Game Preview
Dec 30, 2017Game Day Info:
Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Springfield Thunderbirds
Puck Drop: Saturday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m.
Game Preview:
The Wolf Pack are 3-3-0-1 on the season vs. the Thunderbirds, and have won two of the previous three meetings between the two clubs at the XL Center.
The Thunderbirds are coming off a 4-2 home loss against the Hershey Bears last night, but have won three of their last five games, including one shootout win against the Wolf Pack and one shootout loss to the first place Providence Bruins. The Thunderbirds sit in last place in the Atlantic Division, one spot ahead of the Wolf Pack, with a 13-19-1-1 record and a 0.412 win percentage.
Last Time Out:
Last night, the Wolf Pack played to a 5-1 loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Joe Whitney scored the lone goal and Marek Mazanec took the loss in net, where he made 22 saves on 26 shots. The game served as the Wolf Pack’s second loss in regulation time in December.
Thus far, the Pack are 13-14-3-3 on the season with a .485 win percentage, which places them seventh in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division with 32 points from 33 games played. The Providence Bruins currently lead the division, while the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Charlotte Checkers fall close behind in the tight race.
Players to Watch:
#10 Cole Schneider
In 33 games played, Cole Schneider has scored six goals and notched 16 assists for 22 points, which makes him the second point leader on the team. The left wing is in his first season with the Wolf Pack, but he is no stranger to Connecticut, as he played collegiately for UConn. Schneider led the Rochester Americans last season in points (63), assists (39) and +/- (+9), and tied for fourth on team in PIM (45.)
#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 nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points in 31 games. Valk’s 26 points ties him for the most points on the team, and places him in second for most goals. 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 have an away game on Friday, January 5 against the Providence Bruins. The Pack will be back home at the XL Center Saturday, January 6 and Sunday, January 7 for matchups against the Syracuse Crunch and Utica Comets. For tickets and information, visit the Hartford Wolf Pack ticketing site or call 866-762-6451.