Pack Fall 3-1 in Providence
Dec 11, 2015(Photo by Alan Sullivan)
The Wolf Pack started a three-game weekend on a down note Friday night at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence, losing 3-1 to the Providence Bruins.
Rookie defenseman Ryan Graves scored for a second straight game for the Wolf Pack, and Jayson Megna equaled a team season high with eight shots on goal, but Alexander Khokhlachev had a goal and an assist for the Bruins and Malcolm Subban stopped 34 out of 35 Wolf Pack shots, as Hartford lost its second straight after a two-game winning streak.
“I thought we generated a lot of scoring opportunities, not just my line but everybody,” said Megna, who assisted on Graves’ goal. “Credit to their goalie, he played a great game, and we’ve got them again on Sunday, so a little retribution.”
The Wolf Pack travel to Providence again on Sunday afternoon for a 3:05 PM game, after a home game Saturday night vs. Bridgeport.
The Wolf Pack controlled much of the action in the first period, outshooting the Bruins 17-8, but Providence scored the first goal of the game, at the 6:25 mark. After the Bruins won an offensive zone draw, Chris Casto flicked a snap shot from the middle of the blue line through a screen and past Wolf Pack goaltender Mackenzie Skapski (30 saves).
The Wolf Pack pulled even at 17:33, on Graves’ third goal of the season. Megna poked the puck up the boards to the left point, and Graves one-timed a heavy shot that beat Subban on the stick side.
The Bruins had the territorial edge in the second period, with a 14-9 shots edge, and they got the only goal of the frame 1:47 in. Seth Griffith fed the puck from the left-wing side to the opposite point to Ben Youds, and his quick drive was deflected in by Colby Cave from right in front of the net.
That score proved to be the game-winner, and the Bruins tacked on an insurance goal on a power play at 17:03 of the third period, after the Wolf Pack were penalized for too many men on the ice. An Austin Czarnik pass off the right-wing boards found Khokhlachev in front of the goal, and he jammed the puck past Skapski.
Any Wolf Pack comeback hopes after that were thwarted by slashing penalties against Mat Bodie at 18:32 and Ryan Bourque at 19:00.
The Wolf Pack and Sound Tigers face off at 7:00 on Saturday night, as Bridgeport makes its first visit of the season to the XL Center. It’s “Star Wars Night”, as fans can hang out with their favorite Star Wars characters and win some exciting Star Wars prizes.
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.
Hartford Wolf Pack 1 at Providence Bruins 3
Friday, December 11, 2015 - Dunkin' Donuts Center
Hartford 1 0 0 - 1
Providence 1 1 1 - 3
1st Period-1, Providence, Casto 1 (Khokhlachev, Czarnik), 6:25. 2, Hartford, Graves 3 (Megna, Hrivik), 17:33. Penalties-DeFazio Pro (goaltender interference), 12:49.
2nd Period-3, Providence, Cave 7 (Youds, Griffith), 1:47. Penalties-Bodie Hfd (cross-checking), 6:05; Camara Pro (hooking), 11:27.
3rd Period-4, Providence, Khokhlachev 6 (Czarnik, Youds), 17:03 (PP). Penalties-Cherniwchan Pro (interference), 8:16; Summers Hfd (boarding), 12:39; served by McCarthy Hfd (bench minor - too many men), 16:43; Bodie Hfd (slashing), 18:32; Bourque Hfd (slashing), 19:00.
Shots on Goal-Hartford 17-9-9-35. Providence 8-14-11-33.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 0 / 3; Providence 1 / 5.
Goalies-Hartford, Skapski 2-5-0 (33 shots-30 saves). Providence, Subban 5-5-1 (35 shots-34 saves).
A-6,097
Referees-Jamie Koharski (84).
Linesmen-Ed Boyle (81), Kenneth Gates (91).