Game Preview
Dec 8, 2017Game Day Info:
Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Providence Bruins
Puck Drop: Friday, Dec. 8 at 7:05 p.m.
Game Preview:
Tonight, the Wolf Pack will visit the Dunkin’ Donuts Center for the first time this season to face off against the Providence Bruins. The Bruins came away successful at home last season against the Pack, as Hartford went 1-3-0-1 in five visits.
The Bruins, who sit in second place in the Atlantic Division, came into the week winners of four straight and six of their last seven. With a 13-6-2-0 record, Providence has a 0.667 win percentage and boasts four players averaging a point per game or higher.
Last Time Out:
Last Saturday, the Wolf Pack played to a 4-3 overtime loss to the Toronto Marlies at Ricoh Coliseum. Hartford goals were provided by Ryan Gropp and Vinni Lettieri. Lettieri scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season, while Gropp added his second and third goals of the weekend.
Thus far, the Pack are 8-12-3-1 on the season, which places them seventh in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division with 20 points from 24 games played. The Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins currently lead the division with a 13-6-1-1 record, while the Providence Bruins and Lehigh Valley Phantoms fall close behind in the tight race.
Players to Watch:
#11 Ryan Gropp
A 21-year-old rookie out of the Western Hockey League, Gropp has produced five goals and one assist for six points in 21 games this season. Gropp is heating up, as three of his five goals were scored last weekend against two of the top teams in the League. The left wing helped lead his Seattle WHL team to the playoff title and a Memorial Cup berth last season, and was drafted by the Rangers 41st overall in the 2015 NHL Draft.
#27 Austin Czarnik
Austin Czarnik currently has seven goals and 11 assists for a team-leading 18 points in 15 games with Providence. The 24-year-old center was with the Boston Bruins for a large part of the 2016-17 season, where he scored five goals and added eight assists for 13 points in 49 games. In 17 games throughout the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs, the Michigan native had three goals and four assists. Czarnik went undrafted during his three draft classes, but signed with Boston in 2015.
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. Tomorrow’s game will serve as Star Wars Night, and fans can expect Star Wars themed giveaways and in-game elements. In addition, tomorrow’sgiveaway is the 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.