Category Archives: hartford wolf pack

Sound Tigers Get Two Late Goals To Beat Wolf Pack, 4-3

Hartford, CT, February 21, 2014 – A pair of late third-period goals by Anders Lee gave the Bridgeport Sound Tigers a 4-3 victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack Friday night at the XL Center.

Hartford Wolf PackLee tied the game at three on a Bridgeport power play at 17:35 of the third period, after Marek Hrivik had given the Wolf Pack a 3-2 advantage with a man-advantage goal with 4:52 remaining.  Lee then struck again for the game-winner with 30.2 seconds on the clock.

Ryan Bourque and Justin Vaive also scored for the Wolf Pack, and Brett Gallant and Joel Broda had the other Bridgeport goals.

“We had opportunities to kill penalties, instead we got outworked and they stripped us from behind,” Wolf Pack coach Ken Gernander said.

With the score tied 2-2 and Bridgeport’s Joe Finley in the penalty box for boarding, Hrivik spun into the left-wing circle and fired a shot that hit Sound Tiger defenseman Scott Mayfield’s leg and deflected past Bridgeport netminder Anders Nilsson at 15:08 of the third.

Wolf Pack captain Aaron Johnson took an interference minor at 16:12, though, and Bridgeport capitalized for its second power-play goal of the game.  Ryan Strome fed a pass from along the goal line on the left-wing side to Lee at the left side of the slot, and Lee drilled a hard shot past Wolf Pack goaltender Dov Grumet-Morris (22 saves) at 17:35.

Then, with the game appearing headed for overtime, Lee took a pass from Mike Halmo, rushed down right wing and attempted to center the puck.  The Wolf Pack’s Dylan McIlrath blocked the pass, but the puck came back to Lee near the goal line, and he batted it off of Grumet-Morris’ left pad and into the net for the winner.

The Wolf Pack controlled most of the territorial play in the first period, outshooting Bridgeport 16-7, but the Sound Tigers led for most of the session, after Gallant scored his first goal in 38 games on the season at 3:12.

The Wolf Pack misfired on an attempted breakout on the left-wing side, and Bridgeport’s Chris Langkow fed the puck to Gallant, who was all alone in front of Grumet-Morris.  Gallant waited Grumet-Morris out, before putting a forehand shot into the net.

That lead lasted until there were only 2.3 seconds remaining in the period, when Bourque scored his 14th goal of the season and his fourth in the last four games.  Nilsson stopped an initial try by Bourque, but a Sound Tiger clearing try up the middle ended up right back on Bourque’s stick, and Bourque snapped it past Nilsson’s catching glove.

After that last-second goal in the first period, the Wolf Pack got the game’s next score with only 2:02 remaining in the second.  It was Vaive scoring his first goal in 14 games since joining the Wolf Pack, to give Hartford its first lead.  Kyle Beach worked the puck out of the left-wing corner to the opposite point to Bretton Stamler, whose shot went wide.  Vaive got his stick on the carom, though, to Nilsson’s left and knifed it into the net.

The Sound Tigers were able to tie the score at 6:22 of the third period on a power-play goal by Broda, playing his first game in a Bridgeport uniform after joining the Sound Tigers on Wednesday.  Strome passed across the slot from the left side to Broda, and he was able to send the puck between Grumet-Morris and the post to his left.

The Wolf Pack are right back in action Saturday night, traveling to Springfield to meet the Falcons for a 7:00 PM game.  All of the action of that battle can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1410, and on-line at www.foxsportsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio.  Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.

The Wolf Pack’s next home game is Friday, February 28, a 7:00 PM contest against the Hershey Bears.  All Wolf Pack Friday-night home games feature $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period, presented by Marc’s Appliance Warehouse, located at 75 Prospect Ave., Hartford, CT.

Tickets for all Wolf Pack 2013-14 home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.  To speak with a representative about season or group tickets, call (855) 762-6451.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4 at Hartford Wolf Pack 3
Friday, February 21, 2014 – XL Center

Bridgeport 1 0 3 – 4
Hartford 1 1 1 – 3

1st Period-1, Bridgeport, Gallant 1 (Langkow), 3:12. 2, Hartford, Bourque 14 (Fast), 19:57. Penalties-Clark Bri (holding), 8:09; Lee Bri (interference), 16:41.

2nd Period-3, Hartford, Vaive 1 (Stamler, Beach), 17:58. Penalties-Strome Bri (slashing), 7:09; Miller Hfd (slashing), 9:03; Strome Bri (cross-checking), 19:12.

3rd Period-4, Bridgeport, Broda 2 (Strome, Pistilli), 6:22 (PP). 5, Hartford, Hrivik 8 (Hensick, Johnson), 15:08 (PP). 6, Bridgeport, Lee 20 (Strome, Donovan), 17:35 (PP). 7, Bridgeport, Lee 21 (Halmo, Finley), 19:29. Penalties-Bourque Hfd (hooking), 4:36; Finley Bri (roughing), 9:54; Finley Bri (boarding), 13:54; Johnson Hfd (interference), 16:12.

Shots on Goal-Bridgeport 7-10-9-26. Hartford 16-9-8-33.
Power Play Opportunities-Bridgeport 2 / 3; Hartford 1 / 6.
Goalies-Bridgeport, Nilsson 10-14-2 (33 shots-30 saves). Hartford, Grumet-Morris 8-11-5 (26 shots-22 saves).
A-4,607
Referees-Dave Lewis (46).
Linesmen-Jim Briggs (83), Kevin Redding (16).

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Cesari Works Behind the Scenes to Keep Wolf Pack in Top Condition

By Bob Crawford

Not long ago, it was relatively rare for an NHL team to have a full-time strength and conditioning coach, and it was virtually unheard of in the AHL.  Nowadays, however, virtually every NHL team has a staff position dedicated to strength and conditioning, and Hartford Wolf Pack strength and conditioning coach Mark Cesari is an example of the extension of that trend to the AHL level.

Mark CesariNow in his fourth season with the Wolf Pack, Cesari also has experience as a strength and conditioning maven at the Division I college level, at RIT, and in the WNBA and ECHL.  Since getting into the field in the early 2000s, the Montreal native has seen the attitude of professional and college athletes toward conditioning and strength training undergo a sea change.

“When I started at the college level, we tried to do whatever we could to make sure that the players were stronger and faster than the opponents,” Cesari said last week.  “And that’s changing every day, players are taking it upon themselves to make sure that they’re in the best physical condition, and they’re always looking for an edge.  They’re approaching me, asking me questions about how to get to the next level, and not me necessarily imposing these demands on them, which is, first of all, the sign of a great athlete, someone who wants to try to get better.  And second of all, that keeps me on my toes, to make sure that I’m up to speed with what they’re asking.”

That process of keeping abreast of the latest trends and knowledge in his line of work is a big challenge, according to Cesari.

“It’s hard enough to try and stay ahead with the research in strength and conditioning, and then you have to worry about other aspects, like nutrition and supplementation,” he said.  “Fortunately enough, I have kind of a long-standing drive to always want to learn.  In order to do that, I completed my first Master’s in 2006 and I’m currently doing a second one, to really try to stay up with that research and make sure that I’m staying with the times.”

One of the biggest areas of progress that Cesari has seen in his experience working with athletes is in the area of nutrition.  With so much money to be made in pro sports, and the competition ever more intense, players have become much more attuned to the value of eating right.

“In the last ten years it’s changed dramatically, especially when it comes to learning how to eat, and the players’ awareness of learning how to eat,” Cesari said.  “In the old days it wasn’t necessarily an issue, but today that’s certainly not the case.  Guys are trying to get every edge possible over the competition, and to do that, nutrition is a big part.  That being said, the influx of organic supplements and organic food has really changed the way that we approach our nutrition plans.  Whole Foods and those types of places are really places that our players tend to migrate to a little bit.  That’s where the organic foods are, it’s a little healthier, a little more natural.  Our nutritionist with the New York Rangers, Cynthia Sass, she does a really great job with our athletes, making sure that they know what to take in and what not to take in.”

Many, if not most, hockey fans have seen an on-ice practice and have an idea of what kind of drills and workouts are involved in that framework.  Almost all of Cesari’s work, though, is done out of sight, in the environs of the Wolf Pack weight room.  Though an off-ice workout obviously looks significantly different than an off-ice practice, it takes no measure of a back seat in terms of importance.

“On a daily basis, the gym is usually the first place the guys go,” Cesari said.  “A lot of them will use that time to get warm and to get prepped for on-ice.  So a lot of the time before practice is what I call activation.  I use that time to make sure that the players are ready to get on to the ice, their muscles are ready to get on the ice, and they’re ready to work.  Some guys will even do a workout before, and that’s a really good time to get a really solid workout in.  Most guys, once they leave my weight room before practice, they’re already sweating and they’re ready for practice.  Once practice is over, then they’ll come back up, depending on the day, we always have some kind of workout or recovery workout.  They spend a lot of hours around the rink, whether it’s on the ice or in the weight room.

“They’re working so hard on the ice, day in and day out, so for me it’s more of a recovery tool, using those workouts, some people will call it ‘prehab’, really making sure that we’re maintaining the gains that they made in the offseason and the gains that they’ve made through this point, and just try to keep them injury free.”

To hear Cesari tell it, his job is as much about injury prevention as it is about improving in-game performance.  In addition to his strength and conditioning background, he is certified as an athletic trainer, and works closely with Wolf Pack athletic trainer Damien Hess on tailoring workout programs to minimize injury risk.

“We’ve changed our approach a little bit, but the percentage of weight training that we perform in the season, it’s really dependent on the strength and conditioning coach, and how well he knows his players and how well he feels he can push his players,” Cesari said.  “My approach really hasn’t changed all that much.  Obviously there’s a huge emphasis on maintaining and rehabilitation and prehab.  Being an athletic trainer, I really take pride in that side of my game, but I think the biggest thing is just to really understand what is going on at the physiological level.  And if we can understand physiologically what’s happening with the body, we can adjust to that throughout the season, weight training, conditioning, whatever the case may be.

“I go to Damo (Hess) several times (daily), just to make sure that we’re on the same page when it comes to players and where they’re at physically, so that when I do push my athletes, I know where their end-point is.”

In addition to pushing, it is just as important for Cesari to know when to back off, to emphasize to the players the necessity of allowing their bodies sufficient time to rest and recharge.  A prime example of that was his message to the team going into the recent AHL All-Star break, during which the players had four days completely off from any team practice activity. 

“When you’ve got four days to really get away from hockey, the biggest thing, with the long season, is to make sure that they take the rest and they use the time to recover,” Cesari said.  “So that was my advice to them, take some time, go home, enjoy those four days.  Nutrition is a key part of that, making sure that they’re not getting out of their usual routine, but other than that, rest and recovery.”

Cesari had few worries about this year’s crop of Wolf Pack players ever neglecting the necessary commitment to taking care of themselves.  The man responsible for ensuring that they maximize their conditioning has been impressed with their self-motivation.

“We’ve got a really good group, a young group, which makes it easy for me to push them,” Cesari said.  “They all know what it takes to get to the next level, and they’ve seen it from the older players that we have.  That makes it easy for me to know that these players understand the intensity level that needs to be in the gym.  There’s one thing about coming in and going through the movements, and there’s another about actually coming in and training and getting prepped for the next day.  These guys, as a group, have really done a great job with that.”

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photo credit: chris rutsch

Bruins Beat Wolf Pack In Shootout

Providence, RI, February 16, 2014 – Dov Grumet-Morris made 42 saves for the Hartford Wolf Pack Sunday at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence, but shootout goals by Anthony Camara and Seth Griffith gave the Providence Bruins a 3-2 win.

Hartford Wolf PackThe Wolf Pack, who were outshot 45-30 in the game, got goals in regulation from Micheal Haley and Ryan Bourque.  Alexander Khokhlachev and Mike Moore scored for Providence, and Griffith had two assists.

“I thought the effort was pretty good, three-in-three (three games in three days) on the road against a good team,” Haley said.  “I thought the boys tried hard.  A few breaks their way, and that’s the way the bounces go sometimes.”

Bourque gave the Wolf Pack a 2-1 lead five minutes into the third period, beating Providence goaltender Malcolm Subban (28 saves) through the legs with a shot from the right circle.  That lead lasted until the 14:59 mark, when Moore tied the score just after the Wolf Pack finished killing a penalty.

A pile of players had the puck pinned up on the left-wing boards, but Craig Cunningham was able to work it out of the scrum to Griffith, who found Moore all alone in the right circle.  Moore’s tying goal gave him a four-game goal-scoring streak, after the veteran defenseman had scored only once in his first 49 games of the season.

The Bruins outshot the Wolf Pack 6-2 in the overtime but were unable to solve Grumet-Morris again.  In the shootout, however, Camara scored on Providence’s second attempt and Griffith ended it with a goal on the Bruins’ fourth shot, after Subban went four-for-four against T.J. Hensick, J.T. Miller, Jesper Fast and Bourque.

After a scoreless first period in which the Wolf Pack were outshot 10-6, the Bruins opened the scoring 2:14 into the second, on a goal by Khokhlachev.  Wolf Pack defenseman Aaron Johnson settled the puck down in his own end, but was unable to connect with his partner Conor Allen on a pass and Griffith took it away.  He fed to Justin Florek, whose shot from the left side was stopped by Grumet-Morris, but the rebound went right to Khokhlachev, who buried it from the right circle.

The Wolf Pack finally solved Subban with 54.6 seconds remaining in the period.  Shawn O’Donnell forced the Bruins’ Chris Casto in behind his own net, and Oscar Lindberg blocked Casto’s pass attempt.  Lindberg fed the puck to Haley in front of the net, and Haley snapped it past Subban for his fifth goal of the season.

The Wolf Pack are next in action on home ice this Friday, February 21, as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers visit the XL Center for a 7:00 PM game.  All Wolf Pack Friday-night home games feature $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period, presented by Marc’s Appliance Warehouse, located at 75 Prospect Ave., Hartford, CT.

Tickets for all Wolf Pack 2013-14 home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.  To speak with a representative about season or group tickets, call (855) 762-6451.

Hartford Wolf Pack 2 at Providence Bruins 3 (SO)
Sunday, February 16, 2014 – Dunkin' Donuts Center

Hartford 0 1 1 0 – 2
Providence 0 1 1 0 – 3

1st Period- No Scoring. Penalties-O'Donnell Hfd (fighting), 6:42; Robins Pro (fighting), 6:42; Syvret Hfd (delay of game), 10:22.

2nd Period-1, Providence, Khokhlachev 13 (Griffith, Florek), 2:14. 2, Hartford, Haley 5 (O'Donnell, Lindberg), 19:05. Penalties-Bourque Hfd (high-sticking), 5:17.

3rd Period-3, Hartford, Bourque 13 (Miller, Fast), 5:00. 4, Providence, Moore 5 (Griffith, Cunningham), 14:59. Penalties-Khokhlachev Pro (tripping), 10:20; Johnson Hfd (tripping), 12:30.

OT Period- No Scoring. Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout – Hartford 0 (Hensick NG, Miller NG, Fast NG, Bourque NG), Providence 2 (Cunningham NG, Camara G, Khokhlachev NG, Griffith G).
Shots on Goal-Hartford 6-12-10-2-0-30. Providence 10-11-17-6-1-45.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 0 / 1; Providence 0 / 3.
Goalies-Hartford, Grumet-Morris 8-10-5 (44 shots-42 saves). Providence, Subban 9-6-3 (30 shots-28 saves).
A-10,006
Referees-Jamie Koharski (84).
Linesmen-Luke Galvin (2), Kevin Redding (16).

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Wolf Pack Fall To Monarchs, 4-2

Hartford, CT, February 15, 2014 – Tyler Toffoli had two third-period goals, and Linden Vey added a goal and an assist, to lead the Manchester Monarchs to a 4-2 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack Saturday night at the XL Center.

Hartford Wolf PackThe loss snapped a two-game win streak for the Wolf Pack (19-25-0-5, 43 pts.), which got goals from Darroll Powe and Danny Syvret, and two assists from T.J. Hensick.

Martin Jones made 32 saves in the Manchester net, and David LeNeveu stopped 24 shots for Hartford.  Manchester, which was 3/6 on the power play, improved its AHL-best record to 33-14-2-5 for 73 points.

“We took some penalties,” Hensick said.  “They’re a good team obviously; they’re in first place for a reason. We gave them too many chances and they capitalized on them.”

The Wolf Pack dominated the early action in the first period and took the game’s first lead at 7:34, on Powe’s ninth goal of the season.  Hensick had the puck poked off of his stick, but it went right to Tommy Hughes at the right point, and Hughes’ shot was deflected on goal by Powe.  Jones had the puck hit him, but it came loose and trickled over the goal line to Jones’ right.

That lead lasted until the 15:43 mark, when Brian O’Neill tied the game.  The Monarchs broke into the offensive zone on a three-on-two and LeNeveu stopped a shot by Sean Backman.  The puck went off of LeNeveu’s pad and hit the back boards, though, and caromed back to the front of the net, and O’Neill reached his stick in and poked it past LeNeveu’s right pad.

An early power-play goal by Vey was the only scoring of the second period, as Vey connected at 3:48 with Jesper Fast off for tripping.  Nick Deslauriers fed the puck from the middle of the blue line to Vey headed down the right side, and Vey slammed a shot from the right faceoff dot past LeNeveu on the stick side.

The Monarch power play struck again at 7:09 of the third period, with Toffoli scoring from the slot.  Vey set up Toffoli, who put a perfect shot into the top corner on LeNeveu’s stick side, from close range.

The Wolf Pack cut the margin back to one goal with a shorthanded tally by Syvret at 18:36, one second after Tanner Pearson got out of the penalty box after serving a tripping minor.  After Hensick won a draw with LeNeveu on the bench for an extra attacker, Syvret’s shot from the blue line hit Manchester defenseman Andrew Bodnarchuk’s stick and deflected past Jones.

Toffoli answered that only 24 seconds later, though, at the 19:00 mark.  After the Wolf Pack pulled LeNeveu again, Toffoli hit the empty net from the left-wing side, making the final 4-2.  The goal was Manchester’s third power-play score of the game, coming with Oscar Lindberg in the box for hooking.

The Wolf Pack complete a three-game weekend Sunday in Providence, visiting the Bruins for a 7:00 PM game.  All of the action of that battle can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1410, and on-line at www.foxsportsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio.  Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.

The Wolf Pack’s next home game is this Friday, February 21, a 7:00 PM contest against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.  All Wolf Pack Friday-night home games feature $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period, presented by Marc’s Appliance Warehouse, located at 75 Prospect Ave., Hartford, CT.

Tickets for all Wolf Pack 2013-14 home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.  To speak with a representative about season or group tickets, call (855) 762-6451.

Manchester Monarchs 4 at Hartford Wolf Pack 2
Saturday, February 15, 2014 – XL Center

Manchester 1 1 2 – 4
Hartford 1 0 1 – 2

1st Period-1, Hartford, Powe 9 (Hughes, Hensick), 7:34. 2, Manchester, O'Neill 12 (Weal, Backman), 15:43. Penalties-LoVerde Mch (tripping), 0:49; Beach Hfd (cross-checking), 9:15; Haley Hfd (slashing), 13:04.

2nd Period-3, Manchester, Vey 11 (Deslauriers, Pearson), 3:48 (PP). Penalties-Fast Hfd (tripping), 3:24; Weal Mch (tripping), 9:40; Schultz Mch (interference), 20:00.

3rd Period-4, Manchester, Toffoli 14 (Vey, Shore), 7:09 (PP). 5, Hartford, Syvret 6 (Bourque, Hensick), 18:36 (SH). 6, Manchester, Toffoli 15 (Pearson, Schultz), 19:00 (PP EN). Penalties-Fast Hfd (interference), 4:31; Hrivik Hfd (delay of game), 6:13; Pearson Mch (checking to the head), 14:13; Pearson Mch (tripping), 16:35; Lindberg Hfd (hooking), 17:49; Powe Hfd (unsportsmanlike conduct), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-Manchester 17-5-6-28. Hartford 12-9-15-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Manchester 3 / 6; Hartford 0 / 5.
Goalies-Manchester, Jones 14-3-2 (36 shots-34 saves). Hartford, LeNeveu 3-6-0 (27 shots-24 saves).
A-4,547
Referees-Keith Kaval (40).
Linesmen-Brent Colby (7), Derek Wahl (46).

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Miller Leads Wolf Pack Past Falcons, 5-2

Springfield, MA, February 14, 2014 – J.T. Miller had the Hartford Wolf Pack’s first four-point game of the season, with two goals and two assists, Friday night at the MassMutual Center, leading the Wolf Pack to a 5-2 victory over the Springfield Falcons.

Hartford Wolf PackRyan Bourque also scored twice for the Wolf Pack, and Marek Hrivik had the game-winner.  Dov Grumet-Morris made 30 saves for his fifth straight win.  Michael Chaput had a goal and an assist for Springfield, and J.F. Jacques also scored for the Falcons.

The win was the second straight for the Wolf Pack in the season series against the Falcons, after Hartford went 0-4-0-2 in the first six, and it was the Wolf Pack’s first victory in five visits on the year to Springfield.

“There were a lot of penalties, a lot of adversity, a lot of chances our way that we capitalized,” Miller said.  “A lot of good things are coming for us right now, and we’re finally playing the way we need to play, in other team’s barns and in ours.”

Hartford has now won four of its last five games and six of the last eight.

The Wolf Pack were unsuccessful on the game’s first two power plays, and then Springfield scored only 13 seconds into their first man advantage, after a hooking penalty to Dylan McIlrath at 11:05 of the first.

Jacques took a pass at the right-wing side of the goalmouth and snapped a forehand shot past Grumet-Morris at 11:18.

Hartford got that goal back in a delayed-penalty situation at 14:33, on Miller’s first goal of the game and ninth of the season.

A penalty was being indicated after Brendon Nash was hit hard behind the Wolf Pack net, and Grumet-Morris was able to get to the Hartford bench for a sixth attacker.  With the extra skater out, Oscar Lindberg fed a rink-wide pass to Miller on right wing, and Miller’s snapped a hard shot over the catching glove of Springfield goaltender Mike McKenna (18 saves) and into the top corner.

The Wolf Pack then took its first lead with 45.5 seconds remaining in the period, on a power-play goal with Alex Aleardi off for slashing.  Miller played the puck to Conor Allen inside the left faceoff dot, and Allen fed to Bourque in the slot.  Bourque had the puck get away from him to his right, but dove to the ice to backhand it into the net behind McKenna.

The only goal of a penalty-filled second period was a power-play tally by the Wolf Pack’s Hrivik at 10:56.

Springfield’s Darryl Boyce was assessed a match penalty for high-sticking at 8:28 off of a battle with Miller, who received a roughing minor.  On the long man-advantage that ensued after Miller’s penalty expired, Hrivik scored from below the goal line to McKenna’s left.  A one-timer by Jesper Fast from the left circle went wide, but Hrivik was able to track down the carom, reach around the goalpost and flick the puck underneath the crossbar.

The Wolf Pack were shorthanded four times in the third period, but on the first of those penalty-kills, Miller was awarded a penalty shot at 6:57, after he was hooked by Cody Goloubef while trying to get free in front of the Springfield net.  Miller converted on the penalty-shot opportunity by coming in slowly and deking from forehand to backhand to beat McKenna.

Chaput scored a power-play goal at 12:05, off of a cross-slot feed from Jonathan Marchessault, to cut the lead to 4-2, but Bourque put the game out of reach with an empty-net score at 18:51.

The Wolf Pack are back on home ice at the XL Center on Saturday night, hosting the powerful Manchester Monarchs in a 7:00 PM game. The first 3,000 fans into the XL Center on Saturday will receive their very own Dylan McIlrath bobblehead.

Tickets for all Wolf Pack 2013-14 home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.  To speak with a representative about season or group tickets, call (855) 762-6451.

Hartford Wolf Pack 5 at Springfield Falcons 2
Friday, February 14, 2014 – MassMutual Center

Hartford 2 1 2 – 5
Springfield 1 0 1 – 2

1st Period-1, Springfield, Jacques 8 (Marchessault, Chaput), 11:18 (PP). 2, Hartford, Miller 9 (Lindberg, Allen), 14:33. 3, Hartford, Bourque 11 (Allen, Miller), 19:14 (PP). Penalties-Marchessault Spr (slashing), 5:02; Prout Spr (hooking), 8:24; McIlrath Hfd (hooking), 11:05; Stamler Hfd (interference), 16:51; Vaive Hfd (unsportsmanlike conduct), 16:51; Larkin Spr (unsportsmanlike conduct), 16:51; Aleardi Spr (slashing), 18:26.

2nd Period-4, Hartford, Hrivik 7 (Fast, Miller), 10:56 (PP). Penalties-Lindberg Hfd (hooking), 0:13; Lindberg Hfd (delay of game), 2:56; Miller Hfd (roughing), 8:28; Boyce Spr (major – spearing, game misconduct – spearing), 8:28; McNeill Spr (hooking), 13:55; Goloubef Spr (unsportsmanlike conduct), 17:09; Fast Hfd (holding), 18:42; Bass Spr (hooking, unsportsmanlike conduct), 18:52; Allen Hfd (slashing), 19:27.

3rd Period-5, Hartford, Miller 10   6:57 (SH PS). 6, Springfield, Chaput 12 (Marchessault, Goloubef), 12:05 (PP). 7, Hartford, Bourque 12   18:51 (EN). Penalties-Nash Hfd (slashing), 5:38; Vaive Hfd (interference), 10:03; Powe Hfd (interference), 11:10; Hrivik Hfd (delay of game), 15:06.

Shots on Goal-Hartford 6-5-12-23. Springfield 10-6-16-32.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 2 / 9; Springfield 2 / 9.
Goalies-Hartford, Grumet-Morris 8-10-4 (32 shots-30 saves). Springfield, McKenna 13-6-0 (22 shots-18 saves).
A-3,224
Referees-Jamie Koharski (84), Mark Lemelin (41).
Linesmen-Brent Colby (7), Chris Low (88).

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Hensick Leads Wolf Pack Past Admirals, 3-1

Norfolk, VA, February 8, 2014 – T.J. Hensick had a goal and an assist Saturday night at Norfolk Scope, to lead the Hartford Wolf Pack to a 3-1 victory over the Norfolk Admirals, in the teams’ last action before the AHL All-Star break.

Hartford Wolf PackMicheal Haley and Marek Hrivik also scored for the Wolf Pack, and Dov Grumet-Morris made 21 saves.  Kevin Gagne scored the only Norfolk goal.

The win gave the Wolf Pack a split of a two-game series with Norfolk, after the Admirals and goaltender John Gibson had shut Hartford out, 1-0, on Friday night at Scope.

“After last night, and the shutout that Gibson pitched, we asked for a little bit more net-front presence,” Wolf Pack head coach Ken Gernander said.  “And right away, that first goal, (Haley) is tipping (the puck) net-front, and I think that was a big part of our success tonight, and both (Hensick) and (Hrivik) capitalized with two real good shots, on two pretty good offensive plays.”

The first period was tightly played, with both goaltenders making one-on-one saves before the first goal was scored.  Grumet-Morris stopped a shorthanded breakaway by Joseph Cramarossa at 16:09, shortly after Gibson waited out Hensick on a break-in, causing Hensick to put the puck off the outside of the goalpost to Gibson’s left.

The Wolf Pack finally solved Gibson at 18:27, on Haley’s fourth goal of the season.  Oscar Lindberg won a puck battle with Norm Ezekiel on the left-wing boards and lifted it toward the front of the net, and Haley, with his back to Gibson, deflected it perfectly through Gibson’s legs for a 1-0 Hartford lead.

The Wolf Pack would then chase Gibson from the game in a second period in which they would outshoot Norfolk 11-5 and score twice.

After Haley’s late goal in the first period, Hrivik made it a 2-0 Wolf Pack lead only 56 seconds into the second.  Brendon Nash head-manned the puck out of the Hartford zone to Hensick near the Norfolk line, and Hensick one-touched it beautifully to Hrivik, who broke past the Admiral defense and put a shot into the top corner over Gibson’s catching glove.

Hensick then ended Gibson’s night with a goal in a delayed-penalty situation at 10:36, off of a stellar three-way passing play.  J.T. Miller carried the puck into the Norfolk zone and handed off to Jesper Fast high in the slot.  Fast then put a behind-the-back pass right on Hensick’s stick in the left-wing circle, and Hensick also went glove-side high to beat Gibson (16 saves), who was relieved at that point by Brad Thiessen.

Thiessen stopped all ten shots he faced the rest of the way, and Gagne ruined Grumet-Morris’ shutout bid on an Admiral power play at 6:01 of the third period.  With Haley off for delay-of-game, Devante Smith-Pelly and Rickard Rakell combined to move the puck from the right-wing side to Gagne just inside the left faceoff dot, and Gagne fired a shot behind Grumet-Morris.

The victory sent the Wolf Pack (18-24-0-5, 41 pts.) into the All-Star break with wins in three of their last four games and five of their last seven.

After the All-Star break, the Wolf Pack return to action this Friday night, February 14, traveling to Springfield to meet the Falcons.  Faceoff is 7:00, and all of the action can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1410, and on-line at www.foxsportsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio.  Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.

The Wolf Pack’s next home game is Saturday, February 15, a 7:00 PM contest against the AHL-leading Manchester Monarchs. The first 3,000 fans into the XL Center that night will receive their very own Dylan McIlrath bobblehead.

Tickets for all Wolf Pack 2013-14 home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.  To speak with a representative about season or group tickets, call (855) 762-6451.

Hartford Wolf Pack 3 at Norfolk Admirals 1
Saturday, February 8, 2014 – Norfolk Scope

Hartford 1 2 0 – 3
Norfolk 0 0 1 – 1

1st Period-1, Hartford, Haley 4 (Lindberg), 18:27. Penalties-Stortini Nor (tripping), 14:39.

2nd Period-2, Hartford, Hrivik 6 (Hensick, Nash), 0:56. 3, Hartford, Hensick 4 (Fast, Miller), 10:36. Penalties-No Penalties

3rd Period-4, Norfolk, Gagne 2 (Smith-Pelly, Rakell), 6:01 (PP). Penalties-O'Donnell Hfd (tripping), 3:50; Haley Hfd (delay of game), 4:25; Johnson Hfd (cross-checking), 12:14.

Shots on Goal-Hartford 7-11-8-26. Norfolk 8-5-9-22.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 0 / 1; Norfolk 1 / 3.
Goalies-Hartford, Grumet-Morris 7-10-4 (22 shots-21 saves). Norfolk, Gibson 15-11-4 (16 shots-13 saves); Thiessen 2-1-2 (10 shots-10 saves).
A-6,117
Referees-Darcy Burchell (42), Steve Patafie (85).
Linesmen-Luke Murray (92), Mark Hamlett (81).

Admirals Shut Out Wolf Pack, 1-0

Norfolk, VA, February 7, 2014 – Rookie goaltender John Gibson made 25 saves for his fourth shutout of the season Friday night at Norfolk Scope, and Chris Wagner’s third-period goal was the game’s only score, as the Norfolk Admirals defeated the Hartford Wolf Pack, 1-0.

Hartford Wolf PackThe loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Wolf Pack, who fell to 17-24-0-5 (39 pts.) on the year.

After more than two-and-a-half scoreless periods, Wagner finally broke the 0-0 deadlock at 13:31 of the third, three seconds after a holding penalty to Hartford’s Jesper Fast expired.  After Wolf Pack defenseman Aaron Johnson knocked the puck away from Wagner in the left circle, Kevin Gagne prevented Johnson from clearing.  Gagne banged the puck at the net from the left point, and it hit Wagner and deflected past Wolf Pack goaltender David LeNeveu (13 saves).

The Wolf Pack outshot the Admirals 25-14 in the game, including 5-2 in the third period.

“I thought we outplayed them,” LeNeveu said.  “I thought we outchanced them, we battled hard all game.  We missed some open nets, and it’s just one of those games.  One lucky bounce for them, and unfortunately that decides the game some nights.”

The Wolf Pack controlled much of the play in a scoreless first period, outshooting the Admirals 12-7 and forcing Gibson make several sharp saves.

Play was more even in the second period, with the Wolf Pack outshooting Norfolk 8-5, and the Admirals having two power plays to the Wolf Pack’s one, but again neither team could find the back of the net.

The Wolf Pack and Admirals tangle again Saturday night at Scope, in their last action before the AHL All-Star break, with faceoff at 7:15 PM.  All the action can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1410, and on-line at www.foxsportsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio.  Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.

The Wolf Pack’s next home game is Saturday, February 15, a 7:00 PM contest against the AHL-leading Manchester Monarchs. The first 3,000 fans into the XL Center that night will receive their very own Dylan McIlrath bobblehead.

Tickets for all Wolf Pack 2013-14 home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.  To speak with a representative about season or group tickets, call (855) 762-6451.

Hartford Wolf Pack 0 at Norfolk Admirals 1
Friday, February 7, 2014 – Norfolk Scope

Hartford 0 0 0 – 0
Norfolk 0 0 1 – 1

1st Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Nash Hfd (interference), 9:22; served by Whitney Nor (bench minor – too many men), 11:37.

2nd Period- No Scoring. Penalties-O'Donnell Hfd (fighting), 0:55; Kurtz Nor (fighting), 0:55; Ezekiel Nor (tripping), 8:42; Hughes Hfd (hooking), 14:05; served by O'Donnell Hfd (bench minor – too many men), 17:34.

3rd Period-1, Norfolk, Wagner 6 (Gagne), 13:31. Penalties-Fast Hfd (holding), 11:28; Laganiere Nor (cross-checking), 15:29.

Shots on Goal-Hartford 12-8-5-25. Norfolk 7-5-2-14.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 0 / 3; Norfolk 0 / 4.
Goalies-Hartford, LeNeveu 3-5-0 (14 shots-13 saves). Norfolk, Gibson 15-10-4 (25 shots-25 saves).
A-5,649
Referees-Darcy Burchell (42), Jason Rollins (37).
Linesmen-Luke Murray (92), Mark Hamlett (81).

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Wolf Pack’s Added Depth at Center Helps Lindberg

Oscar Lindberg

By Bob Crawford

The Hartford Wolf Pack certainly didn’t coddle Swedish centerman Oscar Lindberg in his first North American pro hockey experience.

The 22-year-old Lindberg was installed as the Wolf Pack’s number-one pivot from the first drop of the puck this season, and the Pack coaching staff continued to count on him in that spot throughout the club’s first-half struggles.

Lindberg, who came to the AHL this year with 178 games of experience in Sweden’s top league over four seasons certainly did not wilt under the responsibility of that assignment.  He displayed a strong and consistent work ethic, and showed flashes of explosiveness offensively, scoring seven goals and adding ten assists for 17 points in the season’s first 35 games.

Since mid-January, however, when the Ranger organization acquired veteran center T.J. Hensick off of AHL waivers and top-drawer prospect J.T. Miller, also a centerman, returned from a stint in the NHL, Lindberg’s offensive production has taken off.  Starting January 12, Lindberg reeled off a run in which he had at least a point in eight out of ten games, totaling six goals and seven assists for 13 points, including a five-game point-scoring streak that featured five goals and nine points.

According to Wolf Pack head coach Ken Gernander, the Wolf Pack’s newfound depth in the middle was a key to Lindberg’s unlocking his offensive potential.

“It’s a pretty important position, and for a large part of the season he was our really only one bona fide center,” Gernander said this week.  “And now that we have three, you can spread the workload around a little bit, it doesn’t enable the opposition to check his line on such a regular basis.  And with a couple of extra players, we now have a full complement of lines we’re comfortable with, and everybody can kind of complement one another.”

“I think we’ve got four good centers,” Lindberg said, “but two top guys who can produce take a little pressure from me.  It’s nice to get some guys to produce, not just have the pressure on me to do it.”

Being able to get into a rhythm with a steady set of linemates is something that Lindberg identified as making life easier for him.

“I think we play with more consistency with the lines, having the same lines for a couple of weeks,” he said.  “And I feel more and more comfortable too.  It’s just been happening, and I’m trying not to think about it too much.”

Lindberg’s improved offensive stats have largely coincided with his being put on a line with veteran banger Micheal Haley as his left-winger.  Kyle Beach occupied the right side on that line for several games, giving Lindberg a strong physical presence on both wings, and Danny Kristo slid into that spot in the Wolf Pack’s last game.  That was a 4-1 home win over Adirondack on Tuesday, in which the Haley-Lindberg-Kristo created two first-period goals.

“I think he’s intuitive enough to read off them,” Gernander said of Lindberg and his recent linemates.  “They create turnovers, can make space for him to make plays in behind them, those types of things.  And it just seems to complement his game.

“Danny’s an offensive player, and Lindberg’s a little bit of each (offensive and defensive), but if he can get some guys who think along the same lines, and he can maybe play some give-and-go hockey with, it should help his overall game.”

For Lindberg’s part, it’s not so much whom he is on the ice with, but rather being together long enough to get used to each other.

“I think as long as we keep the lines and not change too much, it’s easy to find chemistry,” he said.  “It doesn’t matter who you play with, as long as you’ve got some consistency.  And I think I’ve been doing that lately, and we’ve been getting a lot of wins too, so that’s been nice.

“Haley, he’s an aggressive guy who wins a lot of battles in the corners, and now playing with Kristo, he’s a playmaker.  So I think we complete each other in a good way.”

Lindberg enters the weekend only one point behind Kristo for the team leadership in points, with Lindberg having 13-17-30 in 45 games and Kristo 17-14-31 in 42 outings.  Clearly Lindberg’s confidence is on a high, and it seems likely that the tougher times earlier in the year made him grow and mature as a player.

“I think the experience was good for him,” Gernander said.  “I think he now has a good understanding of how competitive the American Hockey League is, how hard you’re going to have to work to create your offense and to get your opportunities.  It was a little bit of trial by fire for him, but I think the overall experience will help expedite his career.”

It may be, too, that the full adjustment from the bigger rinks of European hockey, and the different style of play in Sweden, took half of an AHL season to complete.

“The ice surface is a lot different,” Lindberg said.  “It’s more stop-and-start (in North America), not just swinging around, and not a lot of dumping (the puck) and stuff like that.  But I’m learning, and I think it’s been better the last couple of weeks, for sure.”

That better stretch for Lindberg has mirrored the Wolf Pack’s improvement as a team, and it is quite likely that the young Swede’s play will be a key indicator of how far the Pack can climb before the AHL season draws to a close.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: chris rutsch

Wolf Pack Launch “Frozen Fan” Contest

HARTFORD, February 7, 2014:  Global Spectrum, operators of the XL Center and Hartford Wolf Pack, announced today the launch of a “Frozen Fan” contest, which will enable two winning fans to have their photo likenesses become part of the XL Center ice surface.

Hartford Wolf PackTwo photos will be frozen into the ice for the remainder of the Wolf Pack’s 2013-14 season, and one winner will be chosen from entries received at the Wolf Pack’s next home game, which is Saturday, February 15 against the Manchester Monarchs (7:00 PM faceoff), and through the Wolf Pack’s official website, at www.hartfordwolfpack.com/frozenfan.  The other lucky fan will be chosen via an auction on eBay, with the highest bidder winning the right to fill the second frozen photo spot.

Both Frozen Fan winners will receive a Wolf Pack replica jersey to wear for their in-ice photos, and the jersey will be theirs to keep.  The photos will be inserted into the ice surface in early March.

Tickets for all Wolf Pack 2013-14 home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.  To speak with a representative about season or group tickets, call (855) 762-6451.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Wolf Pack’s Bourque More than Just an Energy Guy

Ryan Bourque

By Bob Crawford

Ryan Bourque’s work ethic, effort and tenacity have stood out from day one of his career with the Hartford Wolf Pack, but until recently he has never been looked to as a source of consistent offense.

Bourque contributed six goals and 14 points in 69 games his rookie year of 2011-12 and then had eight goals and 15 points in 53 games last season.  This year the son of Hall of Fame defenseman Ray Bourque has already fired home ten goals and added seven assists for 17 points, with the season only just past the halfway point.  His newfound offensive production began to blossom around the turn of the New Year, and recently he has thrived playing left wing on a line with J.T. Miller at center and Jesper Fast on the right side.  That has been the Wolf Pack’s top offensive line as of late, and being expected to fill a major offensive role has made all the difference for Bourque.

“Going through the first half of the season, it was kind of a defensive role, and PK (penalty-killing), and still getting an opportunity here and there in an offensive role, but I think as it’s progressed, it’s quickly developed into kind of a two-way role,” Bourque said this week.  “And I’m definitely relishing it, and trying to make everything of the opportunity I’ve been given.”

His two linemates, both of whom have been more well-known for their offensive potency throughout their development than has Bourque, have relished having his brand of hustle and desire on their left flank.

“His work ethic shows the most,” Miller said of Bourque.  “He provides energy for our line, and there’s always kind of a positive vibe when he’s around.  He’s pretty even-keeled, and obviously he’s been putting the puck in the net lately.  He’s doing it all, really.”

“It’s been awesome,” Bourque said.  “When you have the opportunity to play with two guys like that, it’s pretty simple out there.  You’ve just got to get in on the forecheck, hustle and try and get in the right areas, because they’ll find you.  Both of them have played in the NHL for long periods of time this season, and I think J.T., if he were in a lot of different areas in the league, he’d be in the NHL, he’s definitely that caliber of a player, and (Fast) is the same way.  He’s just so quick, and he gets in there and he gets the puck and he wins his one-on-one battles in the corner.  And he’s got the skill and the playmaking abilities to find you out there.  When you’re playing with guys like that, you’ve just got to go in and work hard and you’ll have success, night in and night out.”

Gernander added, “He (Bourque) forechecks, so he gets in and creates turnovers, and puck recovery he’s been very good at.  He just enables that line to have more puck possession, and allows them to use their skills more offensively.”

That element of forechecking is an interesting calling card for Bourque, as his small stature (5-9, 178 pounds) does not put him in the category of a typical crashing, banging power forward.  Bourque is truly relentless on the forecheck, though, and tirelessly works the hard areas of the ice, often turning the tables on bigger defenders.

“I think that a guy his size can be extremely effective against bigger players, if he uses his quickness and he’s willing to get in underneath those players,” Gernander asserted.  “If you stay on the perimeter, it often allows those bigger players to use their reach and their size to their advantage, but if you get right in their kitchen and you’ve got body position and leverage and you’re using your quickness, I think you can be even more effective.”

Bourque feels that both he and Fast, who is only slightly bigger than Bourque at six feet and 185 pounds, have been consistent in causing problems for bigger opponents. 

“It’s definitely just trying to make the most with what you have,” Bourque said.  “We’re both smaller guys, but we both have the assets of quickness.  And we’re short in stature, but it’s not like we’re small in strength or anything like that.  I think we have the strength that you need to play in this league at a smaller size, but with that quickness you need to go in the corners and enjoy winning those battles, and not be afraid to mix it up.  And fortunately for me and Jesper, we share that quality, and if you can use your size to your advantage, it helps out a lot.  You have the ability to be a little more slippery out there, and also to get lower on guys, and it almost makes it harder for them to be able to move you.  So as long as you’re doing the right things and making the most with what you have, then I think that’s why we can have the success we have.”

Bourque’s success has always gone back to his consistent effort.  He never takes a shift off on the ice, and, according to Gernander, his energy level is the same in practice as well.

“He tries to win every drill,” the Wolf Pack bench boss said, “or he’s first in line, usually one beat before the whistle blows.  But that’s part of his makeup or part of his character, one of his assets that he can draw upon.”

For Bourque, that is a way to motivate both himself and his teammates.

“It’s not only the games that you’re competing in,” he said.  “If you have a competitive attitude, you definitely want to make the players around you, and your teammates, the best that they can be too.  And it’s not only that, it’s trying to be the best that you can be on a daily basis.  I hate losing to those guys.  Obviously I hate losing more in the real competition, but in practice if you can try and set those things in place, day in and day out, it’s not only going to make you better, but it’s going to make everyone around you better.”

Now that Bourque has latched on to a spot among the Wolf Pack’s top six forwards, the challenge now is to hang on to that role, and solidify the notion that he has turned a corner in his career.

“At this level, I definitely think it’s just that once you get that opportunity, once you get comfortable and are doing it on a daily basis, if you have the right attitude and work ethic with it, you can definitely fit in and make the most of it,” he said.  “I’ve gotten more and more comfortable with it.  At first it was kind of newer to me because I was doing things that I really haven’t done since Junior, but it’s definitely the most fun I’ve had as a pro, and I’m just trying to make the most of it.”

As far as those things that hadn’t been part of his role since his Junior days in the Quebec League, Bourque elaborated, “In some situations in the past, you’re always thinking defense first, but while still having that responsible attitude, and definitely that responsibility in your game, you can still try to take a few more chances because you know you’re going to have that leeway offensively.  And sometimes when you make a read or two offensively it can definitely go in your favor, and if you have the hustle and the work ethic to get back if you do make a mistake, then that makes up for it a lot too.”

Furthermore, it’s not a situation of leaving one identity behind and assuming another.  Bourque is acutely aware that being a diligent defensive player and a source of energy is what got him to where he is, and he has no intention of forgetting that, no matter how many offensive numbers he manages to put up.

“That’s something definitely that I’ll always carry with me, and I know I won’t ever leave that side of my game behind,” he said.  “I think I’ve grown up being responsible defensively, with that work ethic, and I know that if I’m going to have the opportunity to play at the next level, it’s definitely going to be with those assets, with penalty-killing and the energy that I provide, and being responsible in both zones.  And although I can chip in offensively, it’s definitely with the responsibility of being a very good defensive forward, but also having that offensive capability as well.”

That, clearly, is just what Gernander has in mind, as the organization continues to foster Bourque’s rapidly accelerating development.

“The offensive play is always a benefit, regardless of who the player is,” Gernander said.  “We have to have some minimum requirements as far as forechecking, defensive responsibility, those types of things, but some excel at it, and I think he’s one that leads the way in those areas, as far as defensively responsible, penalty-killing, provide some energy, provide some forecheck.  And now, I think with just a change of linemates or a little bit more offensive opportunity, you’re starting to see more output from him.”

“I still think his future as far as an NHL career will be more of a third, fourth-line guy, penalty-killer, and he still has to be diligent in all those tasks, but any time you can get someone from that portion of your lineup that can score goals when the opportunity presents itself, that makes him that much more valuable of a tool.  He’s proving that, given the opportunity, he can be a significant part of our offense, and I think it’s been a great progression for him.”

photo credit: chris rutsch