Pack Finish Perfect Season Series vs. Phantoms
Apr 7, 2018By Nick Ward
Vinni Lettieri’s 22nd goal of season, a power-play goal 51 seconds into overtime, lifted the Wolf Pack past the Lehigh Valley Phantoms Saturday at the XL Center, 3-2.
With the win, the Wolf Pack finished their season series with the Atlantic Division-leading Phantoms 6-0-0-0.
The Wolf Pack came out strong defensively in the first period, as both Chris Bigras and Hubert Labrie delivered big hits. The Wolf Pack also had some good offensive chances in the first period, one coming from a Cole Schneider slap shot from the top of the right faceoff circle that was gloved by Phantoms goaltender Dustin Tokarski.
The Phantoms were able to get on the board first, with an unassisted goal by Mikhail Vorobyev with 3:50 remaining in first period of play.
After managing only four shots on goal in the first period, the Wolf Pack came out strong to start the second period though, getting several shots on net early, including one from Bigras that went of the post. Wolf Pack goalie Marek Mazanec settled into the second period nicely, and was able to stop a Phantoms breakaway in the second period to keep the Wolf Pack deficit at one.
Mazanec was also able to stop a flurry of offensive chances from the Phantoms midway through the second period, including a wraparound shot and a glove save from the left circle to end the offensive possession.
It looked as if the Wolf Pack had a good shot to get on the scoreboard after Tokarski mishandled a puck, which led to a tip in opportunity from John Albert, but Albert was unable to get his stick to the puck in time, and the Phantoms were able to clear the puck from the crease. Dan DeSalvo also added to the offensive opportunities with a slap shot of his own from the top of the right face-off circle, as well as a breakaway wrist shot, but was unable to convert on either of these opportunities.
The Wolf Pack would go onto the power play with 5:12 remaining in the second period, but were unable to produce a goal from their opportunities. Overall, the Wolf Pack continued to struggle offensively in the second period, despite putting 16 shots on goal in the period.
As the Wolf Pack came out in the third period, Boo Nieves looked to get the Wolf Pack on the score board with a breakaway chance coming in the opening minute, but he was denied by the leg pads of Phantoms goaltender Tokarski. Just moments later, though, Nieves was able to find DeSalvo, who put the puck into the back of the net at 1:09 and tied the game at 1-1.
“Boo had been making some plays with me all night, we had a couple grade A chances,” DeSalvo said. “I got another one in the third and thankfully was able to put it home.”
After Brandon Crawley was called for tripping 30 seconds later, the Pack would add to their lead, as Cole Schneider was able to find Nieves at the right side of the slot for a shorthanded goal with 17:52 remaining in the third period.
The Wolf Pack continued their offensive tenacity throughout the third period, as Evan Jasper found Albert in front of the net for a good look, but it was denied by Tokarski. Mazanec continued to shine in the net as well, keeping the Wolf Pack ahead 2-1 for most of the third period.
The Wolf Pack had a scare late the third period, after going to the penalty kill, on a Crawley tripping call with 1:09 left in the third, and the Phantoms were able to find the back of the net with 18 seconds remaining in regulation. After Tokarski was lifted for an extra attacker, Phil Varone sent a shot from the top of the right circle that went through a Colin McDonald screen and got by Mazanec on the stick side
In overtime, the Wolf Pack got a quick power play, after T.J. Brennan was called for slashing at the 30-second mark. Hartford head coach Keith McCambridge took a time out after the penalty was called.
“You know I can’t take the timeout home with me, so we took one to set something up and for guys that were on the ice to catch their breath,” McCambridge said.
After keeping the puck in the offensive zone, Bigras sent a pass to Lettieri in the left-wing circle, and his one-timer got through Tokarski for the winner.
“It was a good call to take a timeout,” Lettieri said. “There isn’t much planned for 3-on-3, but we had a timeout to take when we went on the power play in OT.”
The Wolf Pack are back at the XL Center Sunday, hosting the Springfield Thunderbirds in a 5:00 PM game. Tickets 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.
Lehigh Valley Phantoms 2 at Hartford Wolf Pack 3 (OT)
Saturday, April 7, 2018 - XL Center
Lehigh Valley 1 0 1 0 - 2
Hartford 0 0 2 1 - 3
1st Period-1, Lehigh Valley, Vorobyev 9 16:10. Penalties-Lindgren Hfd (slashing), 4:46; Drake Lv (tripping), 13:08.
2nd Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Drake Lv (high-sticking), 14:48.
3rd Period-2, Hartford, DeSalvo 5 (Nieves), 1:09. 3, Hartford, Nieves 8 (Schneider), 2:08 (SH). 4, Lehigh Valley, Varone 22 (Brennan, Carey), 19:42 (PP). Penalties-Crawley Hfd (tripping), 1:39; Crawley Hfd (tripping), 18:51.
OT Period-5, Hartford, Lettieri 22 (Bigras, Schneider), 0:51 (PP). Penalties-Brennan Lv (slashing), 0:30.
Shots on Goal-Lehigh Valley 6-4-12-0-22. Hartford 4-16-8-2-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Lehigh Valley 1 / 3; Hartford 1 / 3.
Goalies-Lehigh Valley, Tokarski 19-8-7 (30 shots-27 saves). Hartford, Mazanec 10-6-1 (22 shots-20 saves).
A-4,126
Referees-Nick Gill (65), Olivier Gouin (54).
Linesmen-Kyle Richetelle (47), Kevin Briganti (39).