HARTFORD, August 25, 2014:  Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the Wolf Pack has re-signed goaltender Jeff Malcolm.

Originally signed to an AHL contract July 17, 2013, Malcolm, a second-year man out of Yale University, saw action in six games with the Wolf Pack last season.  The 25-year-old Lethbridge, Alberta native went 1-3-0 in those six appearances, with a 2.85 goals-against average and an 88.8% save percentage.  In 27 games with the Wolf Pack’s ECHL affiliate, the Greenville Road Warriors, Malcolm was 13-9-0, with a 2.90 GAA and a 91.2% save percentage.

The 6-2, 185-pound Malcolm is a product of Yale University, where he capped off a four-year career in 2012-13 by backstopping the Elis to the first-ever “Frozen Four” title in school history.  Malcolm was 20-6-2 in 30 appearances for the Elis in 2012-13, with a 2.24 goals-against average, a 91.9% save percentage and three shutouts.  Those numbers represented the second-highest single-season win total, the third-best save percentage and fourth-lowest GAA in Yale Men’s Hockey history.  Malcolm also finished second among ECAC goaltenders in wins and tied for third in shutouts.

In his four years at Yale, Malcolm appeared in 67 games, amassing a record of 36-21-4 with a 2.60 GAA, a 90.7% save percentage and six shutouts.  Those stats rank him third all-time in school annals in save percentage and wins, and fourth in GAA.

The Wolf Pack will open the home portion of their 2014-15 AHL season Saturday, October 18 at the XL Center.  To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451.

HARTFORD, August 22, 2014:  Global Spectrum, operators of the XL Center and Hartford Wolf Pack, today announced the 2014-15 Wolf Pack preseason schedule.

The Wolf Pack will play a total of four preseason contests, with three of the four being home games in local venues.  The slate begins with a battle against the Albany Devils Wednesday, October 1 at Champions Skating Center, located at 6 Progress Dr. in Cromwell, CT.  Faceoff for the exhibition opener is 7:00 PM and admission is $5.  Admission proceeds will go to acquiring ice skates for use at the wintertime outdoor skating rink in Hartford’s Bushnell Park.  Also, Champions Skating Center will be accepting donations of used skates of all sizes for the outdoor rink.

The next night, Thursday, October 2, the Wolf Pack will host the Worcester Sharks at the TD Bank Sports Center at Quinnipiac University, with faceoff at 7:00.  The TD Bank Sports Center is located at 275 Mt. Carmel Ave. in Hamden, CT, and tickets for the October 2 game are available through the TD Bank Sports Center ticket office, as well as by phone at (203) 582-3905.  The on-line address to purchase tickets is www.quinnipiacbobcats.com.  Proceeds from the game will benefit Gaylord Specialty Healthcare of Wallingford, CT.

The Wolf Pack and the Sharks will meet again Saturday, October 4, in the last of the Pack’s three home preseason tilts.  That game will take place at Trinity College’s Koeppel Community Sports Center, facing off at 7:00.  Donations will be accepted at the door in lieu of an admission charge, benefitting the Ryan Gordon/Hartford Wolf Pack Community Scholars Fund.  The fund memorializes young fan Ryan Gordon, who passed away in 2006 and asked that a portion of the monies set aside for his college education be donated to the Hartford Wolf Pack Community Foundation.  Suggested donation is $5 per person.

The Wolf Pack then wraps up its preseason slate with its lone road game, a 3:00 contest at the MassMutual Center in Springfield vs. the Falcons Sunday, October 5.

HARTFORD WOLF PACK PRESEASON SCHEDULE

Date                    Opponent            Venue                                                                                            Faceoff

Wed.   Oct. 1        ALBANY              CHAMPIONS SKATING CENTER, CROMWELL, CT                          7:00

Thu.    Oct. 2        WORCESTER      TD BANK SPORTS CENTER, QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY                7:00

Sat.     Oct. 4        WORCESTER      KOEPPEL COMMUNITY SPORTS CENTER, TRINITY COLLEGE    7:00

Sun.    Oct. 5        at Springfield       MassMutual Center                                                                             3:00

The Wolf Pack will open the home portion of their 2014-15 AHL regular season Saturday, October 18 at the XL Center.  To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451.

By Bob Crawford

It is difficult to find many positives in a hockey season that does not yield a playoff berth, but the Hartford Wolf Pack’s finish to their 2013-14 campaign was so impressive that it left the entire team feeling that much had been accomplished.

The Wolf Pack, who finished nine points out of a playoff spot in the AHL’s Eastern Conference with a record of 37-32-1-6 for 81 points, won nine out of their last ten regular-season games and went 18-6-1-0 in the last 25 games of the season, a points percentage of .740 and the second-best record in the conference over that time.  That surge is a point of considerable pride for head coach Ken Gernander.

“I’m real encouraged and real pleased with the way the guys came together at the end of the season,” Gernander said last week, as he conducted workouts for the ten Wolf Pack players who comprise the parent New York Rangers’ playoff taxi squad.  “I think, more than anything, we probably just ran out of season, because if there had been another half-dozen games and we kept trending the way we did, the playoffs were a reality for us.

“And really they could have thrown in the towel at the end of January there, when we were nine games under .500 at the bottom of the league, and I’ve been saying it all along, that’s a pretty good testament to the character of our veterans.  A lot of times they kind of dictate how things are being perceived in the locker room and what direction a team’s going to take, and to their credit, they were top-notch down the stretch and really deserve a lot of credit for the way we finished.”

One of those veteran players, Captain Aaron Johnson, agreed with Gernander’s assessment, in an interview done just as he was leaving for the off-season.

“I think we’re really pleased,” the 11^th-year pro defenseman said.  “The second half was definitely more of our style of play, and the way we wanted to play throughout the year.  It’s one of those things where, if we could get maybe just five or six more games, we could be playing for a lot longer.  If you look back, I think the guys will be really happy with the way we finished.”

Defenseman Dylan McIlrath, one of the “Black Aces” who is continuing to skate at the Rangers’ practice facility in Tarrytown, NY, in case the big club needs reinforcements, added, “I was very fortunate to take something away from the end of the year, just to get on a nice run there.  Obviously we would like the playoff experience, but we had a really good group of guys and if we had more games, I felt like we could have made playoffs, it was going that way.  Definitely an up-and-down year, but nice to finish on a strong note.”

The Wolf Pack still had four games left on their schedule when the team was officially eliminated from playoff contention, but there was no letdown whatsoever.  The first of those four games was a 7-2 win, the team’s most lopsided of the year, over a St. John’s IceCap club that had lost only three games in regulation in its previous 22, and the Pack took three of the four contests, finishing the season with their fourth shutout in ten games, a 2-0 home victory over Bridgeport.

“A lot of the credit goes to the goalies (David LeNeveu and Dov Grumet-Morris) throughout that strong finish, so it was nice to see those guys finish strong,” Johnson said.  “And for us as players, it’s a strong finish, and to get a couple more wins, we were nine and one in our last ten, I think the team has to be commended on the way they finished.”

Gernander commented, “You look at the last two (games), with Springfield certainly in the playoffs but they weren’t going anywhere standings-wise, they were going to be the number-two seed, and Bridgeport, they had a bit of a rough go, but it’s no different for our guys.  They weren’t going to change (playoff) seeds or anything like that.  I think they were feeling pretty good about themselves, pretty proud of the way they finished, and they wanted to go out the right way.  And to their credit, they won those two games at home.

“And I think a lot of times, you’re judged not on where the season starts, but how you finish.  And even though playoffs weren’t in the picture there, winning nine out of your last ten and 18 of the last 25, if you judge them in that light I think it was a pretty successful finish for them.”

Each member of the Wolf Pack roster will now carry that momentum into the next phase, whether that is buttressing the Ranger playoff effort, preparing for next year’s Ranger training camp or, in the case of players like Johnson who are free agents, getting to work on the process of securing a new contract for next year.

“I guess it’s just sit back and start talking to the agent and start figuring things out,” Johnson said of his next move.  “It’s tough, as you get older there’s more, and less, opportunities, depending on which way you go or where you’re looking.  So I guess it’s just a matter of crossing your fingers and seeing if we can figure something out here in the next month or two.”

Gernander, no matter how high his opinion might be of the stretch run this year’s team displayed, is not about to get caught up in speculating about what next season’s Wolf Pack roster might look like, especially at this early stage.  Experiencing more than two decades of AHL comings and goings, as a player and a coach, has taught him that is a fruitless exercise.

“There’s so many things to be decided, the big club is still in the throes of the Stanley Cup playoffs,” Gernander said.  “They (the Rangers) have free agents that they’re going to have to re-sign.  We have free agents, there’s injuries, and some of our guys might want to leave due to free agency.  So it’s way, way too early to make any forecast as to who’s going to be returning for our club.”

Contracts do not officially expire until July 1, so much of the “hot stove” discussion is still well down the road, but one thing can be categorically stated right now, and that is that the entire Wolf Pack group, both individually and collectively, gave an excellent account of itself, in putting a distinctly positive finish to what could have been an extremely trying season.

By Bob Crawford

There will be no more Hartford Wolf Pack hockey until October, but a Wolf Pack presence is still very much a factor in the hockey world.  That is because a crew of ten Wolf Pack regulars from this season is still active, practicing as “black aces” for the parent New York Rangers.  That list includes goaltender David LeNeveu, forwards Ryan Bourque, Marek Hrivik, Danny Kristo, Oscar Lindberg and Darroll Powe, and defensemen Conor Allen, Tommy Hughes, Dylan McIlrath and Danny Syvret.

For those who might not know, the term “black ace” refers to a playoff extra, a “taxi squad” guy who is on hand for NHL playoff depth.  An NHL team’s black aces will only get a chance to play in a Stanley Cup playoff game if the big club gets hit by a run of injuries, but they practice throughout the postseason run in case they are needed.

According to legend, calling these players black aces can be attributed, as can so many famous things in hockey, to Eddie Shore, who supposedly referred to players on his Springfield Indians clubs who had fallen out of favor, and needed to work their way back into his good graces, as the team’s “black aces”.  That apparently comes from a poker term, the “Dead Man’s Hand”.  That was the array of cards that famed gunslinger Wild Bill Hickok held at the point when he was shot and killed—a pair of eights, the jack of diamonds and the two black aces.

Despite that rather morbid name background, the experience of being a black ace is a positive one, according to Pack head coach Ken Gernander, who is running the black aces through their practice paces at the Rangers’ MSG Training Center in Tarrytown, NY, along with assistants Jeff Beukeboom and Pat Boller.  With fewer players on the ice, the coaching experience is even more enjoyable than the routine of the season.

“It’s fun,” Gernander said after the first taxi squad workout, which was four days after the Wolf Pack’s season ended.  “I like coming to the rink, I like working with players, and I think in this environment, because it’s a smaller number and there’s no game on the imminent horizon, meaning the next day or what have you, you get to take a different tack.  You get to know the guys a little better, a little bit more intimately.  Also, I think you can break things down or isolate certain things on an individual basis that gives them something to work for while they’re staying in top physical shape.

“It’s a fun experience for us (coaches) because you get to know them a little better in a small group, with no game to play later that night or three-in-three (three games in three days) on the weekend or anything like that.  It’s nice for us to get to work with them and break it down even on a smaller scale, and to get to know them even better.”

The organization has the black aces set up as a totally separate entity from the roster that is playing, as the Ranger club is holding its practices at Madison Square Garden.  From the perspective of the black aces, as articulated by McIlrath, that makes things easier.

“You can stay out of the way and just do your business,” he said.  “We can put in a good day’s work here (at the Training Center) and not worry about having to get out of the way of the big guys.  All the guys have the same mindset, we all want to still get better here and stay ready.”

Everyone throughout the Rangers’ chain is obviously hoping for a long playoff run by the Blueshirts, and that would involve the black aces spending an extended period of time in their practice mode.

“It’s going to be a challenge, just to stay ready, but we’ve got to have a little fun with it and keep it light,” McIlrath said.  “I know the coaches will do a good job, just to throw in little mini-games to keep our spirits up and also put in all of the work that is needed.”

Gernander is quick to point out that if one or more of the black aces is needed for the NHL lineup, he will be given ample time to switch from practice-only mode and get his “game face” on.

“It happens fast, but it doesn’t happen in a New York minute,” the Wolf Pack head man said, making an apt pun.  “As long as they stay in physical condition and things like that, and then maybe something transpires where, ‘listen, we’re going to need your services,’ they don’t get called at 5:00 to be there for a 7:00 game.  They usually give them a day or two’s practice, or they would certainly know the night before they’ve got a game, and then they just prepare mentally like they would any other game during the season.  So from our end of things right now, we’re just keeping them physically ready, and they’re disciplined guys, they’re professional guys, and really it’s not that big a task to keep them motivated.”

The physical-readiness standpoint involves full, crisply-paced workouts, with only about half of a normal roster on the ice.  That means not much rest between drills, which prompted McIlrath to quip, with tongue planted firmly in cheek, after the first practice, “I felt bad for ‘Lenny’ (LeNeveu) there, he had a lot of shots.  It’s a little different, I’ll have to let ‘G’ (Gernander) know there’s half as many guys, so take ‘er easy.”

Gernander took this in the spirit in which it was intended, and promised, “It’ll ebb and flow, and we have days off built in for recovery, both physical and mental.  And a lot of these guys have been through the rigors of a pretty long, 76-game (AHL) season, and they’re probably a little big banged up and beat up, but you want them to stay ready if the call should occur or the need arises, and it’s a great experience for them.”

McIlrath, who was part of the Rangers’ playoff taxi squad last spring as well, has found the experience somewhat different this time around.

“Last year we were coming off of a little bit of a disappointing end to the (AHL) season,” the former Ranger first-round pick explained.  “We had a tough way out because we had a chance right to the very end (to make playoffs), but this year we finished off really strong and it was really positive.  It’s a little more fun coming this time and I’m looking to make the most of it.”

The Rangers’ first-round matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers developed, not surprisingly, into a gritty, physical, hard-pounding affair.  That fits right into McIlrath’s m.o., something that he admits is in the back of his mind.

“Obviously it’ll be a very physical series, so anything can happen and I’m just trying to stay ready,” McIlrath said of the Ranger-Flyer battle.  “You try and stay out of the way of the big guys up here, but I’m looking forward to making the most out of this time.”

Hartford, CT, April 19, 2014 – Dov Grumet-Morris had his first shutout of the season Saturday night at the XL Center, stopping 23 shots as the Hartford Wolf Pack finished their season with a 2-0 win over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Ryan Bourque’s first-period power-play goal was the only offense the Wolf Pack would need, and T.J. Hensick added an empty-net goal with 32.2 seconds left in the game.  Danny Syvret assisted on both goals.  Kevin Poulin made 36 saves in the Bridgeport net.

The victory was the Wolf Pack’s ninth in the last ten games, and Hartford finished 18-6-1-0 in the last 25 games of the year, for a final record of 37-32-1-6 for 81 points.  The shutout was Hartford’s fourth in the last ten games, after the team went without one in the first 66 games of the year.

“We kept fighting right until the end,” the Wolf Pack’s Dylan McIlrath said.  “Unfortunately we got the news (last Friday) in St. John’s that we were out of it (playoff contention), but I liked how we came together as a group and played with a lot of pride. It was good to see.”

Bourque’s 21^st goal of the season, the game-winner, came on the game’s first power play, with Bridgeport’s Justin Johnson in the penalty box for roughing.

Marek Hrivik set Syvret up for a shot from the middle of the blue line, and Bourque deflected the blast past Poulin at 6:35.

That was it for the offense until the final minute of the game, despite the Wolf Pack outshooting the Sound Tigers 11-6 in the second period and 17-9 in the third.

Bridgeport pulled Poulin for a sixth attacker with just over 1:30 remaining in the third, but never seriously threatened, and Hensick was able to ice the game at 19:27.

Dylan McIlrath cleared the puck out of the corner to Grumet-Morris’ right, and it deflected off of a Sound Tiger into the Bridgeport end.  Hensick beat a Sound Tiger defender to the loose puck along the right-wing boards, and bounced it into the empty cage.

Season tickets for the Wolf Pack’s 2014-15 AHL season are on sale now.  In addition to getting the best deal on Wolf Pack seats, full season-ticket subscribers will be part of the Pack’s new season ticket-holder “Mug Club”, whose members can enjoy $2 beers and $4 sodas at every Wolf Pack home game.  Call 855-764-6451 now to get placed in seats, or visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com for more information.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers 0 at Hartford Wolf Pack 2
Saturday, April 19, 2014 – XL Center

Bridgeport 0 0 0 – 0
Hartford 1 0 1 – 2

1st Period-1, Hartford, Bourque 21 (Syvret, Hrivik), 6:35 (PP). Penalties-Johnson Bri (roughing), 6:20.

2nd Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Bourque Hfd (hooking), 1:50; Bruton Bri (fighting), 15:54; McIlrath Hfd (fighting), 15:54; Johnson Hfd (interference), 16:55.

3rd Period-2, Hartford, Hensick 11 (McIlrath, Syvret), 19:27 (EN). Penalties-Allen Hfd (tripping), 7:26; Poulin Bri (delay of game), 10:25.

Shots on Goal-Bridgeport 8-6-9-23. Hartford 10-11-17-38.
Power Play Opportunities-Bridgeport 0 / 3; Hartford 1 / 2.
Goalies-Bridgeport, Poulin 2-12-1 (37 shots-36 saves). Hartford, Grumet-Morris 17-15-5 (23 shots-23 saves).
A-5,272
Referees-David Banfield (77).
Linesmen-Jim Briggs (83), Brent Colby (7).

Hartford, CT, April 18, 2014 – David LeNeveu made 37 saves Friday night at the XL Center, leading the Hartford Wolf Pack to their eighth victory in nine games, a 2-1 win over the Northeast Division-champion Springfield Falcons.

Oscar Lindberg’s third-period power-play goal was the game-winner for the Wolf Pack (36-32-1-6, 79 pts.), who were outshot 38-20 in the game, and Danny Kristo also scored.  Carter Camper had the Falcons’ only goal of the game, and Mike McKenna made 18 saves.

“I think it’s been encouraging to see some of the improvement and the growth, both as individuals and as a team,” Wolf Pack coach Ken Gernander said of the Wolf Pack’s recent run. “I think you can start by giving credit to our veterans, because they have a lot to say in regards to the temperament of the (locker) room and how things are going to unfold.

“If you look at our record over the last twenty-five or thirty games, if you’re talking about developing guys and developing a winning atmosphere, we’ve come a long way in the span of a season.”

Friday’s win was the Wolf Pack’s fifth in the last six games in the season series with the Falcons, and Hartford is now 17-6-1-0 in 24 games since February 22.

Kristo, the Wolf Pack’s leading goal-scorer, netted his 25^th of the year 4:30 into the game for the only scoring of the first two periods.

Ryan Bourque tipped a Dylan McIlrath try from the right point on goal, and McKenna made the save, but could not control the rebound.  Kristo, stationed to McKenna’s left, jammed the loose puck into the net.

Springfield dominated the second period territorially, outshooting the Wolf Pack 17-5, but could not get anything past LeNeveu until the 58-second mark of the third period, when Camper finally got the Falcons on the scoreboard.

Sean Collins fed the puck to the high slot to former Connecticut Whale Tim Erixon, who deflected it to Camper on the right side.  Camper moved to just inside the faceoff dot and fired a shot past LeNeveu’s stick side to tie the game.

The Wolf Pack responded with the deciding goal less than four minutes later, though, at 4:42, with Cody Bass in the penalty box for cross-checking.

Danny Syvret played the puck cross-ice from the right-wing circle to T.J. Hensick along the boards.  Hensick’s centering feed was partially blocked, but it carried through to Lindberg in front of the goal.  McKenna got a piece of Lindberg’s quick shot but could not keep it out of the net, and Lindberg’s 18^th goal of the season put the Wolf Pack on top to stay.

Springfield’s best chance the rest of the way came with about 2:30 remaining in the third, when Lukas put a shot off the goalpost to LeNeveu’s right after getting a step on the Wolf Pack defense.

The Wolf Pack bring down the curtain on the 2013-14 season Saturday night at the XL Center, hosting the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in a 7:00 PM game.  It’s Fan Appreciation Night, with numerous great prizes to be given away at random, including a 32-inch HD TV, New York Ranger and Wolf Pack autographed items, a tailgating Weber grill and Rita’s Italian Ice.  Tickets 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.

Springfield Falcons 1 at Hartford Wolf Pack 2
Friday, April 18, 2014 – XL Center

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

1st Period-1, Hartford, Kristo 25 (Bourque, McIlrath), 4:30. Penalties-Erixon Spr (slashing), 1:34; Collins Spr (high-sticking), 8:05; Bass Spr (high-sticking), 9:54; Powe Hfd (hooking), 14:27; Thompson Spr (tripping), 18:24.

2nd Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Hughes Hfd (boarding), 7:53; Vaive Hfd (holding), 15:39.

3rd Period-2, Springfield, Camper 12 (Erixon, Collins), 0:58. 3, Hartford, Lindberg 18 (Hensick, Syvret), 4:42 (PP). Penalties-Bass Spr (cross-checking), 4:22; O’Donnell Hfd (closing hand on puck), 12:55.

Shots on Goal-Springfield 9-17-12-38. Hartford 6-5-9-20.
Power Play Opportunities-Springfield 0 / 4; Hartford 1 / 5.
Goalies-Springfield, McKenna 22-9-1 (20 shots-18 saves). Hartford, LeNeveu 12-9-0 (38 shots-37 saves).
A-3,928
Referees-Jarrod Ragusin (54), Tim Mayer (19).
Linesmen-Luke Galvin (2), Mike Baker (11).

NEW YORK, April 14, 2014 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has recalled forward J.T. Miller from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Miller, 21, registered four points (two goals, two assists) in a back-to-back set at St. John’s on Saturday and Sunday. He has tallied a point in four of six games since being assigned to Hartford on April 2^nd, recording three goals and three assists over the span. Miller has registered 15 goals and 28 assists for 43 points, along with 47 penalty minutes and a plus-10 rating in 41 games with Hartford this season. He is tied for the Wolf Pack lead in scoring with 43 points, ranks third on the team in assists and plus/minus rating, and fifth in goals.

The East Palestine, Ohio native returns to the Rangers where he has registered three goals and three assists for six points, along with 18 penalty minutes in 30 games this season. He has tallied three points (one goal, two assists) in his last seven NHL games.

Miller was originally selected by the Rangers as a first round choice, 15^th overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

St. John’s, Newfoundland, April 13, 2014 – The Hartford Wolf Pack’s seven-game winning streak, which tied the second-longest in team history, was snapped Sunday at Mile One Centre, in a 6-2 loss to the St. John’s IceCaps.

John Albert scored twice for St. John’s, which earned a split of a back-to-back set with the Wolf Pack after a 7-2 loss to the Pack on Saturday night, and Carl Klingberg had a goal and two assists.

Danny Kristo had a goal and an assist for the Wolf Pack, who also got a power-play goal from Chris McCarthy, his first goal as a pro, to open the scoring, only to see St. John’s get the next five goals of the game.

“They just came hard,” Kristo said of the IceCaps.  “It was good start, we had the power-play goal, got out to the lead, but they came right back, scored a couple there, and then it was pretty much downhill the rest of the game.  I thought we made a couple of good pushes to try and come back, but they played strong today.”

St. John’s took two early penalties, and the Wolf Pack scored on the second man advantage, with Adam Lowry in the penalty box for tripping.  St. John’s goaltender Tyler Beskorowany (27 saves) stopped a Kristo shot from the right-wing side, but the rebound went right to McCarthy in the left circle and McCarthy, playing his sixth game with the Wolf Pack, banged it through Beskorowany and into the net.

The IceCaps would respond with three goals before the first period was out, though, starting with a Blair Riley strike at 8:34, only 1:37 after McCarthy’s goal.  Kyle MacKinnon won the puck in the right wing corner and wrapped it around the opposite post, and Riley deflected it past Wolf Pack starting goaltender David LeNeveu.

Albert gave St. John’s the lead with his 26^th goal of the season at 14:19, jamming home a second rebound from right on top of LeNeveu, after Zach Redmond put the puck at the net from the right point.

Kael Mouillierat made it a two-goal St. John’s advantage on the IceCaps’ first power play at 18:35, with Conor Allen off for slashing.  Mouillierat’s shot from the top of the right circle got by the stick side of LeNeveu, who was being screened by Klingberg.

The Wolf Pack replaced LeNeveu with Dov Grumet-Morris to start the second period, and the first half of the second was scoreless, before the IceCaps broke the game open with two goals in a span of 55 seconds starting at 10:01.

Klingberg made it a 4-1 St. John’s lead at 10:01, after Eric O’Dell got by the Wolf Pack’s J.T. Miller on left wing and fed a perfect backhanded pass to Klingberg, who deflected the puck under the crossbar behind Grumet-Morris.

Then at 10:56, in a delayed-penalty situation, Klingberg flung the puck at the net from just inside the blue line, and Jerome Samson deflected it past Grumet-Morris for a 5-1 St. John’s lead.

The Wolf Pack stopped the run of five straight IceCap goals at 12:46, on a five-on-three power play.  Kristo took a pass at the left point, moved to the top of the circles and fired a shot past Beskorowany’s catching glove, increasing Kristo’s team-leading goal total to 24 on the year.

Hartford could get no closer, though, and Albert completed the scoring with his second of the game at 13:57 of the third, as Kris Fredheim’s shot from the right point hit Albert and redirected into the net.

The Wolf Pack finish the season with home games this Friday night, April 18 against the Springfield Falcons and Saturday, April 19 vs. the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.  Both games face off at 7:00 PM, and Friday’s game is the last chance this season for fans to enjoy $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 both of the last two 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 St. John’s IceCaps 6
Sunday, April 13, 2014 – Mile One Centre

Hartford 1 1 0 – 2
St. John’s 3 2 1 – 6

1st Period-1, Hartford, McCarthy 1 (Miller, Kristo), 6:57 (PP). 2, St. John’s, Riley 7 (MacKinnon, Redmond), 8:34. 3, St. John’s, Albert 26 (Redmond, Jaffray), 14:19. 4, St. John’s, Mouillierat 19 (Kichton, Klingberg), 18:35 (PP). Penalties-O’Dell Stj (high-sticking), 0:35; Lowry Stj (tripping), 6:40; Allen Hfd (slashing), 17:52; Morrissey Stj (delay of game – restricted area), 19:57.

2nd Period-5, St. John’s, Klingberg 21 (O’Dell, Mouillierat), 10:01. 6, St. John’s, Samson 25 (Klingberg, Chiarot), 10:56. 7, Hartford, Kristo 24 (Miller, Hensick), 12:46 (PP). Penalties-Chiarot Stj (interference), 11:39; Fredheim Stj (tripping), 12:06; Powe Hfd (interference), 14:17; Bourque Hfd (high-sticking), 19:57.

3rd Period-8, St. John’s, Albert 27 (Jaffray, Fredheim), 13:57. Penalties-Latta Hfd (fighting), 11:34; McIlrath Hfd (roughing), 11:34; Vaive Hfd (roughing), 11:34; Lipon Stj (instigating, fighting, game misconduct – second instigator), 11:34; Lowry Stj (roughing, roughing), 11:34; Powe Hfd (slashing, cross-checking, fighting), 13:03; Chiarot Stj (cross-checking, slashing, fighting), 13:03.

Shots on Goal-Hartford 13-8-9-30. St. John’s 15-11-8-34.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 2 / 6; St. John’s 1 / 3.
Goalies-Hartford, LeNeveu 11-9-0 (15 shots-12 saves); Grumet-Morris 16-15-5 (19 shots-16 saves). St. John’s, Beskorowany 7-2-2 (30 shots-28 saves).
A-6,287
Referees-Graham Skilliter (48).
Linesmen-Todd Horwood (34), Jim Vail (75).

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The American Hockey League today announced the following suspensions:

Hartford Wolf Pack left wing Micheal Haley has been suspended for three (3) games as a consequence of his actions in a game at St. John’s on Apr. 12.

Haley was suspended under the provisions of AHL Rule 28.1 (supplementary discipline) as a consequence of leaving the players’ bench on a legal line change for the purpose of starting an altercation.

Haley will miss Hartford’s games today (Apr. 13) at St. John’s, Friday (Apr. 18) vs. Springfield and Saturday (Apr. 19) vs. Bridgeport.

St. John’s, Newfoundland, April 12, 2014 – J.T. Miller scored twice, and Danny Kristo had a goal and an assist, Saturday night at Mile One Centre, as the Hartford Wolf Pack extended their win streak to seven straight games with a 7-2 victory over the St. John’s IceCaps.

The seven-goal output was the Wolf Pack’s largest of the season, and the five-goal margin of victory is also a season high for Hartford.  St. John’s had won the first two meetings of the year between the two teams by a combined margin of 12-3.

Shawn O’Donnell, Oscar Lindberg, Marek Hrivik and Nick Latta also scored for the Wolf Pack, and Danny Syvret had two assists.  David LeNeveu made 31 saves in goal.  Austen Brassard and Jerome Samson had the St. John’s goals, and Eric Comrie made 23 saves in his first pro start.

“We had a lot of elements tonight,” Wolf Pack coach Ken Gernander said.  “I thought we were decent on our special teams, after their early lead, O’Donnell’s goal was certainly a big goal, and [LeNeveu] was strong in net again.  Just a real good team effort again tonight.

The seven-game win streak is the franchise’s longest in more than five years, since February 20-March 4, 2009.

The Wolf Pack gave up the game’s first goal only 1:39 into the game, but then responded to get the next three.

Brassard gave St. John’s the early advantage at 1:39, with his third goal of the season.  LeNeveu stopped a shot off right wing by Adam Lowry, but Brendan Kichton dove down to get to the rebound and bang it toward the net.  That try went off the post behind LeNeveu, and the carom lay loose in the goal crease for Brassard to bang in.

O’Donnell tied it for the Wolf Pack only 1:51 later, at 3:30.  Justin Vaive made a strong rush down left wing and had his shot stopped by Comrie, but O’Donnell got a whack at the rebound and it trickled through Comrie just over the goal line.

Kristo then put the Wolf Pack in front at 7:21, improving his team-best goal total to 23 with an unassisted tally.  Chris McCarthy’s pass toward T.J. Hensick at the right side of the slot was blocked, but Kristo kept the puck in near the blue line, and buried a snap shot from the left side of the slot past Comrie’s stick side.

The two teams traded goals only 45 seconds apart starting at the 6:24 mark of the second, when Lindberg put the Wolf Pack up 3-1 with a shorthanded goal.  A Conor Allen pass deflected to Lindberg in the middle, and Lindberg backtracked toward the blue line before whirling and snapping a shot past Comrie’s catching glove.

Samson got that one back for St. John’s, though, at 7:09, just six seconds after Miller stepped out of the penalty box after finishing a hooking minor.  A loose puck came to Samson at the right-wing faceoff dot, and Samson blasted a high shot into the net for his 24^th goal of the season.

Hrivik restored the two-goal margin for the Wolf Pack with 1:14 remaining in the period, scoring for a second straight game.  Hensick carried into the St. John’s end down right wing and dropped the puck off to Syvret, who deflected it perfectly to Hrivik at the left side of the slot, and Hrivik hammered a quick shot behind Comrie.

The Wolf Pack then broke the game open with three third-period goals, two by Miller.

Miller made it a 5-2 lead at 9:18 on a power play, intercepting a Kyle MacKinnon pass out of the left-wing corner high in the slot, and beating Comrie high.

Then, at 12:59, Kristo and Miller hooked up on a pretty play to make it 6-2.  Kristo stickhandled across the middle in center ice and headed down the left-wing side the St. John’s zone, before passing to Miller, who was moving across the slot.  Miller deflected the feed perfectly under the crossbar, for his second goal of the night and 15^th of the season.

Latta completed the scoring with 30.9 seconds left in the third, with his first pro goal in eight games.  Latta beat his check down the right side and took a cross-slot pass from Darroll Powe, and banged the puck in behind Comrie for a 7-2 final.

The Wolf Pack had been eliminated from playoff contention by the Albany Devils’ 2-1 win Friday night over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

The Wolf Pack and IceCaps complete a two-game series, and the Wolf Pack finish their road schedule, at Mile One Centre Sunday afternoon.  Faceoff is 2:30 PM, and all of the action can be heard on-line at www.979espn.com.  Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.

The Wolf Pack’s next home game is this Friday, April 18, when the Springfield Falcons invade the XL Center for a 7:00 PM game.  That is the last chance this season for fans to enjoy $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 7 at St. John’s IceCaps 2
Saturday, April 12, 2014 – Mile One Centre

Hartford 2 2 3 – 7
St. John’s 1 1 0 – 2

1st Period-1, St. John’s, Brassard 3 (Lowry, Kichton), 1:39. 2, Hartford, O’Donnell 3 (Vaive, Johnson), 3:30. 3, Hartford, Kristo 23   7:21. Penalties-Lindberg Hfd (slashing), 4:55; O’Neill Stj (cross-checking), 9:25.

2nd Period-4, Hartford, Lindberg 17 (Syvret, Allen), 6:24 (SH). 5, St. John’s, Samson 24 (Albert, Morrissey), 7:09. 6, Hartford, Hrivik 12 (Hensick, Syvret), 18:46. Penalties-Lindberg Hfd (high-sticking), 1:31; Schnell Stj (unsportsmanlike conduct), 4:22; Miller Hfd (high-sticking), 5:03; Samson Stj (tripping), 10:47; Allen Hfd (hooking), 12:08; Haley Hfd (roughing, game misconduct – leaving the bench), 19:43; Johnson Hfd (holding, fighting), 19:43; Lipon Stj (roughing, high-sticking, fighting), 19:43.

3rd Period-7, Hartford, Miller 14   9:18 (PP). 8, Hartford, Miller 15 (Kristo), 12:59. 9, Hartford, Latta 1 (Powe), 19:30. Penalties-Lunden Stj (high-sticking), 1:12; Schnell Stj (high-sticking), 9:10; Stamler Hfd (fighting), 13:53; Mouillierat Stj (slashing, fighting), 13:53; MacKinnon Stj (slashing), 16:39.

Shots on Goal-Hartford 9-7-14-30. St. John’s 13-10-10-33.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 1 / 7; St. John’s 0 / 4.
Goalies-Hartford, LeNeveu 11-8-0 (33 shots-31 saves). St. John’s, Comrie 0-2-0 (30 shots-23 saves).
A-6,287
Referees-Graham Skilliter (48).
Linesmen-Todd Horwood (34), Joe Maynard (48).