Game Preview
Oct 6, 2017Game day info:
Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Charlotte Checkers
Puck Drop: Friday, Oct. 6 at 7:15 p.m.
Game Preview:
The Wolf Pack are back with a brand-new look under the team’s new head coach, Keith McCambridge. McCambridge is a familiar face, as the long-time coach joined the organization as an assistant coach in August 2016. Before his time in Hartford, the 1994 draft pick of the Calgary Flames served as the head coach of the minor league affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets for five seasons. There, McCambridge helped the team finish in first place in the Atlantic Division and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals in his first season at the helm.
The team’s new look doesn’t stop behind the bench. Wolf Pack fans will notice new names, with player additions including Scott Kosmachuk, Joe Whitney, Cole Schneider, Eric Selleck and Dan DeSalvo. The team also maintained a key core in Adam Tambellini, Ryan Graves and John Gilmour.
Last Time Out:
The Wolf Pack closed out the 2016-17 season with a 5-1 loss to the Springfield Thunderbirds. The team will be looking to start off on the right foot in front of the Wolf Pack faithful on Friday night as they seek to open the season with two points.
Players to Watch:
#10 Cole Schneider
Cole Schneider is one of the Wolf Pack’s most exciting offseason additions, as the six foot one left wing led the Rochester Americans in three categories last season: points (63), assists (39) and +/- (+9). Now, the Wolf Pack will look to him to continue to put up big numbers and help lead Hartford’s attack.
#22 Andrew Poturalski
Andrew Poturalski led Charlotte’s offense last season with 19 goals and 33 assists for a team-high 52 points. The 23-year-old center’s point total ranked third in the AHL among all rookies and was the second-highest rookie total in Checkers history. Fans on Friday can look to the Wolf Pack’s blue line to stifle Poturalski’s production.
Coming Up Next:
The Wolf Pack will remain at the XL Center for a Sunday, Oct. 8 faceoff against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at 5 p.m. For tickets and information, visit Hartfordwolfpack.com or call 866-762-6451.