Belleville Comeback Sends Pack to Shootout Loss

Nov 9, 2019

By Bryce Grundy

The Wolf Pack dropped a close one to the Belleville Senators at the XL Center Saturday night, losing a 3-1 lead in the third period and falling 4-3 in a shootout.

It was the Wolf Pack that struck first on the power play at 6:32 of the first period, ending an 0-for-19 streak on the man advantage. Tim Gettinger got his third goal of the year to give the Pack the early lead, with the help of teammates Danny O’Regan and Steven Fogarty.

That goal would bring soft toys flying out of the stands, in the Wolf Pack's "Teddy Bear Toss".

Belleville would tie it up at 11:44 on a goal by Josh Norris, making the score 1-1 going into the second period.

The power play prevailed for the Wolf Pack again at 4:24 of the second, as Vinni Lettieri ripped a vicious one-timer, off of a pass from Joey Keane on the point, giving the Wolf Pack their second lead of the night.

“Coach Knoblauch has been working tirelessly with us on the power play,” Lettieri noted. “Hopefully we kick start something, we have two great units.”

“Keane has been key for us this year,” commented Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch. “[Mason] Geertsen has been great too. It might’ve been his best game.”

Lewis Zerter-Gossage buried a rebound at 16:49, after defenseman Sean Day rang the post, giving the Pack some insurance going into the third period, but it was the Senators who would battle back and take this one in a shootout.

“We had an opportunity to put it away,” said Knoblauch.  “Their shorthanded goal was a big turning point in the game.”

Belleville’s Jordan Szwarz cut the lead in half with his shorthanded goal at 4:23 of the third period, while Vitaly Abramov forced the game into overtime with 2:38 remaining in regulation, with a power-play goal.

Despite the loss, Knoblauch and teammates made note of Wolf Pack forward Steven Fogarty’s leadership.

“Fogarty is a great leader and brings the team-first mentality,” mentioned Lettieri.

“[Fogarty] will do whatever is best for team. We’ll have him play wing and center, and he’ll do whatever it takes. He’s got a really strong stick and wins puck battles,” said Knoblauch.

The Wolf Pack finish a three-game weekend Sunday afternoon, visiting the Providence Bruins for a 3:05 PM game.  All of the action of that battle can be heard on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com.  Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.

 

The next home game for the Wolf Pack is also against the Bruins, next Saturday night, November 16.  Faceoff is 7:00 PM, and that is “Hockey Fights Cancer Night”.  The Wolf Pack will be teaming up with Hockey Fights Cancer to support those who are battling cancer, and their families.  Also, the first 2,000 fans will receive a free Wolf Pack lanyard, courtesy of CM Concessions.

 

Tickets for  all 2019-20 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Sunwave Gas & Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger start at just $10 each, and all tickets will have a $3 day-of-game increase.

 

To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (860) 722-9425, or click here to request more info.  To visit the Wolf Pack on line, go to www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

 

 

 

Belleville Senators 4 (SO) at Hartford Wolf Pack 3
Saturday, November 9, 2019 - XL Center

Belleville 1 0 2 0 - 4
Hartford 1 2 0 0 - 3

1st Period-1, Hartford, Gettinger 3 (O'Regan, Fogarty), 6:32 (PP). 2, Belleville, Norris 4 (Abramov, Dougherty), 11:44. Penalties-Keane Hfd (roughing), 3:20; Abramov Bel (tripping), 5:02; LoVerde Hfd (tripping), 16:27.

2nd Period-3, Hartford, Lettieri 4 (Keane, Fogarty), 4:24 (PP). 4, Hartford, Zerter-Gossage 1 (Day, Meskanen), 16:49. Penalties-Lajoie Bel (tripping), 4:12; Di Giuseppe Hfd (slashing), 7:55.

3rd Period-5, Belleville, Szwarz 3 (Formenton, Dougherty), 4:23 (SH). 6, Belleville, Abramov 3 (Klimchuk, Murray), 17:22 (PP). Penalties-Murray Bel (tripping), 4:11; Batherson Bel (hooking), 10:01; Newell Hfd (tripping), 16:22.

OT Period- No Scoring.  Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout - Belleville 2 (Szwarz G, Norris NG, Batherson G), Hartford 0 (Gettinger NG, Meskanen NG).
Shots on Goal-Belleville 9-6-8-2-1-26. Hartford 5-10-6-1-0-22.
Power Play Opportunities-Belleville 1 / 4; Hartford 2 / 4.
Goalies-Belleville, Hogberg 2-5-0 (22 shots-19 saves). Hartford, Huska 3-0-3 (25 shots-22 saves).
A-4,263
Referees-Mike Dietrich (15), Jeremy Tufts (78).
Linesmen-Travis Toomey (3), Kyle Richetelle (47).