Game Preview
Apr 8, 2018Game Day Info:
Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Springfield Thunderbirds
Puck Drop: Sunday, April 8 at 5 p.m.
Game Preview:
This game completes a 12-game season series between the Wolf Pack and their I-91 rivals the Thunderbirds. The Wolf Pack are 4-5-1-1 thus far in the head-to-head matchup, 3-2-0-0 at home. The Thunderbirds snapped an 0-5-1-1 drought with a 5-0 home shutout of Bridgeport last Friday night, but fell last Saturday, with a 6-5 loss at home to Utica. Springfield now sits at 31-34-5-2 after two wins this Wednesday and Friday.
Last Time Out:
The Wolf Pack are coming off a 3-2 overtime win against the first place Lehigh Valley Phantoms last night to complete the 6-0-0-0 season sweep of the Pennsylvania team. Vinni Lettieri, Boo Nieves and Dan DeSalvo scored, while Marek Mazanec picked up the win in net.
With three games remaining in the regular season, the Pack are 32-32-6-3 with a .500 win percentage, which places them sixth in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division with 73 points from 73 games played. The Pack still sit behind the fifth place Sound Tigers, who have collected 80 points from 72 games played for a 0.556 win percentage. Following the first place Phantoms, the Penguins, Bruins and Checkers have all clinched a playoff spot.
Players to Watch:
#95 Vinni Lettieri
In 52 games played, rookie forward Vinni Lettieri has scored a team-leading 22 goals, including one last night, and notched 13 assists for a total of 35 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.
#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 19 goals and 39 assists for a team-leading 58 points in 69 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 next Friday to face the Binghamton Devils at 7:15 p.m. For tickets and information, visit the Hartford Wolf Pack ticketing site or call 866-762-6451.