Game Preview
Dec 2, 2017Game Day Info:
Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Toronto Marlies
Puck Drop: Saturday, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m.
Game Preview:
Toronto came into this week with the AHL’s best record at the time, a mark of 16-4-0-0 for 32 points and an .800 points percentage, and winners of seven straight games and ten of their last 11. The Marlies are coming off a 3-1 win over the Belleville Senators last night.
Today’s game concludes a two-game season series between the Wolf Pack and the Marlies. The Wolf Pack won the first battle, beating Toronto 5-2 on Oct. 13 at the XL Center.
Last Time Out:
Last night, the Wolf Pack played to an exciting 5-4 shootout win against the Rochester Americans at the Blue Cross Arena. A late Kosmachuk goal sent the game to overtime, after Ryan Gropp, Vince Pedrie and Adam Chapie all contributed goals of their own.
Thus far, the Pack are 8-12-2-1 on the season, which places them seventh in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division with 19 points from 23 games played. The Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins currently lead the division with a 13-4-0-1 record, while the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Providence Bruins fall close behind in the tight race.
Players to Watch:
#25 Dawson Leedahl
A 21-year-old rookie out of the Western Hockey League, Leedahl has skated in 18 games with Greenville this year, and has scored seven goals and added 10 assists for 17 points. The 6-1, 200-pound native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan was +9, good for second-best on the Swamp Rabbit team, and was tied for third on the club in assists and tied for fourth in points.
#16 Kerby Rychel
Kerby Rychel currently has five goals and five assists for 10 points with the Marlies. The 23-year-old left wing has racked up 37 NHL appearances, with 12 points and a +/- of plus-eight. Rychel is no stranger to tough AHL competition, as he won the Calder Cup with the Lake Erie Monsters in 2015-16. Additionally, Rychel had a team leading 52 points last season, with 19 goals and 33 assists.
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’s giveaway 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.