Jensen, Halverson Buoy Pack to Win in Rochester
Jan 11, 2017(Photo by Micheline Veluvolu)
Nicklas Jensen scored twice, and Brandon Halverson made 31 saves Wednesday night at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, NY, as the Wolf Pack defeated the Rochester Americans by a score of 3-1.
Matt Carey also scored for the Wolf Pack, who snapped a two-game losing streak, and John Gilmour had two assists. Cole Schneider scored the only Rochester goal.
“Great team effort for the win,” Jensen said. “I think we controlled most of the game. They had 10, 15 minutes in the second period when they had some chances and had some [offensive] zone time, but in the long run I think we played a really solid game, solid defense. We boxed out really well, stuff we talked about before the game, and even if they had o-zone time, it was on the outside. We’re really happy about how we played defensively, and that’s what transferred into our offense tonight.”
The Wolf Pack dominated the first period, jumping out to a 2-0 lead and holding an 11-3 shots advantage over the Americans, who didn’t get their second shot of the period until the 17:22 mark.
Hartford got off to a fast start, with a goal by Jensen on the first shift, just 30 seconds in. Gilmour made a strong rush down the left side and unloaded a shot that went off the side of the net. The puck caromed off of the end boards and right to Jensen at the right side of the goal mouth, and Jensen flicked it into the net past Americans goaltender John Muse (26 saves).
The Wolf Pack power play increased the lead to 2-0 at the 12-minute mark, with Rochester’s Eric Cornel off for tripping. Gilmour set Ryan Graves up for a one-timer from the right point, and Carey deflected it into the net.
After a scoreless second period, the Wolf Pack were outshot 18-10 in the third, but battled the Amerks to a standoff.
Jensen’s second of the game made it 3-0 for the Wolf Pack at 2:53, as Jensen and Pavel Buchnevich broke on a 2-on-1 and Buchnevich fed to Jensen in the right circle for the finish.
Schneider, the former UConn Husky, foiled Halverson’s shutout bid on a power play at 6:47, with Jensen in the penalty box for slashing. Halverson stopped a shot from the top of the slot by Evan Rodrigues, but the rebound slid just away from him, and Schneider pushed the loose puck into the net.
The Wolf Pack now head up to St. John’s, Newfoundland, where they will play back-to-back games against the IceCaps Friday and Saturday nights. Faceoff is 6:00 Eastern Time for both games, and all of the action can be heard live on News Radio 1410 WPOP, and on-line at www.newsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio. Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.
The Wolf Pack’s next home game is Friday, January 20 vs. the Toronto Marlies at 7:15. As at all Friday-night Wolf Pack home games, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $2 that night, through the start of the second period. Also, the first 2,000 fans will receive a Wolf Pack 20th anniversary poster, compliments of Bud Light, as part of the Wolf Pack’s “Hartford Hockey Heritage Weekend”.
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.
Hartford Wolf Pack 3 at Rochester Americans 1
Wednesday, January 11, 2017 - Blue Cross Arena
Hartford 2 0 1 - 3
Rochester 0 0 1 - 1
1st Period-1, Hartford, Jensen 15 (Gilmour, Kampfer), 0:30. 2, Hartford, Carey 8 (Graves, Gilmour), 12:00 (PP). Penalties-Vaive Rch (high-sticking), 6:38; Hughes Hfd (holding), 8:55; Cornel Rch (tripping), 10:27; Fasching Rch (slashing), 19:30.
2nd Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Glass Hfd (fighting), 8:59; Strachan Rch (fighting), 8:59; Kampfer Hfd (hooking), 9:18; Carey Hfd (interference), 13:46.
3rd Period-3, Hartford, Jensen 16 (Buchnevich, Nieves), 2:53. 4, Rochester, Schneider 15 (Rodrigues, Catenacci), 6:47 (PP). Penalties-Graves Hfd (tripping), 0:27; Jensen Hfd (slashing), 5:35.
Shots on Goal-Hartford 11-8-10-29. Rochester 3-11-18-32.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 1 / 3; Rochester 1 / 5.
Goalies-Hartford, Halverson 4-6-0 (32 shots-31 saves). Rochester, Muse 2-4-0 (29 shots-26 saves).
A-4,781
Referees-Stephen Thomson (15), Peter MacDougall (45).
Linesmen-Francois Dussureault (60), Tim Kotyra (53).