Game Preview
Mar 2, 2018Game Day Info:
Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Springfield Thunderbirds
Puck Drop: Friday, March 2 at 7:05 p.m.
Game Preview:
This is the Wolf Pack’s last of six visits on the year to Springfield, where they are 1-3-0-1 in five games on the season. Overall in the season series vs. the Thunderbirds, the Wolf Pack are 3-5-0-1.
The Thunderbirds come into the week in eighth place in the Atlantic Division, with a record of 25-28-2-1 for 53 points and a .473 points percentage, one point behind seventh-place Hershey and six points behind the Wolf Pack. Springfield has won its last three and has at least a point in four straight games (3-0-1-0).
Last Time Out:
The Wolf Pack are coming off a 2-0 loss to the Providence Bruins last Sunday, where Brandon Halverson made 36 saves on 38 shots. Thus far, the Pack are 26-25-4-3 on the season with a .509 win percentage, which places them sixth in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division with 59 points from 58 games played. The Pack sit behind the fifth place Bridgeport Sound Tigers, who have collected 60 points from 56 games played for a 0.536 win percentage. Following the first place Phantoms, the Wilkes/Barre Scranton Penguins, Providence Bruins and Charlotte Checkers currently hold the remaining playoff positions.
Players to Watch:
#17 Scott Kosmachuk
In his first season with the Wolf Pack, Kosmachuk has provided 13 goals and 21 assists for a team-leading 34 points in 57 games. 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.
#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 13 goals and 28 assists for a team-leading 41 points in 53 games. Valk made his NHL debut on Nov. 14 of 2017 with the Florida Panthers, where he recorded no points in the one game.
Coming Up Next:
The Pack will be back home at the XL Center tomorrow and Sunday at 3 p.m. to face the Providence Bruins and Charlotte Checkers. Saturday serves as the Wolf Pack’s Military Appreciation Day. For tickets and information, visit the Hartford Wolf Pack ticketing site or call 866-762-6451.