Game Preview
Oct 20, 2017Game day info:
Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Belleville Senators
Puck Drop: Friday, Oct. 20 at 7:15 p.m.
Game Preview:
The Wolf Pack are at the XL Center tonight for another Friday night home game. The matchup against the Senators marks the first-ever meeting between the two teams, as the Senators are a brand-new franchise in the AHL this season. The Ottawa Senators, parent affiliate of the Belleville Senators, previously had their AHL affiliate in Binghamton.
The Senators currently sit in last place in the North Division with a 1-3-0 record with nine goals for and 15 against. The hockey club has played to two losses against the Laval Rocket, as well as one against the Syracuse Crunch. The sole Senators win came in the form of a 5-2 result against the Hershey Bears in the team’s last game on Oct. 14.
Last Time Out:
Last Saturday, the Wolf Pack again picked up two more points on the season with a 4-3 road win over the Springfield Thunderbirds. Wolf Pack goals came from four different players in the full team effort win. Vinni Lettieri opened scoring with his first professional goal, as Boo Nieves, John Gilmour and Filip Chytil all followed suit with goals of their own in the third period. The Thunderbirds made it interesting with two late goals, but the Wolf Pack held tight to pull away with the win.
Thus far, the Wolf Pack are 3-1 on the season, which is good enough for second place in the Atlantic Division. The Charlotte Checkers currently lead the division with another 3-1 record, but the Charlotte team holds the advantage in the standings due to the Wolf Pack’s tough-fought 5-4 loss to the Checkers on Opening Night.
Players to Watch:
# 72 Filip Chytil
Tonight’s matchup with the Senators will only be Chytil’s third game with the Wolf Pack, however, his presence has already been felt. Not only did the 18-year-old score his first North American goal last Saturday, but he also had a multi-point night, with two assists. The Czech Republic native was drafted 21st overall by the New York Rangers in the 2017 NHL Draft.
# 10 Chris DiDomenico
Chris DiDomenico currently leads Belleville in points with three goals and two assists in four games. The center had a successful season last year, as he racked up 10 goals and 28 assists for 38 points with the SCL Tigers in Switzerland. DiDomenico has spent much of his career overseas, but he isn’t a stranger to the AHL. The Ontario native spent two seasons with the Rockford IceHogs in 2010-11 and 2011-12.
Coming Up Next:
The Wolf Pack will be headed on a two-game road trip this weekend with a Saturday, Oct. 21 game against the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins at 7:05 p.m. and a 3:00 Sunday matchup with the Bridgeport Tigers. The Pack will be back at the XL Center next Friday, Oct. 27 at 7:15 p.m. for a Howl-O-Ween game against the Tigers. Fans can expect trick-or-treating on the concourse and a costume parade, as well as other in-game elements. For tickets and information, visit the Hartford Wolf Pack ticketing site or call 866-762-6451.