Pack can't Sustain Good Start in 3-2 Loss to Comets
Nov 22, 2015The Wolf Pack scored two early goals in the first period Sunday at the XL Center, but then gave up the next three to the Utica Comets in a 3-2 Wolf Pack loss.
The defeat snapped a two-game winning streak for the Wolf Pack, and the Comets broke a four-game losing drought.
Mackenzie Skapski made 34 saves in the Wolf Pack net, and Nick Tarnasky and Jayson Megna scored. For Utica, Hunter Shinkaruk and Alexandre Grenier had a goal and an assist each, and Jordan Subban had two assists. Richard Bachman made 16 saves in net.
The Wolf Pack jumped on top 2:40 into the game, as Tarnasky scored on a shot from the slot, assisted by Chris McCarthy and Brady Skjei. The second Wolf Pack goal came 58 seconds later on a power play; after a penalty against Subban for high-sticking. The goal was scored by Megna at 3:38 on a wraparound, assisted by Brian Gibbons.
A scuffle at 10:12 of the first period saw four players sent off. John Kurtz and Tarnasky were whistled for fighting, and Utica’s Mike Zalewski and the Wolf Pack’s Mat Bodie were sent off for roughing.
Another penalty at 13:38 on Megna for tripping put the Wolf Pack down a man, but Utica was unable to find any opportunities and the penalty was successfully killed. A quick second penalty followed the first, this one on Tommy Hughes for hooking at 16:05. The Wolf Pack successfully escaped that penalty as well.
At 7:38 of the second period the Pack went on a power play, on penalty was for tripping against Wacey Hamilton. The Wolf Pack were unable to score, and Hartford’s Ryan Graves was called for hooking at 10:40 and the man advantage swung from the Wolf Pack to the Comets.
The Comets got on the board at 11:51 with a power-play goal scored by Grenier, assisted by Subban and Hunter Shinkaruk.
Soon after the goal was scored another fight in front of the Wolf Pack of the net saw Utica’s Blair Jones sent off with a five-minute fighting penalty and two-minute roughing penalty. The Wolf Pack’s Chris Summers also received a fighting penalty.
Utica tied the game on another power play, with goal by Shinkaruk at 15:12 assisted by Subban and Grenier. The goal was scored just five seconds after a penalty was called on Hartford’s Tommy Hughes for hooking.
At 15:19, Shinkaruk was called for roughing, which sent the Wolf Pack on another power play, but they were unable to capitalize and the period ended in a 2-2 tie.
At 4:49 of the third period the Comets took the lead for the first time in the game, getting a goal from Darren Archibald. He was assisted by Alex Biega and Nicklas Jensen.
Late in the third Utica went on the power play, after Bodie was called for interference at 11:33. Shortly after the game returned to full strength, Utica’s Travis Ehrhardt was hit with a delay of game penalty. Neither team were able to score on their power play.
With only five seconds left the Wolf Pack had a chance to score with Skapski on the bench for an extra attacker, when the puck was bouncing in front of the net after Bachman made a diving save, but the Wolf Pack was unable to find the back of the net and time expired.
The Wolf Pack’s next action is this Friday, November 27, when they celebrate “Black Friday”, with the Springfield Falcons visiting the XL Center for a 7:15 PM game. Fans will have a chance to win some of the holiday season’s hot gift items at the game, and it will be a “Flashback Friday” as well, with the Wolf Pack wearing “throwback” blue jerseys modeled on the design from the Pack’s inaugural season of 1997-98. Plus, that night will feature the Wolf Pack’s annual “Teddy Bear Toss”, with fans invited to bring soft toys to be chucked on to the ice when the Pack score their first goal of the game. All of the toys collected will be donated to Toys for Tots.
This Friday is also the first chance this season to take advantage of the Wolf Pack’s popular Friday-night food and beverage discount. Once again this season, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $2 beers at every Friday Wolf Pack home game, through the start of the second period.
Tickets for all 2015-16 Wolf Pack home games are on sale at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.
To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.
Utica Comets 3 at Hartford Wolf Pack 2
Sunday, November 22, 2015 - XL Center
Utica 0 2 1 - 3
Hartford 2 0 0 - 2
1st Period-1, Hartford, Tarnasky 5 (McCarthy, Skjei), 2:40. 2, Hartford, Megna 4 (Gibbons), 3:38 (PP). Penalties-Subban Uti (high-sticking), 3:09; Kurtz Uti (fighting), 10:12; Zalewski Uti (roughing), 10:12; Bodie Hfd (roughing), 10:12; Tarnasky Hfd (fighting), 10:12; Megna Hfd (tripping), 13:38; Hughes Hfd (hooking), 16:05; Bancks Uti (hooking), 18:47.
2nd Period-3, Utica, Grenier 3 (Subban, Shinkaruk), 11:51 (PP). 4, Utica, Shinkaruk 11 (Subban, Grenier), 15:12 (PP). Penalties-Hamilton Uti (tripping), 7:38; Graves Hfd (hooking), 10:40; Jones Uti (roughing, fighting), 12:27; Summers Hfd (fighting), 12:27; Hughes Hfd (hooking), 15:07; Shinkaruk Uti (roughing), 15:19.
3rd Period-5, Utica, Archibald 2 (Biega, Jensen), 4:49. Penalties-Bodie Hfd (interference), 11:33; Ehrhardt Uti (delay of game), 14:28.
Shots on Goal-Utica 11-10-16-37. Hartford 7-7-4-18.
Power Play Opportunities-Utica 2 / 5; Hartford 1 / 6.
Goalies-Utica, Bachman 1-2-0 (18 shots-16 saves). Hartford, Skapski 1-2-0 (37 shots-34 saves).
A-2,922
Referees-Jake Brenk (42), Jamie Koharski (84).
Linesmen-Luke Galvin (2), Derek Wahl (46).