Game Preview
Nov 29, 2017Game Day Info:
Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Springfield Thunderbirds
Puck Drop: Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m.
Game Preview:
This is the fifth meeting of the season between the Wolf Pack and Thunderbirds, and Springfield’s second visit to the XL Center. The Pack won Springfield’s previous trip to Hartford earlier in the season with a 4-2 win on Nov. 5., as well as the Oct. 14 matchup with a 4-3 road win at the MassMutual Center.
Sunday’s Thunderbirds win was Springfield’s sixth win in their last eight games, after they went 2-11-1-0 in their first 14. Their overall record is currently 8-13-1-0.
Last Time Out:
Last Sunday, the Wolf Pack played to a 4-2 loss to the Thunderbirds at the MassMutual Center. Scott Kosmachuk and Ryan Gropp scored, Kosmachuk his third goal of the season and Gropp his second, while Alexandar Georgiev took the loss in net. It was the Russia native’s 14th game played, and he currently has a 3.23 GAA.
Thus far, the Pack are 7-11-2-1 on the season, which places them seventh in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division, one spot ahead of the SpringfieldThunderbirds. Though the Wolf Pack are a spot ahead in the standings, the Thunderbirds are on equal footing with 17 points, thus making tonight’s game a very important one for both teams. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins currently lead the division with a 12-4-0-1 record, while the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Providence Bruins fall close behind in the tight race.
Players to Watch:
#72 Filip Chytil
In 12 games played, Filip Chytil has scored five goals and notched seven assists for a total of 12 points, which places him third on the team in points. The rookie center seems to be becoming more and more comfortable with the Wolf Pack, as he is the only player on the team to be averaging as much as one point per game, thus far. Chytil is the youngest player in the AHL and was drafted by the Rangers in the first round of the NHL draft this summer, at 21st overall.
# 18 Curtis Valk
Curtis Valk is in his first season with the Springfield Thunderbirds after spending the previous three with the Utica Comets. The center has 6 goals and 12 assists for 18 points in 19 games. Valk’s 18 points tie him for the second most amount of points on the team, behind Alexandre Grenier’s 20 points. Valk made his NHL debut on Nov. 14 of this year with the Florida Panthers, where he recorded no points in the one game.
Coming Up Next:
The Wolf Pack will be back home at the XL Center on Saturday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 10 for matchups against the Rochester Americans and Springfield Thunderbirds. Saturday’s game will serve as Star Wars Night, and fans can expect Star Wars themed giveaways and in-game elements. In addition, Saturday’sgiveaway is a 2018 Hartford Wolf Pack calendar, presented by Hartford Distributors. At Sunday’s game, fans can expect to celebrate Sonar’s birthday with a slew of visiting mascots, as well as more fun. For tickets and information, visit the Hartford Wolf Pack ticketing site or call 866-762-6451.