Game Preview
Apr 7, 2018Game Day Info:
Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Puck Drop: Saturday, April 7 at 7 p.m.
Game Preview:
The Wolf Pack have swept all five of their previous meetings with the first-place Lehigh Valley Phantoms and are 2-0-0-0 on home ice vs. the Pennsylvania team. The Phantoms (44-19-4-5, 97 pts., .674) have a seven-point lead over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for first place in the Atlantic Division and are 21-6-2-2 in 31 games since January 20.
Last Time Out:
The Wolf Pack are coming off a 6-3 loss to the Providence Bruins last night. Ryan Lindgren (2), Chris Bigras (3), and Ryan Gropp (12) provided the Pack goals on the offensive end. Alexandar Georgiev made 20 saves on 25 shots in net, while Marek Mazanec stopped 13 out of 14 shots against.
With four games remaining in the regular season, the Pack are 31-32-6-3 with a .493 win percentage, which places them sixth in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division with 71 points from 72 games played. The Pack still sit behind the fifth place Sound Tigers, who have collected 80 points from 71 games played for a 0.563win percentage. Following the first place Phantoms, who have clinched a playoff spot, the Penguins, Bruins and Checkers hold the remaining playoff positions.
Players to Watch:
#95 Vinni Lettieri
In 51 games played, rookie forward Vinni Lettieri has scored a team-leading 21 goals and notched 13 assists for a total of 34 points with the Hartford Wolf Pack. Lettieri earned his first New York Rangers call-up on December 28, and in numerous call-up stints, he’s scored one goal and added four assists in 19 games. The Minnesota native came to Hartford from the University of Minnesota, where he helped Minnesota capture four-straight Big Ten regular-season championships, as well as the 2015 Big Ten Tournament title.
#26 Phil Varone
Phil Varone has 21 goals and 46 assists for 67 points in 71 games, which makes him a point shy of the league lead. The Ontario native is in his first season with the Phantoms, as he played 65 games for the Binghamton Senators last season, where he produced 51 points. Varone is an AHL veteran with 443 games under his belt with 101 goals and 246 assists for 347 points. Varone was drafted in the 5th round of the 2009 NHL Draft at 147th overall by the San Jose Sharks.
Coming Up Next:
The Pack will be back home at the XL Center tomorrow to face the Springfield Thunderbirds at 5 p.m. For tickets and information, visit the Hartford Wolf Pack ticketing site or call 866-762-6451.