Game Preview
Oct 14, 2017Game day info:
Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Springfield Thunderbirds
Puck Drop: Saturday, Oct. 14 at 7:05 p.m.
Game Preview:
The Wolf Pack are heading out for the team’s first road trip of the year. The game against the Thunderbirds marks the first meeting of the season between the two teams. The Thunderbirds are not an unfamiliar foe. In a ten-game season series in 2016-17, the Wolf Pack went 4-6-0, including a 1-4-0 mark in Springfield.
A division rival, the Thunderbirds currently sit in seventh place in the Atlantic Division with two losses, four goals for and eight against. The Springfield losses were played out on the road, as the Thunderbirds visited the first place Providence Bruins two consecutive weekends. On Oct. 7, the Thunderbirds played to a 5-2 loss, while last night’s result saw a 3-2 win for the Bruins.
Last Time Out:
Yesterday, the Wolf Pack picked up two more points on the season with an exciting 5-2 home win over the Toronto Marlies. Adam Tambellini opened scoring last night, and he now has three goals in the past three games. After additional goals from Matt Puempel and Cristoval Nieves, the Pack jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but the Marlies snuck back into contention with two quick goals early in the third period to get right back in it. However, two empty net goals late in the third secured Hartford’s two points.
Thus far, the Wolf Pack are 2-1 on the season, which is good enough for third place in the Atlantic Division. The Providence Bruins currently lead the pack with a 2-0 record, while the Checkers sit in second place at 2-1.
Players to Watch:
# 17 Scott Kosmachuk
New to the Wolf Pack this season, Kosmachuk has had a solid start with four assists in three games. Along with Joe Whitney, who has had two goals and two assists, Kosmachuk is tied for the most points on the Wolf Pack. The right wing is playing in his fourth season of pro hockey, as he spent his first three years with the Winnipeg Jets organization. With the Manitoba Moose, the Toronto native scored 11 goals and registered 17 assists in the 2016-17 season.
# 13 Chase Balisy
Chase Balisy currently leads Springfield with two goals. The center had a successful season last year, as he racked up 17 goals and 28 assists for a team-leading 45 points. Balisy started his career with the St. John’s IceCaps in the 2014-15 season, and prior to that, he had an illustrious collegiate career at Western Michigan University, where he served as the team captain senior year.
Coming Up Next:
The Wolf Pack will be headed back to Hartford for a Friday, Oct. 20 game against the Belleville Senators at 7:15 p.m. For tickets and information, visit the Hartford Wolf Pack ticketing site or call 866-762-6451.