Pirates Nip Wolf Pack for Sweep of two-game Set
Nov 13, 2015(Photo by Michael McSweeney)
The Wolf Pack suffered its franchise-record sixth straight regulation loss Friday night at the Cross Insurance Arena, falling 3-2 to the Portland Pirates in the second of back-to-back games between the two teams.
The Pirates defeated the Wolf Pack 6-2 on Wednesday night in Portland.
Wolf Pack goal-scoring leader Adam Tambellini tallied his fifth of the season, and captain Ryan Bourque also scored, but John McFarland had a goal and an assist to lead the Pirates, who also got scores from Sena Acolatse and Logan Shaw.
Mackenzie Skapski saw his first Wolf Pack action of the season in net and stopped 25 shots.
“The good thing about this team is, we’re not quitting on each other,” Tambellini said. “We’re sticking to what we do best, and we were just a shot away in this game. Hopefully we can bring that effort into the next game and come out with a win.”
The Pirates and goaltender Mike McKenna (23 saves) successfully killed three Wolf Pack power plays in the first period, and Portland took the game’s first lead on a late goal by McFarland.
McFarland took a lead pass from Rob Schremp and put on a burst of speed down left wing. He was able to get past a Wolf Pack defender and cut in front, and McFarland put a close-in shot through the pads of Skapski at 17:09.
After that late-first period tally, Portland doubled its lead only 61 seconds into the second frame. Connor Brickley fed the puck off the right-wing boards to Acolatse high in the slot, and Acolatse’s quick shot got through Skapski before he could get set.
Tambellini then got the Wolf Pack on the scoreboard at 5:19. After Marek Hrivik put a fine cross-ice pass right on Tambellini’s stick, the rookie broke down the left side and snapped a shot over the catching glove of McKenna.
Shaw restored the two-goal Portland lead at 10:07, though, with his third goal in the two games between the two clubs. Shaw got behind the Wolf Pack defense and broke up the middle in the Hartford zone, and Brett Olson found him with a perfect feed from the right side.
That goal would turn out to be the winner, as Bourque cut it back to a one-goal margin at 9:05 of the third with his second of the year. Bourque sped around behind the Portland net and cut towards the front to McKenna’s right. Bourque then spun to his forehand and snapped a shot that McKenna got a piece of, but could not keep out of the net.
The Wolf Pack got Skapski to the bench for an extra attacker with 1:30 left and had some good pressure, but were unable to come up with the equalizer, falling to 6-8-1-0 on the season.
The Wolf Pack’s next action is a home game this Sunday, November 15 vs. the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Faceoff is 4:00 PM, and 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. Also, fans are encouraged to bring their skates to that game, as there will be a free postgame skate on the XL Center ice.
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 2 at Portland Pirates 3
Friday, November 13, 2015 - Cross Insurance Arena
Hartford 0 1 1 - 2
Portland 1 2 0 - 3
1st Period-1, Portland, McFarland 4 (Schremp, Brickley), 17:09. Penalties-Matheson Por (high-sticking), 2:10; Balisy Por (goaltender interference), 7:16; Megna Hfd (hooking), 9:37; McKegg Por (interference), 10:39.
2nd Period-2, Portland, Acolatse 2 (McFarland, Brickley), 1:01. 3, Hartford, Tambellini 5 (Hrivik, Summers), 5:19. 4, Portland, Shaw 5 (Olson, Harper), 10:07. Penalties-Graves Hfd (cross-checking), 5:59; Nehring Hfd (fighting), 11:56; Racine Por (fighting), 11:56; Bodie Hfd (boarding), 12:41.
3rd Period-5, Hartford, Bourque 2 (Nehring), 9:05. Penalties-Bodie Hfd (delay of game), 3:33.
Shots on Goal-Hartford 9-10-6-25. Portland 13-8-7-28.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 0 / 3; Portland 0 / 4.
Goalies-Hartford, Skapski 0-1-0 (28 shots-25 saves). Portland, McKenna 4-4-0 (25 shots-23 saves).
A-3,000
Referees-Mike Anderson (39), Stephen Reneau (34).
Linesmen-Joe Ross (92), Bob Bernard (42).