Pack get back on Winning Track vs. Senators

Feb 26, 2017

By Chris Kohler

Magnus Hellberg totaled 26 saves Sunday at the XL Center, and goals from Matt Carey, Nicklas Jensen and Steven Fogarty sealed a 3-1 win for the Wolf Pack over the Binghamton Senators.

Fogarty’s and Jensen’s goals both came in the third period, which proved to be the difference in the contest.

The first period began as an intense defensive battle.  The Senators outshot the Pack 14-8 in the period, but goalies Hellberg, who had 13 saves in the period, and the Senators’ Chris Driedger, with eight saves, did well to keep the contest close.

The Wolf Pack had the first power play chance of the evening after Jason Akeson was called for high sticking at 3:53. Hartford was able to get a few hard shots on net, but Driedger and his defenders were diligent in blocking the pucks away from the mark.

With 3:43 to play in the period, Binghamton was awarded an extra skater when Chris Summers was found guilty of tripping. With only eight seconds left on the power play, Kyle Flanagan received a pass from Chris Rumble and finished past Hellberg to give the Senators a 1-0 lead going into the second period.

At 7:44 of the second, the Wolf Pack were given their second power play chance of the contest due to a tripping penalty by Ryan Rupert. The Senators’ penalty-kill unit was successful yet again to maintain their 1-0 lead.

The Wolf Pack equalized when Ryan Graves played the puck towards the front of the net from the left point, and winger Matt Carey managed to get his stick on the puck and maneuver it past Driedger.  That goal evened the score at one at the ten-minute mark

At 3:58 of the third period, Hartford’s Justin Fontaine was called for tripping to give Binghamton a second man advantage. This time the Wolf Pack’s defense was able to fend off the extra attacker to keep the score level at one.

At 13:01, Fogarty scored what would ultimately end up being the game-winning goal. Tanner Glass and Chris Brown provided the assists to set up Fogarty with a one on one opportunity that he capitalized on.

Just 2:56 later, Jensen was able to add a third goal for the Pack that essentially sealed the victory and snapped a four-game Wolf Pack losing streak.

Hellberg, who posted his 11^th win of the season, noted that, “We had two tough loses this weekend. I thought we played really well today. It felt good to get a win. The boys really battled hard in front of me.”

Wolf Pack head coach Ken Gernander said, “It was a timely win. Now we have a day’s rest and the guys can feel good about themselves. Certainly, when you can end on a positive note it makes it that much easier moving forward.”

The Wolf Pack are back on home ice this Wednesday, March 1, taking on the Springfield Thunderbirds in a 7:00 PM game.  That is another “Click It or Ticket Family Value Pack” game.  The Family Value Pack includes two tickets, two sodas and two hot dogs, all for just $40. 

Tickets for all remaining 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.

 

 

Binghamton Senators 1 at Hartford Wolf Pack 3
Sunday, February 26, 2017 - XL Center

Binghamton 1 0 0 - 1
Hartford 0 1 2 - 3

1st Period-1, Binghamton, Flanagan 9 (Rumble, Harpur), 18:09 (PP). Penalties-Akeson Bng (high-sticking), 3:53; Summers Hfd (tripping), 16:17.

2nd Period-2, Hartford, Carey 13 (Graves, Fogarty), 10:00. Penalties-Rupert Bng (tripping), 7:44.

3rd Period-3, Hartford, Fogarty 6 (Glass, Brown), 13:01. 4, Hartford, Jensen 23 (Gilmour), 15:57. Penalties-Fontaine Hfd (tripping), 3:58.

Shots on Goal-Binghamton 14-5-8-27. Hartford 8-6-7-21.
Power Play Opportunities-Binghamton 1 / 2; Hartford 0 / 2.
Goalies-Binghamton, Driedger 10-13-2 (21 shots-18 saves). Hartford, Hellberg 11-11-5 (27 shots-26 saves).
A-3,422
Referees-Peter MacDougall (45), Stephen Reneau (34).
Linesmen-Kory Nagy (97), Mike Baker (11).