Missed Opportunities Haunt Pack in OT Loss at Utica
Nov 12, 2016Photo Courtesy of Utica Comets
Darren Archibald’s second goal of the game at the 34-second mark of overtime sent the Utica Comets to a 3-2 win over the Wolf Pack Saturday night at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.
The Wolf Pack had four power plays in the third period, including two minutes of 5-on-3, but could not break a 2-2 tie against Comet rookie goaltender Thatcher Demko, who earned his first pro win with 29 saves.
Tanner Glass scored in the first period for the Wolf Pack, and Mat Bodie scored his first of the year on an early third-period power play, the Wolf Pack’s only goal on eight man advantages on the night. Curtis Valk had a goal and two assists for the Comets.
After Utica, which was last in the AHL in penalty-killing percentage coming into the game, at 66.7%, survived all of their third-period man-disadvantages, Archibald got free in front of Wolf Pack goaltender Magnus Hellberg (26 saves), and put a shot off of Hellberg’s left arm and into the net for the winner.
Archibald had also tied the game for the Comets at 3:44 of the third, only 2:33 after Bodie had scored to give the Wolf Pack a short-lived 2-1 lead. On Archibald’s first goal, the Wolf Pack had trouble breaking out of their zone and gave up a 2-on-1 down low. Hellberg made an excellent save on a shot by Valk, but the rebound came to Archibald at the bottom of the right circle and Hellberg could not recover.
That was after Bodie converted at pass from the right-wing corner by Marek Hrivik at 1:11, on a power play that had carried over from the second period.
The Wolf Pack got the only goal of the first, despite being shorthanded twice in the session, and being outshot 12-8.
Glass gave the Wolf Pack an early lead, scoring just 2:22 into the game. Steven Kampfer picked up his first Wolf Pack point with the primary assist, putting the puck off the side of the net from the right-wing boards, and Glass was able to knife it past Demko, who was trying to freeze it against the goal post to his left.
In the second period it was the Wolf Pack who had the power-play edge, with three man advantages, but the Comets scored the only goal.
Valk took a long pass from the defensive zone by John Negrin and broke down the left side, before snapping a shot past Hellberg on the short side at 16:38.
The Wolf Pack return home to the XL Center Sunday, for a 5:00 PM game vs. the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Each of the Wolf Pack’s Sunday home games features the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Family Value Pack”. The Family Value Pack includes two tickets, two sodas and two hot dogs, all for just $40.
Also on Sunday, the Wolf Pack will be holding a Thanksgiving food drive. Any fan who brings five or more non-perishable food items for donation will receive a buy-one-get-one-free ticket voucher for use at any 2016-17 Wolf Pack home game.
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 2 at Utica Comets 3 (OT)
Saturday, November 12, 2016 - Utica Memorial Auditorium
Hartford 1 0 1 0 - 2
Utica 0 1 1 1 - 3
1st Period-1, Hartford, Glass 4 (Kampfer, Carey), 2:22. Penalties-Brown Hfd (boarding), 3:26; Glass Hfd (double minor - high-sticking), 17:38.
2nd Period-2, Utica, Valk 4 (Negrin, Shields), 16:38. Penalties-Negrin Uti (hooking), 4:40; Archibald Uti (tripping), 5:52; Kampfer Hfd (roughing), 7:17; Pedan Uti (roughing), 7:17; Bancks Uti (high-sticking), 13:58; Graves Hfd (fighting), 14:47; LaBate Uti (fighting), 14:47; Kampfer Hfd (roughing), 19:41; Cassels Uti (slashing, roughing), 19:41.
3rd Period-3, Hartford, Bodie 1 (Hrivik, Paliotta), 1:11 (PP). 4, Utica, Archibald 2 (Valk, Robak), 3:44. Penalties-Brown Hfd (roughing), 4:47; Carcone Uti (roughing), 4:47; Grenier Uti (unsportsmanlike conduct - disputing decision), 9:26; served by Carcone Uti (bench minor - unsportsmanlike conduct), 11:52; Pedan Uti (unsportsmanlike conduct - disputing decision), 11:52; Robak Uti (tripping, misconduct - abuse of officials), 11:52.
OT Period-5, Utica, Archibald 3 (Valk, Billins), 0:34. Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-Hartford 8-9-14-0-31. Utica 12-5-11-1-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 1 / 8; Utica 0 / 3.
Goalies-Hartford, Hellberg 3-2-2-0 (29 shots-26 saves). Utica, Demko 1-3-1-0 (31 shots-29 saves).
A-3,870
Referees-Peter Tarnaris (17).
Linesmen-Francois Dussureault (60), Jim Harper (59).