IceCaps Hand Pack first Home Loss, 5-2

Oct 23, 2016

By Henry Lucey

The Wolf Pack suffered their first home-ice loss of the season Sunday at the XL Center, falling 5-2 to the St. John’s IceCaps.

St. John’s opened the scoring just thirty-six seconds into the contest when Sven Andrighetto’s wrister found the back of the net. The Wolf Pack were quick to respond, however, as Marek Hrivik evened the score at the 1:27 mark. The goal, Hrivik’s second of the season, was assisted by right-winger Justin Fontaine. Less than a minute after Hrivik’s tally, IceCaps defenseman Joel Hanley beat Harford goalie Mackenzie Skapski at 2:16 to take back the lead.

Hartford’s Matt Carey sent the IceCaps on the power play when he was booked for charging with just under six minutes remaining in the period.  St. John’s center Charles Hudon was able to capitalize on the man advantage, notching his fifth goal of the season at 14:39. Hudon’s was the period’s final score, as the Wolf Pack were unable to convert on a late power-play opportunity.

Hartford’s struggles on the power play continued into the second period. The IceCaps killed four Wolf Pack power plays, and even added a short-handed goal at the 7:26 mark. The goal was knocked in by left-winger Bobby Farnham and assisted by center, and assistant captain, Jacob de la Rose.

After a frustrating second period, the Wolf Pack came out with a renewed sense of urgency in the game’s final frame.  Carey flicked the puck over the out-stretched glove of IceCaps’ goal tender Charlie Lindgren to cut the deficit to two with 15:54 remaining in the period. Despite a strong effort, this was ultimately the Wolf Pack’s final goal of the contest.

When asked about his team’s performance in the third period, Wolf Pack head coach Ken Gernander noted, “We did a pretty good when we put our mind to it, so it’s there, the ability’s there.”

St. John’s tailed the game’s final goal when Jeremy Gregoire converted on a power-play empty net situation at 19:31.

In the end, Hartford’s second loss of 2016-2017 campaign was marked by their inability to convert on the power play. The Wolf Pack were given four 5-on-3 advantages among their nine power-play opportunities, and yet came away empty-handed each time.

The Wolf Pack continue a six-game homestand this Wednesday night, October 26, when the Hershey Bears visit the XL Center for a 7:00 PM game.  That is another “Click It or Ticket Family Value Pack” game.  The Family Value Pack includes two tickets, two sodas and two hot dogs, all for just $40.

Tickets for all Wolf Pack 2016-17 home games are on sale now at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.

Season ticket information for the Wolf Pack’s 2016-17 AHL season can be found on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  To speak with a representative about all of the Wolf Pack’s many attractive ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451.

 

 

St. John's IceCaps 5 at Hartford Wolf Pack 2
Sunday, October 23, 2016 - XL Center

St. John's 3 1 1 - 5
Hartford 1 0 1 - 2

1st Period-1, St. John's, Andrighetto 3 (Terry, McCarron), 0:36. 2, Hartford, Hrivik 2 (Fontaine), 1:27. 3, St. John's, Hanley 1 (Hudon, Eisenschmid), 2:16. 4, St. John's, Hudon 5 (Andrighetto, Barberio), 14:39 (PP). Penalties-Terry Stj (slashing), 7:07; Terry Stj (unsportsmanlike conduct), 8:21; Carey Hfd (charging), 14:01; Hanley Stj (boarding), 17:01; Barberio Stj (high-sticking), 18:18; Hanley Stj (hooking), 19:11.

2nd Period-5, St. John's, Farnham 1 (de la Rose), 7:26 (SH). Penalties-Hughes Hfd (hooking), 1:40; Matteau Stj (hooking), 7:07; Lernout Stj (cross-checking), 9:24; Hanley Stj (tripping), 11:00; Barberio Stj (delay of game), 12:01.

3rd Period-6, Hartford, Carey 2 (Fogarty), 4:46. 7, St. John's, Gregoire 1 (McCarron, Scherbak), 19:31 (PP EN). Penalties-Glass Hfd (boarding), 6:43; Glass Hfd (kneeing), 16:56; Andrighetto Stj (roughing), 19:09; Brown Hfd (roughing, roughing), 19:09.

Shots on Goal-St. John's 8-8-15-31. Hartford 9-10-6-25.
Power Play Opportunities-St. John's 2 / 5; Hartford 0 / 9.
Goalies-St. John's, Lindgren 2-0-0-0 (25 shots-23 saves). Hartford, Skapski 0-2-0-0 (30 shots-26 saves).
A-2,753
Referees-Dave Lewis (46), Mike Leggo (3).
Linesmen-Kory Nagy (97), Kevin Briganti (39).