Game Preview
Mar 9, 2018Game Info:
Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Charlotte Checkers
Puck Drop: Friday, March 9 at 7:15 p.m.
Game Preview:
The Wolf Pack are 2-4-0-0 in the season series vs. the Checkers thus far. Charlotte has won the last three clashes, including 6-0 and 3-2 wins in the Wolf Pack’s two previous visits to Bojangles’ Coliseum. AHL goal-scoring leader Valentin Zykov (28-16-44 in 55 GP) had the game-winning score, his third goal in two games, in Charlotte’s 4-3 win over the Wolf Pack at the XL Center Sunday, and Warren Foegele, the top goal-scorer among league rookies (24-16-40 in 58 GP) had a goal and an assist.
Last Time Out:
The Wolf Pack last played on Sunday in a 4-3 home loss to the Checkers. Adam Tambellini scored his 13th goal of the season, which tied him for the the second most goals on the team. In addition, Filip Chytil and Boo Nieves scored their 10th and 5th goals of the season, respectively.
Thus far, the Pack are 26-27-5-3 on the season with a .493 win percentage, which places them sixth in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division with 60 points from 61 games played. The Pack sit behind the fifth place Bridgeport Sound Tigers, who have collected 64 points from 58 games played for a 0.552 win percentage. Following the first place Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Wilkes/Barre Scranton Penguins, Providence Bruins and Checkers currently hold the remaining playoff positions.
Players to Watch:
#28 Lias Andersson
Lias Andersson has five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 18 games with the Wolf Pack. The forward skated in 22 games with Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) this season, registering seven goals and seven assists for 14 points. He also helped Sweden win a silver medal at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, as he recorded seven points (six goals, one assist) in seven games during the tournament. Andersson was drafted in the 1st round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, where he was selected seventh overall.
#25 Valentin Zykov
Valentin Zykov leads the league in goals, with 28, and is second in points on the Checkers, with 44. The Russia native is in his second consecutive season with the Charlotte Checkers, and has already surpassed his point total last season, where he produced 16 goals and 18 assists for 34 points. The winger was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, where he was taken 37th overall by the Los Angeles Kings.
Coming Up Next:
The Pack will be back home at the XL Center next weekend on March 16 and 18 to face the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Rochester Americans. For tickets and information, visit the Hartford Wolf Pack ticketing site or call 866-762-6451.