recalled forward Ryan Dmowski from its ECHL affiliate, the Maine Mariners, and has released forward Dillan Fox from his Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement. Dmowski, a rookie out of U. Mass-Lowell who was signed to an AHL contract by the Wolf Pack April 4, 2019, has seen action in ten games with the Wolf Pack this season, going scoreless and +1, with 20 shots on goal.  In 12 ECHL games with the Mariners, Dmowski has three goals and four assists for seven points, as well as a +2 and 14 penalty minutes. Fox skated in two games, his first career AHL action, after signing his PTO with the Wolf Pack on Saturday, and was scoreless and even. The Wolf Pack’s next action is tomorrow night, Friday, January 3, in Providence against the Bruins.  Face-off is 7:05, and all of the action can be heard live on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com.  Video streaming is available at theahl.com/AHLTV. The next Wolf Pack home game is this Saturday night, January 4, a 7:00 battle with the Utica Comets.  That is #MillenialNight at the XL Center, featuring a reusable straw set giveaway to all fans attending the game, presented by ProHealth. 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 on line, go to hartfordwolfpack.com. Read the full article

#AHL #BobCrawford #ChrisDrury #DillanFox #ECHL #HartfordWolfPack #MaineMariners #RyanDmowski #UticaComets #XLCenter

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KEELEY: MARINERS WEEKLY: 2020 VISION

BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners Dec. 30, 2019 – Here we are, on the brink of a new decade. The memories of the last 10 years for the Maine Mariners ECHL franchise only take up the last two or so, but it was a busy two years and a lot happened on the ice in a season and a half. As it stands, on the penultimate day of 2019, the Mariners are in a very familiar spot, with a near identical record as they had at this time a year ago, but their visions for 2020 are much grander than the second half of last season. They’ll ring in the New Year with a game in Reading, before headed home to the Cross Insurance Arena in hopes of starting 2020 with a bang. The week that was Thursday, Dec. 26th – ADK: 1, MNE: 5 The Mariners made it a perfect six for six against the Adirondack Thunder in the month of December, winning in blowout fashion for the first time in that span. Ryan Dmowski registered his first professional multi-goal game by scoring the first two goals of the contest, and 12 Mariners in total registered points. Connor LaCouvee won his fifth consecutive start, and the Mariners officially pulled ahead of the Thunder for fourth place in the North Division. FULL GAME RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS Friday, Dec. 27th – REA: 5, MNE: 0 After a spirited opening period drew to a 0-0 tie, the Mariners let Reading control the rest of the game, set off by three goals in a five minute span in the middle frame. Former Mariner Luke Stork had a goal and an assist, and Felix Sandstrom posted the shutout. The Mariners missed a chance to pull within one point of third place. FULL GAME RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS Saturday, Dec. 28th – MNE: 2, WOR: 0 Although their scoreless streak reached almost five full periods, Terrence Wallin found the net in the final seconds of the 2nd to break a scoreless tie. That was all that Connor LaCouvee and the Mariners defense needed, as they allowed a season low 21 shots, LaCouvee stopping them all for his first pro shutout. Alex Kile added an empty net goal for good measure, bringing his road point streak to eight games – equal to Wallin’s. The win was the Mariners fifth in six road contests. FULL GAME RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS Transactions (oldest to most recent) F Dillan Fox was loaned to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack The Mariners signed F Eddie Matsushima This week’s schedule (all times Eastern) Tues, Dec. 31 @ Reading Royals – 4:00 PM (AWAY) Fri, Jan 3 vs. Jacksonville IceMen – 7:15 PM (HOME) – Bath Savings Night Sat, Jan 4 vs. Jacksonville IceMen – 6:00 PM (HOME) – Hockey Day in Maine/Witchcraft & Wizardry Night  The final game of 2019 is in Reading on New Year’s Eve at 4:00 PM. The Mariners currently trail the Royals by five points in the standings with three games in hand. A free radio broadcast is available at MarinersOfMaine.com/listen and fans can also subscribe to watch in HD on ECHL.tv – the “AWAY” option will carry the Mariners broadcast. This weekend, the Mariners will play the South Division’s Jacksonville IceMen for the first time. Both games are at the Cross Insurance Arena – Friday at 7:15 PM for Bath Savings Night and a 1-2-3 Friday: $1 Aquafina, $2 Pepsi Products, $3 Bud Light Drafts through the start of the 2nd period. Saturday’s game begins at 6:00 PM but is preceded by the University of Maine men’s hockey team hosting the University of Nebraska-Omaha at noon. Hockey Day in Maine Packages are available for fans to get a ticket to both games plus a food voucher and commemorative Hockey Day in Maine items – a logo puck and can koozie. Mariners Coach’s Show The Mariners Coach’s Show returns on Thursday, January 9th at Three Dollar Dewey’s at 241 Commercial St. in downtown Portland. The show airs from 6-7 PM and also broadcasts live on MarinersOfMaine.com/listen. After each show, a guest will give away four ice row tickets to a future Mariners home game. Looking ahead: The Mariners are home all three nights during the weekend of January 10-12th for “Winning 3Kend.” It’s the first of two “3Kends” on the season, presented by Three Dollar Deweys. All three nights, one lucky fan will get a chance to play a game for a $10,000 cash prize. Saturday’s game features a tumbler giveaway to the first 2,000 fans courtesy of the Holy Donut. On Sunday, “Kids Run the Show!” Kids ages 7-12 can sign up to assist with multiple aspects of the game presentation including on the radio with Michael Keeley, co-host with Lizzie the emcee, assisting promo team, music production, and announcing the starting lineup in the locker room. Entries must be received by Friday, January 3rd at THIS LINK. Holiday Packs: Holiday Packs will continue to be sold through this Saturday, January 4th. Four tiers of Mariners holiday packs are available, featuring tickets and collectible Mariners items! Holiday packs can be purchased through the Mariners online shop here. Community Collection: The Mariners and the Cross Insurance Arena are collecting new packages of underwear and socks to benefit the Preble Street Teen Center at home games in the months of December and January. Fans who donate five items will receive a ticket to a Mariners weekday game. Items MUST be donated at the Promotions Port to the right of the main security gates. While the Mariners will accept donations at their office, fans are not eligible to receive tickets unless the items are donated at a game. Read the full article

#AdirondackThunder #AEG #AHL #AlexKile #CHL #ConnorLaCouvee #CrossInsuranceArena #DillanFox #ECHL #Emptynetgoal #HartfordWolfPack #JacksonvilleIcemen #LukeStork #MichaelKeeley #ReadingRoyals #RyanDmowski #TerrenceWallin #UniversityofMaine

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KEELEY: MARINERS STAY HOT, RUN THE TABLE ON THUNDER IN DECEMBER

Dmowski leads the offense with a pair of goals in 5-1 win BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – December 26, 2019 – Twelve different skaters got on the scoresheet in a 5-1 Mariners win over the Adirondack Thunder on Thursday night at the Cross Insurance Arena. With the win, the Mariners went six-for-six in their meetings with Adirondack in the month of December, and won their seventh out of eight games in the month overall. “I think it was the work that was put in when we weren’t even on the ice,” said Mariners Head Coach and Assistant General Manager Riley Armstrong about the team’s December sweep of their division rivals. “Breaking down video, making sure the guys were prepared and when the guys are prepared and they’re all buying into the system, I think it carries over onto the ice. I think that’s what kind of separated us during these games.” The Mariners played a strong opening period and took a 1-0 lead at 7:35 when Ryan Dmowski finished a pretty passing play, facilitated by Ty Ronning and Ryan Culkin. The Mariners pelted Thunder goaltender Eamon McAdam with 14 first period shots and had several chances to extend their lead, but took the 1-0 advantage into the locker room. Dmowski struck again at 2:27 of the second period, when Jake Elmer fed a him a saucer pass from the right wing, springing Dmowski in alone to beat McAdam to his stick side at the near post. The score remained 2-0 until 10:44 of the middle frame when defenseman Marc-Olivier Crevier-Morin beat McAdam’s glove with a shot into the upper to corner to stretch the lead to three. Just over a minute later, Adirondack’s Mike Szmatula beat Connor LaCouvee with a slap shot in the slot to bring Adirondack back within two. Not long after, however, Greg Chase brought the lead back to three when he followed his own shot into the low slot and lifted a second chance over McAdam making it 4-1, which was the score at the end of two. Dmowski attributed his first career multi-goal game to “really, really good passing from my linemates.” “I just came into the game today with a positive attitude and I didn’t let anything phase me and I shot the puck and had confidence,” he said. Adirondack got 15 shots on LaCouvee in the third, but he and the Mariners defense preserved the three goal lead before Dillan Fox hit the empty net from beyond the red line at 17:37 to make it 5-1. LaCouvee made 33 stops for his 8th win. McAdam made 31 saves. It was just the fourth time this season that the Mariners out-shot their opponent. “I think the guys did such a great job boxing out in front,” said LaCouvee. “I saw a lot of easy shots. A lot of shots from the wings, contested shots. All our d-men and forwards did a good job limiting scoring chances.” The Mariners are a season high five games over .500 at 15-10-0-1, winning seven of their last eight games, and now pulling ahead of Adirondack in the standings with 31 points. They’re only three behind the Reading Royals for third place, who are in town tomorrow night. The puck drops at 7:15 PM on Friday and it’s STEM Night – focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including a robotics presentation at intermission. It’s also a 1-2-3 Friday, featuring $1 Aquafina water, $2 Pepsi products, and $3 Bud Lights through the start of the 2nd period. It’s also the last chance to get the “Skate and Scarf” package, where fans can get a ticket to the game, a Mariners scarf, and a pre-game skate with Beacon the Puffin plus a snack buffet. Only 100 packages are available. Groups of 10 or more can get discounted tickets to all games by calling 833-GO-MAINE. Individual tickets can be purchased at MarinersOfMaine.com, at the Trusted Choice Box Office inside the Cross Insurance Arena, or by calling 207-775-3458. Four tiers of holiday packs for all gift-giving budgets are also available at MarinersOfMaine.com/shop. Read the full article

#AdirondackThunder #ConnorLaCouvee #CrossInsuranceArena #DillanFox #GregChase #ReadingRoyals #RileyArmstrong #RyanCulkin #RyanDmowski #TyRonning

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CRAWFORD: WOLF PACK WEEKLY: December 23-29, 2019

BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT - The Wolf Pack (17-7-2-5, 41 pts.) headed into the Christmas holiday in a tie for first place in the Atlantic Division with Providence, after a 3-0 win over the Bruins Saturday night at the XL Center.  Igor Shesterkin made 31 saves in that game for his, and the team’s, third shutout of the season, and his second in the last two home games.  Phil DiGiuseppe scored for a third straight game, netting the game-winner, Matt Beleskey had a goal and an assist, and Vitali Kravtsov scored his first career North American pro goal.  That was after the Wolf Pack lost a pair of road games at Charlotte on consecutive nights, falling 6-3 to the Checkers Tuesday and 7-1 on Wednesday. For the latest AHL standings, click here. This week: The Wolf Pack return from their Christmas break with back-to-back divisional games, visiting Bridgeport at 7:00 on Friday night and hosting Providence in a 7:00 tilt on Saturday. Friday, December 27 at the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (Islanders) at Webster Bank Arena, 7:00 PM This is the fourth meeting of the year, and the first since October 27, for the AHL’s two Connecticut teams, and the Wolf Pack have swept the first three, including two overtime wins.  In their only previous visit to Bridgeport October 27, the Wolf Pack prevailed 2-1 in OT. After going 4-11-3-1 in their first 19, the Sound Tigers are 8-5-0-0 in 13 games since November 23, including wins in five of their last six home games. Kieffer Bellows has the game-winning goal in two of Bridgeport’s last three wins and has eight goals in the last 11 games (8-1-9), after scoring only once in his first 19 outings. Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV. Saturday, December 28 vs. the Providence Bruin (Boston) at the XL Center, 7:00 PM The first 2,000 fans into the game will receive a free Wolf Pack pennant flag, courtesy of NBC Connecticut. Fans are encouraged to bring their skates to this game, as there will be a free post-game skate on the XL Center ice. Saturday’s 3-0 loss to the Wolf Pack in Hartford was the Bruins’ second consecutive shutout-against.  Their previous outing was a 1-0 defeat at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Wednesday night.  Prior to those two losses, Providence had been 10-2-1-0 in its previous 13 contests. The ten-game season series between the Wolf Pack and Bruins starts its second half with this battle, after the Wolf Pack went 4-0-0-1 in the first five match-ups of the year. Former Wolf Pack and New York Ranger defenseman Steven Kampfer, a tenth-year pro, has four assists in six games since being assigned to Providence by the parent Boston Bruins December 9. At this and every Wolf Pack Friday or Saturday home game, fans are encouraged to come early for “Hockey Happy Hour” in the XL Center’s Coliseum Club.  From 5:00 PM until puck drop, a $5 wrist band gives fans access to the “Chill Zone” of the Coliseum Club, which features an appetizer buffet and $2 beers, presented by Minuteman Press. Tickets for this and 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. Broadcast – live with Bob Crawford and Mark Bailey on-line at hartfordwolfpack.com.  Video streaming at theahl.com/AHLTV. Recent Transactions: Ryan Dmowski – returned by the Wolf Pack to Maine (ECHL) December 18. Phil DiGiuseppe – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers December 22. Pack Tracks: Saturday, January 4, when the Wolf Pack host the Utica Comets at 7:00 PM, it’s #MillenialNight at the XL Center, featuring a reusable straw set giveaway to all fans attending the game, presented by ProHealth. Each of the Wolf Pack’s Sunday and Wednesday home games will feature the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Hat Trick Pack”.  The Hat Trick Pack includes two tickets, two sodas and a large popcorn, all for just $40.  The next Hat Trick Pack game is Wednesday, February 5, a 7:00 PM battle with the Springfield Thunderbirds. In partnership with the Hartford Chamber of Commerce, the Wolf Pack this year will be offering “Suit to Sweater Wednesdays”, to wash away the mid-week work blues.  Any fan showing a company ID at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket office can purchase Blue-Level tickets to Wolf Pack Wednesday home games for only $15 each (limit two tickets per ID).  The Wolf Pack’s next Wednesday home date is February 5, when the Springfield Thunderbirds invade the XL Center for a 7:00 PM game. Once again this season, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs, and $2 draft beers and fountain sodas, at every Friday Wolf Pack home game, through the start of the second period, presented by Nomads Adventure Quest.  The Wolf Pack’s next Friday-night home outing is January 10, when they entertain the Charlotte Checkers in a 7:15 PM game. Wolf Pack home game tickets can be purchased 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 on line, go to hartfordwolfpack.com. TRACK THE PACK ON-LINE AT HARTFORDWOLFPACK.COM Read the full article

#BobCrawford #BostonBruins #BridgeportSoundTigers #CharlotteCheckers #ECHL #HartfordWolfPack #KiefferBellows #MattBeleskey #NewYorkRangers #RyanDmowski #SpringfieldThunderbirds #StevenKampfer #UticaComets #VitaliKravtsov #WebsterBankArena #XLCenter

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CRAWFORD: RYAN DMOWSKI RETURNED TO MAINE

Forward Has Skated in Ten Games with Wolf Pack this Year  BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, December 18, 2019:  Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Chris Drury announced today that the Wolf Pack has returned forward Ryan Dmowski to its ECHL affiliate, the Maine Mariners. Dmowski, a rookie out of U.-Mass-Lowell, has seen action in ten games with the Wolf Pack this season, going scoreless and +1, with 20 shots on goal.  In six ECHL games with the Mariners, Dmowski has one goal and four assists for five points, as well as eight penalty minutes. Dmowski was signed to an AHL contract by the Wolf Pack April 4, 2019. The Wolf Pack are in Charlotte, NC tonight to take on the Checkers, with face-off at 7:00 PM.  The next home outing for the Wolf Pack is their last action before Christmas, a battle with the Providence Bruins this Saturday, December 21.  That game also faces off at 7:00. 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 on line, go to hartfordwolfpack.com. ____________________________________ RYAN DMOWSKI REASSIGNED TO MAINE Power forward played 10 games in Hartford on recall BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – December 18, 2019 – Forward Ryan Dmowski was reassigned from the Hartford Wolf Pack to the Maine Mariners on Wednesday. The 22 year old forward started the season in Maine before being recalled to Hartford on November 3rd. A native of East Lyme, CT, Dmowski joined the Hartford Wolf Pack organization out of college last spring. Finishing his career at UMass-Lowell, Dmowski put up double-figure goals as both a junior and a senior, leading the River Hawks with 14 in his final college season of 2018-19. In 10 games with the Wolf Pack at the end of the season, Dmowski scored one goal with three assists. Dmowski was assigned to the Mariners to begin the 2019-20 season and suited up in a total of six games, registering five points. After being held off the scoresheet in his first two ECHL appearances, Dmowski went on a four game point streak from October 23rd through November 2nd, leading to his call up on November 3rd. He scored his first ECHL goal on October 23rd at Adirondack, also adding an assist in the game. He followed with assists in his next three. In ten games with the Wolf Pack this season, Dmowski has no points. Prior to UMass-Lowell, Dmowski played for The Gunnery Prep and the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers. The Mariners are in Glens Falls, NY this week for a pair against the Adirondack Thunder and back home immediately following Christmas on December 26th and 27th to host Adirondack and the Reading Royals. Thursday, December 26th is a 7 PM face-off and is Nickelodeon Takeover Night featuring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Specialty Jerseys. The puck drops at 7:15 PM on Friday, December 27th and is STEM Night – focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It’s also a 1-2-3 Friday, featuring $1 Aquafina water, $2 Pepsi products, and $3 Bud Lights through the start of the 2nd period. Both games also feature the “Skate and Scarf” package, where fans can get a ticket to the game, a Mariners scarf, and a pre-game skate with Beacon the Puffin plus a snack buffet. Only 100 packages are available for each game. Groups of 10 or more can get discounted tickets by calling 833-GO-MAINE. Individual tickets can be purchased at MarinersOfMaine.com, at the Trusted Choice Box Office inside the Cross Insurance Arena, or by calling 207-775-3458. Four tiers of holiday packs for all gift-giving budgets are also available at MarinersOfMaine.com/shop. Read the full article

#AdirondackThunder #AHL #ChrisDrury #CrossInsuranceArena #ECHL #HartfordWolfPack #MaineMariners #MichaelKeeley #ProvidenceBruins #ReadingRoyals #RyanDmowski #UMASS-Lowell #USHL #XLCenter

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CANTLON: WOLF PACK BLANK PHANTOMS

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Igor Shestekin’s 26 saves were good enough to secure his second career AHL shutout while Nick Jones’ two goals paced the Hartford Wolf Pack to a 4-0 victory and extended the team's winning streak to five games. The Wolf Pack has an unblemished record of 12-0-1-2 when leading after two periods. “We're playing good hockey right now. We lost five-in-a-row and that woke us up. We didn’t like the way we were playing. There were some close games, but we tightened things up and over the past five games we have made a great bounce back,” said defenseman Nick Ebert. The Wolf Pack (16-2-4-5) travels to Allentown tomorrow for the completion of the home-and-home with the Phantoms (10-11-1-4). The Wolf Pack remains in first place in the Atlantic Division with 39 points and are now four points ahead of the idle Providence Bruins. “Our passing was so good tonight that it allowed for good puck pressure and you want guys skating and using their legs. That was a good indicator of how well we can play,” Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch remarked. Jones scored twice in the third period with the first coming off a long rebound from a Darren Raddysh blast from 30 feet out. “I got a good rebound there. It was nice to get one of those bounces and get one in,” Jones said of his third goal of the season. Knoblauch has confidence and admitted he had been worried about his lack of points, but he paid him a huge compliment. The fourth line had three goals on the night. “He had been frustrated with his point totals. Sometimes they go in, and sometimes they don’t. Overall, he has been one of the most consistent players on our team. "The (fourth) line played very well tonight. Jonesy has been strong for us all year long. Everyone who plays with him has good games, and that’s a good indicator of how valuable a player he is. He makes his teammates better,” said Knoblauch of his rookie center. His play with Tim Gettinger is a prime example of his benefit to the team. The coach rewarded his play with some late-game power play duty. His standing in front of the net led to a perfect tip of Joey Keane’s low-riding, and hard slapshot at 19:25. It was his second goal of the night and fourth of the season. “It was nice to get out there. I’m usually only out there for the PK,” Jones said with a laugh. “Keane put it right where you want it.” Besides pitching his second shutout, Shesterkin tried to get into the record books attempting to become the fifth goalie in AHL history to score a goal. A Phantoms' glove blocked his shot and was the only thing preventing him from doing so. The Wolf Pack’s second goal was a result of good old-fashioned hard work. Lewis Zerter-Gossage was in on the forecheck and all over Phantoms forward, Isaac Ratcliffe. Zerter-Gossage stripped Ratcliffe of the puck and moved in on and beat goalie, Alex Lyon, to the far side notching his second of the season. The goal came at 6:46. “Lewis adds so much to the team with his size and speed. We could use a little more speed. He’s a very smart hockey player and he doesn’t take risks and made a smart play there." Shesterkin played in back-to-back games for just the second time this season and demonstrated just why he is so highly regarded. He stopped Andy Andeoff to start the second period just as he did at the end of the first. He denied Nicolas Aube-Kubel from off the right-wing side with 5:59 left in the period. Tyler Wotherspoon saw his shot from the right point stopped and then with 3:16 he drilled a shot over Shesterkin's glove hand. The puck went off the post and up the right-wing half wall where ex-Pack Chris Bigras was stationed. Bigras came off the left point and stepped into the shot with a wide-open cage, but Shesterkin slid over with his paddle down and used his blocker to prevent a goal. “That was one of about five-or-six saves that he made that were something else. He makes all look good. We're so lucky to have him,” said Jones. The Pack had some chances before Zerter-Gossage’s goal. Matt Beleskey had a breakaway at 1:58 and then Raddysh came down the right-wing with 14:46. Vinni Lettieri had a chance from the blue-line late at 18:47 and then Patrick Newell took a shot from off the right wing with 37.4 seconds left. The Pack had an early shot advantage of 7-1 and scored their first goal on the seventh shot. Ebert was at the left point and took a pass. The right-handed shot put the puck quickly to his backhand and with an outside position on the Phantoms, German Rubstov. The move got Rubstov turned outside and zipped it past him. He then went to a forehand shot that went off Lyon, a former Yale goalie, and it skittered over the goal line for the 1-0 Wolf Pack lead. “The player got a little aggressive and I was able to get around him and got the puck to the net. The key to the game now is getting pucks to the net and I think I caught their goalie sleeping a little bit,” said Ebert. Rubstov tried to atone for his error with a strong move to the net with 2:05 to go, but Shesterkin was able to come up with a dandy glove save. Andeoff came off the right-wing at a high rate of speed going airborne and was stopped with 1:17 remaining in the period. LINES: Andersson-Fogarty-Beleskey Nieves-Gettinger-Newell O’Regan-Lettieri--DiGiuseppe Jones--Zerter-Gossae-Gropp Raddysh-LoVerde Keane-Geersten Rykov-Ebert SCRATCHES: Jeff Taylor (healthy) Ryan Dmowski (healthy) Gabriel Fontaine (season-ending shoulder surgery) NOTES: The ceremonial face-off prior to the start of the game featured four women from Team USA women’s team. The four were Amanda Kessel, Emily Matheson, Lee Stecklein, and Alex Cavallini. Saturday night, Team USA and Team Canada will face-off in Game 1 of the Rivalry Series at the XL Center at 7 PM. The game will air live on the NBCSN. It was announced that the US roster will include Hilary Knight, a three-time Olympian who won two Silver and a Gold medal. She played at Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford) as well as the CT Polar Bears (Northford). Game 2 of the series to be played Tuesday night in Moncton, New Brunswick and will air live on the NHL Network. Mellissa Samoskevich (Sandy Hook/Quinnipiac University) didn’t make the final cut for the team. Adam Huska will be in net tomorrow for the Wolf Pack. Pack captain, Steven Fogarty, is not 100% after taking a puck off his hand on Wednesday night. “I don’t think he has been healthy since he was nine years old,” Knoblauch said with a laugh. “I have learned already he gets banged up, but just keeps on going, and if he's hurt he isn’t going to tell you about it. He is the captain for a reason in the way he plays and handles himself." Ville Meskanen, who was released on Wednesday, has signed a two-year contract with Ilves Tampere in the Finnish Elite League (FEL). He will play his first game next Friday. Meskanen's release was made to accommodate the return of Vitali Kravtsov, whose KHL contract with the Traktor Chelyabinsk in Russia was terminated. He was officially recalled from his loan by the Rangers and assigned back to Hartford. Kravtsov will not be in the lineup in Allentown, PA on Saturday against Lehigh Valley. He's already there and will meet the team, and skate with them on Sunday and Monday. Knoblauch stated he could play Tuesday in Charlotte. Read the full article

#AdamHuska #AHL #ChrisBigras #GabrielFontaine #GerryCantlon #HartfordWolfPack #Howlings #KHL #MattBeleskey #NHL #NHLNetwork #NickJones #ProvidenceBruins #QuinnipiacUniversity #RyanDmowski #StevenFogarty #TimGettinger #TraktorChelyabinsk #VilleMeskanen #VinniLettieri #VitaliKravtsov #XLCenter #Yale