Pack Offense Frustrated again in Bridgeport
Nov 8, 2015(Photo courtesy of Puck Stopper Photography)
The Wolf Pack were shut out for a third straight time, a first in franchise history, Sunday at Webster Bank Arena, losing 1-0 to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
The Wolf Pack outshot the Sound Tigers 30-18, but could not solve Bridgeport goaltender Christopher Gibson. Jesse Graham’s late-second period goal was the only scoring. Magnus Hellberg made 17 stops in the Wolf Pack net.
The loss came on the heels of a 4-0 Wolf Pack home-ice setback vs. the Albany Devils Saturday night and a 5-0 home loss to the Toronto Marlies Wednesday.
“It’s frustrating when we can’t get the puck behind their goalie,” Hellberg said. “Every team goes through a tough stretch, and we’ve just got to keep doing what we’re doing, and believe that we’re going to get out of it sooner or later. Obviously now it’s not a lot of fun, but I know we’re going to get a win here sooner or later.
“I can just try to focus on what I can try and do better, and what I can contribute to the team, and I think that everybody else has to do that as well. We’ve got to stick together and fight through it.”
The only goal of the game came at the 16:15 mark of the second period, when the Sound Tigers scored just after a Bridgeport power play expired. Adam Pelech passed from the right point to Graham at the opposite point, and Graham’s one-timer went off the catching glove of Hellberg and into the net.
“Obviously I want to save every puck, just lost track of it there through a little traffic,” Hellberg said. “I have to go back and see what I can do better.”
The Wolf Pack pressured the Sound Tigers hard in the third period, drawing a pair of power plays and outshooting Bridgeport 12-6, but were unable to get the equalizer.
“They scored one more goal than us so they won the game, but I think we did a lot of good things tonight that we didn’t do last game,” Hellberg said. “It’s getting better and better, so hopefully we can turn this around for next game.”
The Wolf Pack’s next action is a two-game trip to Portland, Maine to battle the Pirates. The first of those two games is this Wednesday, November 11, with faceoff at 7:00. All of the action of that contest can be heard live on News Radio 1410 WPOP, and on-line at www.newsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio. Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.
The Wolf Pack’s next home game is Sunday, November 15, a 4:00 contest against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. All Wolf Pack Sunday home games feature the “Click It or Ticket” Family Value Pack. That includes two tickets, two sodas and two hot dogs, all for only $35. 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 0 at Bridgeport Sound Tigers 1
Sunday, November 8, 2015 - Webster Bank Arena
Hartford 0 0 0 - 0
Bridgeport 0 1 0 - 1
1st Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Nehring Hfd (slashing), 10:55; Johnston Bri (roughing), 10:55; Holmstrom Bri (interference), 17:59.
2nd Period-1, Bridgeport, Graham 3 (Pelech, Whitney), 16:15. Penalties-Strome Bri (slashing), 13:00; Glass Hfd (high-sticking), 13:55; Glass Hfd (interference), 17:24; served by Verhaeghe Bri (bench minor - too many men), 18:49.
3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Carkner Bri (slashing), 5:03; Czuczman Bri (interference), 11:38.
Shots on Goal-Hartford 10-8-12-30. Bridgeport 3-9-6-18.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 0 / 5; Bridgeport 0 / 2.
Goalies-Hartford, Hellberg 5-5-0 (18 shots-17 saves). Bridgeport, Gibson 5-2-0 (30 shots-30 saves).
A-3,819
Referees-Pierre Lambert (39), Peter MacDougall (57).
Linesmen-Paul Simeon (66), Anthony Giorgio (73).